Calibrating a CFD model against measured data is the first step to successfully utilizing this technology for change-management and the optimization of an existing data center. To date, there has been very little published on this calibration process; more focus has been placed on the use of CFD at the design stage and the development of modeling techniques and solvers. Further, few studies which feature comprehensive comparisons of CFD-predicted and measured data have been published for real data centers, and many that have, demonstrated only modest agreement at best. This study provides another such comparison — for a 7,400 ft2 (687 m2), 138-rack, raised-floor facility. The goals of the study are to benchmark the level of agreement that can be practically obtained and also to investigate the level of modeling detail required. Additionally, specific practical advice covering both CFD modeling and experimental measurements is provided. A plenum-only CFD model is compared to measured tile airflow rates and a room-model, which uses measured tile flow rates as boundary conditions, is compared to temperatures measured at each rack inlet. The level of agreement is among the best published to date and demonstrates that a CFD model can be adequately calibrated against measured data and is of value for ongoing data center operation.
Skip Nav Destination
ASME 2015 International Technical Conference and Exhibition on Packaging and Integration of Electronic and Photonic Microsystems collocated with the ASME 2015 13th International Conference on Nanochannels, Microchannels, and Minichannels
July 6–9, 2015
San Francisco, California, USA
Conference Sponsors:
- Electronic and Photonic Packaging Division
ISBN:
978-0-7918-5688-8
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
Creating a Calibrated CFD Model of a Midsize Data Center Available to Purchase
Zachary M. Pardey,
Zachary M. Pardey
Schneider Electric, Andover, MA
Search for other works by this author on:
James W. VanGilder,
James W. VanGilder
Schneider Electric, Andover, MA
Search for other works by this author on:
Christopher M. Healey,
Christopher M. Healey
Schneider Electric, Andover, MA
Search for other works by this author on:
David W. Plamondon
David W. Plamondon
University of Massachusetts Medical School, Shrewsbury, MA
Search for other works by this author on:
Zachary M. Pardey
Schneider Electric, Andover, MA
James W. VanGilder
Schneider Electric, Andover, MA
Christopher M. Healey
Schneider Electric, Andover, MA
David W. Plamondon
University of Massachusetts Medical School, Shrewsbury, MA
Paper No:
IPACK2015-48448, V001T09A029; 9 pages
Published Online:
November 19, 2015
Citation
Pardey, ZM, VanGilder, JW, Healey, CM, & Plamondon, DW. "Creating a Calibrated CFD Model of a Midsize Data Center." Proceedings of the ASME 2015 International Technical Conference and Exhibition on Packaging and Integration of Electronic and Photonic Microsystems collocated with the ASME 2015 13th International Conference on Nanochannels, Microchannels, and Minichannels. Volume 1: Thermal Management. San Francisco, California, USA. July 6–9, 2015. V001T09A029. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/IPACK2015-48448
Download citation file:
36
Views
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Articles
Experimental and Numerical Analysis of Data Center Pressure and Flow Fields Induced by Backward and Forward CRAH Technology
J. Electron. Packag (September,2022)
Experimental and Computational Investigations of the Thermal Environment in a Small Operational Data Center for Potential Energy Efficiency Improvements
J. Electron. Packag (September,2020)
Experimentally Validated Computational Fluid Dynamics Model for a Data Center With Cold Aisle Containment
J. Electron. Packag (June,2015)
Related Chapters
Embracing Change Management
Change Management: Concepts and Practice (The Technical Manager's Survival Guides)
The Localized Collocation Meshless Method (LCMM) Framework
Introduction to Finite Element, Boundary Element, and Meshless Methods: With Applications to Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow
The Application of Traditional Chinese Graphics in the Modern Logos
International Conference on Computer Technology and Development, 3rd (ICCTD 2011)