Numerical Study to Analyze the Effects of Hot/Cold Aisle Configurations on Heat Transfer Phenomenon in a Data Center

Due to high energy demands of data centers and the energy crisis throughout the world, efficient heat transfer in a data center is an active research area. Until now major emphasis lies upon study of air flow rate and temperature profiles for different rack configurations and tile layouts. In current work, we consider different hot aisle (HA) and cold aisle (CA) configurations to study heat transfer phenomenon inside a data center. In raised floor data centers when rows of racks are parallel to each other, in a conventional cooling system, there are equal number of hot and cold aisles for odd number of rows of racks. For even number of rows of racks, whatever configuration of hot/cold aisles is adopted, number of cold aisles is either one greater or one less than number of hot aisles i.e. two cases are possible case A: n(CA) = n(HA) + 1 and case B: n(CA) = n(HA) − 1 where n(CA), n(HA) denotes number of cold and hot aisles respectively. We perform numerical simulations for two (case1) and four (case 2) racks data center. The assumption of constant pressure below plenum reduces the problem domain to above plenum area only. In order to see which configuration provides higher heat transfer across servers, we measure heat transfer across servers on the basis of temperature differences across racks, and in order to validate them, we find mass flow rates on rack outlet. On the basis of results obtained, we conclude that for even numbered rows of rack data center, using more cold aisles than hot aisles provide higher heat transfer across servers. These results provide guidance on the design and layout of a data center.

Behavior and Performance of Refrigerant Mixture HFC125/HC290 in Heat Pumps

The refrigerant mixtures provide an important direction in selecting new environment-friendly alternative to match the desirable properties with the existing halogenated refrigerants or future use in the new devices, in which, HFCs refrigerants with zero ODP combined with HCs refrigerants with zero ODP and lower GWP are of important value in the fields of application. In the present work, research on HFC125/HC290 (25/75 by mass) binary refrigerant mixture used in heat pumps was carried out, and parameters, factors affecting the performance were investigated, and compared with that of HCFC22 under the same operating conditions. It has been found that the new mixture can improve the actual COP by 2 to 13% and hence it can reduce the energy consumption by 20 to 31.5%. The overall performance has proved that the new refrigerant mixture could be a promising substitute for HCFC22.

Investigation of Enhancement in Pool Boiling Heat Transfer of a Binary Temperature Sensitive Magnetic Fluid

In this paper, the performance of pool boiling heat transfer using a binary temperature sensitive magnetic fluid in the presence of a non-uniform magnetic field is investigated numerically. By using a binary magnetic fluid, enhanced boiling heat transfer is obtained by thermomagnetic convection without deterioration of properties of the fluid. This work is aimed at gaining a qualitative understanding the magnetic field effects on boiling heat transfer enhancement of magnetic fluids. In order to accomplish this, the boiling process and the effects of position of the external magnetic field on flow pattern and heat transfer are investigated in a 2D rectangular domain using COMSOL Multiphysics simulation software. Finally, the boiling curves for a binary temperature sensitive magnetic fluid and its base fluid (without magnetic particles) are compared for various applied heat flux magnitudes.

Experimental and CFD Investigations of Heat Transfer in Helical Coils for the Development of Correlations for Newtonian and Non-Newtonian Fluids in Transient State-Space Conditions

Experimental studies and CFD investigations were carried out under laminar and turbulent flow regimes in isothermal steady state and non-isothermal unsteady state conditions in helical coils for Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids. Water and glycerol-water mixture (10 and 20 % glycerol) as Newtonian fluids and dilute aqueous polymer solutions of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (SCMC), sodium alginate (SA) as non-Newtonian fluids were used in this study. The experiments were performed for three helical coils of coil curvature ratios as 0.0757, 0.064 and 0.055 in laminar and turbulent flow regimes. For the first time, two innovative correlations to calculate Nusselt number (Nu) in terms of new dimensionless ‘M’ number, Prandtl number and coil curvature ratio under different conditions for Newtonian fluids are proposed in this paper. Third correlation of Nu vs. Graetz number (Gz) including the effects of coil curvature on heat transfer coefficient which was not considered by earlier investigators is developed based on tests conducted in laminar flow for Newtonian fluids. All these three innovative correlations developed based on experimental data which were not found in the literature. These correlations were compared with the work of earlier investigators and were found to be in good agreement. The CFD analysis for laminar and turbulent flow was carried out using the CFD package FLUENT 12.0.16. The CFD calculation results (Nui, U) for laminar and turbulent flows were compared with the experimental results, and also the work of earlier investigators was found to be in excellent agreement. Further, the effect of helix diameter on heat transfer for Newtonian and Non-Newtonian fluids are also presented in this paper and it was observed that as helix diameter increases, overall heat transfer coefficient decreases.

Application of Phase Change Material in Sustainable Cooling of Data Centers

The ever increasing information technology heat load and data center cooling energy are the main reasons to investigate the performance of microencapsulated phase change slurry over other heat transfer fluids. Microencapsulated phase change slurry is dispersion where the phase change material, microencapsulated by a polymeric capsule, is dispersed in water. Compared to water, these new fluids have a higher heat capacity during phase change and a possible enhancement, as a result of this phase change, in the heat transfer phenomenon. The composition of phase change material used in slurry greatly affects its efficiency, If not selected properly it can cause serious damage, e.g. agglomeration and clogging of pipes. The main objective of this work is to develop standalone pumpable microencapsulated phase change slurry that is able to withstand shear stresses of the pump and other course surfaces of pipe and pipe joints. In this study, experiments were performed, to determine performance of microencapsulated phase change slurry over conventional heat transfer fluids. After certain pumping cycles, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has been done to analyze the conditions of shell material of polymeric capsule. Results obtained from SEM show that centrifugal pump is compatible with mPCM particle size upto 3 μm. It is true that selected mPCS have shown better performance over water in hot water bath in case of thermal storage. Also, closed loop final testing has shown that heat flux is about 2–3 times higher with mPCS than water.

