Numerical modeling of data center with transient boundary conditions

Data centers are the facilities that house large number of computer servers that dissipate high power. Considering the dynamics of the data centers, their efficient thermal management is a big challenge that needs to be addressed. Computational analyses using a CFD code is very useful technique that helps the engineer to understand and solve the data center cooling problem. Several ongoing numerical modeling research efforts focus on simulating data center environment with constant boundary conditions. In reality, data centers have highly time dependent boundary conditions i.e. fluctuations in server powers and CRAC flow rate. In this paper, effect on time dependent boundary conditions on rack inlet temperatures will be discussed in detail with the transient modeling of data centers. Case studies will be presented to illustrate the transient fluctuations of rack inlet air temperature by the variation of rack power and CRAC flow rate.