Dual-unit machine room air conditioner and control method thereof

Abstract

The application provides a double-machine-group machine room air conditioner, which comprises a first air conditioner unit, a second air conditioner unit and an air conditioner control system, the first air conditioner unit and the second air conditioner unit share a shell-and-tube heat exchanger; the air conditioner control system controls the first air conditioner unit and the second air conditioner unit, when any one of the first air conditioner unit and the second air conditioner unit is abnormal, the other unit is adjusted, so that the double-machine-group machine room air conditioner still meets the original refrigeration demand. The application connects two air conditioner units, when the system pressure of one of the units is abnormally high, the other unit is adjusted, so that the whole machine room air conditioner still meets the original refrigeration demand, and the waste of cooling water caused by the increase of the cooling water flow due to the increase of the system pressure in the prior art is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of air conditioning technology, and more specifically to a dual-unit air conditioning system for computer rooms and its control method. Background Technology

[0002] With the convergence and development of technologies such as cloud computing, mobile internet, and the Internet of Things, the enthusiasm for data center construction in the domestic market is unprecedented. Judging from market applications in recent years, data centers are springing up everywhere. They are widely used in industries such as finance, telecommunications, IT, and rail transportation. Data center air conditioning is a crucial component of data centers. From a system design perspective, data center air conditioning is generally divided into refrigerant cycle-air-cooled series and refrigerant cycle-water-cooled series. Shell-and-tube heat exchangers are a common design method in the refrigerant cycle-water-cooled series, generally divided into external and internal types. External shell-and-tube heat exchangers increase material and installation costs both in engineering installation and overall system development, for example, by requiring longer piping and more circuit control boards. Therefore, more and more customers are preferring internal shell-and-tube designs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical solution disclosed in this invention proposes a dual-unit computer room air conditioner and an air conditioner control method.

[0004] As a first embodiment of a dual-unit computer room air conditioning system, it includes a first air conditioning unit, a second air conditioning unit, and an air conditioning control system.

[0005] The first air conditioning unit is equipped with a first compressor, a first throttling mechanism, a first evaporator, and a first fan for the first evaporator; the second air conditioning unit is equipped with a second compressor, a second throttling mechanism, a second evaporator, and a second fan for the second evaporator; the first air conditioning unit and the second air conditioning unit share a shell-and-tube heat exchanger.

[0006] The shell side of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger is connected to a cooling water pipeline. The inlet end of the shell side is connected to the inlet pipe of the cooling water pipeline, and the outlet end is connected to the outlet pipe of the cooling water pipeline. A cooling water valve and a cooling water pump are provided on the inlet pipe and / or outlet pipe of the cooling water pipeline. The tube side of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger includes a first high-pressure pipe connected to the first air conditioning unit as the condenser pipeline of the first air conditioning unit and a second high-pressure pipe connected to the second air conditioning unit as the condenser pipeline of the second air conditioning unit. The first high-pressure pipe and the second high-pressure pipe constitute the tube side portion of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger and are connected in parallel.

[0007] The air conditioning control system controls the first air conditioning unit and the second air conditioning unit. When any one of the first air conditioning unit and the second air conditioning unit malfunctions, the other unit is adjusted so that the dual-unit computer room air conditioning can still meet the original cooling requirements.

[0008] Preferably, when the discharge pressure of either the first compressor or the second compressor is detected to be higher than a threshold, the air conditioning control system adjusts the frequency of the other compressor whose discharge pressure is lower than the threshold so that the other air conditioner, which is not abnormal, can still meet the original cooling demand.

[0009] Preferably, the first air conditioning unit and the second air conditioning unit are the same air conditioning unit.

[0010] Preferably, the shell-and-tube heat exchanger is an external shell-and-tube heat exchanger or an internal shell-and-tube heat exchanger.

[0011] Preferably, both the first air conditioning unit and the second air conditioning unit use fluorinated refrigerant.

[0012] As another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a control method for a dual-unit computer room air conditioner is also provided, for controlling the dual-unit computer room air conditioner, comprising:

[0013] SA1: When the discharge pressure value of the first compressor or the second compressor is detected to be higher than the threshold, the air conditioning control system restricts the compressor with the discharge pressure value higher than the threshold so that it no longer increases its frequency, and determines the opening degree of the cooling water valve.

[0014] SA2: If it is detected in step SA1 that the cooling water valve is not open to the maximum value, then adjust the cooling water valve to open to the maximum value; if it is detected that the cooling water valve is already open to the maximum value, then proceed to step SA3.

