Temperature field real-time diagnosis by means of infrared imaging in Data Elaboration Center

Data Elaboration Centers are characterized by high specific energy consumptions, due to the requirements for the working environment of IT machines and their large working loads. This is due to the fact that the control of the indoor air parameters is of paramount importance in order to maintain the servers in safe working conditions. Reliable diagnostic procedures are therefore needed. The work herewith presented proposes an innovative diagnostic method, which makes use of infrared thermal imaging for real-time monitoring of the air temperature field in the proximity to the server air inlet. The method is validated by means of an experimental assessment, with the aim to assess the capability of an industrial infrared camera to evaluate the air temperature field next to the inlet surface of the server racks, in real working conditions. Potential and limitations of this procedure are presented and discussed.