Data centres are among the most energy-intensive facilities in the built environment. While much attention focuses on server cooling efficiency, the air treatment side of HVAC operations represents a significant and often overlooked cost centre.
The Air Quality Challenge in Data Centres
Data centres face air quality challenges that differ from typical commercial buildings:
External pollution ingress — Many data centres are located in industrial zones where air quality is compromised by nearby landfills, manufacturing facilities, or urban pollution. The HSBC Asia-Pacific Data Centre, for example, is located adjacent to the Tsuen Kwan O Landfills.
24/7 operation — Unlike offices, data centres cannot schedule downtime. Air treatment must run continuously.
Stringent particulate requirements — Server equipment is sensitive to particulate contamination.
Odour complaints — Landfill gas ingress causes persistent odour issues that affect staff.
Traditional Approaches and Their Limitations
Most data centres rely on activated carbon filtration for gaseous pollutant removal. This approach has well-documented drawbacks:
Carbon saturates every 2–3 months under heavy load.
Saturation is invisible — there is no warning before performance drops.
Saturated carbon can re-release captured pollutants.
Frequent replacements mean repeated labour and downtime.
Disposal of saturated carbon adds a waste management burden.
The NCCO Advantage for Data Centres
NCCO technology addresses these challenges directly.
Continuous Performance Without Saturation
The catalytic oxidation process continuously decomposes pollutants into H₂O and CO₂. The NCCO reactor regenerates during operation, maintaining consistent removal rates for 3–5 years without replacement.
Proven Results
At the HSBC Asia-Pacific Data Centre, a tailor-made NCCO system (airflow exceeding 10,000 L/s) installed at the fresh air inlet achieved:
Over 80% reduction in ammonia and TVOC
International IAQ standard achieved
Zero staff complaints post-installation
Energy Savings
Because NCCO provides superior pollutant removal at the air intake, facilities can reduce overall ventilation frequency. This translates directly to lower HVAC energy consumption — a critical saving for data centres where cooling already represents 30–40% of total energy costs.
ESG and Carbon Credits
NCCO’s verified carbon reduction (ISO 14067:2018) means data centre operators can generate tradeable carbon credits — turning an operational cost into a potential revenue stream.
Implementation Path
For data centre operators considering NCCO:
IAQ assessment — Professional testing to establish pollutant profiles.
System specification — NCCO units sized for the facility’s airflow requirements.
Installation at fresh air intake — Optimal placement for maximum effectiveness.
Monitoring — Continuous IAQ data for compliance verification.
The result is cleaner air, lower costs, and a measurable contribution to your organisation’s ESG commitments.