Unified Physical InfrastructureSM (UPI) Strategies for Smart Data Centers Deploying a Vertical Exhaust System to Achieve Energy Efficiency and Support Sustainability Goals www.panduit.
Deploying a Vertical Exhaust System to Achieve Energy Efficiency and Support Sustainability Goals Introduction Business management applications and rich collaboration software for both employees and customers require increasingly complex and large-scale database processing capabilities. Data center managers are under constant pressure to manage growth while reducing capital and operational expenses.
Deploying a Vertical Exhaust System to Achieve Energy Efficiency and Support Sustainability Goals In a raised-floor environment with ceiling returns, CRAH units distribute cool air underneath a raised floor, allowing air to enter the room through perforated floor tiles located in cold aisles. Active equipment within cabinets is positioned such that the equipment fans draw cool air through the equipment from the cold-aisle side and release exhaust into the hot aisle at the rear.
Deploying a Vertical Exhaust System to Achieve Energy Efficiency and Support Sustainability Goals One of the most efficient passive airflow management options for data center environments is exhaust containment such as the Vertical Exhaust System (VES), which channels heated server exhaust air directly to the ceiling return plenum via a vertical duct or “chimney” unit (see Figure 2).
Deploying a Vertical Exhaust System to Achieve Energy Efficiency and Support Sustainability Goals The segregation of hot and cool air allows the data center to be operated at a higher temperature set point, which in turn reduces energy consumption by the cooling system. Directing hot air into the return plenum also reduces energy use by maximizing the difference in temperature between the return air and chilled water across cooling coils, which enables CRAH units to run at higher capacity.
Deploying a Vertical Exhaust System to Achieve Energy Efficiency and Support Sustainability Goals VES Design Considerations The decision to deploy a VES has multiple implications for layout of other data center elements. First, data center stakeholders need to analyze the layout of the entire physical infrastructure (both facilities-related and cabling-related elements) to determine how best to keep overhead room space free from obstruction.
Deploying a Vertical Exhaust System to Achieve Energy Efficiency and Support Sustainability Goals To realize the full potential of a Vertical Exhaust System and for effective separation of cabinet exhaust air from the room ambient air, use blanking panels in empty cabinet spaces and properly seal all cable pass-through openings. These best practices eliminate the bypass of cold air, recirculation of hot exhaust air, and unwanted airflow leakage.
Deploying a Vertical Exhaust System to Achieve Energy Efficiency and Support Sustainability Goals Cross-Sectional Exhaust Area 186 sq. in. (1200 sq. cm) 372 sq. in. (2400 sq. cm) Cabinet Width ~24 in. (600 mm) Cabinet with Cable Mgmt Arms ~32 in. (800 mm) Cabinet Effective Free Space Behind Servers ~8 in. (200 mm) ~12 in. (300 mm) Figure 5.
Deploying a Vertical Exhaust System to Achieve Energy Efficiency and Support Sustainability Goals Because fiber enclosures can extend beyond cabinet mounting rails, a flush-mount fiber enclosure is recommended to prevent fiber tray overhang into the exhaust area.
Deploying a Vertical Exhaust System to Achieve Energy Efficiency and Support Sustainability Goals • Passive air-blocking devices. Blanking panels should occupy empty rack spaces and air sealing grommets should be used to seal raised floor tile cutout openings to maintain hot and cold air separation. • Cable pathways.
Deploying a Vertical Exhaust System to Achieve Energy Efficiency and Support Sustainability Goals About PANDUIT Panduit is a world-class developer and provider of leading-edge solutions that help customers optimize the physical infrastructure through simplification, increased agility and operational efficiency.
