Data Center Service & Pump Solutions
R.F. MacDonald Co. — www.rfmacdonald.com
Keeping Your Data Center Reliable, Efficient, and Cool
R.F. MacDonald Co. provides complete mechanical and pumping support for mission-critical data center cooling systems.
From design to installation and 24/7 service, we help facilities maintain uptime, efficiency, and compliance.
Our Capabilities
Pump Systems & Design
Centrifugal, multistage, and VFD-driven pumps sized for chilled-water and condenser loops.
System design assistance for N+1 and 2N redundancy.
Energy-efficient solutions to improve PUE and lower operating cost.
Fabricated Pump Packages
Factory-built skids, pre-piped and wired for plug-and-play installation.
Integrated controls, sensors, and VFD panels.
Service & Maintenance
24/7 emergency response across California & Nevada.
Preventive maintenance programs tailored for critical facilities.
On-site troubleshooting, vibration analysis, and performance testing.
Repair & Parts Support
Dedicated pump repair facility for rebuilds and seal replacements.
$5 million+ in parts inventory ensures rapid turnaround.
Certified technicians for all major pump brands.
Why Partner with R.F. MacDonald Co.
Serving data centers and industrial clients since 1956
Employee-owned, safety-first culture
Local service teams in multiple CA & NV locations
Proven expertise in pumps, boilers, and thermal systems
Enhancing Data Center Resilience with Thermal Energy Storage and ECOCat™ SCR Technology
RF MacDonald Co. | Industrial Energy Solutions for California & Nevada
Abstract
Data centers represent the core of the digital economy, supporting everything from cloud computing to AI workloads. As power densities increase and environmental regulations tighten, operators face mounting pressure to ensure cooling resilience and emission compliance simultaneously.
This white paper explores how Thermal Energy Storage (TES) systems and ECOCat™ Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology—engineered and supported by RF MacDonald Co.—provide a comprehensive solution for emergency backup cooling and clean generator operation. The combination of TES and ECOCat improves uptime reliability, reduces operating costs, and supports sustainability goals across California and Nevada data centers.
1. Introduction
Modern data centers are engineered for continuous operation. Even a short cooling or power disruption can cause hardware failure, data loss, and costly downtime. Traditional redundancy strategies—backup generators, dual chillers, and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS)—address electrical continuity, but thermal continuity often remains vulnerable.
To address this, Thermal Energy Storage (TES) provides stored cooling capacity that can be deployed instantly during outages or system failures. Meanwhile, when generators supply emergency power, ECOCat™ SCR systems ensure those engines operate with minimal emissions, meeting stringent AQMD and CARB air quality standards.
Together, these solutions form the foundation of RF MacDonald Co.’s approach to reliable, sustainable, and compliant data center operations.
2. The Critical Role of Emergency Cooling in Data Centers
Data centers generate immense heat from servers, networking gear, and electrical infrastructure. Maintaining stable temperatures is non-negotiable for equipment performance and lifespan.
Cooling Risks
Power Outages: Interruptions in utility power halt chillers and pumps, rapidly raising server temperatures.
System Failures: Chiller, pump, or compressor malfunctions can cripple cooling delivery.
Environmental Events: Earthquakes, wildfires, or storms can damage both cooling and power systems.
Human Error: Misconfiguration or maintenance lapses can interrupt cooling distribution.
Given these vulnerabilities, backup cooling is a critical element of data center resilience. TES systems offer a dependable means of bridging power transitions and ensuring uninterrupted thermal stability.
3. Thermal Energy Storage (TES) Technology Overview
Thermal Energy Storage (TES) systems store excess cooling capacity—often as chilled water or ice—during low-demand or off-peak hours. That stored energy can then be deployed instantly when normal cooling is unavailable.
Types of TES Technology
• Chilled Water Tanks – Large insulated tanks store chilled water produced by the chiller system. During emergencies, the stored water circulates through cooling coils to absorb server heat.
• Stratified Water Tanks – Maintain layers of cold and warm water to maximize storage efficiency and energy recovery.
• Ice Storage Systems – Use latent heat of fusion to freeze and melt ice, offering high energy density for long-duration cooling. Options include internal melt, external melt, and encapsulated ice designs.
