INDUSTRY

DATA CENTERS

Flownex contains a large library of thermo-fluid components designed specifically for both steady-state and dynamic system performance analysis and optimization. These tools are ideal for creating system-level models of Data Center cooling with air and water.

OVERVIEW

As the demand for mission-critical data centers increases, the need for the validation of thermal management systems is continuously increasing. Advancements in simulation now make it possible to evaluate and optimize thermal management systems providing data center operators with more efficient and robust cooling solutions. Flownex provides engineers with a way to quickly create a digital representation of possible solutions, and very quickly iterate on options to maximize performance and minimize cost. 

Important features include:

FEATURES
Flownex® stands out as a leader in system simulation through its extensive list of features. These features include:

  • Clean and intuitive user interface
  • Accurate fluid models
    • Humid air model
    • Two-phase refrigerant models
    • Typical industrial refrigerants such as Ethylene glycol and Propylene glycol
    • Brine models
  • Full transient capabilities, including:
    • Adaptive time-step functionality
    • Heat capacity (thermal inertia) and water hammer (momentum)
    • Distributed control system library
  • Comprehensive component library for modeling of: AHUs, CRAHs/ CRACs, Chillers, ACC, Cooling towers, and Pumped water systems
  • Customizable components allowing multiple levels of detail depending on available data
  • Import complex chilled water piping from Revit BIM files
  • Built-in design and analysis features allowing automated parametric studies
  • Coupling with CFD software

THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Simulation models for new and existing data centers are becoming an industry standard due to their usefulness as digital twins in modern operations. Flownex is an ideal tool for use in simulating the thermal management systems of modern data centers for use in the following applications:

THERMAL RIDE THROUGH/SHORT BREAK

  • Simulate the entire chilled water system in transient to calculate supply air temperatures for data halls following a brief loss of power
  • Run parametric studies to find maximum IT load that still meets the required SLA temperatures during a restart

DESIGN CHANGES

  • Test modifications in a virtual system model before implementing the changes in your data center.
  • Evaluate different control strategies in a digital system model to prove the benefits of the change to data center operators.

UNDERSTAND IMPACT OF AMBIENT CONDITIONS

  • Quantify the number of excursion hours using typical weather data for the site
  • Quantify water usage of coolers for different IT loads and different ambient conditions

HEAT RECOVERY​

Many data centers focus on more than coolling, and also optimize the recovery of heat in their facilities. The ease of use and ability to connect Flownex to other tools make it a prefered solution for understanding and improving the heat recover of data centeres of all sizes and in any location. 

DISTRIBUTION PIPELINE MODELS

  • Calculate flow distribution
  • Calculate optimal pipe diameter
  • Calculate optimal insulation thickness

COOLING TOWER MODELS

  • Size free and forced draft cooling towers
  • Calculate makeup water requirements

HEAT PUMP MODELS

  • Model complete vapor compression cycle
  • Size heat exchangers and compressors

WASTE HEAT POWER GENERATION

To take heat management a step further, many data center operators are implementing waste heat recovery systems as part of their overall data center cooling system.  Flownex is ideal for sizing, experimenting with options, and calculating possible gains.

CONCEPT DESIGN

  • Power cycle selection
  • Working fluid selection

CONTROL SYSTEM INTEGRATION

  • Optimize control system logic
  • Investigate load changes
  • Investigate trip scenarios

Testimonials

“Flownex allowed us to develop detailed thermal models of various free-cooling concepts for our data centre, in a time-efficient manner. The humid-air simulation capabilities of Flownex are well suited to indirect evaporative cooling systems for use in the telecoms sector, which can result in significant energy savings.”

– Dr. Peter Klein  
  CSIR, South Africa
  Senior Engineer

Understand and Improve your Data Center Cooling with PADT and Flownex

As computing resources grow and spread, the cooling needs of data centers increase. A few changes to layout, controls, or components can have a big impact on an operator’s bottom line. PADT and Flownex get both air and water cooling as well as all the pumpt, blowers, ducts, valves, and sensors needed to make a modern data center temperature management solution. 

If you are ready to make Flownex part of your simulation workflow, reach out today at info@padtinc.com 

Search in PADT site

Contact Us

Please fill out the form with as much information as possible, and someone will get back to your shortly.

Or reach out directly: 

No Fields Found.