[0015] SA3: Determine whether the compressor of the unit with the pressure value higher than the threshold has reached the rated frequency. If the compressor has not reached the rated frequency, calculate the frequency difference between the rated frequency and the current frequency and determine the outlet temperature of the cooling water. Based on the frequency difference and the outlet temperature, determine whether another unit can meet the requirement of continuing to increase the frequency when one of the units reaches the rated frequency. If it is believed that the other unit can meet the requirement of continuing to increase the frequency when one of the units reaches the rated frequency, proceed to step SA4. If it is believed that the other unit cannot meet the requirement of continuing to increase the frequency when one of the units reaches the rated frequency, proceed to step SA5.

[0016] SA4: Change the rated frequency of the compressor of the air conditioning unit that meets the frequency increase requirement, so that it operates at a power higher than the rated power.

[0017] SA5: Keep another unit running at the current frequency.

[0018] Optionally, the power exceeding the rated power is the frequency obtained by adding the frequency difference to the compressor's rated frequency.

[0019] Optionally, the power above the rated power is the maximum frequency at which the compressor is allowed to operate.

[0020] Optionally, before step SA1, the method further includes the step of turning on the dual-unit computer room air conditioner, including:

[0021] S01: After turning on the power to the dual-unit computer room air conditioner, first reset the cooling water valve;

[0022] S02: Run the cooling water valve at a first preset opening degree and check whether the load of the first air conditioning unit and the second air conditioning unit is normal.

[0023] Optionally, if step S02 detects that the loads of both the first and second air conditioning units are normal, it includes:

[0024] SB1: Determine if the machine is on. If it is on, control the first and second internal fans to run at their respective rated speeds.

[0025] SB2: Check whether the difference between the indoor ambient temperature and the set temperature meets the compressor start-up conditions. If it does, proceed to step SB3; otherwise, return to step SB1.

[0026] SB3: Turn on the cooling water pump and open the cooling water valve to its maximum opening;

[0027] SB4: Start the first compressor and the second compressor in sequence;

[0028] SB5: Detect the discharge pressure value of the first compressor of the first air conditioning unit and the discharge pressure value of the second compressor of the second air conditioning unit, and adjust the opening of the cooling water valve according to the larger of the two discharge pressure values;

[0029] SB6: Continue to detect the discharge pressure values ​​of the first compressor of the first air conditioning unit and the second compressor of the second air conditioning unit; if the discharge pressure value of the first compressor or the second compressor is detected to be higher than the threshold, proceed to step SA1; if the first pressure detection device or the second pressure detection device does not detect the discharge pressure value of the first compressor or the second compressor to be higher than the threshold, return to step SB2.

[0030] In summary, the dual-unit air conditioning system and its control method for computer rooms provided by this invention have the following advantages compared with the prior art. By connecting two air conditioning units, this invention allows the other unit to be adjusted when the system pressure of one unit abnormally increases, ensuring that the entire computer room air conditioning system can still meet the original cooling requirements. Furthermore, it reduces the waste of cooling water caused by increased cooling water flow due to increased system pressure, as is common in existing technologies. Attached Figure Description

[0031] To more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0032] Figure 1 This is a front view of the structure of a vertical air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger structure used in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0034] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0035] The terminology used in the embodiments of this invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. The singular forms “a,” “the,” and “the” used in the embodiments of this invention and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. “Multiple” generally includes at least two, but does not exclude the inclusion of at least one.

[0036] It should be understood that the term "and / or" used in this article is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, and B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this article generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0037] It should also be noted that the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a product or system comprising a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a product or system. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the product or system that includes said element.

[0038] like Figure 1 As shown in the figure, an embodiment of the present invention provides a dual-unit air conditioning system for a computer room, including a first air conditioning unit, a second air conditioning unit, and an air conditioning control system. The first air conditioning unit includes a first compressor 11, a first throttling mechanism, a first evaporator 12, and a first fan 13 for the first evaporator. The second air conditioning unit includes a second compressor 12, a second throttling mechanism, a second evaporator 22, and a second fan 23 for the second evaporator. The first and second air conditioning units share a shell-and-tube heat exchanger 3. Further, as... Figure 2 As shown, the shell-and-tube heat exchanger includes a shell 31 and a pipeline that exchanges heat with the cooling medium inside the shell. The space between the shell and the pipeline forms the shell side, which is connected to the cooling water pipeline. Its inlet end is connected to the inlet pipe 41 of the cooling water pipeline, and its outlet end is connected to the outlet pipe 42 of the cooling water pipeline. A cooling water valve 43 and a cooling water pump are provided on the inlet pipe 41 and / or the outlet pipe 42 of the cooling water pipeline.

