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This study examines an innovative application of the aerosol deliquescence and crystallization determination, for corrosion prevention and energy-saving strategies in free-cooled data centers. Aerosol deliquescence and crystallization were investigated by combining standardized aerosol sampling techniques (i.e. EN-14907) with the assessment of the electrical effects of aerosol, while varying relative humidity within a specially designed aerosol exposure chamber. Aerosol samples collected in the Po Valley (Northern Italy) were analysed; a clearly defined hysteresis cycle (deliquescence and crystallization at 60.5 +/- A 0.8 and 47.9 +/- A 0.7 % of RH, respectively) was found. Results were applied to a data center designed for the Italian National Oil and Gas Company, making it possible to identify a critical area for direct free cooling at this data center. As a result, aerosol hydration was avoided (thus preventing aerosol from damaging electrical components) and a large amount of energy saved (using free cooling instead of air-conditioning); the potential energy saving achieved in this way was 79 % (compared to the energy consumption of a traditional air-conditioning system): 215 GWh of energy was saved, and 78 fewer kt of equivalent CO2 was emitted per year. Moreover, in order to evaluate whether a real-time estimation of the aerosol hydration state within a data center could be performed, measured deliquescence and crystallization were compared through simulations performed using three different models: two thermodynamic models for deliquescence and a parametric model for crystallization. The results obtained tend to converge in terms of deliquescence, whereas in the case of crystallization, they failed to effectively simulate experimental aerosol behaviour.