Air Circulation in a Data Center
The air-flow pattern in a data center decides the equipment and rack layout. Following are some common air-flow patterns:
■■ Airflow pattern with subfloor supply and overhead return vents — The air flow follows the basic convection principles: “Hot air rises; cold air sinks.” The pattern is common in data centers with raised floors and has the following stages:
1. The HVAC unit takes in air, which is cooled and dried.
2. The air is forced into the plenum (between the subfloor and the tiled floor) and then directed into the data center and racks via cutouts and perforated tiles.
3. The chilled air goes through the equipment and racks, where it mixes with warm air. As it cools the components, the air gets warmer.
4. The warm air from the racks rises toward the ceiling.
5. From the ceiling, the warm air is drawn back into the HVAC unit, where it is cooled and dried, and then forced back into the subfloor plenum.
■■ Airflow pattern with overhead supply and return vents — Data centers with- out raised floor pump cold air from overhead supply vents. The cold air mixes with warm air that is trying to find its way to the return vents, which are also located above the racks in the ceiling plenum or on the side walls. The contact warms the cold air before it can reach the equip- ment. The contact also creates minor turbulences above the racks.
Air Circulation in a Data CenterThe air-flow pattern in a data center decides the equipment and rack layout. Following are some common air-flow patterns:■■ Airflow pattern with subfloor supply and overhead return vents — The air flow follows the basic convection principles: “Hot air rises; cold air sinks.” The pattern is common in data centers with raised floors and has the following stages: 1. The HVAC unit takes in air, which is cooled and dried. 2. The air is forced into the plenum (between the subfloor and the tiled floor) and then directed into the data center and racks via cutouts and perforated tiles. 3. The chilled air goes through the equipment and racks, where it mixes with warm air. As it cools the components, the air gets warmer. 4. The warm air from the racks rises toward the ceiling. 5. From the ceiling, the warm air is drawn back into the HVAC unit, where it is cooled and dried, and then forced back into the subfloor plenum.■■ Airflow pattern with overhead supply and return vents — Data centers with- out raised floor pump cold air from overhead supply vents. The cold air mixes with warm air that is trying to find its way to the return vents, which are also located above the racks in the ceiling plenum or on the side walls. The contact warms the cold air before it can reach the equip- ment. The contact also creates minor turbulences above the racks.
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