One of the most effective methods for improving the energy efficiency of a modern data center and reducing its operating costs are isolation systems. In another way, they are called containerization systems for hot and cold aisles. The fact is that the main consumer of the excess power of the data center is the refrigeration system. Accordingly, the lower the load on it (reducing electricity bills, even distribution of the load, reducing the wear and tear of engineering systems), the higher the energy efficiency (the ratio of the total power spent to the useful (used for IT load) power).
This approach has become widespread. This is a generally accepted operating standard for both global and Russian data centers. What you need to know about insulation systems in order to use them as efficiently as possible?
To begin with, how the cooling system is generally arranged and how it works. In the data center there are mounting cabinets (racks) in which IT equipment is installed. This equipment needs constant cooling. To avoid overheating, it is necessary to supply a cold air stream to the front door of the cabinet and take the hot air coming out of the back. But, if there is no barrier between the two zones - cold and hot - both streams can mix and thereby reduce cooling and increase the load on air conditioners.
In order to prevent mixing of hot and cold air, an air containerization system must be built.
Principle of operation: the closed volume (container) accumulates cooled air, preventing it from mixing with hot air and allowing highly loaded cabinets to receive a sufficient amount of cold.
Location: The air container must be located between two rows of enclosures or between a row of enclosures and a room wall.
Structure: all sides of the container that separate the hot and cold zones must be partitioned so that cold air can only pass through the IT equipment.
Additional requirements: the container should not interfere with the installation and operation of IT equipment, the laying of communications, the operation of monitoring systems, lighting, fire extinguishing, and be able to integrate into the access control system of the turbine hall.
Cost: This is a pretty positive thing. Firstly, the containerization system is far from the most expensive part of the entire air conditioning system. Secondly, it does not require further maintenance costs. Thirdly, it has a positive effect on savings, since the separation of air flows and the elimination of local overheating points reduces and evenly distributes the load between air conditioners. In general, the economic effect depends on the scale of the computer room and the cooling architecture.
Recommendation: in the case of replacing IT equipment with a more powerful one, it is not always necessary to upgrade air conditioners to more powerful models. Sometimes it is enough to install an insulation system, which will allow you to get a 5-10% reserve of cooling capacity.
Source: habr.com