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Energy-Efficient Improvement Approaches through Numerical Simulation and Field Measurement for a Data Center

Author

Listed:
  • Fujen Wang

    (Department of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Energy, Engineering, National Chin-Yi University of Technology, Taichung 411, Taiwan)

  • Yishun Huang

    (Department of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Energy, Engineering, National Chin-Yi University of Technology, Taichung 411, Taiwan)

  • BowoYuli Prasetyo

    (Department of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Energy, Engineering, National Chin-Yi University of Technology, Taichung 411, Taiwan)

Abstract

The power density of electronic equipment increased dramatically recently. Data center and data processing and telecommunication facilities are facing the exceptionally high sensible heat loads which result in a large amount of energy consumption. In this study, a numerical simulation using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was conducted to investigate the influence of alternative approaches to avoid bypassing and recirculation for air distribution in a full-scale data center. Field measurements were extensively conducted to validate the simulation results. Various performance indexes were adopted to enhance the evaluation of the thermal performance of the data center. The simulation results revealed that the practice with hot aisle enclosure and the installation of blocking panels for the unoccupied racks can provide satisfactory airflow distribution and thermal management under low load conditions. The return temperature index (RTI) can be improved by 3% through CFD simulation through installation of the blank panels, which reveals the reduction of recirculation airflow. The return heat index (RHI) increases by 8%, which presents a reduction of bypass airflow. A practical experiment using physical air curtains was conducted to enclose the hot aisle in the data center, which also reveals an 8% improvement for bypass airflow. Higher cooling performance can be achieved via reduction of recirculation and bypass airflow in the data center. Through the simulation of different improvement approaches in the data center, the optimum practice for cooling airflow arrangement can be identified accordingly.

Suggested Citation

  • Fujen Wang & Yishun Huang & BowoYuli Prasetyo, 2019. "Energy-Efficient Improvement Approaches through Numerical Simulation and Field Measurement for a Data Center," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-18, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:14:p:2757-:d:249556
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chu, Wen-Xiao & Wang, Chi-Chuan, 2019. "A review on airflow management in data centers," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C), pages 84-119.
    2. Liu, Yuting & Yang, Xu & Li, Junming & Zhao, Xudong, 2018. "Energy savings of hybrid dew-point evaporative cooler and micro-channel separated heat pipe cooling systems for computer data centers," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 629-640.
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    Cited by:

    1. Naoki Futawatari & Yosuke Udagawa & Taro Mori & Hirofumi Hayama, 2020. "Improving Prediction Accuracy Concerning the Thermal Environment of a Data Center by Using Design of Experiments," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-21, September.
    2. Ali Badiei & Eric Jadowski & Saba Sadati & Arash Beizaee & Jing Li & Leila Khajenoori & Hamid Reza Nasriani & Guiqiang Li & Xin Xiao, 2023. "The Energy-Saving Potential of Air-Side Economisers in Modular Data Centres: Analysis of Opportunities and Risks in Different Climates," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-22, July.

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