• CFD visualisation showing chiller heat-rejection airflow patterns and warm-air recirculation around a data centre, used to assess cooling performance and external thermal behaviour.

External Airflow and Chiller Heat Rejection CFD for Data Centres

Are you struggling to keep your data center cool and efficient? Do you want to optimise the flow of external air and improve heat rejection? Our team at Navier offers comprehensive computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis services to help.

Our CFD analysis allows us to model and simulate the flow of external air and heat rejection around your data center under different conditions, including wind speeds & directions, air temperatures, and humidity levels. This provides a detailed understanding of flow patterns and temperature distributions, allowing us to identify opportunities for improvement and provide targeted recommendations.

Modern data centres operate as integrated cooling ecosystems. Airflow within the data hall is influenced by containment effectiveness, CRAH and CRAC control strategies, underfloor or overhead plenum behaviour, heat-rejection equipment, external wind conditions and even short-break power events. Understanding these interactions as a complete system is essential for achieving reliable thermal performance and improving PUE.

Schematic diagram of a data-center chilled-water cooling system showing cooling tower, chiller loop, CRAH unit and hot and cold airflow through IT racks.
Simplified chilled-water cooling loop showing the relationship between cooling tower, chiller, CRAH unit and rack airflow in a typical data hall.

Benefits of our CFD analysis include:

  • Improved cooling efficiency: By optimising the flow of external air and the placement of cooling equipment, in line with ASHRAE TC 9.9 thermal guidelines and best practices, we can help you reduce energy consumption and lower operating costs.
  • Enhanced reliability: Proper airflow and heat rejection are critical for the reliable operation of your data center. Our CFD analysis helps you align with the principles behind Uptime Institute Tier Standards and address potential issues before they become problems.
  • Increased capacity: If you are planning to expand your data center, our CFD analysis can help you determine the optimal configuration and capacity of your cooling system. Our approach reflects broader CIBSE guidance on building performance and heat-rejection strategies.
Horizontal slice through CFD model at chiller intakes

In the event that the data center cooling system does not meet the required standards, we will also provide recommendations for acceptable mitigation measures to improve the performance and efficiency of the system. These may include changes to equipment layout, the addition of cooling equipment, or the implementation of other remedial measures.

Typical equipment included in the model:

  • Emergency Diesel Generators and MV Transformers, if present, installed in the yard space exterior to the building.
  • Heat rejection equipment such as air-cooled chillers, DX cooling units or DEC, IDEC, as applicable.
  • Potential obstructions such as cable trays, structural beams that are expected to impact the airflow.
  • All buildings adjacent to and on the campus.
  • Surrounding terrain, including undulations, and buildings within a 500m radius

Don’t let overheating and inefficient airflow hamper the performance of your data center. Contact us to learn more about our CFD analysis services and how we can help you optimize the flow of external air and improve heat rejection.

Need Help?
Contact Navier on +44(0)115 6979141 or info@navier-flow-consultants.com for a free initial consultation with one of our CFD experts and receive a competitive fixed price quotation, with zero obligation. Alternatively, if you’d like to learn more about how we structure a CFD project, browse our ‘How We Work’ page.

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