[0039] The pipes located in the shell-and-tube heat exchanger constitute the tube side, which includes a first high-pressure pipe 321 connected to the first air conditioning unit as the condenser pipe of the first air conditioning unit and a second high-pressure pipe 322 connected to the second air conditioning unit as the condenser pipe of the second air conditioning unit; the first high-pressure pipe and the second high-pressure pipe constitute the tube side portion of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger and are connected in parallel.

[0040] When the discharge pressure of either compressor 11 or compressor 12 is detected to be higher than the threshold, the air conditioning control system adjusts the frequency of the other compressor whose discharge pressure is lower than the threshold so that the other air conditioner, which is not abnormal, can still meet the original cooling demand.

[0041] In this embodiment of the invention, the first air conditioning unit and the second air conditioning unit are the same air conditioning unit. Those skilled in the art should understand that the first air conditioning unit and the second air conditioning unit can be different air conditioning units depending on actual needs.

[0042] In this embodiment of the invention, the shell-and-tube heat exchanger can be either built-in or external, depending on actual needs.

[0043] Both the first and second air conditioning units use fluorinated refrigerant.

[0044] Taking the above embodiments as examples, the present invention also provides an embodiment of a control method for a dual-unit computer room air conditioner, used to control the aforementioned dual-unit computer room air conditioner. Specifically, it includes:

[0045] SA1: When the discharge pressure of the first compressor or the second compressor is detected to be higher than the threshold, the air conditioning control system will restrict the compressor with the discharge pressure higher than the threshold to stop it from increasing its frequency, and determine the degree of opening of the cooling water valve.

[0046] SA2: If it is detected in step SA1 that the cooling water valve is not open to the maximum value, adjust the cooling water valve to open to the maximum value; if it is detected that the cooling water valve is already open to the maximum value, proceed to step SA3.

[0047] SA3: Determine whether the compressor of the unit with pressure value higher than the threshold has reached the rated frequency. If the compressor has not reached the rated frequency, calculate the frequency difference between the rated frequency and the current frequency, and determine the outlet temperature of the cooling water. Based on the frequency difference and outlet temperature, determine whether another unit can meet the requirement of continuing to increase the frequency when one of the units reaches the rated frequency. If it is believed that the other unit can meet the requirement of continuing to increase the frequency when one of the units reaches the rated frequency, proceed to step SA4. If it is believed that the other unit cannot meet the requirement of continuing to increase the frequency when one of the units reaches the rated frequency, proceed to step SA5.

[0048] SA4: Change the rated frequency of the compressor of the air conditioning unit that meets the frequency increase requirement, so that it operates at a power higher than the rated power.

[0049] SA5: Keep another unit running at the current frequency.

[0050] Among them, the power above the rated power is the frequency after adding the frequency difference to the rated frequency of the compressor.

[0051] In addition, the power above the rated power is the maximum frequency at which the compressor is allowed to operate.

[0052] The control method for a dual-unit computer room air conditioner provided in this embodiment of the invention further includes a step of turning on the dual-unit computer room air conditioner before step SA1, including:

[0053] S01: After turning on the power to the dual-unit computer room air conditioner, first reset the cooling water valve;

[0054] S02: Run the cooling water valve at the first preset opening degree and check whether the load of the first air conditioning unit and the second air conditioning unit is normal.

[0055] The control method for a dual-unit air conditioning system in a computer room provided in this embodiment of the invention includes the following steps when step S02 detects that the loads of both the first and second air conditioning units are normal:

[0056] SB1: Determine if the machine is on. If it is on, control the first and second internal fans to run at their respective rated speeds.

[0057] SB2: Check whether the difference between the indoor ambient temperature and the set temperature meets the compressor start-up conditions. If it does, proceed to step SB3; otherwise, return to step SB1.

[0058] SB3: Turn on the cooling water pump and open the cooling water valve to its maximum opening;

[0059] SB4: Start the first compressor and the second compressor in sequence;

[0060] SB5: Detect the discharge pressure of the first compressor of the first air conditioning unit and the discharge pressure of the second compressor of the second air conditioning unit, and adjust the opening of the cooling water valve according to the larger of the two discharge pressure values;

[0061] SB6: Continue to detect the discharge pressure values ​​of the first compressor of the first air conditioning unit and the second compressor of the second air conditioning unit; if the discharge pressure value of the first compressor or the second compressor is detected to be higher than the threshold, proceed to step SA1; if the first pressure detection device or the second pressure detection device does not detect the discharge pressure value of the first compressor or the second compressor to be higher than the threshold, return to step SB2.

