A compact thermal model for data center analysis using the zonal method

Modeling the thermal environment for data centers, including prediction of airflow and temperature distributions, is generally an extremely time-consuming process using full-scale CFD analysis. Reduced order models are necessary in order to provide real-time assessment of cooling requirements. The use of a coarse-grained zonal model is being investigated as a predictive tool, and this article details the development and implementation of a three-dimensional, pressurized zonal model. To construct and validate the zonal model, a basic data center configuration was analyzed using a finite volume software package. The calculated flow fields provide the spatial flow coefficients required in the zonal model, which is based on the power law method (PLM). A physically-based mapping between the controllable spatial mass flow rate and temperature distribution was obtained. Good agreement (within 10% average relative error) was obtained between the zonal model predictions and the CFD results. These preliminary results show promise that zonal models may yield an effective real-time thermal management design tool for data centers.