NiyanTron — An approach to develop a control system app for data center cooling

Abstract

This study addresses a Data Center Cooling Control System App designed and developed to make the existing technology modular and economical. The project has been carried out using standard lab equipment and software. The emphasis of the study is on conditioning the outside air by using the cooling systems that aren't energy intensive and hence reduce the overall cost of operation. The paper also discusses the results, cost analysis and future scope while implementing this niche technology. The app is titled ‘NiyanTron’, a portmanteau of the Hindi word Niyantran meaning control and elecTRONic, as the app is an electronic control system. The study was carried out for environmental conditions in four cities — Albuquerque, NM, Dallas, TX, Chicago, IL and Tucson, AZ. The weather information from the four regions was used as the preliminary data to run the control system and show the versatility of the app. The modes Economizer and Return Air cooling have been used for Chicago and Dallas. Tucson and Albuquerque have Direct Evaporative Cooling and Economizer mode. Further, the use of Glassdek and Celdek media has been compared.