Thermoelectric power generation system based on sea water cooling of offshore internet data center

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of thermoelectric power generation, and discloses a thermoelectric power generation system based on sea water cooling of an offshore internet data center. The thermoelectric power generation system comprises an offshore internet data center, a cooling assembly and a thermoelectric power generation assembly. One end of the cooling assembly extends into seawater, and the other end of the cooling assembly is connected with a cooling water pipeline inlet of the offshore internet data center; the thermoelectric power generation assembly comprises an evaporation device, a power generation mechanism and a condensation device, the evaporation device comprises a first seawater pipeline and a first fluid working medium pipeline, the condensation device comprises a second seawater pipeline and a second fluid working medium pipeline, and the first fluid working medium pipeline, the power generation mechanism and the second fluid working medium pipeline are circularly communicated. The water inlet end of the first seawater pipeline is connected with an outlet of the cooling water pipeline, and the water inlet end of the second seawater pipeline extends into seawater. The offshore internet data center is cooled through seawater, the heated seawater is utilized by the temperature difference power generation assembly to generate power, and full utilization of heat is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of temperature difference power generation, and in particular to a temperature difference power generation system based on seawater cooling of an offshore Internet data center. Background Art

[0002] With the development of big data and artificial intelligence, human demand for data, algorithms, and computing power has experienced explosive growth. As the carrier of all this, the construction of Internet data centers will inevitably bring about a large demand for land and energy. In this context, offshore IDC (Internet Data Center) came into being. Offshore IDC will not occupy land resources and is especially suitable for areas with tight land resources.

[0003] The offshore IDC has high computing power and high power. Its internal equipment, such as servers and storage devices, will generate a lot of heat during operation, and will inevitably face the problem of heat dissipation. In order to keep the offshore IDC at a relatively low constant temperature, it will not affect its high-efficiency operation and its service life. The common cooling method is to circulate the refrigerant and contact the heat-generating components to remove the dissipated heat. Mineral oil, fluorinated solution, etc. are often used as refrigerants. However, this cooling method is relatively expensive and has the risk of refrigerant leakage. Once the refrigerant leaks, it will pollute the marine environment. For this reason, the prior art uses seawater and heat-generating components for heat exchange cooling in combination with the environment in which the offshore IDC is located. However, it fails to further utilize the heat dissipated by the heat-generating components, resulting in heat loss and waste. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides a temperature difference power generation system based on seawater cooling of an offshore Internet data center to solve the problem that the existing offshore Internet data center cannot utilize the heat after cooling by seawater, resulting in heat waste.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a temperature difference power generation system based on seawater cooling of an offshore Internet data center, comprising:

[0006] An offshore Internet data center, wherein the offshore Internet data center is disposed on an offshore platform and includes a cooling water pipeline;

[0007] A cooling component, one end of which extends into the seawater and the other end is connected to the inlet of the cooling water pipeline;

[0008] A temperature difference power generation component, the temperature difference power generation component comprising: an evaporation device, a power generation mechanism and a condensation device, the evaporation device comprising: a first seawater pipeline and a first fluid working medium pipeline, the condensation device comprising: a second seawater pipeline and a second fluid working medium pipeline, the first fluid working medium pipeline, the power generation mechanism and the second fluid working medium pipeline are circulated and connected in sequence through a circulation pipeline, the water inlet end of the first seawater pipeline is connected to the cooling water pipeline outlet, and the water inlet end of the second seawater pipeline extends into the seawater.

[0009] Beneficial Effects

[0010] The cooling component transports low-temperature seawater to the cooling water pipeline of the offshore Internet data center, and the low-temperature seawater can cool the heat-generating components inside the offshore Internet data center. The heated seawater carries heat into the evaporation device, heats and evaporates the fluid working medium in the first fluid working medium pipeline, and then drives the power generation mechanism to generate electricity. The fluid working medium enters the second fluid working medium pipeline of the condensing device and is condensed by the low-temperature seawater and circulated to the evaporation device again. The heat emitted by the offshore Internet data center can be utilized by setting up a temperature difference power generation component to achieve full utilization of the heat without causing heat loss.

[0011] In an optional embodiment, the temperature difference power generation assembly further includes an energy storage device, and the energy storage device is connected to the power generation mechanism.

[0012] Beneficial Effects

[0013] The electric energy generated by the power generation mechanism can be stored for backup through the energy storage device.

[0014] In an optional embodiment, the energy storage device is a battery.

[0015] In an optional embodiment, the power generation mechanism includes: a turbine and a generator, the turbine is connected to the generator, and the generator is connected to the energy storage device.

[0016] In an optional embodiment, a working fluid circulation pump is provided on the circulation pipeline.

