New Guidelines for Datacenters Cooling
Apr 18th, 2008 by Ezio Sturaro
Companies which operate in the data processing sector are moving towards the creation and updating of Data centers by using High Density Servers in environments which require elevated levels of reliability, safety and modularity.
High density racks, with a full load of servers, featuring a depth of 800 mm, can require a power supply of up to 25 kW. This type of rack requires a flow of cold air (between 4000 and 5000 m3/h) in order to be able to ensure reliability and optimum working conditions. Unlike many “traditional” servers, high density servers use independent ventilation which ensures a horizontal flow of air through the cabinet itself.
This quantity of air must always be available, as well as being distributed uniformly along the whole suction side of the cabinet in order to ensure that even the servers positioned at the highest part of the rack, typically the area which suffers the most, are maintained at optimum operating conditions. The installation of high density servers can be developed both in new server rooms (predisposed for the operation of such elements) or in existing rooms which require adaptation to the infrastructure already in place.
|
|
The main elements which make up this system are:
- Active Floor: integrated module in the raised access floor which is able to adapt to the load present within the server itself.
- Cool Pool: solution for optimising the cold aisle and preventing air by-passes
- AFPS System: pressurisation system of the raised access floor
- Optimised perimeter units: Leonardo close control units featuring:
- Air ventilation with EC technology
- “Maximised” regulation system for applications with a high specific load
- Electronic thermostatic valve integrated in the control (an extension to traditional functions)
- Connection to LAN network for optimised control of the perimeter conditioning units
- Coordinated control of the external chillers
- Combined control of the “active floor” elements
- Air ventilation with EC technology
- External chillers in Intelligent Free-cooling mode: control mode for collective free-cooling for increasing the “free” cooling capacity
Loading ...
the highest part of the rack, typically the area which suffers the most
Then why not just leave raised floors behind in the mainframe era where they belong?
–chuck
Uniflair following these ideas has developed Active Floor that is a flexible solution designed for cooling high density heat loads resulting from the use of modern blade servers and Tera Routers.
Integrated within a raised access floor in front of the intake section of the server rack, the Uniflair Active Floor fits exactly into a standard raised access floor featuring 600mm x 600mm panels. The cold air issued by the Close Control units is directly channelled to the source of the heat load thanks to the sophisticated adjustment of the direction of the air flow. The Active Floor creates a high density bubble of air which is maintained at a constant temperature along the whole intake section of the rack (from the lowest to the highest point) guaranteeing operation at the nominal conditions required by the rack manufacturer. The air flow varies according to the heat load detected by the two sensors positioned in the discharge section of the Blade Server.
The Active Floor minimises energy absorption thanks to the use of an innovative fan with an electrical commutated motor.
The Active Floor may be used both in stand alone applications to slave high density servers in traditional data centers as well as with Close Control perimeter units together with an innovative automatic floor pressurisation system which has been fully tested by Uniflair. It may also be inserted in the Active Floor System for optimum control of the operating conditions in the server rooms.
Uniflair’s extensive testing of the Active Floor guarantees optimum operation of the equipment for loads of up to 15 kW. Combined with the Cool Pool solution, thermal loads of up to 25 kW for each rack can be managed.
Hi Ezio
Is there a minimum floor height clearance required for the active floor grills? My raised floor is 300mm. We are currently using Uniflair Leonardo chillers in our room, but adding new blade servers and need some extra help
Thanks!
Kylie
Dear Kylie,
the nominal height that we suggest as minimum (from the raised floor structure) in order to grant the nominal airflow with the nominal power consumption is 350mm. In case that the height available is lower obviously the perfromances in terms of airflow and/or power consumption of active floor are penalized. Generally in order to implement the better solution able to grant a proper cooling solution for high density servers with the maximum efficiency you can contact us and our partners present world wide.
Best Regards
Hello Ezio Sturaro
Is it possbile to demonstrate 20KW per rack cooling in CFD tool. Our clients are asking a CFD demo. Our Raised floor height is 600 FFH.
Is it possible to cool 20KW/rack with DX based Precision AC units, What will be the Return air temperature and Humidity condition and Supply air condtions.
Is it possible to use your Active floor tile with other Precision AC units having standard plug fan.