Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute at the University of Utah

The Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute at the University of Utah, an internationally recognized leader in scientific image analysis, received a new data center in 2007, as part of the John & Marva Warnock Engineering Building new construction. Due to the incredible amount of data storage and computing that would take place in the facility, per unit of floor area, under floor air distribution was impractical. Therefore, overhead supply air to the cold aisle of the hot (return air)/cold (supply air) aisle configuration, was required. The above image illustrates one scenario that was explored, using CFD during the design process, to demonstrate the relative performance of the HVAC design, using either partial isolation of the hot and cold aisles, vs. full isolation of hot and cold aisles. This became a design concern, once the raised floor was eliminated, due to the need for cabling runs to be located above the server racks. Inspection of the image above indicates that short-circuiting of cold supply air was significantly increased with only partial isolation of hot and cold aisles, creating temperatures, in some locations, that were harmful to the computing equipment, and furthermore, wasted energy and dollars. (Note the different temperature scales for each scenario.) Results of the CFD analysis were then used to fuel a discussion amongst the design team to properly coordinate a solution for cable runs, that also allowed full isolation of hot and cold aisles, resulting in a successful and energy efficient data center.

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