[0017] In an optional embodiment, the cooling component includes: a seawater conveying mechanism and a power mechanism, one end of the seawater conveying mechanism extends into the seawater, and the other end is connected to the inlet of the cooling water pipe, and the power mechanism is connected to the seawater conveying mechanism to drive the seawater conveying mechanism to convey seawater to the cooling water pipe.

[0018] In an optional embodiment, the seawater conveying mechanism is a seawater conveying pipe, and an anti-corrosion layer is provided on the outer wall of the seawater conveying pipe.

[0019] Beneficial Effects

[0020] The anti-corrosion layer enables the seawater delivery pipe to be immersed in seawater for a long time, and has a long service life and is strong and durable.

[0021] In an optional embodiment, one end of the seawater conveying mechanism extends to 50 meters below the sea surface.

[0022] Beneficial Effects

[0023] The sea water temperature 50 meters below the sea surface is below 15°C, which has a cooling effect on the offshore Internet data center. At the same time, the condensing device is used to quickly condense the fluid working medium.

[0024] In an optional embodiment, the energy storage device is electrically connected to the offshore Internet data center and / or the power mechanism.

[0025] The heat dissipated by the offshore Internet data center is used to generate electricity through the temperature difference power generation component, and then the electric energy is stored in the energy storage device and supplied to the offshore Internet data center and / or power mechanism for use, thereby realizing the internal power circulation supply of the system, saving energy and protecting the environment.

[0026] In an optional embodiment, the power mechanism is a seawater lift pump. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific implementation methods of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the specific implementation methods or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some implementation methods of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0028] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a temperature difference power generation system based on seawater cooling of an offshore Internet data center according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Description of reference numerals:

[0030] 1. Maritime Internet Data Center;

[0031] 21. Seawater transport mechanism, 22. Power mechanism;

[0032] 31. Evaporation device, 311. First seawater pipeline, 312. First fluid working medium pipeline, 32. Power generation mechanism, 33. Condensation device, 331. Second seawater pipeline, 332. Second fluid working medium pipeline, 34. Energy storage device, 35. Working medium circulation pump. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The technical solution of the present invention will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0034] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0035] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be 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 it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0036] In addition, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0037] Combine the following Figure 1 , describing an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] According to an embodiment of the present invention, on the one hand, a temperature difference power generation system based on seawater cooling of an offshore Internet data center 1 is provided, and the temperature difference power generation system includes: an offshore Internet data center 1, a cooling component, and a temperature difference power generation component. The offshore Internet data center 1 is arranged on an offshore platform, and the offshore Internet data center 1 includes a cooling water pipeline; one end of the cooling component extends into the seawater, and the other end is connected to the inlet of the cooling water pipeline; the temperature difference power generation component includes: an evaporation device 31, a power generation mechanism 32, and a condensation device 33, the evaporation device 31 includes: a first seawater pipeline 311 and a first fluid working medium pipeline 312, the condensation device 33 includes: a second seawater pipeline 331 and a second fluid working medium pipeline 332, the first fluid working medium pipeline 312, the power generation mechanism 32, and the second fluid working medium pipeline 332 are circulated and connected in sequence through a circulation pipeline, the water inlet end of the first seawater pipeline 311 is connected to the outlet of the cooling water pipeline, and the water inlet end of the second seawater pipeline 331 extends into the seawater.

[0039] The offshore Internet data center 1, i.e., the offshore IDC, can be equipped with a separate offshore platform to place the offshore Internet data center 1, or it can use the platform of other offshore buildings, such as the platform of an offshore wind turbine, to set up the offshore Internet data center 1, which can save costs and supply electricity through the wind turbine. The offshore Internet data center 1 can have one or more cooling water pipes, and by adjusting the number and direction of the cooling water pipes so that it can pass through all the heat-generating components, it has a better cooling effect. One end of the cooling component extends into the seawater to extract low-temperature seawater, and the other end is connected to the inlet of the cooling water pipe to transport the low-temperature seawater to the cooling water pipe. When the low-temperature seawater circulates in the cooling water pipe, it can take away the heat emitted by the heat-generating components to cool the heat-generating components, and the low-temperature seawater is heated to high-temperature seawater and flows from the outlet of the cooling water pipe into the temperature difference power generation component.

