How Purafil Can Help Data Centers Stay Cool and Clean in the Age of AI
As the backbone of our digital lives, data centers have always faced a suite of fundamental needs:
- Keep computing equipment cool
- Maintain and improve power efficiency
- Ensure continuous uptime
With the rise of artificial intelligence, those needs are only becoming more essential—and more difficult to meet. AI workloads are hungry, not just for processing power, but for energy, and consequently, cooling. As heat loads rise, so does the pressure on HVAC systems. This surge in energy demand has triggered a global push to make data centers more energy efficient. Operators are under increasing scrutiny from regulators, stakeholders, and sustainability initiatives to reduce power consumption, cut carbon emissions, and improve the overall efficiency of their infrastructure.
Many are turning to innovative cooling solutions, renewable energy integration, and advanced monitoring to minimize energy waste. However, with many data centers leveraging cost-effective but potentially damaging cooling innovations, air quality also plays a massive role in ensuring the center stays both cool and free of contaminants. Maintaining high indoor air quality is not just about protecting equipment—it’s becoming an integral part of broader energy optimization strategies aimed at making modern data centers more sustainable, resilient, and future-ready.
Cooling and Filtration in the Age of AI
Traditional data centers were built around a consistent model, regardless of geography. These facilities were secure, featured backup generators, fire suppression, and a key focus: keep the racks of servers from overheating. Air conditioning (AC) was crucial, often operating in a closed-loop system similar to a chest freezer, recirculating the same cold air to control internal temperatures1.
But AI is changing everything.
AI data centers require significantly more computing capacity to support high-performance chips like GPUs and TPUs. This translates directly into more heat. To address this, facilities are rethinking everything from power consumption to airflow design. Cooling is no longer just a side feature but a central pillar in operational design2.
One innovation that’s gained traction is free air cooling, also known as the economizer cycle. When the temperature and humidity outside are just right, facilities can turn off mechanical cooling systems and instead bring in outside air to cool the servers. It’s an enticing strategy: data centers have reported saving up to $500,000 per year just by leveraging one hour of free cooling per day3.
The Problem of Contaminated Air Persists
The industry’s understanding of airborne contamination has evolved over the years. Initially, air quality wasn’t a major concern. It was believed that HVAC system filters (filters designed to handle particulate matter, not corrosive gas) were sufficient. But corrosion-related failures forced a change in thinking.
Now it is understood that while the air outside may be cool enough to leverage the free cooling strategy, it isn’t always clean enough. In many urban or industrial environments, the outside air contains gaseous contaminants—pollutants such as sulfur compounds, nitrogen oxides, and ozone. These are not dangerous to humans at typical concentrations, but they are highly corrosive to sensitive electronic equipment4.
To spot and stop potentially harmful airborne contaminants before they could wreak costly havoc, operators began using corrosion classification coupons to measure the severity of airborne contaminants in server rooms. It became clear: while particulate filtration might keep dust out, gas-phase filtration is essential to protect against chemical threats5.
That’s where Purafil’s advanced gas-phase filtration and air monitoring solutions come in.
Purafil Protects and Monitors Against Harmful Contaminants
Purafil’s monitoring and filtration solutions not only help data centers stay cool but protect them from invisible threats that could quietly corrode their infrastructure. In addition, Purafil offers advanced gas-phase air filtration solutions designed specifically for data centers. These systems remove corrosive gases from both incoming outside air (during free air cooling cycles) and recirculated air inside the facility. Their filters use a blend of activated carbon and chemisorbents that react with harmful gases, neutralizing them before they can reach sensitive electronics6.
Purafil Can Help New Centers and Preexisting Facilities
Many data centers already in operation were not built with gas-phase filtration in mind. Fortunately, Purafil’s solutions can be retrofitted into existing CRAC (Computer Room Air Conditioning) units and air handling systems. Additionally, Purafil offers custom engineering support to maximize space within air handling units, making it easy to integrate filtration even when space is limited.
Even if a data center seems fine today, conditions can change fast. New construction, traffic shifts, seasonal weather patterns, wildfires, and industrial activity nearby can all introduce new contaminants into the air. That’s why monitoring is just as important as filtration. Purafil’s OnGuard Monitoring Systems continuously measure the chemical composition of the air in and around the data center7.
Monitoring also plays a critical role in site planning for new data centers. Purafil’s solutions can be deployed during the design phase to assess ambient air quality and determine whether gas-phase filtration should be specified from the start — especially in areas known for high industrial pollution or seasonal air quality issues.
Cooling and Dehumidification: A Perfect Pair
Cooling and dehumidification go hand in hand, and both are essential when protecting the sensitive servers in data centers. Air conditioners naturally reduce humidity, which is generally beneficial, but only up to a point. When the relative humidity drops too low, it increases the risk of electrostatic discharge (ESD), which can damage electronics. That’s another reason why carefully managed HVAC systems, supported by monitoring and filtration, are critical in data center environments.
As AI continues to drive the evolution of data centers, the need for smarter, more resilient cooling strategies becomes non-negotiable. The balance between performance, energy efficiency, and equipment longevity is delicate, and air quality is a vital part of the equation.
Purafil Brings a Long History of Air Quality Solutions into a High-Powered Future
With decades of expertise in gas-phase filtration and a suite of monitoring solutions, Purafil helps data centers take advantage of free air cooling without compromising reliability. Whether retrofitting existing facilities or specifying systems for new builds, Purafil empowers operators to manage not just temperature, but also the invisible chemical threats that can eat away at expensive equipment.
In a world where the demand for digital services is driving up the heat in data centers, Purafil is helping ensure that the cloud stays both cool and clean. Learn more about Purafil’s Data Center monitoring and protection solutions today.