Airflow Modeling
Airflow Modeling
Using Technology to Build a Better World: Airflow computational modeling technology has been used at IDC Â Architects since the advent of the desktop computer. The scope and power of our modeling technology has increased exponentially alongside computer processing power. Airflow and fluid modeling lets all members of a design team visualize, understand, and ultimately improve the performance of facilities systems that are essential to business operations and productivity. We add value to projects. The proof is illustrated by the wide range of benefits derived from airflow modeling in a variety of industries
Defining Problems, Developing Solutions We have successfully used airflow modeling to solve particulate and gas contamination control problems for semiconductor cleanrooms, pharmaceutical cleanrooms, and biotech laboratories.
Site airflow modeling (modeling of the wind patterns around buildings) reduces the re-entry of exhaust air into facilities’ fresh air intakes. Modeling facility interior airflow minimizes the impact of heat on critical IT systems.
Heat is the unwanted contaminant in computer data centers. Airflow modeling plays a key role in heat management and the evolution of high density data center design.
Airflow modeling creates 3D visualizations of complex airflow patterns, temperature gradients, and chemical concentrations. The airflow visualizations and predictions are used by the entire design team to make design decisions.
Airflow modeling is based on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). CFD determines fluid flow, heat transfer, chemical transport, and associated phenomena by solving the fundamental conservation mass, energy, and momentum equations. Today’s fastest workstations are used to make the billions of calculations associated with a typical problem. A quantifiable measure of airflow parameters, such as velocity, pressure, temperature, and contamination dispersion, helps identify issues prior to construction and allows more informed and accurate decision making. The ability to anticipate airflow reactions to building improvements, retrofits and/or redesigns can create a smoother transition for existing facilities. Whether an air distribution system is new or already in existence, CFD modeling can save time that would otherwise be spent on conventional design and troubleshooting methods, and increase confidence limits for aerodynamic solutions
The Benefits: • optimal design solutions • improved performance • lower life-cycle costs
Pioneering advances, Producing results Data Centers
Site Modeling
Airflow modeling predicts temperature and pressure fields in any data center configuration. Predictions made using CFD technology gauge the efficiency of a cooling system. Local areas of heat recirculation are identified and can then be addressed, minimizing the effect that high temperatures have on critical IT systems.
Airflow modeling can be used to determine how building geometry and site layout affect the dilution of exhaust and the direction of airflows around a facility. This information is used to determine the best design and placement of exhaust stacks, reducing the risk that harmful contaminants might re-enter the facility.
Converging Flow and Mixing Dynamics Components designed to convey critical or process fluids are optimized or virtually prototyped using CFD. Fluid flow through complex internal geometries of ductwork and equipment is simulated, predicting temperature, velocity, pressure and concentration. The outcome of these variables helps to improve thermal efficiency, reduce localized high velocity or stagnant flow zones, and optimize the mixing of any injected sidestream.
Value Propositions Contamination Control Designing and optimizing airflow systems that control the migration of particulate, airborne molecular contamination (AMC), and humidity.
Energy Savings Reducing airflow, and the associated energy, used to transport heat and contamination.
Exhaust Dispersion Simulating dispersion from process and laboratory stacks to minimize re-entrainment of low level toxic gases into air intakes.
Data Center Heat Management Optimizing the airflow and heat management within today’s highest heat density data centers. Simulating the thermal performance of novel data center facility designs.
High Performance Building (Green Building) Assessing and demonstrating the airflow and thermal performance alternate building ventilation concepts such as natural ventilation, hybrid ventilation, thermal mass effects, earthtubes, solar chimneys, trombe walls, cool towers, and the like.
Indoor Air Quality Predicting and improving the removal efficiency of indoor air contamination such as carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide, radon, and ozone. Improving the local exhaust capture from process that use toxic gases.
Outdoor Air Quality Predicting exhaust dispersion and local airflow patterns at outdoor gathering and pedestrian areas.
Smoke Management Modeling fire events and associate smoke migration to aid in the design of smoke management systems that create tenable pathways for egress.
Focused on Your Issues IDC Architects finds solutions to overcome your toughest challenges We are committed to: • Tailoring our delivery approaches to achieve your business agenda • Optimizing your facilities and infrastructure to increase efficiency and reduce life-cycle costs • Applying technology to create solutions that improve your competitive position
• Partnering with you to deliver your most challenging projects • Building long term relationships – more than eighty percent of our work is for existing clients
Representative Clients • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
ALZA Applied Materials AMBU Amended Silicates Amgen Bayer BP Solar DAW Technologies Dendreon Dongbu Emory University Equinix Fingal County GSMC
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Hewlett-Packard IBM Infineon Inland Empire Regional Composting Facility Los Alamos National Labs Medtronic Micron Motorola Nike Oregon Health & Science University Pfizer Portland State University
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ProMOS Samsung Sandia National Labs Southampton University STMicroelectronics Starbucks Telecarrier Texas Instruments TSMC University of Hawaii U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, CERL
About IDC Architects IDC Architects is an integrated, multidisciplinary planning and design firm focused on science and technology, with a global presence and a singular vision: to discover better ways for people, technology, buildings, and the environment to work together. Our integrated method of architectural and engineering design produces sound master plans, functional and flexible spaces, reliable building systems, and sustainable solutions, achieved through a highly collaborative process that fully engages all project stakeholders. As a CH2M HILL company, IDC Architects has access to the resources of a global leader in full-service consulting, design, design-build, operations and program management services for public and private clients. With US$7 billion in revenue and 28,000 employees worldwide, we deliver innovative, practical, sustainable solutions—helping clients develop and manage infrastructure and facilities that improve efficiency, safety and quality of life. Employee-owned CH2M HILL has long been recognized as an industryleading program management, construction management and design firm as ranked by Engineering News-Record (2012) and has been named a leader in sustainable engineering and environmental services providers by Verdantix.
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