PFAS in refrigerants and extinguishing fluids for data centers in the context of the F-Gas Regulation
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) comprise a group of over 4,000 synthetic chemicals that have been widely used since the 1940s. Due to their water, oil and dirt-repellent properties, PFAS can be found in numerous everyday and industrial products such as Teflon, waterproof clothing, food packaging, artificial refrigerants and special chemical extinguishing agents such as FK5-1-12.
PFAS are the focus of scientific and regulatory attention due to their longevity and potential accumulation in organisms. Some studies are investigating potential links between PFAS and health challenges, but the exact effects are still subject to further research. To ensure the protection of humans and the environment, European and global legislation is working to regulate the handling of these chemicals in a sustainable manner.
The EU's REACH regulation, launched by the ECHA (European Chemical Agency), is working on comprehensive proposals to restrict PFAS to a large extent. A complete ban would have a significant impact on numerous materials and applications, including refrigerants, extinguishing agents, gaskets, textiles and Teflon-coated surfaces. This could also lead to a ban on data center refrigerants and extinguishing agents that contain PFAS as a component or mixture, reducing the choice of refrigerant and extinguishing agent solutions.
Impact on refrigerants for data centers
The restrictions imposed by PFAS-contaminated refrigerants pose major challenges for planners, developers and operators of data centers. The amended F-Gas Regulation, which entered on March 11, 2024, brings further changes. This regulation aims to significantly reduce the use of fluorinated refrigerants (F-gases) due to their high global warming potential (GWP)1 and possible PFAS contamination. The current GWP value of 2500 for refrigerants, which has been permitted since 2020, will be further reduced to below 150 from 2027. From 2025, no new refrigerants with a GWP above 750 may be used in small refrigeration systems with a rated output of up to 12 kW, and from 2032 in larger systems. Recycled and reclaimed refrigerants with a high GWP may still be used until 2030.
Which refrigerants can still be used safely in data centers?
Based on current developments in the industry and considering availability and sustainability, the most important aspects relating to refrigerants can be summarized as follows:
- Natural refrigerants such as propane, ammonia, CO₂ and water are PFAS-free and represent a reliable and future-proof alternative.
- Water-based refrigerants (R 718) are not currently available. Future developments towards water-based units are expected. Efforts are currently underway to develop new technologies that use water as a refrigerant.
- Expected transition periods will allow companies to adapt to the new regulations without risking operational interruptions.
Effective extinguishing agents and gases for data centers
In response to a possible ban on extinguishing agents containing PFAS, the use of water-based extinguishing systems such as water mist systems is gaining increasing interest. However, these systems are designed to fight fires or prevent them from spreading and are generally not designed for complete extinguishment. The effects on systems that are not directly affected are still being investigated.
The use of nitrogen in extinguishing systems remains a reliable, universal approach. In addition to PFAS-contaminated extinguishing agents, PFAS-free extinguishing gases such as inert gases, including nitrogen, are also available depending on customer requirements.
Which extinguishing agents are suitable for data centers?
It is known on the market that 3M's Novec 1230 is available with the extinguishing agent FK5-1-12, which will be discontinued at the end of 2025. For smaller systems such as micro data centers (DC IT Safe), mobile container data centers (DC IT Container) or small server rooms (DC IT Room), FK5-1-12 remains our preferred extinguishing agent, as there are sufficient products on the market from various manufacturers based on the extinguishing agent FK5-1-12. Please contact us for further information.
For larger rooms with sufficient space, we recommend the use of extinguishing systems with nitrogen (inert gas). If sufficient space is available, it offers a better cost ratio. This and the uncomplicated refillability make nitrogen an economically attractive alternative.
Solutions in practice:
DCG is aware of its responsibility in choosing refrigerants and extinguishing agents that are as climate-friendly as possible and has implemented several projects in the past in which natural refrigerants were used:
The FernUniversität in Hagen cools its data center with propane. This technology is also used in a data center project with a connected load of 1.7 MW in Bavaria.
Care is also taken in ongoing projects to use refrigerants with a low GWP that meet the requirements of the F-gas regulations. In the project for Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, the synthetic refrigerant R1234ze with a GWP <1 is used.
Nitrogen is used as an extinguishing agent at the nexspace data center in Heidelberg. The data center has a connected load of 2 MVA on a data center area of 4,000 m².
The sustainable data center for PBIT systems (PUE <1.29, climate-neutral cooling concept & self-generated solar power) uses the extinguishing agent FK5-1-12, as does the University Hospital Magdeburg (effective power 200 kW, area 70 m²).
1: GWP: The acronym GWP stands for Global Warming Potential. It is a measure of how much a greenhouse gas contributes to global warming compared to carbon dioxide (CO₂) as a reference. The value indicates how much heat a gas traps in the atmosphere per tonne over a certain period of time (e.g. 20, 100 or 500 years).
Title picture: © ArLawKa / #293372767 / stock.adobe.com (Standard licence)
