Experimental and numerical investigation on thermal performance of data center via fan-wall free cooling technology

•A fan wall data center (DC) test platform was established.•Explored the influence of heat dissipation power and ventilation parameters.•Ventilation rate of 0.5 m3/s is suitable for a 2.5 kW rack considering the ventilation temperature of 27 °C.•A supply air volume (SAV) model was obtained and validated for fan-wall DCs.•According to the SAV model, approximately 34% energy consumption of fans will be saved for fan-wall DCs located in Guiyang.