Heat pipe evaporative cooling indoor cooling system

Abstract

This invention provides a heat pipe evaporative cooling indoor cooling system, including a heat pipe condenser, a heat pipe evaporator, an intermediate heat exchanger, a chiller unit, and a cooling tower. The heat pipe condenser and the heat pipe evaporator are connected in a loop via gas and liquid pipelines. The gas pipeline is connected to the intermediate heat exchanger via a first tee, and the liquid pipeline is connected to the intermediate heat exchanger via a second tee, allowing the refrigerant in the gas pipeline to condense in the intermediate heat exchanger and flow to the liquid pipeline. The chiller unit is connected to the intermediate heat exchanger in a loop via chilled water and return water pipelines. The chiller unit and the cooling tower are connected in a loop via cooling water pipelines. This invention achieves significant energy savings in data center air conditioning systems; it is suitable for energy-saving retrofits of data center air conditioning systems without requiring modification of the original air conditioning units.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of energy-saving retrofit technology for air conditioning and refrigeration systems, specifically to a heat pipe evaporative cooling indoor cooling system. Background Technology

[0002] Information technology, the Industrial Revolution, big data, and artificial intelligence all rely on data centers, leading to a continuous expansion in their scale and power. Consequently, the demand for indoor cooling in data center server rooms is constantly increasing. Traditional data center air conditioning systems use modular air conditioning units (MAUs). Specifically, chilled water from chiller units is supplied to the MAUs, which then generate cool air that is blown into the server room. Simultaneously, the heated water is returned from the MAUs to the chiller units for further cooling, completing the cycle. The MAUs and mechanical cooling sources (including chiller units and cooling towers) are energy-intensive. Traditional data center air conditioning systems operate year-round under mechanical cooling, and air conditioning accounts for up to 40% of a data center's energy consumption. In large cities, data center server rooms often experience energy shortages. Therefore, given the ever-increasing demand for indoor cooling in data center server rooms, energy-saving retrofitting of traditional data center air conditioning systems is essential. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by this invention is that the air conditioning and refrigeration system of data center operates under mechanical cold source all year round, which consumes a lot of energy and causes energy shortages in large cities.

[0004] The technical solution of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows:

[0005] This invention provides a heat pipe evaporative cooling indoor cooling system, including a heat pipe condenser, a heat pipe evaporator, an intermediate heat exchanger, a chiller unit, and a cooling tower. The heat pipe condenser and the heat pipe evaporator are connected in a loop via gas pipes and liquid pipes. The gas pipe is connected to the inlet of the hot fluid pipeline of the intermediate heat exchanger via a first tee, and the liquid pipe is connected to the outlet of the hot fluid pipeline of the intermediate heat exchanger via a second tee. The chiller unit and the cold fluid pipeline of the intermediate heat exchanger are connected in a loop via chilled water pipes and return water pipes. The chiller unit and the cooling tower are connected in a loop via cooling water pipes.

[0006] The beneficial effects of this invention are: it achieves significant energy savings in the air conditioning and refrigeration system of data centers. It is suitable for energy-saving retrofitting of data center air conditioning and refrigeration systems, without requiring dismantling or modifying the original air conditioning units, without reducing the effective space of the original data center, without damaging the original air quality, maximizing the use of outdoor natural cooling sources, and serving as a backup to the original data center air conditioning system, ensuring the safe, stable, and efficient operation of the data center.

[0007] Based on the above technical solution, the present invention can be further improved as follows.

[0008] Furthermore, it also includes a combined air conditioning unit, which is connected to the chilled water pipe via a third tee and to the return water pipe via a fourth tee, so that the water in the chilled water pipe can flow to the return water pipe through the combined air conditioning unit.

[0009] The benefits of the above-mentioned further solutions are: increased system redundancy, easier emergency maintenance, and improved security.

[0010] Furthermore, the third and fourth three-way valves are three-way valves.

[0011] The advantages of the above-mentioned further solutions are: no valves are needed, making it easy to control the flow direction of cold water and return water to switch operating modes, and the operation is convenient.

[0012] Furthermore, the first three-way valve and the second three-way valve are three-way valves.

[0013] The advantages of the above-mentioned further solutions are: no valves are needed, making it easy to control the flow direction of the refrigerant to switch operating modes, and the operation is convenient.

