BIM and Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis for Thermal Management Improvement in Data Centres

Abstract

One of the most energy-intensive facilities requiring a comprehensive and well-optimised cooling system is the data centre. Air containment across the data centre is a key thermal management and energy-saving strategy that enhances the performance of data centres. The majority of modern energy-efficient data centres use some type of air containment. The primary advantage of aisle separation and containment is the decrease in the air temperature at the server inlet by reducing the mixing of hot air with cold air. In order to ascertain the volume of literature relating to corridor insulation, we conducted a literature review. Currently, there have been numerous articles regarding the application of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis, however, publications delineating the integration of building information modelling (BIM) principles for corridor separation are still limited. Research specifically targeting data centre corridor insulation is somewhat limited. As a result of this analysis, the most common methods used to isolate hot or cold aisles within a data centre were identified. To determine the most effective type of corridor insulation, the BIM family was created in Autodesk Revit. The model includes 15 telecom cabinets containing information technology (IT) equipment, eight inter-row air conditioners, and one UPS. The model was used for the CFD analysis of the air temperature in different zones of the room. Visualisation of the results using gradient temperature distributions at different levels provides a complete picture of the microclimate formation in the room and allowed the advantage of the hot aisle isolation scheme to be demonstrated.