On Development of a Semi-Mechanistic Wall Boiling Model

In modern cooling systems the requirement of higher performance demands highest possible heat transfer rates, which can be achieved by controlled nucleate boiling. Boiling based cooling systems are gaining attention in several engineering applications as a potential replacement of conventional single-phase cooling system. Although the controlled nucleate boiling enhances the heat transfer, uncontrolled boiling may lead to Dry Out situation, adversely affecting the cooling performance and may also cause mechanical damage due to high thermal stresses. Designing boiling based cooling systems requires a modeling approach based on detailed fundamental understanding of this complex two-phase heat and mass transfer phenomenon. Such models can help analyze different cooling systems, detect potential design flaws and carry out design optimization. In the present work a new semi-mechanistic wall boiling model is developed within commercial CFD solver ANSYS FLUENT. A phase change mechanism and wall heat transfer augmentation due to nucleate boiling are implemented in mixture multiphase flow framework. The phase change phenomenon is modeled using mechanistic evaporation-condensation model. Enhancement of wall heat transfer due to nucleate boiling is captured using 1D empirical correlation, modified for 3D CFD environment. A new method is proposed to calculate the local suppression of nucleate boiling based on the flow velocity, and hence this model can be applied to any complex shaped coolant passage. For different wall superheat, the wall heat fluxes predicted by the present model are validated against experimental data, in which 50-50 volume mixture of aqueous ethylene glycol (a typical anti-freeze coolant mixture) is used as working fluid. The validation study is performed in ducts of different sizes and shapes with different inlet velocities, inlet sub-cooling and operating pressures. The results are in good agreement with the experiments. This model is applied to a typical automobile Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system to study boiling heat transfer phenomenon and the results are presented.

Exploration of Impinging Water Spray Heat Transfer at System Pressures Near the Triple Point

The heat transfer of a water spray impinging upon a surface in a very low pressure environment is of interest to cooling of space vehicles during launch and re-entry, and to industrial processes where flash evaporation occurs. At very low pressure, the process occurs near the triple point of water, and there exists a transient multiphase transport problem of ice, water and water vapor. At the impingement location, there are three heat transfer mechanisms: evaporation, freezing and sublimation. A preliminary heat transfer model was developed to explore the interaction of these mechanisms at the surface and within the spray.

Study of the Cooling Performance of Oscillating Piezoelectric Fans

Piezoelectric vibrating fans operating at resonance are a viable cooling technology due to its easy scalability and low power consumption. This study focuses on the characterization and optimization of the thermal performance of these miniature flapping cooling systems. Different experiments in a miniature windtunnel are conducted to investigate the cooling performance of the oscillating fans. The Strouhal number is a dimensionless parameter describing wing kinematics of flying systems. The aerodynamic propulsive efficiency of these systems is high over a narrow range of Strouhal numbers. Different St numbers were obtained and investigated, by changing the flow velocity of the win-tunnel. In practical applications different St could be obtained by combining conventional axial fans with piezoelectric fans. Both the feasibility of a single fan and array of fans is studied. For a wide range of operating coditions, including distance from heat source, dynamic tip deflection and orientation, the heat transfer performance of the piezoelectric fans is characterized.

Performance Analysis of Two HVAC Systems for Zero Energy Research Laboratory, Denton, TX

HVAC (Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning) system is the most significant part of a building which directly associated with human comfort. Modern HVAC system optimizes all the parameters like temperature, humidity and indoor air quality to give the occupant the best comfort. Beside human comfort some other crucial factors like installation, maintenance & operational cost, efficiency, availability and controlling method of the system need to be taken into consideration. This paper covers the study and comparison among two different HVAC systems to achieve the goal of finding the better effective HVAC system in terms of human comfort, efficiency considering North Texas climate. In this paper; power consumption, human comfort & efficiency analysis is done for the existing WWHP & WAHP system (in UNT ZØE) using Energy Plus simulation software. Calibration of the simulation data of the existing system is done comparing with the real data. After the baseline model is calibrated, simulation for other HVAC systems like evaporative cooler (EC) is conducted. The comparison analysis of both the HVAC systems shows the better effective HVAC system in North Texas weather considering all the relevant issues and challenges. The result will make UNT Zero Energy lab more energy efficient and a standard model towards a sustainable green future.

Investigation of Methanol Based Air-Air Thermosyphon Heat Exchangers

Thermosyphons are self-actuated heat transport systems in which the circulation of the working fluid is brought about by a combination of gravity and buoyant forces. In the recent years, thermosyphons have been considered for widely diverse heat recovery applications, especially in HVAC systems. In this work, a systematic approach for design and analysis of finned air-air thermosyphon heat exchanger system based on effectiveness-NTU method is presented. Furthermore, the effect of mass flow ratio of the hot and cold air stream, temperature difference between the hot and cold air streams, transverse tube spacing, fin spacing and length of the thermosyphon on the effectiveness of the system is predicted by numerical simulation. In addition, the thermal performance of unfinned thermosyphon heat exchanger system has also been investigated experimentally.