Low energy air conditioning of shelters for telecommunication networks

The control of the air temperature in a shelter for telecommunication networks is an important task for the correct operation of its electronic equipment. Different technical solutions have been studied in order to improve the energy performances of air conditioning plants: for this purpose direct free cooling allows reduction of the energy consumption to maintain the internal air temperature below the prescribed values. Nowadays the internal air temperature may rise up to 60/spl deg/C, due to the high technology of the electronic equipment, and new solutions for the air temperature control can be proposed. This paper analyses the dynamic thermal performances of a shelter used in telecommunication networks, fitted up with an "air-to-air" plate heat exchanger without mixing between internal and external air flows. Useful information concerning the thermal and energy performances of this system is given for design purposes.