LG launches oil-free chiller for AI data centers, cuts annual power use by 30%

LG Electronics has launched a new air-cooled oil-free inverter turbo chiller, optimized for AI data centers. The product uses LG's self-developed oil-free magnetic bearing technology, which levitates the rotating shaft through electromagnetic force, eliminating mechanical friction loss. It requires no oil circulation pump or related piping, and avoids cooling efficiency loss caused by oil film inside the heat exchanger.

The chiller uses natural refrigerant pre-cooling technology, enabling cooling without a compressor in winter conditions. During operation, the compressor, which accounts for over 80% of total power consumption, stops running, and the refrigerant condensed by indoor low temperatures circulates on its own to remove heat. Compared with traditional pre-cooling technology, this solution can reduce a data center's annual power consumption by 30%.

The product uses R-513A refrigerant, which improves global warming potential (GWP) by over 50% compared with R-134a, meeting customer ESG requirements. In addition, machine learning technology can detect abnormal signs in advance to prevent sudden equipment shutdown. After power is restored, ultra-high-speed restart technology can restore 100% rated cooling capacity within 180 seconds.