Data Center Movable Partition Control for Thermal Zone Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data center climate control systems are inefficient, leading to increased operational costs and energy waste due to cooling the entire data center to below the set point to accommodate moving hot spots, which also strains HVAC units and reduces energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that perform a thermal analysis of the data center, dynamically control moveable partitions, and adjust the HVAC system based on real-time temperature readings and airflow patterns to concentrate cooling capacity where needed, thereby optimizing airflow and reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire data center is cooled to below the set point to accommodate moving hot spots, then equipment reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases and operational costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The data center is divided into multiple thermal zones using movable partitions (walls, ceilings, floors) that can be reconfigured to segment hot spots from cooler regions. This allows independent temperature control in different zones, cooling only the necessary areas rather than the entire facility, thus maintaining equipment reliability while reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamically reconfigurable partitions that can move and adapt their positions based on real-time thermal conditions and equipment locations. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the cooling strategy to adjust to moving hot spots, ensuring critical equipment remains protected while minimizing the volume requiring active cooling.
2Reliability
If conventional cooling systems cool the entire data center to below the set point, then hot spots are prevented, but HVAC load increases and operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The data center space is segmented into multiple thermal zones using movable partitions. Each zone can be independently controlled and cooled according to its specific thermal requirements and equipment density, preventing hot spots in critical areas while reducing the total HVAC load by excluding non-critical or already-cooled regions from active cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the data center are provided with different cooling levels based on their specific needs. Critical equipment zones maintain temperatures below the set point, while non-critical zones can operate at higher temperatures, optimizing the balance between hot spot prevention and HVAC power consumption.
3Ease of operation
If hot air from IT equipment is allowed to diffuse to cooler regions, then natural convection occurs, but cooling efficiency decreases and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Movable partitions are used to segment the data center into thermal zones that contain hot air from IT equipment within their respective zones. This prevents hot air diffusion into cooler regions, maintaining temperature differentials and improving cooling efficiency by ensuring that cooled air remains in zones where it is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable partitions act as thermal barriers or intermediaries between hot and cold zones. These partitions control the movement of air and heat, allowing natural convection within zones while preventing harmful heat transfer between zones, thus improving overall cooling efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code tangibly embodied on a computer readable medium being operable to perform a thermal analysis of a data center and overlay the thermal analysis on a map of the data center to provide an overlaid thermal analysis. Additionally, the computer executable code is operable to dynamically control at least one partition in the data center based on the overlaid thermal analysis.