Universal Cooling of Data Centres: A CFD Analysis

Abstract

At present, cooling of data centres efficiently is proving a challenging feat for many companies. With constantly increasing server size and IT demand, combined with the ever increasing energy consciousness of the world, many cooling systems are no longer up to the task of effectively cooling these Data Centres while maintaining an energy efficient environment. A review of journal papers, white papers, and information from companies who manufacture data centre cooling solutions was undertaken. The literature reviewed shows that any solution to this increasing problem needs to be flexible. Investigation was carried out on two different types of cooling system which showed the most promise within the literature review. An air-cooled type (hot aisle containment air cooling) and a liquid-cooled type (single-phase liquid immersion cooling) were the two types of data centre cooling systems selected. 2D simulation of each of these systems, using ANSYS© Fluent 17.2 Academic, was carried out to demonstrate the flexibility of each system when rack density is increased from 15kW to 30kW. Conclusions were drawn that air was not a flexible cooling method if changes were to be made to the IT equipment, with a maximum outlet temperature of 324K (51°C) for the 15kW system rising to 342K (69°C) when changed to a 30kW system. It was also found that liquid immersion cooling was flexible and maintained an average outlet temperature of 298K (25°C) even when the IT equipment was uprated to 30kW.