[0062] Specifically, this invention provides a control method for a dual-unit computer room air conditioner, used to control the aforementioned dual-unit computer room air conditioner. Specifically, it includes:

[0063] SA1: When the discharge pressure of the first compressor or the second compressor is detected to be higher than the threshold of 3400 kPa, the air conditioning control system will restrict the compressor with the discharge pressure higher than the threshold to stop it from increasing its frequency, and determine the degree of opening of the cooling water valve.

[0064] SA2: If it is detected in step SA1 that the cooling water valve is not open to the maximum value, adjust the cooling water valve to open to the maximum value; if it is detected that the cooling water valve is already open to the maximum value, proceed to step SA3.

[0065] SA3: Determine whether the compressor of the unit with the pressure value higher than the threshold has reached the rated frequency. If the compressor has not reached the rated frequency, calculate the frequency difference between the rated frequency and the current frequency and determine the outlet temperature of the cooling water. Based on the frequency difference and the outlet temperature, determine whether another unit can meet the requirement of continuing to increase the frequency when one of the units reaches the rated frequency. If it is believed that the other unit can meet the requirement of continuing to increase the frequency when one of the units reaches the rated frequency, proceed to step SA4. If it is believed that the other unit cannot meet the requirement of continuing to increase the frequency when one of the units reaches the rated frequency, proceed to step SA5.

[0066] Here, the frequency difference used to determine whether another unit can meet the requirement of continuing to increase the frequency when one of the units reaches the rated frequency is greater than 0, and the outlet water temperature is 55℃.

[0067] SA4: Change the rated frequency of the compressor of the air conditioning unit that meets the frequency increase requirement, so that it operates at a power higher than the rated power.

[0068] SA5: Keep another unit running at the current frequency.

[0069] Specifically, the control method for a dual-unit computer room air conditioner provided in this embodiment of the invention further includes a step of turning on the dual-unit computer room air conditioner before step SA1, including:

[0070] S01: After turning on the power to the dual-unit computer room air conditioner, first reset the cooling water valve;

[0071] S02: Run the cooling water valve at 50% opening and check whether the load of the first and second air conditioning units is normal.

[0072] Specifically, the control method for a dual-unit air conditioning system in a computer room provided in this embodiment of the invention includes the following steps when step S02 detects that the loads of both the first and second air conditioning units are normal:

[0073] SB1: Determine if the machine is on. If it is on, control the first and second internal fans to run at their respective rated speeds.

[0074] SB2: Check whether the difference between the indoor ambient temperature and the set temperature meets the compressor start-up conditions. If it does, proceed to step SB3; otherwise, return to step SB1.

[0075] SB3: Turn on the cooling water pump and open the cooling water valve to its maximum opening;

[0076] SB4: Start the first compressor and the second compressor in sequence;

[0077] SB5: Detect the discharge pressure of the first compressor of the first air conditioning unit and the discharge pressure of the second compressor of the second air conditioning unit, and adjust the opening of the cooling water valve according to the larger of the two discharge pressure values;

[0078] SB6: Continue to detect the discharge pressure values ​​of the first compressor of the first air conditioning unit and the second compressor of the second air conditioning unit; if the discharge pressure value of the first compressor or the second compressor is detected to be higher than the threshold of 3400 kPa, proceed to step SA1; if the first pressure detection device or the second pressure detection device does not detect the discharge pressure value of the first compressor or the second compressor to be higher than the threshold of 3400 kPa, return to step SB2.

[0079] In summary, the dual-unit air conditioning system and its control method for computer rooms provided by this invention have the following advantages compared with the prior art. By connecting two air conditioning units, this invention allows the other unit to be adjusted when the system pressure of one unit abnormally increases, ensuring that the entire computer room air conditioning system can still meet the original cooling requirements. Furthermore, it reduces the waste of cooling water caused by increased cooling water flow due to increased system pressure, as is common in existing technologies.

[0080] The present invention provides a detailed description of a dual-unit air conditioner for a computer room and its control method. Any obvious modifications made by those skilled in the art without departing from the essential content of this invention will constitute an infringement of the patent rights of this invention and will incur corresponding legal liability.

