Cooling Towers for Data Centers
Engineered for mission-critical cooling loads, 24/7 operation, and the thermal demands of modern data center infrastructure.
The Challenge
The cooling challenge in data centers
Modern data centers reject more heat per square foot than nearly any other commercial environment. Rack densities have climbed from 5–10 kW per cabinet to 30, 40, and even 100+ kW in high-performance computing and AI workloads. That heat has to go somewhere — and air cooling alone often can’t keep up.
Cooling towers play a critical role in the heat-rejection chain. They remove waste heat from chilled water loops feeding CRAH and CRAC units, allowing chillers to operate efficiently and keeping IT equipment within ASHRAE TC 9.9 thermal guidelines. For data center operators, the cooling system has to deliver on four non-negotiable requirements:
Continuous operation
No scheduled downtime tolerance.
Redundancy
N+1, N+2, or 2N configurations to prevent single points of failure.
Water efficiency
Especially critical in arid climates and water-stressed markets.
Energy efficiency
Cooling is one of the largest operational expenses in any data center.
System Architecture
How cooling towers fit into data center cooling
The chiller transfers heat from the IT environment to the condenser water loop, which is sent to the cooling tower for evaporative heat rejection — the final hand-off in the chain.
→
CRAH / CRAC
→
Chilled water
→
Chiller
→
Condenser water
→
Cooling tower
Common configurations
- Open-loop evaporative cooling towers paired with water-cooled chillers
- Closed-loop fluid coolers for facilities that require isolation between process and ambient water
- Waterside economization allowing free cooling when ambient wet-bulb temperatures permit
- Hybrid systems combining evaporative cooling with dry cooling for water-constrained sites
CTS works with mechanical engineers and design-build firms to size and specify the right cooling tower for the project’s heat load, redundancy strategy, and site constraints.
Why FRP
Why FRP cooling towers are the right choice for data centers
Corrosion resistance
FRP doesn’t rust, scale, or corrode galvanically. With water-treatment chemicals running 24/7 for the life of the facility, corrosion is the leading cause of premature tower failure — FRP eliminates that risk.
Lower total cost of ownership
FRP towers routinely deliver 20–30+ years of service vs. 10–15 for galvanized steel. CTS is the only manufacturer to back its towers with a 20-year warranty — lower maintenance, no recoating, no rust mitigation.
Energy efficiency
The CTS T-2 counterflow induced-draft design reduces required fan horsepower per ton of cooling. Lower kWh means lower PUE, lower OpEx, and a faster ROI on the cooling investment.
Thermal performance
Engineered fill media, optimized water distribution, and high-efficiency drift eliminators maximize heat rejection in the smallest possible footprint — critical where data center site space is constrained.
Quiet operation
Lower fan tip speeds and optional low-noise packages help data centers meet local noise ordinances, especially in suburban or mixed-use locations.
Lighter installation
FRP construction is significantly lighter than steel, simplifying rigging, structural loading, and rooftop or elevated-deck installation.
The CTS T-2 Counterflow Cooling Tower
Flagship Tower
Specified into data center projects nationwide
The T-2 is our flagship counterflow induced draft cooling tower, specified into data center projects across the U.S. and internationally.
Standard features
- FRP shell and structural components
- Counterflow induced-draft design
- High-efficiency PVC fill media
- Pressurized water distribution
- Stainless steel hardware
- Industry-leading drift eliminators
Optional features
- Low-noise fan packages
- Redundant cell configurations
- Custom capacity sizing per project
- Cold-water basin — CTS uses non-corrosive FRP, so a stainless-steel basin isn’t required.
- Vibration switches & capacity controls — available, though CTS fans are balanced and tested before installation, so vibration isn’t a concern.
Comparison
FRP vs. galvanized steel for data center cooling towers
| Factor | FRP (CTS) | Galvanized steel |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | Excellent — non-corrosive by design | Moderate — zinc coating degrades over time |
| Service life | 20–30+ years | 10–15 years typical |
| Maintenance | Minimal | Routine rust treatment and recoating |
| Weight | Lighter — easier rigging and installation | Heavier |
| Initial cost | Higher | Lower |
| Lifecycle cost | Lower | Higher |
| Chemical compatibility | Compatible with most water-treatment chemistries | Sensitive to aggressive water chemistry |
For 24/7 mission-critical applications, the total cost of ownership advantage of FRP is decisive.
Applications
Data center applications we serve
- Colocation facilities
- Hyperscale data centers
- Enterprise data centers
- Edge data centers
- Telecom switching facilities
- Broadcast & media operations
- AI / HPC computing facilities
- Bitcoin mining & crypto
Engineering Support
Custom sizing, concept through commissioning
Every data center project is different. Heat loads, water availability, climate, redundancy requirements, and site constraints all factor into the right cooling tower specification. Our in-house engineering team supports your project end to end.
- Thermal performance evaluations using your operating data
- Custom sizing and cell configuration
- Formal quotations with full technical specifications
- CAD drawings, cut sheets, and O&M manuals
- Replacement parts for every system we build
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do I size a cooling tower for my data center?
Sizing depends on the design heat load (typically expressed in tons or kW), the design wet-bulb temperature for the site, and the desired water temperature drop. CTS engineers can run thermal performance calculations using your specific operating conditions and recommend the right capacity and cell configuration.
How is FRP different from galvanized or stainless steel?
FRP is non-corrosive by design — it doesn’t rust or scale and is chemically compatible with most water-treatment programs. Galvanized steel relies on a sacrificial zinc coating that degrades over time, especially in aggressive water chemistries. Stainless steel resists corrosion better than galvanized but is significantly more expensive and still subject to chloride stress corrosion in some conditions.
Can CTS cooling towers operate in arid climates with low water availability?
Yes. CTS towers can be specified with high-efficiency drift eliminators and low-water-consumption fill media, and paired with waterside economization or hybrid dry/evaporative systems to minimize water use.
What is the warranty and expected service life of a CTS FRP cooling tower?
With proper water treatment and routine maintenance, CTS warrants 20 years on the FRP (fiberglass) casing and cold-water basins, 2 years on all PVC fill, and 1 year on all fan motors, major drive components, and internal moving parts — even under continuous-duty operation.
Do CTS cooling towers meet ASHRAE thermal guidelines?
CTS towers are designed to support condenser water temperatures consistent with ASHRAE TC 9.9 recommendations for data center cooling. Specific performance is engineered to your project requirements.
Are CTS cooling towers CTI certified?
CTS has been a member of the Cooling Technology Institute (CTI) since 1972 and rates its cooling towers to CTI specifications. CTI thermal certification is available on specified models — contact our engineering team for details on your project.
Can existing cooling towers be replaced with FRP without major infrastructure changes?
In most cases, yes. CTS provides replacement towers sized to match existing footprints, basin dimensions, and piping connections. CTS offers 14 different styles of cooling towers — including crossflow, counterflow, closed-loop, high-temp, fanless, and alternate systems. Our engineering team can review your existing installation and recommend a drop-in or modified replacement.
What is the typical lead time for a CTS cooling tower?
Lead times vary by configuration and project complexity. Standard configurations typically ship within several weeks of order; custom or larger configurations may require longer. Contact us with your timeline and we’ll provide a firm delivery schedule with your quote.
Comparison
Request a quote for your data center cooling tower
Send us your operating conditions, redundancy requirements, and site constraints, and we’ll respond with a formal quotation and technical specifications.
In-house engineering · Manufactured in Macon, GA