Performance Comparison between Data Centers with Different Airflow Management Technologies

Abstract

Air cooling systems are widely used in current data centers owing to their low capital costs and high reliability. To satisfy the increasing rack power density, the optimal air-cooling technology and an economic analysis should be carefully discussed. Therefore, this study discusses four airflow management technologies: Case 1: raised floor and cold aisle containment supply/computer room air conditioning (CRAC) direct return; Case 2: CRAC direct supply/hot aisle containment (HAC) return; Case 3: overhead duct supply/CRAC direct return; and Case 4: overhead duct supply/HAC return. Using a validated model, the thermal and economic performances of each case were compared. Results showed that Case 4 exhibited the best thermal performance, followed by Cases 3, 2, and 1. Case 1 cannot satisfy the heat dissipation requirement when the rack power density is larger than 12.5 kW; whereas only Case 4 can be used when the power density is larger than 15 kW. Regarding location within China, owing to the high ambient temperature, Shenzhen showed the highest annual cost value and power usage effectiveness, followed by Shanghai, Xi’an, Beijing, and Harbin. Finally, Cases 3 and 4 are recommended for application when the rack power density is greater than 10 kW.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have influenced the work reported in this paper.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Science and Technology Program of Tianjin [No. 2021ZD031], the Tianjin Natural Science Foundation [No. 18JCZDJC97100], and the Student’s Platform for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program [No. 202010069053, 202110069062]. This financial support is sincerely appreciated.

Notes on contributors

Xueqiang Li

Xueqiang Li is a lecturer in the School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Commerce, China. He received his Ph.D. in Thermal Engineering from Tianjin University in 2019. His research focuses on the enhancement of heat transfer.

Zhongyao Zhang

Zhongyao Zhang is a postgraduate at the School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Commerce, China. He obtained her bachelor’s degree in Energy and Power Engineering Talents from Tianjin University of Commerce in 2021.

Qihui Wang

Qihui Wang is an undergraduate student at the School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Commerce, China.

Xiaohu Yang

Xiaohu Yang is a full professor in the School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, China. He received his Ph.D. in Energy and Power Engineering from Xi’an Jiaotong University in 2015. His research focuses on the enhancement of heat transfer and energy savings in building.

Kamel Hooman

Kamel Hooman is a professor in the Department of Process and Energy (P&E), Delft University of Technology, Delft, Nederland. His research focuses on the enhancement of heat transfer in thermal applications, energy savings, thermodynamics, and district heating.

Shengchun Liu

Shengchun Liu a full professor in the School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Commerce, China. He received his Ph.D. in Thermal Engineering from Tianjin University in 2006. His research focuses on the enhancement of heat transfer, design, and optimization of refrigeration system.