Improving Thermal Performance in Data Centers Based on Numerical Simulations

Abstract

(1) Background: With the rapid development of cloud computing, large AI models, and other emerging technologies, the issue of heat dissipation in data centers has become increasingly prominent. This issue is often caused by inappropriate temperature distribution when using cold air to cool servers. Improving temperature distribution is key to optimizing the thermal performance of data centers. Previous solutions do not include installing adjustable underfloor deflectors under a raised floor while adjusting the aperture ratio of the floor grille and replacing the side of the floor grille located near the air-conditioning unit with a fan floor. (2) Methods: A 3D model of a data center was established, and its meshing and boundary conditions were set. The airflow inside the data center was analyzed using a CFD simulation to assess the temperature distribution resulting from two proposed solutions. (3) Results: Simulations and analyses showed that both options balanced the airflow close to and away from the conditioned side cabinets. This maximized the cooling capacity and improved temperature uniformity. The maximum temperature drop registered for the average cabinet’s out temperature was 2.81 °C. And by installing an adjustable underfloor deflector under the floor grille in rows O and N and adjusting the grille opening, the airflow to the cabinet near the air-conditioned side increased by 18.1%, and the airflow away from the air-conditioned side decreased by 5.1%. Similarly, replacing the Q-row floor grille with a fan floor resulted in a 4.9% increase in airflow to the cabinet near the air-conditioning side and a 3.8% decrease in airflow to the cabinet away from the air-conditioning side. (4) Conclusions: Airflow is a crucial factor that affects cabinet temperature. And balancing airflow between the front-end and rear-end cabinets is essential to make the best use of the cooling capacity and improve temperature distribution within data-center cabinets. This can be achieved by installing a fan floor and an underfloor deflector device in front of high-temperature cabinets located near air-conditioning units.