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Data Centre |
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Since IT equipment generates a significant amount of
heat, the layout of the air conditioning in data centres is of vital importance.
If it is not laid out correctly 'hot spots' can form leading to equipment
failure.
Flow Analysis Ltd were commissioned to simulate the air flow and temperature variations within a 36m x 60m data centre, the aim being to assess the proposed floor grille layouts for a number of different equipment load scenarios. Since no simplifications could be justified, a CFD model of the entire data centre was created (see left), including all 888 cabinets in some detail. The CFD model was very complex and contained in excess of 1.5 million computational cells. The air
conditioning design for the data centre is to be based on the hot/cold aisle
principle, where cool air is delivered via floor grilles in alternate rows
between cabinets, which is then drawn through the cabinets where it is heated
and rises to high level. |
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Ducts at high level
then draw the air back to the service corridors, where it is reconditioned and
delivered back under the floor.
The various scenarios were simulated and post-processed in order to understand the air flow patterns and the consequent temperature variations within the cabinets. It was discovered that, for two of the scenarios, there were local hot spots where the temperature approached the critical 40 degrees. Contrary to what may be expected, it was found that these hot spots occurred in relatively lightly loaded cabinets. The reason for the high temperatures, was that some of the nearby highly loaded cabinets were fitted with more powerful fans which drew through more air and prevented these lightly loaded cabinets from drawing through enough cool air. Some changes to the floor grille layouts were tested until a satifactory air flow and temperature distribution was obtained for all of the scenarios. The results to the right show one of the scenarios as an example. |
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