A-Gas recovers 73,000 lbs R410A at data centre, cutting CO2e
A-Gas Rapid Recovery has completed a refrigerant recovery project at a major technology provider's data centre campus, reclaiming over 73,000 lbs of R410A across five buildings during peak summer temperatures.
The project involved the decommissioning of 222 cooling units in challenging weather conditions, with the recovered refrigerant equivalent to preventing the release of more than 70,000 tons of CO2e into the atmosphere. The recovery operation also provided direct economic benefits to the technology provider through the A-Gas buyback programme.
Large-scale recovery
The A-Gas Rapid Recovery service was selected for its high-speed on-site operations, which, according to the company, can be up to ten times faster than traditional refrigerant recovery techniques. The campus-wide effort required coordination across multiple facilities, maintaining operational continuity while ensuring compliance with all environmental and safety regulations.
The volume of refrigerant involved posed logistical and technical challenges, especially during extreme summer heat. A-Gas reported using its established protocols and experienced personnel to complete the project efficiently and safely under these demanding circumstances.
Verified documentation and compliance
Comprehensive Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) documentation was provided throughout, alongside thorough refrigerant analysis and regulatory compliance. The recovery process ensures that refrigerant gases are either repurposed for future use or safely destroyed, in line with A-Gas' standard practices to prevent their harmful atmospheric release.
The project not only prevented the harmful release of refrigerant-equivalent to 70,226 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2e)-but also delivered direct economic benefits for the technology provider through the A-Gas buyback program.
A-Gas stated that its approach supports technology infrastructure sectors in meeting both environmental and economic goals. By managing the lifecycle of refrigerants recovered during decommissioning projects, companies can increase the circularity of their operations and reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions.
Industry context
As data centre operators respond to increasing environmental, safety, and compliance expectations, effective refrigerant management is becoming a point of focus during both the commissioning and decommissioning of large-scale cooling systems. The industry is also subject to evolving standards and regulations aimed at reducing the use of high global warming potential gases such as R410A.
For data centre owners, the recovery and reclamation of refrigerants provides an opportunity not only to mitigate environmental impacts, but also to realise cost savings through buyback programmes and reduced regulatory risks.
Ongoing environmental stewardship
According to A-Gas, the successful completion of the data centre project aligns with its long-term objectives to supply lower global warming gases and increase industry circularity through reclamation and repurposing processes. The company reports that for more than three decades, it has focused on developing methods for the safe capture, reuse, or destruction of refrigerants and fire protection gases.
A-Gas' recovery and management processes are designed to limit the release of greenhouse gases, which are a significant concern for industries reliant on large cooling requirements such as data centres. By employing high-speed recovery services and full regulatory compliance, the company states it supports clients' efforts to maintain operational uptime while transitioning to more sustainable refrigerant solutions.
The project at the technology provider's campus exemplifies a scalable approach to refrigerant lifecycle management, providing both environmental and financial outcomes without compromising data centre operational priorities.
