Hot & Cold Aisle Containment
Airflow Control
Data center air containment systems are crucial for maintaining optimal hardware performance, energy efficiency, and longevity of equipment. By effectively managing airflow, these systems separate hot air from cold air, ensuring that server racks receive a consistent supply of cool air. There are primarily two methods of containment: Hot Aisle Containment (HAC) and Cold Aisle Containment (CAC).
Hot aisle Containment (HAC) Systems
Hot Aisle Containment (HAC) is a strategy that involves confining the hot exhaust air as it travels back to the Computer Room Air Conditioning (CRAC) units or exits the building. This approach is becoming increasingly popular in the design of new enterprise data centers for several reasons:
Simplicity in Design: HAC is often used in conjunction with airside economization, which involves cooling the entire room uniformly. This approach is straightforward to implement, making it a preferred choice for architects and engineers.
Airflow Management: It simplifies the process of achieving a balanced airflow throughout the data center by maintaining a singular, cooler area for cold air distribution.
Comfort: Having a common, cooler area within the data center is more comfortable for personnel who are working within the space.
Due to these advantages, which include design simplicity, better airflow management, and improved comfort for users, HAC is widely specified and adopted in the construction of new data centers.
The Rack Top Baffle
The Rack Top Baffle (RTB) method in hot aisle containment for data centers involves using adjustable baffles on top of enclosed hot aisles. These baffles direct the hot exhaust air from servers towards cooling systems like CRAC units.
Sliding Panel System
Structure: The SPS consists of sliding panels installed above the hot aisles. These panels can be moved or retracted to open or close the top of the aisle.
Function: The main function of the SPS is to contain the hot air produced by the servers within the hot aisle. This containment prevents the mixing of hot and cold air streams, enhancing the efficiency of the cooling system.
Operational Flexibility: The sliding nature of the panels allows for easy access to the hot aisle for maintenance or adjustments. This flexibility is particularly useful in dynamic data center environments where configurations may frequently change.
The Flex Rail System
The Flex Rail method in hot aisle containment for data centers is an innovative approach that utilizes a flexible, rail-based system to support overhead panels or curtains that contain hot exhaust air from server racks. This method is designed to improve the separation between hot and cold air streams, enhancing the efficiency of the data center's cooling system.
Configuration: The system consists of adjustable rails mounted above the hot aisles. These rails support retractable panels or curtains that can be moved or adjusted to enclose the hot aisle, trapping hot air and directing it towards air conditioning intake vents.
Flexibility: A key feature of the Flex Rail method is its adaptability. The rails allow for easy reconfiguration of the containment setup, accommodating changes in data center layout, equipment upgrades, or expansion.