[0014] Furthermore, a sprayer is also installed above the condenser end of the heat pipe condenser.

[0015] The beneficial effects of the above-mentioned further solutions are: facilitating the start-up of mode ② - natural cold source - heat pipe terminal (wet condition) operation mode. In this mode, the outdoor air wet-bulb temperature ts≤16℃, and the heat pipe condenser can be sprayed by the sprayer to make the heat pipe condenser work under wet conditions, effectively condensing the refrigerant.

[0016] Furthermore, a refrigerant pump is also installed on the liquid pipeline, and the refrigerant pump is installed between the second tee and the heat pipe evaporator.

[0017] The beneficial effect of the above-mentioned further solution is that when the installation distance between the heat pipe condenser and the heat pipe evaporator is far, a refrigerant pump is used to provide power, facilitating the delivery of refrigerant. This solves the problems of long installation distance and insufficient installation height for heat pipe condensers.

[0018] Furthermore, the heat pipe condenser is installed at a higher position than the heat pipe evaporator.

[0019] The beneficial effect of the above-mentioned further scheme is that the refrigerant can flow to the heat pipe evaporator by gravity after condensation in the heat pipe condenser, which facilitates energy saving.

[0020] Furthermore, a chilled water circulation pump is installed on the return water pipe, and the chilled water circulation pump is installed between the chiller unit and the fourth three-way valve.

[0021] The beneficial effect of the above-mentioned further solutions is that they facilitate the balancing of the resistance of intermediate heat exchangers or combined air conditioning units, allowing chilled water to return to the chiller unit after being heated in the intermediate heat exchanger or combined air conditioning unit.

[0022] Furthermore, a cooling water circulation pump is installed on the cooling water pipeline.

[0023] The beneficial effect of the above-mentioned further solutions is that they provide power to ensure that the cooling water in the chiller unit flows to the cooling tower for cooling.

[0024] Furthermore, the intermediate heat exchanger is a condensing heat exchanger.

[0025] The beneficial effect of the above-mentioned further solutions is that they enable the refrigerant to condense effectively. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the natural cold source-heat pipe terminal (dry condition) operation mode of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the natural cold source-heat pipe terminal (wet condition) operation mode of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the mechanical cold source-heat pipe terminal operation mode of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the mechanical cold source-group empty terminal operation mode of the present invention.

[0031] In the accompanying drawings, the technical features represented by each reference numeral are as follows:

[0032] 1-Heat pipe condenser; 2-Heat pipe evaporator; 3-Intermediate heat exchanger; 4-Chiller unit; 5-Cooling tower; 6-Gas pipeline; 7-Liquid pipeline; 8-First tee; 9-Second tee; 10-Chilled water pipeline; 11-Return water pipeline; 12-Cooling water pipeline; 13-Sprayer; 14-Combined air conditioning unit; 15-Third tee; 16-Fourth tee; 17-Refrigerant pump; 18-Chilled water circulation pump; 19-Cooling water circulation pump. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The principles and features of the present invention are described below. The examples given are only for explaining the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0034] See also: This invention Figure 1-5 .

[0035] Example 1, as Figure 1-4 As shown:

[0036] This invention provides a heat pipe evaporative cooling indoor cooling system, including a heat pipe condenser 1, a heat pipe evaporator 2, an intermediate heat exchanger 3, a chiller unit 4, and a cooling tower 5. The heat pipe condenser 1 and the heat pipe evaporator 2 are connected in a loop via a gas pipe 6 and a liquid pipe 7. The gas pipe 6 is connected to the inlet of the hot fluid pipeline of the intermediate heat exchanger 3 via a first tee 8, and the liquid pipe 7 is connected to the outlet of the hot fluid pipeline of the intermediate heat exchanger 3 via a second tee 9. The chiller unit 4 and the cold fluid pipeline of the intermediate heat exchanger 3 are connected in a loop via a chilled water pipe 10 and a return water pipe 11. The chiller unit 4 and the cooling tower 5 are connected in a loop via a cooling water pipe 12.

