CFD: An Intuitive Tool for Efficient Thermal Management of Data Centers

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CFD An Intuitive Tool for Efficient Thermal
Management of Data Centers
CFD Simulation Consulting Services Hi-Tech CAE
Email info_at_hitechcae.com Voice 91 79 4000
3252
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CFD An Intuitive Tool for Efficient Thermal
Management of Data Centers
Power Density Airflow at Rack Level

• The modern organizations rely heavily on computer
  services, often compensated by the data center
  legacy. Its utilization has grown by leaps and
  bounds with further addition of cloud computing
  and virtualization technologies.
• However, the growth in data centers has doubled
  the electricity consumption and resulting heat
  generation.
• Nowadays, the power in data centers range from
  540 W/m2 to 2160 W/m2, requiring energy amounting
  to 10MW.
• Moreover, the adoption of cloud computing has
  increased the utilization of servers from 10 to
  70 per cent, which has exceeded the available
  capacity for power density and airflow at rack
  level, leading to power resilience and thermal
  challenges.

Original Source http//www.engineeringexchange.co
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nt-thermal-management-of-data
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CFD An Intuitive Tool for Efficient Thermal
Management of Data Centers
Air Flow in Order to Develop the Cooling Systems

• Conventional data centers and the cooling systems
  are designed considering average power density
  per square foot, which in reality is not much of
  an effective method.
• The amount of heat generated actually varies at
  rack or row level, depending on the equipment and
  utilization. As such, varying air flow is
  required at different rack levels for efficient
  cooling of the data centers, which requires
  better understanding the air flow in order to
  develop the cooling systems.
• More often, in legacy data centers, the cooling
  systems are designed for over-cooling, which is
  an expensive practice.

Original Source http//www.engineeringexchange.co
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nt-thermal-management-of-data
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CFD An Intuitive Tool for Efficient Thermal
Management of Data Centers
Thermal Management System

• Additionally, the utility costs, regulatory
  requirements and the need to reduce carbon
  emissions is forcing data center designers to
  utilize cost-effective methodologies for
  efficient thermal management.
• Since data centers are required to operate 24
  hours and 7 days a week throughout the year, even
  a small standstill in the center can lead to huge
  expenses. The key is to balance the IT
  infrastructure with the available thermal
  management system in order to maximize data
  center capacity and prevent downtime due to
  thermal issues.
• As such, last few decades have witnessed a lot of
  research in this field to determine efficient
  operating conditions in data centers for
  uninterrupted operation and cost-effective
  thermal management. The airflow has been
  identified as a deciding factor for data center
  performance, requiring comprehensive
  understanding about the air flow characteristics.

Original Source http//www.engineeringexchange.co
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nt-thermal-management-of-data
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CFD An Intuitive Tool for Efficient Thermal
Management of Data Centers
CFD for Thermal Management

• Usually, the conventional approach in designing
  thermal management systems for data centers was
  to overprovision the systems to ensure uptime.
• However, modern data centers are being developed
  considering the ASHRAE guidelines, for maximum
  efficiency and least operational expenses.
• In todays energy saving scenario, most companies
  turn to thermal simulations using computational
  fluid dynamics (CFD), to evaluate multiple
  thermal loading scenarios and accordingly
  optimize the placement of equipments within the
  available area.
• Since it requires complete information on thermal
  dynamics to balance the infrastructure with the
  cooling capacity, it is essential to have better
  insights on airflow, which can be visualized
  using CFD.

Original Source http//www.engineeringexchange.co
m/profiles/blogs/cfd-an-intuitive-tool-for-efficie
nt-thermal-management-of-data
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CFD An Intuitive Tool for Efficient Thermal
Management of Data Centers
CFD for Thermal Management

• The simulation techniques provide the facility to
  conduct what-if scenario tests to identify
  alternative options on deciding the cooling
  capacity, position of IT equipment and
  improvising air flow around critical regions.
• However, for a meaningful outcome from the
  simulation process, detail is vital. By assuming
  the cabinet as a black box and assigning total
  heat generation will lead to a more generalized
  result. It is essential to enter as much detail
  as possible for each piece of equipment to
  pinpoint the exact root of the problem.
• Implementing the CFD technique during the initial
  planning of the data center lifecycle greatly
  reduces the chances of problems from occurring
  during actual installation, and significantly
  brings down the possibility of making wrong
  choices.

Original Source http//www.engineeringexchange.co
m/profiles/blogs/cfd-an-intuitive-tool-for-efficie
nt-thermal-management-of-data
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CFD Simulation Consulting Services Hi-Tech CAE
Email info_at_hitechcae.com Voice 91 79 4000
3252