Performance Comparison between Data Centers with Different Airflow Management Technologies

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.