CFD: An Intuitive Tool for Efficient

Thermal Management of Data Centers

CFD Simulation & Consulting Services

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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.com/profiles/blogs/cfd-an-intuitive-tool-for-efficient-thermal-management-of-data

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.com/profiles/blogs/cfd-an-intuitive-tool-for-efficient-thermal-management-of-data

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.com/profiles/blogs/cfd-an-intuitive-tool-for-efficient-thermal-management-of-data

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.com/profiles/blogs/cfd-an-intuitive-tool-for-efficient-thermal-management-of-data

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.com/profiles/blogs/cfd-an-intuitive-tool-for-efficient-thermal-management-of-data

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CFD Simulation & Consulting Services

Hi-Tech CAE | Email: info@hitechcae.com
Voice: +91 79 4000 3252