Thermal Distribution and Airflow in Data Centre At Uthm: Pusat Teknologi Maklumat, Block A5

Abstract

This research work is concerned with the investigation of thermal management and air circulation in the data centre at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, which is situated in Block A5. The facility has no windows, natural ventilation, or air conditioning systems, making it difficult to achieve and maintain appropriate temperatures for storing and processing data. The disparity in temperature felt in the centre called for enhancing the cooling systems as a means of enhancing the efficiency and durability of the equipment. The simulations focused on temperature distributions at different heights of the data centre, including the middle of the room and at one-quarter and half heights. Furthermore, the rack cooling index (RCI) was used to measure the rack cooling performance in accordance with the ASHRAE guidelines on data centre cooling. The results revealed significant variations in the temperature pattern, with some server racks having higher heat densities and the cooling units nearby having to work harder to achieve the set temperatures. Such an imbalance in the cooling system requires strategic changes. To improve the cooling performance, specific suggestions were made, such as increasing the airflow from some air-conditioning units to address hot spots. These changes should help mitigate moderate temperature fluctuations within the data centre and in turn improve the efficiency of the cooling system. The proposed strategies for controlling the airflow and cooling aim at reducing the energy consumption and increasing the lifespan of critical server components. Finally, this study highlights the need for customized cooling systems in data centres and offers practical recommendations for enhancing the sustainability of data centre cooling systems.