CFD Thermal Modeling: Who's Using It, and How? update from October 2008

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) can create a "digital clone" of an existing data center and use 3D simulations to analyze data center cooling.

Data Center Knowledge

October 7, 2008

2 Min Read
ITPro Today logo in a gray background | ITPro Today

cfdmodeling.jpg

cfdmodeling

One of the cool technologies in use in some data centers is thermal modeling using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD),  a tool for analyzing the effectiveness of cooling within the racks and aisles. The 3D visualizations of a data center are visually striking, but can also save data center operators large sums of money by identifying areas where cold air is not reaching equipment or is mixing with hot air. 

Since cooling can represent 40 percent of energy usage in some data centers, the savings from a CFD analysis can be significant. But so can the up-front cost, which is a challenge in technology adoption.

Customers of CFD modeling fall into three primary categories, according to Sherman Ikemoto, General Manager, North America for Future Facilities,  a UK-based company that specializes in CFD tools:

  • Hardware manufacturers such as Dell, IBM, Verari Systems and Cisco, who use Future Facilities' 6Sigma software to understand the thermal profile of their equipment.

  • Building services firms such as EYP Mission Critical Facilities (now part of HP) and BrunsPak, who use CFD modeling to perfect air flow in their data center designs before starting construction.

  • Data center operators who use 6Sigma and other CFD to trouble-shoot existing facilities to track airflow changes as more racks and cabinets are added to a data center.

Among companies operating data centers, use of CFD is concentrated in banks and brokerages. "We are mainly strong in the financial sector," said Ikemoto. "They seem to have the top mission-critical facilities, and they're constantly upgrading their facilities. They see their data center as a necessity, not as overhead."  

Future Facilities has developed the Virtual Facility, a detailed 3D model that can be used to simulate airflow in a test design, or to create a "digital clone" of an existing data center to analyze its data center cooling efficiency. The technology is packaged as 6Sigma Room, which is typically used to build a model of a data center design prior to implementation, and 6Sigma Manager, which helps data center operators track changes in their environment, and features energy profiles for many manufacturers'  hardware.

Future Facilities has used its CFD technology to create virtual facilities for 120 vustomers since 2004, including numerous banks. Ikemoto said the company's CFD technology may become more accessible beyond the financial services niche as it partners with engineering and design firms.

One of the companies Future Facilities is working with is SynapSense, which makes wirless sensors for data centers to monitor energy usage and heat. "We think it's a good fit between our technologies," said Ikemoto. "If you see something wrong with the sensors, you can go to a virtual facility to figure it out. We're working with SynapSense to marry the technologies."

Read more about:

Data Center Knowledge

About the Author

Data Center Knowledge

Data Center Knowledge, a sister site to ITPro Today, is a leading online source of daily news and analysis about the data center industry. Areas of coverage include power and cooling technology, processor and server architecture, networks, storage, the colocation industry, data center company stocks, cloud, the modern hyper-scale data center space, edge computing, infrastructure for machine learning, and virtual and augmented reality. Each month, hundreds of thousands of data center professionals (C-level, business, IT and facilities decision-makers) turn to DCK to help them develop data center strategies and/or design, build and manage world-class data centers. These buyers and decision-makers rely on DCK as a trusted source of breaking news and expertise on these specialized facilities.

Sign up for the ITPro Today newsletter
Stay on top of the IT universe with commentary, news analysis, how-to's, and tips delivered to your inbox daily.

You May Also Like