DATA CENTERS
The design and construction of data centers involve complex systems and challenges. Gilsulate 500XR’s® unique patented product attributes provide solutions to some of the unusual issues construction and engineering firms face. Many of the centers are under tight and shortened construction schedules and procuring materials has been a challenge for many. There is NO LEAD TIME for the Gilsulate 500XR material, so we can help expedite your data center needs. Our product has been used to solve the following design challenges at data centers across the United States.
The electricity requirements for data centers can be large and the electric ductbanks associated with them can generate a massive and excessive amount of heat. When there are concerns about this, Gilsulate can be used as a thermal insulation protection slab. A slab of the material is placed between the ductbank and the utilities, infrastructure, etc. that runs beneath the ductbank. The Gilsulate will provide protection to those items from the excess heat that is generated by high voltage electrical cables that transfers through the soil which could lead to melting, damaging, and harming the critical components beneath. There is no other viable solution to solve this unique issue.
Gilsulate has been used in the oil and gas industry for over 80 years. Finding solutions for expansion and movement of underground oil and natural gas lines is a challenge. Using Gilsulate 500XR’s standard expansion cushion mechanism to protect the elbows and loops of natural gas lines from soil resistance and strain is the solution. Some data centers utilize natural gas systems such as HPNG and MPNG lines and Gilsulate can provide the protection necessary for those critical infrastructure systems. There is no other viable solution to solve this unique challenge.
The chilled water piping associated with data centers is one of the most critical infrastructure systems for the centers. New construction of chilled water piping is one of Gilsulate’s “bread and butter” systems. Gilsulate 500XR was invented and patented specifically for underground applications to provide long-term reliability, high thermal efficiencies and load-bearing properties all necessary in complex data center designs.
“Uninsulated underground thermal piping systems experience significant energy losses to the soil over the course of their operating life. For example, a 100 foot section of uninsulated 12 inch HDPE Chilled Water line buried 3 feet below grade can easily gain over one billion Btu’s of heat over a 30 year period. To minimize the heat gain/loss of these piping systems, Texas A&M University has chosen a mineral powder insulation system, similar to Gilsulate 500, as the Campus standard for insulating underground thermal lines.” (1)
Gilsulate is used around the bare chilled water supply and return carrier pipes such as steel pipe and HDPE pipe to provide excellent thermal performance through its high insulating and hydrophobic material properties. Why is having a hydrophobic insulation important? Once insulation becomes wet, it is no longer an insulation – as little as 4% moisture can impact the efficiency by 70% wasting valuable resources, energy and dollars. For the steel pipe the Gilsulate material also provides corrosion protection to those schedule 40 pipes too! If you are designing or constructing a data center, you have found the product that can solve your underground challenges; reach out to us for assistance!