[0037] Principle: This invention is applicable to energy-saving retrofits of traditional data center air conditioning and refrigeration systems. The chiller unit 4 and cooling tower 5 are existing equipment in the original data center air conditioning system. Therefore, the original data center air conditioning units are not dismantled or modified, the effective space of the original data center is not reduced, and the air quality of the original data center is not compromised. It maximizes the use of outdoor natural cooling sources and serves as a backup to the original data center air conditioning system, ensuring the safe, stable, and efficient operation of the data center. During installation, the heat pipe evaporator 2 is located in the data center server room, the heat pipe condenser 1 and cooling tower 5 are located outdoors, and the intermediate heat exchanger 3 and chiller unit 4 are located in the cold source server room.

[0038] Regarding the intermediate heat exchanger 3: Gas pipe 6 is connected to the inlet of the hot fluid pipeline of the intermediate heat exchanger 3 via a first tee 8, and liquid pipe 7 is connected to the outlet of the hot fluid pipeline of the intermediate heat exchanger 3 via a second tee 9, allowing the refrigerant in gas pipe 6 to be condensed in the intermediate heat exchanger 3 and then flow to liquid pipe 7. The chiller unit 4 and the cold fluid pipeline of the intermediate heat exchanger 3 are connected in a loop via chilled water pipe 10 and return water pipe 11, allowing chilled water from the chiller unit 4 to enter the intermediate heat exchanger via chilled water pipe 10 for refrigerant condensation, and then flow from the cold fluid pipeline outlet through return water pipe 11 back to the chiller unit 4. Cooling tower 5 is used to circulate and cool the working medium (cooling water) of the chiller unit 4. The chiller unit 4 is a unit used for heat exchange to cool the return water and provide power (common product name). The intermediate heat exchanger 3 is a heat exchanger with hot fluid pipelines and cold fluid pipelines, and each has an inlet and an outlet. The hot fluid is the fluid whose temperature decreases during heat exchange, and the cold fluid is the fluid whose temperature increases during heat exchange. Hot and cold refer to relative temperatures, not absolute temperatures.

[0039] Note: In the general terminology of this field, chilled water is the water that provides cooling energy to the intermediate heat exchanger 3 or the combined air conditioning unit 14, and becomes chilled water return water (referred to as return water) after consuming the cooling energy; cooling water is the circulating water between the chiller unit 4 and the cooling tower 5.

[0040] This invention operates for computer room cooling and has the following operating modes: ① When the outdoor dry-bulb temperature tw ≤ 16℃, the natural cold source-heat pipe terminal (dry condition) operating mode is activated, such as... Figure 2 As shown, heat pipe condenser 1 and heat pipe evaporator 2 are turned on. The outdoor temperature is lower than the indoor temperature. The refrigerant absorbs indoor heat and evaporates in heat pipe evaporator 2, then enters heat pipe condenser 1 along gas pipe 6 to exchange heat with outdoor air and condense, forming a cycle; ② When the outdoor air dry-bulb temperature tw ≥ 16℃ and the outdoor air wet-bulb temperature ts ≤ 16℃, the natural cold source-heat pipe terminal (wet condition) operation mode is activated, such as... Figure 3 As shown, heat pipe condenser 1 and heat pipe evaporator 2 are turned on, and water is sprayed onto heat pipe condenser 1 to ensure refrigerant condensation; ③ When the outdoor air wet-bulb temperature ts > 16℃, the mechanical cold source-heat pipe terminal operation mode is activated, such as... Figure 4 As shown, chiller unit 4, cooling tower 5, intermediate heat exchanger 3, and heat pipe evaporator 2 are turned on. Chilled water supplied by chiller unit 4 and cooling tower 5 condenses the refrigerant in intermediate heat exchanger 3 and flows back to heat pipe evaporator 2 through liquid pipe 7, forming a cycle. The temperatures mentioned above are recommended operating temperatures and should not be considered the only limiting factors. Figure 2-4 (Only the device that is started is shown)

[0041] Compared to precision air conditioning systems for computer rooms, taking Beijing as an example, the operating time under the above conditions throughout the year is as follows:

[0042]

[0043] As shown in the table above, traditional precision air conditioners use mechanical cooling sources throughout the year (i.e., the chiller unit 4 and cooling tower 5 are turned on); while the present invention uses natural cooling sources for approximately 6144 hours (≈256 days), which is 30%-40% more energy-efficient than precision air conditioners for computer rooms.

