소규모 서버실 냉방성능 개선을 위한 시뮬레이션 기반 냉방부하 비교 연구

초록

With the rapid growth of AI and Big Data, reducing energy consumption in data centers has become a significant challenge. Small-scale server rooms, which often depend on standalone cooling units instead of specialized infrastructure, are especially vulnerable to airflow inefficiencies and localized hotspots. While traditional HVAC theory can estimate total cooling loads, it does not effectively predict the local thermal distributions that depend on equipment placement. This study employs Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to address these limitations. It focuses on a server room containing five HPCs and three cooling units, comparing theoretical HVAC calculations with 3D thermal fluid analysis conducted using Ansys Fluent. The research evaluates the thermal performance of the existing layout (Model 1) and suggests an improved configuration (Model 2). The findings reveal that strategic equipment placement can eliminate hotspots and stabilize operations while reducing the necessary cooling capacity. This research provides a practical framework for enhancing energy efficiency in small-scale server environments.

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