Faster and Simpler CFD for Data Center Applications

Traditional CFD methods have proven useful, though slow and complex, for data center applications.  Alternative, simpler technologies are becoming available which trade varying degrees of accuracy for speed and simplicity.  Potential flow modeling (PFM) offers nearly real-time steady-state modeling for practical applications and is best suited for estimates early in the data center design cycle.   The fast fluid dynamics (FFD) approach includes all of the physics of traditional CFD methods while being simpler to code and delivering an order of magnitude speed improvement for transient applications.   This presentation discusses PFM and FFD in the context of data center applications.