[0044] The beneficial effects of this invention are: it achieves significant energy savings in the air conditioning and refrigeration system of data centers. It is suitable for energy-saving retrofitting of data center air conditioning and refrigeration systems, without requiring dismantling or modifying the original air conditioning units, without reducing the effective space of the original data center, without damaging the original air quality, maximizing the use of outdoor natural cooling sources, and serving as a backup to the original data center air conditioning system, ensuring the safe, stable, and efficient operation of the data center.

[0045] Example 2:

[0046] In the above embodiments, the following improvements can also be made, such as... Figure 1-5 As shown:

[0047] Furthermore, it also includes a combined air conditioning unit 14, which is connected to the chilled water pipe 10 via a third tee 15 and to the return water pipe 11 via a fourth tee 16, so that the water in the chilled water pipe 10 can flow to the return water pipe 11 through the combined air conditioning unit 14.

[0048] Note: The names of the combined air conditioning unit 14, heat pipe condenser 1, heat pipe evaporator 2, intermediate heat exchanger 3, chiller unit 4, and cooling tower 5 are all market product names. Based on the uses described in this invention, the products can be directly identified from the market. Their specific structures are all existing technologies and do not need to be elaborated.

[0049] Principle: It also includes a fourth operating mode. When equipment such as heat pipe evaporator 2 and intermediate heat exchanger 3 are under maintenance and in emergency standby, the mechanical cold source-group empty terminal operating mode is activated, such as... Figure 5 As shown, the combined air conditioning unit 14, chiller unit 4, and cooling tower 5 are activated to provide cooling for the computer room. This mode is the traditional operating mode of a data center air conditioning and refrigeration system and can be used as a backup protection mode. Figure 5 (Only the device that is started is shown)

[0050] The benefits of the above-mentioned further solutions are: increased system redundancy, easier emergency maintenance, and improved security.

[0051] Furthermore, the third three-way valve 15 and the fourth three-way valve 16 are three-way valves.

[0052] The advantages of the above-mentioned further solutions are: no valves are needed, it is easy to control the flow direction of cold water and return water to switch operating modes (mode ③ or mode ④), and the operation is convenient.

[0053] Furthermore, the first three-way valve 8 and the second three-way valve 9 are three-way valves.

[0054] The advantages of the above-mentioned further solutions are: no valves are needed, making it easy to control the flow direction of the refrigerant to switch operating modes (mode ①, ②, or ③), and the operation is convenient.

[0055] Furthermore, a sprayer 13 is also installed above the condenser end of the heat pipe condenser 1.

[0056] The beneficial effects of the above-mentioned further scheme are: it facilitates the start-up of the mode ② - natural cold source - heat pipe terminal (wet condition) operation mode. In this mode, the outdoor air wet bulb temperature ts≤16℃, and the heat pipe condenser 1 is sprayed by the sprayer 13, so that the heat pipe condenser 1 can work in wet condition and effectively condense the refrigerant.

[0057] Furthermore, a refrigerant pump 17 is also installed on the liquid pipeline 7, and the refrigerant pump 17 is installed between the second tee 9 and the heat pipe evaporator 2.

[0058] The beneficial effect of the above-mentioned further solution is that when the installation distance between the heat pipe condenser 1 and the heat pipe evaporator 2 is far, or when the installation height of the heat pipe condenser 1 is limited, the refrigerant pump 17 provides power, facilitating the delivery of refrigerant. This solves the problems of the long installation distance and insufficient installation height of the heat pipe condenser 1.

[0059] Furthermore, the installation position of the heat pipe condenser 1 is higher than the installation position of the heat pipe evaporator 2.

[0060] The beneficial effect of the above-mentioned further solution is that the refrigerant, after condensing in the heat pipe condenser 1, can flow to the heat pipe evaporator 2 by its own gravity, which facilitates energy saving. At this time, there is no need to install a refrigerant pump.

[0061] Furthermore, a chilled water circulation pump 18 is installed on the return water pipe 11, and the chilled water circulation pump 18 is installed between the chiller unit 4 and the fourth tee 16.

[0062] The beneficial effect of the above-mentioned further scheme is that it facilitates the balance of the resistance of the intermediate heat exchanger 3 or the combined air conditioning unit 14, so that the chilled water returns to the chiller unit 4 after being heated in the intermediate heat exchanger 3 or the combined air conditioning unit 14.