Integration Benefits
Instant Cooling Availability during power or chiller failure
Reduced Peak Demand Costs through off-peak energy use
Support for Renewable Integration, e.g., solar-powered chillers charging TES tanks during daytime
Extended Generator Runtime, since TES reduces cooling load on emergency power systems
RF MacDonald Co. integrates TES with leading chiller and pump technologies from Camus, Cleaver-Brooks, and Taco Comfort Solutions, customizing systems for both new builds and retrofits.
4. ECOCat™ SCR Technology for Clean Emergency Power
During utility outages, diesel or natural-gas generators maintain electrical continuity—but they also produce significant emissions. To address environmental requirements and corporate sustainability goals, RF MacDonald Co. developed ECOCat™, a line of advanced Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems.
How ECOCat Works
ECOCat SCR systems inject a urea- or ammonia-based reagent into the generator exhaust stream. When exhaust gases pass through a catalyst bed, nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) are converted into harmless nitrogen and water vapor, reducing emissions by up to 95%.
System Features
Modular design for generator sets 200 kW – 3 MW+
Fully integrated control and monitoring system
Automatic reagent dosing based on load and exhaust temperature
Custom-engineered housing for each generator configuration
Field service and compliance support across California and Nevada AQMD districts
ECOCat Benefits
Meets or exceeds Tier 4 Final NOₓ emission standards
Enables longer emergency or test runs without regulatory penalties
Improves corporate ESG and sustainability metrics
Reduces visible exhaust and community impact
By combining ECOCat with TES, data centers achieve both thermal resilience and environmental compliance—ensuring uninterrupted, clean operation during any power event.
5. Combined Resilience: TES + ECOCat Integration
When integrated, TES and ECOCat create a unified emergency response strategy:
Function
Technology
Outcome
Cooling Continuity
TES Tanks
Maintains data center temperature when chillers or grid power fail
Clean Backup Power
ECOCat SCR
Reduces NOₓ emissions from diesel generators
Seamless Operation
Integrated Controls
Coordinates TES discharge with generator startup
Sustainability
Dual Approach
Lowers both energy cost and carbon footprint
The synergy between these systems provides true 360° resilience—protecting equipment, meeting regulatory mandates, and advancing sustainability commitments.
6. Implementation and Design Considerations
1. Capacity Sizing: TES tanks should be sized to sustain cooling for several minutes to hours, depending on IT load and backup power ramp-up time.
2. Redundancy: Multi-tank configurations and redundant heat exchangers ensure reliability.
3. Space Planning: Above-ground steel tanks or below-grade concrete designs can adapt to site constraints.
4. Integration: ECOCat SCR controls can tie into the generator’s PLC system and site-wide Building Management System (BMS).
5. Maintenance: RF MacDonald provides field service, catalyst replacement, and performance verification programs.
7. Energy Efficiency and Environmental Impact
Energy Optimization: TES shifts chiller operation to off-peak hours when utility rates are lowest.
Reduced Emissions: ECOCat cuts NOₓ by up to 95%, improving regional air quality compliance.
Sustainability Alignment: Supports California’s decarbonization and grid-stability initiatives.
ESOP Advantage: As an employee-owned company, RF MacDonald prioritizes long-term energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.
8. RF MacDonald Co. Capabilities
RF MacDonald Co. has been serving California and Nevada for more than 70 years, representing world-class OEMs and delivering turnkey energy solutions across industrial, commercial, and institutional sectors.
Capabilities Include:
Design and installation of TES and SCR systems
Engineering integration with chillers, boilers, and generators
Field commissioning and emissions testing
Service contracts, 24/7 support, and regulatory compliance management
Partnerships with Camus, Cleaver-Brooks, Taco, and other OEM leaders
RF MacDonald’s mission: “Driven by Innovation. Defined by Persistence.”
9. Conclusion
As data centers expand and sustainability expectations rise, the combination of Thermal Energy Storage and ECOCat™ SCR technology delivers the reliability and responsibility operators need.
TES ensures uninterrupted cooling during outages or chiller failures, while ECOCat guarantees that generator emissions remain within the cleanest achievable limits. Together, they empower data centers to operate continuously, cost-effectively, and cleanly—even under emergency conditions.
Through integrated engineering, regulatory expertise, and decades of field experience, RF MacDonald Co. stands ready to help data centers build the resilient, sustainable infrastructure of the future.
