In modern data centers, the power density of IT equipment is increasing significantly, particularly with the growth of AI, cloud computing, hyperscale, and colocation facilities. The heat generated by servers requires precise, continuous, and highly available cooling systems.
The Fuji Electric ultrasonic flow meter clamp-on Time Delta-C Advanced, combined with two PT100 temperature probes, measures flow rate, supply and return temperatures, and thermal energy exchanged in secondary cooling loops. Thanks to its non-intrusive time-of-flight technology, it can be installed directly on existing pipes without interrupting the process or modifying the piping. This solution addresses the challenges of data center cooling, energy efficiency, and IT service continuity.
Data centers have become critical infrastructure for the digital economy. They host cloud applications, high-performance computing services, artificial intelligence environments, and strategic data. This growth has led to increased cooling requirements, as nearly all the energy consumed by servers is converted into heat.
In this context, operators must balance IT availability, control of operating costs, and reduction of their environmental footprint. Metrics such as PUE, energy KPIs, performance traceability, and monitoring of water and energy consumption are becoming essential for managing facilities. Consequently, reliable and continuous flow measurement is essential for fine-tuning facility operations and anticipating operational deviations.
The European regulatory framework is also evolving. The European Commission has established a reporting system on the energy performance and sustainability of data centers, featuring a European database and indicators designed to assess their efficiency. In particular, European Delegated Regulation 2024/1364 introduces a reporting system for the data centers in question, in line with the European Energy Efficiency Directive. In France, requirements related to energy efficiency and the recovery of waste heat also underscore the importance of having reliable measurements for cooling systems.
Data center operators must manage variable thermal loads that can sometimes change very rapidly. Activating servers dedicated to AI, machine learning, or high-performance computing can cause significant fluctuations in cooling requirements. Without accurate flow measurement on the secondary loops, it becomes difficult to ensure uniform distribution of chilled water or heat transfer fluid.
This lack of visibility can lead to localized hot spots in IT rooms, increase the risk of equipment failure, and degrade operating conditions. Poor hydraulic balancing can also result in excessive energy consumption, as chillers, pumps, heat exchangers, AHU, RAC, or CDU units do not always operate at their optimal settings.
The other major challenge involves installing measurement instruments on pipes that are in service. In a data center, any mechanical work on a cooling loop can be complex, costly, and risky. An intrusive sensor may require a partial shutdown, draining, piping modifications, or an operation that is incompatible with availability requirements.
Finally, operations teams need reliable, real-time data to feed into monitoring systems such as BMS, SCADA, and others. Without data on flow rate, temperature, and thermal energy, it is more difficult to detect imbalances, compare actual performance against targets, and sustainably optimize data center cooling.
The Time Delta-C Advanced clamp -on ultrasonic flow meter is designed to meet the specific requirements of data centers. Its technology is based on the transit time principle: the flow meter compares the propagation time of ultrasonic waves in the direction of flow and in the opposite direction. This method allows flow rate to be measured without direct contact with the fluid.
Thanks to its external sensors mounted on the pipe, the solution can be installed without disrupting operations. It requires no process shutdown, drilling, or modifications to the piping. This advantage is particularly important for IT rooms, where service continuity and compliance with SLAs are top priorities.
The system also includes two PT100 temperature probes, positioned on the supply and return pipes. This configuration allows for measuring the temperature difference and calculating the thermal energy exchanged within the circuit. The operator therefore does not merely monitor an instantaneous flow rate: they gain a comprehensive view of the thermal performance of their secondary loops.
The data can then be transmitted via analog outputs and industrial communication protocols compatible with data center monitoring architectures. This allows teams to monitor energy performance, adjust hydraulic settings, detect deviations, and improve the overall efficiency of the cooling system.
Ensuring reliable cooling in IT rooms
Combined flow and temperature measurement verifies that secondary loops are properly distributing chilled water or heat transfer fluid to critical equipment.
Optimizing data center energy efficiency
Calculating power and thermal energy allows cooling to be managed based on actual data, thereby preventing over-flow, hydraulic imbalances, and unnecessary energy consumption.
Install continuous process monitoring
External sensors are mounted on existing pipes without any disruptive work. This minimizes operational risks and ensures uninterrupted IT service.
Monitor operational deviations in real time
Flow, temperature, and thermal energy data make it easier to detect anomalies, performance losses, or imbalances between circuits.
Facilitating integration with GTB, BMS, and SCADA systems
Analog outputs and industrial communications make it easy to integrate measurements with the monitoring tools already in place in the data center.
ApplicationDownload your application sheet and discover the solution for optimizing secondary loops in data centers!