[0063] Furthermore, a cooling water circulation pump 19 is installed on the cooling water pipe 12.

[0064] The beneficial effect of the above-mentioned further solution is that it provides power to ensure that the cooling water in the chiller unit 4 flows to the cooling tower 5 for cooling.

[0065] Furthermore, the intermediate heat exchanger 3 is a condensing heat exchanger.

[0066] The beneficial effect of the above-mentioned further solutions is that they enable the refrigerant to condense effectively.

[0067] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that if descriptive terms indicating orientation, direction, or positional relationship appear, such as "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," "circumferential," etc., the orientation or positional relationship indicated in this specification is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. It is only for the convenience of understanding this invention and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the part, element, or whole referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

[0068] Furthermore, if sequential descriptive terms such as "first," "second," etc., appear, their purpose in this specification is for ease of understanding or simplification. For example, to distinguish multiple technical features of the same type or function, which must be mentioned separately, this specification may use prefixes or suffixes to differentiate them. Therefore, they should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. In the description of this invention, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0069] In this invention, when descriptive terms describing structural relationships are used, such as "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixation," they should be interpreted broadly unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited. For example, "installation," "connection," and "joining" can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. "Fixation" can refer to integral fixation or detachable fixation using fasteners; it can be direct fixation or fixation through an intermediate medium. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above descriptive terms in this invention can be understood based on the specific circumstances, the context, and the coherence of the preceding and following text.

[0070] In this invention, if descriptive terms containing subordinate or connecting meanings appear, such as "above" or "below" the second feature, they should not be interpreted restrictively unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited. For example, "above" or "below" can mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or that the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above descriptive terms in this invention can be understood based on the specific circumstances, the context, and the coherence of the preceding and following text.

[0071] Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "above" the first feature in relation to the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "under," and "below" the first feature in relation to the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0072] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. The illustrative expressions of the above terms in this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments, examples, and features described in this specification, and such combinations or integrations should all fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0073] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of information available through public channels and in conjunction with the technical teachings given in this application.

Claims

1. A heat pipe evaporative cooling indoor cooling system, characterized in that: The system includes a heat pipe condenser (1), a heat pipe evaporator (2), an intermediate heat exchanger (3), a chiller unit (4), and a cooling tower (5). The heat pipe condenser (1) and the heat pipe evaporator (2) are connected in a loop via a gas pipe (6) and a liquid pipe (7). The gas pipe (6) is connected to the inlet of the hot fluid pipeline of the intermediate heat exchanger (3) via a first tee (8), and the liquid pipe (7) is connected to the outlet of the hot fluid pipeline of the intermediate heat exchanger (3) via a second tee (9). The chiller unit (4) and the cold fluid pipeline of the intermediate heat exchanger (3) are connected in a loop via a chilled water pipe (10) and a return water pipe (11). The chiller unit (4) and the cooling tower (5) are connected in a loop via a cooling water pipe (12). A refrigerant pump (17) is also installed on the liquid pipeline (7), and the refrigerant pump (17) is installed between the second tee (9) and the heat pipe evaporator (2); A cooling water circulation pump (19) is installed on the cooling water pipe (12); The intermediate heat exchanger (3) is a condensing heat exchanger.

2. The heat pipe evaporative cooling indoor cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a combined air conditioning unit (14), which is connected to the chilled water pipe (10) via a third tee (15). The combined air conditioning unit (14) is also connected to the return water pipe (11) via a fourth tee (16), so that the water in the chilled water pipe (10) can flow to the return water pipe (11) via the combined air conditioning unit (14).

3. The heat pipe evaporative cooling indoor cooling system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The third three-way valve (15) and the fourth three-way valve (16) are three-way valves.

4. The heat pipe evaporative cooling indoor cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first three-way valve (8) and the second three-way valve (9) are three-way valves.

5. The heat pipe evaporative cooling indoor cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A sprayer (13) is also installed above the condenser end of the heat pipe condenser (1).

6. The heat pipe evaporative cooling indoor cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat pipe condenser (1) is installed at a higher position than the heat pipe evaporator (2).

7. The heat pipe evaporative cooling indoor cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A chilled water circulation pump (18) is installed on the return water pipe (11), and the chilled water circulation pump (18) is installed between the chiller unit (4) and the fourth tee (16).

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