Optimization of airflow organization in fan-wall data center via baffles

Abstract

The utilization of natural fresh air for cooling server rooms in fan-wall data centers effectively reduces the operational duration of air conditioning, resulting in enhanced energy efficiency. Nonetheless, there are few researches available on the optimization of airflow organization in fan-wall data centers. In this study, baffles are installed at the inlet of racks to achieve uniform airflow distribution. The thermal performance of rack is investigated with respect to the influence of the arrangement direction, width, angle size, and angle direction of baffles. The results reveal that: (1) The heat distribution in the racks near the air inlet is uneven, with heat accumulating in the middle and lower parts, leading to significant fluctuations in inlet temperature. (2) Placing baffles vertically on both sides of racks inlet can effectively improve the thermal distribution within the rack in fan-wall data center. (3) The optimal working condition is achieved when baffles are arranged on both sides of the rack inlet, with a width of 7 cm and an angle of 15°, and the angle direction is the same as the airflow direction. This effectively mitigate hotspots within the rack, with the maximum temperature drop within the rack hotspot reaching approximately 13.66 ℃.