Airflow Management on the Efficiency Index of a Container Data Center Having Overhead Air Supply

Abstract

Effect of airflow managements on the efficiency index of a small container data center having overhead air supply is reported in this study. Seventeen arrangements and configurations regarding the airflow and blockage arrangements are experimentally examined and compared. Test results indicate an appreciable hot air recirculation occurring for rack arrangement without any blockage, and the hot spot occurs at the second rack alongside the cold aisle. The hot spot had moved to the first rack when the blockage plate is installed on the rack top. Rack locations relative to air handler casts a negligible effect on the efficiency index, and it is comparatively more effective by sealing the trailing of the cold aisle. A smaller cold-aisle spacing helps to lower the temperature distribution, and an additional opening of the supplied vent will not help in removal of hot spot. Shutting off the grille in the center of cold aisle is also unable to fix the hot air recirculation and may even incur hot air reversal. The hot air reversal can be removed by adding additional blockage plate at the flow reversal section. Higher supplied air flow rate also improves the efficiency index considerably.