Small-scale data centers suffering from low cooling efficiency consume an intense power for reliable operation of IT equipment. In this study, thermal distribution in an air-cooled data center is simulated using an open source Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model to examine the underlying mechanism that reduces thermal and cooling efficiencies. The numerical model is validated with the temperature measurements conducted in the data center. Numerical simulations have revealed that recirculating hot flows observed at the top of the racks increased the air temperature beyond the allowable maximum temperature. To this end, the data center has been retrofitted by creating a hot aisle with the implementation of a moving baffle at the rear of the rack. Numerical simulations conducted for two working scenarios have demonstrated that such a minor modification could result in remarkable enhancement in the cooling efficiency. Efficiency of the data center has improved by 47.2% and 22.7% with respect to the RCI (Rack Cooling Index) and RHI (Return Heat Index), respectively. The present numerical model can capture distributions of the efficiency metrics over the racks. Present methodology can be used to reduce power consumption by the cooling and ventilation systems in existing data centers.

冷却效率低的小型数据中心消耗大量电力，以确保 IT 设备的可靠运行。在这项研究中，使用开源计算流体动力学 (CFD) 模型模拟风冷数据中心的热分布，以检查降低热和冷却效率的潜在机制。数值模型通过在数据中心进行的温度测量得到验证。数值模拟表明，在机架顶部观察到的再循环热流将空气温度提高到超过允许的最高温度。为此，数据中心已通过在机架后部实施移动挡板创建热通道进行改造。对两种工作场景进行的数值模拟表明，这种微小的修改可以显着提高冷却效率。数据中心的效率在 RCI（机架冷却指数）和 RHI（回热指数）方面分别提高了 47.2% 和 22.7%。目前的数值模型可以捕获机架上效率指标的分布。本方法可用于降低现有数据中心的冷却和通风系统的功耗。目前的数值模型可以捕获机架上效率指标的分布。本方法可用于降低现有数据中心的冷却和通风系统的功耗。目前的数值模型可以捕获机架上效率指标的分布。本方法可用于降低现有数据中心的冷却和通风系统的功耗。