GDX Series Data Center Chiller: Paul Johnson Walks Through the Features

Data centers are growing faster than ever, and cooling them efficiently, quietly, and securely is now mission-critical. Paul Johnson, Director of R&D at G&D Chillers, has spent the last 18 months leading development of the GDX Series, a chiller built specifically for the data center space. In this video, he walks through the unit and explains the features that set it apart.

Watch the full video, or read the highlights below.

What is the GDX Series?

The GDX Series is a chiller platform engineered specifically for data centers. It combines an oil-free magnetic bearing compressor, thermoacoustic fans, microchannel condensers, free cooling options, and cybersecurity-focused controls in a modular design that scales up to 2.5 MW.

Paul: "I'm the Director of R&D here, and for the last year and a half we've been working on this chiller specifically for the data center space."

Why does an oil-free magnetic bearing compressor matter?

Oil management is one of the biggest challenges in traditional chillers. Removing oil from the system eliminates those problems and preserves efficiency over the life of the equipment.

Paul: "The heart of this chiller is the magnetic bearing, oil-free compressor. The biggest challenge we have in a traditional system is oil management. By eliminating oil in the system, it not only eliminates the problems associated with that oil, but increases the efficiency for the long term, and you don't see the degradation that you would see in a traditional system."

How does the GDX Series handle changing data center loads?

The variable-speed compressor offers exceptional turndown. It can closely match cooling output as IT loads rise and fall.

Paul: "Of course, it's variable speed and has tremendous turndown potential."

What is thermoacoustic fan technology?

It's a fan blade design that reduces noise and turbulence while spreading airflow more evenly across the condenser. Efficiency is maintained without giving up cooling capacity.

Paul: "The biggest difference in these fan blades is the blade design, which contributes to lower noise, lower turbulence, and more even distribution of airflow across the condenser. This design helps maintain efficiency without sacrificing cooling capacity."

How does the GDX Series address cybersecurity?

The controls were chosen specifically for their cybersecurity measures. These include multi-factor authentication, encrypted MQTTS and HTTPS communications, and BACnet and Modbus support for BMS integration, with a design aligned with applicable IEC cybersecurity standards.

Paul: "The controls on this chiller were chosen specifically because of their cybersecurity measures. We use multi-factor authentication, MQTTS, HTTPS, and the various protocols for BMS management are included: BACnet, Modbus."

How does the GDX Series stay efficient in both hot and cold weather?

Microchannel condensers support efficiency across the full range of ambient conditions. In hot weather, a large condenser and efficient fan motors move high volumes of air. In cold weather, free cooling takes over.

Paul: "This chiller comes equipped with microchannel condensers. They play into our efficiency during both high and low ambient conditions. In high ambient conditions, you need a large condenser and efficient fan motors to move that airflow through in a high-volume fashion. In low ambient conditions, we bring in our free cooling options."

What free cooling options are available?

G&D developed a direct, pumped refrigerant free cooling option that cools without running the compressor. A dual-coil version uses direct fluid free cooling.

Paul: "We've been able to develop a direct refrigerant type of free cooling, which is pumped refrigerant rather than using the compressor. And we have a dual-coil version that uses direct fluid free cooling."

How large can a GDX system scale?

The modular design reaches up to 2.5 MW of cooling capacity while still shipping as a package unit anywhere in the U.S.

Paul: "This chiller is built in a modular fashion, so we can produce chillers all the way up to two and a half megawatts and still have it shippable as a package unit within the U.S."

How does G&D make sure a chiller is ready for startup?

Every GDX chiller is factory run-tested before it ships. Performance, efficiency, safeties, and controls are all confirmed.

Paul: "Every single chiller that we send out the door is factory run tested. We're confirming the performance, the efficiency, all the safeties, and all the controls, so it'll arrive in good shape, ready for a trouble-free startup at your end."

Talk to a G&D Sales Engineer

Paul: "The backbone of G&D Chillers has always been our service and the partnerships we form with our clients for the long term. If you have any questions or need more information, just reach out to any one of our sales engineers, and they'll be happy to find a solution for you."

Contact a G&D Sales Engineer →

Download the Data Center Cooling Guide (PDF)

Related: Remote monitoring for G&D chillers

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