Hybrid-Cooled Data Center Server Layout Optimization for Air-Side Heat Recovery

Sakanova, Assel; Alimohammadi, Sajad; McEvoy, Jaakko; Persoons, Tim

doi:10.1109/therminic.2018.8593309

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…In this study, the optimisation of a generic hybrid cooled single blade server is investigated to improve the potential for air-side heat waste recovery, taking into account the outlet air flow non-uniformity. This work extends an earlier study reported on by Sakanova et al [29] towards a larger parameter space. Also it gives more in-depth insights into the optimization process with a detailed analysis of the effect of the design parameters.…”

supporting

confidence: 92%

Multi-objective layout optimization of a generic hybrid-cooled data centre blade server

Sakanova

Alimohammadi

McEvoy

et al. 2019

Applied Thermal Engineering

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The rapid global increase in energy demand for data centres requires the continuous improvement of cooling solutions and techniques implemented. In a standard data centre approximately a third of the total power consumption can be attributed to the cooling infrastructure, resulting in raised power usage effectiveness (PUE) values. The main culprits of raised PUE are outdated legacy (air cooled) data centres, where only low grade waste heat is available and its capture and re-use remains a challenge. This study investigates numerically the potential for energy recuperation by a server-level internal layout optimization for a hybrid air/liquid cooled server. The study uses multi-objective genetic algorithms (MOGA) and entropy generation minimization (EGM) techniques to incorporate the multiple objectives involved in solving this problem, and examines the cooling performance and waste heat recovery potential. In order to evaluate the potential of the waste heat recovery the term ̇, is introduced in this study. Effect of modified server component layout on pressure drop and maximum outlet temperature were of main interest, due to their role in fan power usage and energy recuperation potential. The base unmodified configuration CFD models were validated through experimental pressure measurements conducted on a real server blade module. The research concluded that a basic server layout optimization such as changing the

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supporting

confidence: 92%

Multi-objective layout optimization of a generic hybrid-cooled data centre blade server

Sakanova

Alimohammadi

McEvoy

et al. 2019

Applied Thermal Engineering

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“…Other studies in airside hybrid cooling optimisation determined that outlet temperature maximisation and flow rates contribute to entropy generation minimisation [28]. For optimal heat recovery, entropy generation is desired to be increased.…”

Section: Optimisation Of Heat Recovery For the Irish Data Centre Marketmentioning

confidence: 99%

Techno-Economic and Sustainability Analysis of Potential Cooling Methods in Irish Data Centres

Gibbons¹,

Persoons²,

Alimohammadi³

2021

JECTC

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11% of Irish electricity was consumed by data centres in 2020. The Irish data centre industry and the cooling methods utilised require reformative actions in the coming years to meet EU Energy policies. The resell of heat, alternative cooling methods or carbon reduction methods are all possibilities to conform to these policies. This study aims to determine the viability of the resell of waste heat from data centres both technically and economically. This was determined using a novel application of thermodynamics to determine waste heat recovery potential in Irish data centres, and the current methods of heat generation for economical comparison. This paper also explores policy surrounding waste heat recovery within the industry. The Recoverable Carnot Equivalent Power (RCEP) is theoretically calculated for the three potential cooling methods for Irish data centres. These are air, hybrid, and immersion cooling techniques. This is the maximum useable heat that can be recovered from a data centre rack. This study is established under current operating conditions which are optimised for cooling performance, that air cooling has the highest potential RCEP of 0.39 kW/rack. This is approximately 8% of the input electrical power that can be captured as useable heat. Indicating that Irish data centres have the energy potential to be heat providers in the Irish economy. This study highlighted the technical and economic aspects of prevalent cooling techniques and determined air cooling heat recovery cost can be reduced to 0.01 €/kWh th using offsetting. This is financially competitive with current heating solutions in Ireland.

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“…Also, heat recovery potential was improved, as the average outlet temperature was increased by 7C. Nonetheless, to perform a thorough optimization study, algorithms such as MOGA (Multiple Objective Genetic Algorithm) need to be applied [10,25,26]. These kinds of optimization strategies compare the results of dozens or hundreds of simulations, gradually tuning different parameters to achieve the best solution based on the selected objectives.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Simplified Steady-State Representation of Slot Synthetic Jet Actuators to Enable Numerical Optimization With Steady RANS Simulations

Battaglioli

James

Gibbons

et al. 2021

IEEE Trans. Compon., Packag. Manufact. Technol.

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To address the growing energy use of data centers, waste heat recuperation offers a solution to better integrate these facilities into the broader energy system, thus facilitating a transition to the decarbonization of the energy system. The use of liquid coolants for full immersion cooling or local heat extraction from high power density components is considered for this purpose. However, heat can also be extracted by novel air cooling approaches, perhaps in combination with localized liquid cooling. To optimize heat extraction from air-cooled systems and maximize the heat grade, synthetic jets can be used for targeted adaptive cooling in conjunction with air ducting to facilitate maximum heat recuperation potential in rack or server-mounted air-to-liquid heat exchangers. Internal server layouts can be optimized numerically, e.g., using a multiple objective genetic algorithm approach based on minimization of entropy generation rates.However, since synthetic jets are inherently transient flow phenomena, this would require transient flow simulations, which form a bottleneck in a numerical optimization loop. This research aims to develop a simplified steady-state representation of a synthetic jet actuator (SJA) with slot orifice using a localized body force to generate a similar time-averaged flow field to a real SJA, suitable for steady Reynolds-averaged Navier Stokes simulations within a numerical optimization loop. Both flow fields are compared in terms of the mean flow field, jet spreading rate, and turbulence intensity distributions.

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Hybrid-Cooled Data Center Server Layout Optimization for Air-Side Heat Recovery

Cited by 7 publications

References 7 publications

Multi-objective layout optimization of a generic hybrid-cooled data centre blade server

Multi-objective layout optimization of a generic hybrid-cooled data centre blade server

Techno-Economic and Sustainability Analysis of Potential Cooling Methods in Irish Data Centres

Simplified Steady-State Representation of Slot Synthetic Jet Actuators to Enable Numerical Optimization With Steady RANS Simulations

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