Claims

1. A control method for a dual-unit air conditioning system in a computer room, characterized in that, The dual-unit air conditioning system for the computer room includes a first air conditioning unit, a second air conditioning unit, and an air conditioning control system, wherein: The first air conditioning unit is equipped with a first compressor, a first throttling mechanism, a first evaporator, and a first fan for the first evaporator; the second air conditioning unit is equipped with a second compressor, a second throttling mechanism, a second evaporator, and a second fan for the second evaporator; the first air conditioning unit and the second air conditioning unit share a shell-and-tube heat exchanger. The shell side of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger is connected to a cooling water pipeline. The inlet end of the shell side is connected to the inlet pipe of the cooling water pipeline, and the outlet end is connected to the outlet pipe of the cooling water pipeline. A cooling water valve and a cooling water pump are provided on the inlet pipe and / or outlet pipe of the cooling water pipeline. The tube side of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger includes a first high-pressure pipe connected to the first air conditioning unit as the condenser pipeline of the first air conditioning unit and a second high-pressure pipe connected to the second air conditioning unit as the condenser pipeline of the second air conditioning unit. The first high-pressure pipe and the second high-pressure pipe constitute the tube side portion of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger and are connected in parallel. The air conditioning control system controls the first air conditioning unit and the second air conditioning unit. When any one of the first air conditioning unit and the second air conditioning unit malfunctions, the other unit is adjusted so that the dual-unit computer room air conditioning can still meet the original cooling requirements. The air conditioning control system also controls the following steps: SA1: When the discharge pressure value of the first compressor or the second compressor is detected to be higher than the threshold, the air conditioning control system restricts the compressor with the discharge pressure value higher than the threshold so that it no longer increases its frequency, and determines the opening degree of the cooling water valve. SA2: If it is detected in step SA1 that the cooling water valve is not open to the maximum value, then adjust the cooling water valve to open to the maximum value; if it is detected that the cooling water valve is already open to the maximum value, then proceed to step SA3. SA3: Determine whether the compressor of the unit with the pressure value higher than the threshold has reached the rated frequency. If the compressor has not reached the rated frequency, calculate the frequency difference between the rated frequency and the current frequency and determine the outlet temperature of the cooling water. Based on the frequency difference and the outlet temperature, determine whether another unit can meet the requirement of continuing to increase the frequency when one of the units reaches the rated frequency. If it is believed that the other unit can meet the requirement of continuing to increase the frequency when one of the units reaches the rated frequency, proceed to step SA4. If it is believed that the other unit cannot meet the requirement of continuing to increase the frequency when one of the units reaches the rated frequency, proceed to step SA5. SA4: Change the rated frequency of the compressor of the air conditioning unit that meets the frequency increase requirement, so that it operates at a power higher than the rated power. SA5: Keep another unit running at the current frequency.

2. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the discharge pressure of either the first compressor or the second compressor is detected to be higher than the threshold, the air conditioning control system adjusts the frequency of the other compressor whose discharge pressure is lower than the threshold so that the other air conditioner, which is not abnormal, can still meet the original cooling demand.

3. The control method according to any one of claims 1-2, characterized in that, The first air conditioning unit and the second air conditioning unit are the same air conditioning unit.

4. The control method according to any one of claims 1-2, characterized in that, The shell-and-tube heat exchanger can be an external shell-and-tube heat exchanger or an internal shell-and-tube heat exchanger.

5. The control method according to any one of claims 1-2, characterized in that, Both the first and second air conditioning units use fluorinated refrigerant.

6. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The power exceeding the rated power is the frequency obtained by adding the frequency difference to the compressor's rated frequency.

7. The control method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The power exceeding the rated power refers to the maximum frequency at which the compressor is allowed to operate.

8. The control method according to claim 7, characterized in that, Before step SA1, the method further includes turning on the dual-unit computer room air conditioning, including: S01: After turning on the power to the dual-unit computer room air conditioner, first reset the cooling water valve; S02: Run the cooling water valve at a first preset opening degree and check whether the load of the first air conditioning unit and the second air conditioning unit is normal.

9. The control method according to claim 8, characterized in that, If step S02 detects that the loads of both the first and second air conditioning units are normal, it includes: SB1: Determine if the machine is on. If it is on, control the first and second internal fans to run at their respective rated speeds. SB2: Check whether the difference between the indoor ambient temperature and the set temperature meets the compressor start-up conditions. If it does, proceed to step SB3; otherwise, return to step SB1. SB3: Turn on the cooling water pump and open the cooling water valve to its maximum opening; SB4: Start the first compressor and the second compressor in sequence; SB5: Detect the discharge pressure value of the first compressor of the first air conditioning unit and the discharge pressure value of the second compressor of the second air conditioning unit, and adjust the opening of the cooling water valve according to the larger of the two discharge pressure values; SB6: Continue to detect the discharge pressure values ​​of the first compressor of the first air conditioning unit and the second compressor of the second air conditioning unit; if the discharge pressure value of the first compressor or the second compressor is detected to be higher than the threshold, proceed to step SA1; if the discharge pressure value of the first compressor or the second compressor is not detected to be higher than the threshold, return to step SB2.

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