Improvements of Airflow Distribution in a Container Data Center

Abstract

Abstract The present study aims at improvements of the airflow and temperature distribution in a container data center. Simulation is carried out based on a raised floor design. It is found that the height of raised floor casts significant impact on the flow distribution. Generally, the flow rate of the perforated tile near the entrance region of CRAC unit is lower than that of the rear part of the perforated tile. The mal-distribution becomes even more severe when the height of the raised floor is reduced. The mal-distribution can be significantly improved using a smaller opening perforated tile but it also gives rise to higher pumping power and impairs the effective flow rate from CRAC. Hence, a variable opening design with a larger opening near the CRAC outlet, followed subsequently with smaller opening perforated tiles, the mal-distribution can be eliminated without additional pumping power. For improvement of the airflow/temperature distribution into the rack, we propose a drawer-type rack which can increase the effective hot aisle space and reducing the cold aisle space. Through this design, hot air recirculation and cold air bypass will be significantly reduced. As a result, the rack maximum inlet temperature of drawer-type rack can be reduced as much as 13.3 °C when compared with the traditional one.