[0040] There is a fluid working medium circulation loop in the temperature difference power generation component, and the fluid working medium circulation loop includes the first fluid working medium pipeline 312 of the evaporation device 31, the power generation mechanism 32 and the second fluid working medium pipeline 332 of the condensation device 33, which are sequentially connected by the circulation pipeline. The fluid working medium circulates in the fluid working medium circulation loop, and common fluid working mediums include organic compounds such as propane, ammonia, and Freon. When the fluid working medium is in the first fluid working medium pipeline 312 of the evaporation device 31, since the high-temperature seawater from the cooling water pipeline flows in the first seawater pipeline 311 of the evaporation device 31, the fluid working medium can be heated and evaporated from the liquid state to the gaseous state, and the gaseous fluid working medium drives the power generation mechanism 32 to operate and generate electricity, realizing the conversion of thermal energy to electrical energy. The high-temperature seawater in the first seawater pipeline 311 can be directly discharged into the sea after heat exchange with the fluid working medium. The gaseous fluid working medium enters the second fluid working medium pipeline 332 of the condensing device 33 from the power generation mechanism 32. Since low-temperature seawater flows in the second seawater pipeline 331 of the condensing device 33, other fluid working medium can be condensed into liquid again, and then can flow into the first fluid working medium pipeline 312 of the evaporating device 31 again through the circulation pipeline. The fluid working medium can continuously generate electricity by circulating in this way, and the low-temperature seawater in the second seawater pipeline 331 can also be directly discharged into the sea after heat exchange with the fluid working medium.

[0041] This temperature difference power generation system can generate electricity using the heat energy emitted by the offshore Internet data center 1 when it is working. In the working environment where energy is scarce at sea and it is difficult to obtain energy, it realizes full utilization and conversion of heat and avoids waste of heat energy.

[0042] In some embodiments, the cooling component includes: a seawater conveying mechanism 21 and a power mechanism 22, one end of the seawater conveying mechanism 21 extends into the seawater, and the other end is connected to the inlet of the cooling water pipeline, and the power mechanism 22 is connected to the seawater conveying mechanism 21 to drive the seawater conveying mechanism 21 to convey seawater to the cooling water pipeline.

[0043] Since the offshore Internet data center 1 is at a certain height from the sea surface, the seawater conveying mechanism 21 is required to convey seawater for cooling the offshore Internet data center 1. The power mechanism 22 can provide kinetic energy for the seawater conveying mechanism 21 to convey seawater from a low position to a high position.

[0044] In one embodiment, the power mechanism 22 is a seawater lifting pump, through which the seawater is pumped.

[0045] In one embodiment, the seawater conveying mechanism 21 is a seawater conveying pipe, and an anti-corrosion layer is provided on the outer wall of the seawater conveying pipe.

[0046] The seawater delivery pipe will extend into the sea. Since seawater is highly corrosive, in order to ensure that the seawater delivery pipe can be used for a long time, it is necessary to coat its surface with an anti-corrosion layer, such as epoxy coating, polyurethane coating, etc. This can prevent the seawater delivery pipe from being damaged by seawater corrosion and make it more durable.

[0047] In one embodiment, one end of the seawater conveying mechanism 21 extends to 50 meters below the sea surface.

[0048] The seawater temperature at 50 meters above the sea surface is about 15 degrees Celsius, and the lower it goes, the lower the seawater temperature will be. The seawater will heat up to 50-70 degrees Celsius in the cooling water pipeline. Selecting seawater 50 meters below the sea surface can meet the cooling and heat dissipation needs of the offshore Internet data center 1, and has a good cooling effect, and can ensure that there is enough temperature difference for power generation, thereby improving power generation efficiency.

[0049] In one embodiment, a working medium circulation pump 35 is provided on the circulation pipeline. The working medium circulation pump 35 can drive the circulation of the fluid working medium.

[0050] In some embodiments, the temperature difference power generation assembly further includes an energy storage device 34, which is connected to the power generation mechanism 32. The energy storage device 34 can store the electric energy generated by the power generation mechanism 32 for backup. Specifically, in one embodiment, the energy storage device 34 is a battery.

[0051] In one embodiment, the energy storage device 34 is electrically connected to the offshore Internet data center 1 and / or the power mechanism 22 .

[0052] When the offshore Internet data center 1 is in operation, each component needs to be driven by electric energy. Similarly, the power mechanism 22, i.e., the seawater lifting pump, also needs to be driven by electric energy. The electric energy generated by the temperature difference power generation component is stored in the energy storage device 34, and then supplied to the offshore Internet data center 1 and / or the power mechanism 22 and / or the working fluid circulation pump 35 through the energy storage device 34. The system achieves self-sufficiency in electric energy, does not require external power supply, is energy-saving and environmentally friendly, and has high economic benefits.

[0053] In other embodiments, the energy storage device 34 may not be provided, and the electric energy generated by the temperature difference power generation assembly may be directly supplied to the offshore Internet data center 1 and / or the power mechanism 22 and other electrical equipment for use.

[0054] In one embodiment, the power generation mechanism 32 includes: a turbine and a generator, the turbine is connected to the generator, and the generator is connected to the energy storage device 34 .

