Net Zero Water Use at Data Centers

The increasing demand for cloud storage has resulted in major growth for the data center industry. Cloud service providers, such as Microsoft, generate large amounts of heat at data center, which must be removed through cooling. Microsoft currently removes heat from its data centers by cycling water between cooling towers and data centers, but contaminant buildup can cause fouling in the water. This process is not sustainable because there is no current reclamation of contaminated cooling water discharge.The team’s design uses a system of membrane distillation units that use low-grade heat from the data centers and cooling potential from a local freshwater source. Design considerations included cost comparisons with current water treatment process, total utility usage required to power the units, and water purity.