[0055] The gaseous fluid flowing out of the first fluid pipeline 312 in the evaporation device 31 can drive the turbine to work, and the turbine converts the energy contained in the fluid into mechanical energy to drive the generator to work and generate electricity, thereby realizing the conversion of heat energy emitted by the offshore Internet data center 1 into electrical energy. The electrical energy generated by the generator is then stored in the energy storage device 34, and then supplied to the electrical equipment by the energy storage device 34.

[0056] The working process of the temperature difference power generation system provided in this embodiment is described as follows:

[0057] The low-temperature seawater is transported to the cooling water pipeline of the offshore Internet data center 1 through the seawater delivery pipeline by means of a seawater lifting pump. When the low-temperature seawater circulates in the cooling water pipeline, it exchanges heat through various heat-generating components, absorbs heat, and cools the heat-generating components. The high-temperature seawater flows from the cooling water pipeline into the first seawater pipeline 311 of the evaporation device 31 to exchange heat with the fluid working medium in the first fluid working medium pipeline 312. The fluid working medium absorbs heat and evaporates, and the seawater in the first seawater pipeline 311 is directly discharged into the sea. Then the fluid working medium enters the turbine of the power generation mechanism 32, drives the turbine to work, and then drives the generator to work to generate electricity. After that, the fluid working medium enters the second fluid working medium pipeline 332 of the condensing device 33, exchanges heat with the low-temperature seawater extracted from the second seawater pipeline 331, and the fluid working medium is condensed into a liquid state. The seawater in the second seawater pipeline 331 is also directly discharged into the sea after the heat exchange. The fluid working medium in the second fluid working medium pipeline 332 can flow to the first fluid working medium pipeline 312 again. During this process, the circulation of the fluid working medium is driven by the working medium circulation pump 35, and the circulation of the fluid working medium also realizes the continuous power generation of the power generation mechanism 32.

[0058] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications and variations are all within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A temperature difference power generation system based on seawater cooling of an offshore Internet data center, characterized in that: include: An offshore Internet data center (1), wherein the offshore Internet data center (1) is arranged on an offshore platform, and the offshore Internet data center (1) comprises a cooling water pipeline; A cooling component, one end of which extends into the seawater and the other end is connected to the inlet of the cooling water pipeline; A temperature difference power generation component, the temperature difference power generation component comprising: an evaporation device (31), a power generation mechanism (32) and a condensation device (33); the evaporation device (31) comprising: a first seawater pipeline (311) and a first fluid working medium pipeline (312); the condensation device (33) comprising: a second seawater pipeline (331) and a second fluid working medium pipeline (332); the first fluid working medium pipeline (312), the power generation mechanism (32) and the second fluid working medium pipeline (332) are circulated and connected in sequence through a circulation pipeline; the water inlet end of the first seawater pipeline (311) is connected to the outlet of the cooling water pipeline, and the water inlet end of the second seawater pipeline (331) extends into the seawater.

2. The temperature difference power generation system based on seawater cooling of an offshore Internet data center according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The temperature difference power generation assembly also includes an energy storage device (34), and the energy storage device (34) is connected to the power generation mechanism (32).

3. The temperature difference power generation system based on seawater cooling of an offshore Internet data center according to claim 2 is characterized in that: The energy storage device (34) is a battery.

4. The temperature difference power generation system based on seawater cooling of an offshore Internet data center according to claim 2 is characterized in that: The power generation mechanism (32) comprises a turbine and a generator, wherein the turbine is connected to the generator, and the generator is connected to the energy storage device (34).

5. The temperature difference power generation system based on seawater cooling of an offshore Internet data center according to claim 1 is characterized in that: A working medium circulation pump (35) is provided on the circulation pipeline.

6. The temperature difference power generation system based on seawater cooling of an offshore Internet data center according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that: The cooling assembly comprises: a seawater conveying mechanism (21) and a power mechanism (22); one end of the seawater conveying mechanism (21) extends into the seawater, and the other end is connected to the inlet of the cooling water pipeline; the power mechanism (22) is connected to the seawater conveying mechanism (21) to drive the seawater conveying mechanism (21) to convey the seawater to the cooling water pipeline.

7. The temperature difference power generation system based on seawater cooling of an offshore Internet data center according to claim 6 is characterized in that: The seawater conveying mechanism (21) is a seawater conveying pipe, and an anti-corrosion layer is provided on the outer wall of the seawater conveying pipe.

8. The temperature difference power generation system based on seawater cooling of an offshore Internet data center according to claim 6 is characterized in that: One end of the seawater conveying mechanism (21) extends to below 50 meters from the sea surface.

9. The temperature difference power generation system based on seawater cooling of an offshore Internet data center according to claim 6 is characterized in that: The energy storage device (34) is electrically connected to the offshore Internet data center (1) and / or the power mechanism (22).

10. The temperature difference power generation system based on seawater cooling of an offshore Internet data center according to claim 6, characterized in that: The power mechanism (22) is a seawater lifting pump.

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