Drying system

Abstract

This application discloses a drying system relating to the field of drying technology, including a drying chamber and a heat exchange module. The system sequentially introduces the waste gas generated during the drying process into a first heat exchange unit and a second heat exchange unit for two heat energy extraction processes: firstly, the waste gas's residual heat is used to preheat the fresh air to be introduced into the drying chamber, directly reducing the energy load of the heating unit; subsequently, the further cooled waste gas's residual heat is used to preheat the low-temperature coolant recovered from the equipment, raising its temperature and reducing the energy consumption of reheating the recovered coolant. Therefore, this system solves the problem in related technologies where the high-temperature waste gas and the recovered low-temperature coolant generated during traditional vacuum drying processes do not effectively utilize their residual heat, resulting in direct emissions and energy waste. Through a compact heat recovery design, the system converts the originally directly emitted waste heat into useful pre-treated heat energy, achieving a significant improvement in overall energy utilization efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of drying technology, and more particularly to drying systems. Background Technology

[0002] With the increasing demand for high-performance computing, immersion liquid cooling technology has become the preferred solution for hyperscale data centers due to its excellent heat dissipation efficiency and space utilization. However, when servers need to be maintained, upgraded, or scrapped and removed from the coolant, they must be thoroughly dried to eliminate the risks of electrical short circuits, component corrosion, and cross-contamination caused by residual liquid. Currently, the industry mainly uses atmospheric pressure hot air drying or traditional vacuum drying technology controlled by a program. However, atmospheric pressure drying requires a large amount of electricity to heat the air, which is inefficient. The high-temperature waste gas generated during the traditional vacuum drying process and the low-temperature coolant recovered from it do not effectively utilize the residual heat and are directly discharged, resulting in energy waste. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a drying system to at least address the problem in related technologies where the high-temperature waste gas and the recovered low-temperature coolant generated during traditional vacuum drying processes are not effectively utilized and are directly discharged, resulting in energy waste.

[0004] This application provides a drying system, including a drying chamber and a heat exchange module. The drying chamber includes an air inlet, an exhaust gas outlet, a coolant outlet, a coolant recovery module, and a control module, and is used to accommodate equipment to be dried. The heat exchange module includes a first heat exchange unit and a second heat exchange unit. The first heat exchange unit includes a first hot-side channel and a first cold-side channel, and the second heat exchange unit includes a second hot-side channel and a second cold-side channel. The exhaust gas outlet is sequentially connected to the first hot-side channel and the second hot-side channel. The first cold-side channel is connected to the air inlet pipe and the air inlet. The second cold-side channel is connected to the coolant outlet. The coolant recovery module is connected to the second cold-side channel and includes a detection unit and a diversion unit. The unit comprises: a detection unit connected to the second cold-side channel for detecting the composition and purity of the coolant; a diversion unit connected to the outlet of the detection unit, comprising a first branch and a second branch, the first branch having a first valve and its end connected to a coolant storage device; the second branch having a second valve and its end connected to a waste liquid treatment device; and a control module communicatively connected to the detection unit, the first valve, and the second valve. Specifically, when the detection unit detects that the coolant is qualified, the control module controls the first valve to open and the second valve to close; when the detection unit detects that the coolant is unqualified, the control module controls the first valve to close and the second valve to open.

[0005] This application achieves two heat extractions by sequentially introducing the waste gas generated during the drying process into the first and second heat exchange units. The high-temperature waste gas discharged from the drying chamber first enters the first heat exchange unit to preheat the fresh intake air that will soon be introduced into the drying chamber. Since the intake air needs to be heated to a relatively high temperature, the highest temperature waste heat is utilized in the first heat exchange unit, directly minimizing the energy load on the heating unit and achieving better energy-saving results. Subsequently, the cooled waste gas enters the second heat exchange unit to preheat the low-temperature coolant recovered from the equipment. The reuse or treatment of the coolant typically only requires preheating to a relatively low temperature, thus matching the temperature of the cooled waste gas and achieving deep recovery of waste heat, eliminating the energy consumption of subsequent secondary heating of the coolant. Therefore, this technology can solve the problem that the high-temperature waste gas and the recovered low-temperature coolant generated in the traditional vacuum drying process are not effectively utilized and are directly discharged, causing energy waste. By using a high-to-low tiered utilization sequence and a compact heat recovery design, the originally waste heat energy is converted into valuable pre-treated heat energy, thereby significantly improving the overall energy utilization efficiency of the system and maximizing the comprehensive energy efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0006] To more clearly illustrate the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0007] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a drying system provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the drying process of a drying system provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0008] The above figures include the following reference numerals: 01. Drying chamber; 011. Air inlet; 012. Exhaust gas outlet; 013. Coolant outlet; 014. Supporting mechanism; 02. Equipment to be dried; 031. First heat exchange unit; 032. Second heat exchange unit; 04. Air inlet pipe; 0511. Coolant collection tank; 0512. Detection sensor; 0521. First branch; 0522. Second branch; 0523. First valve; 0524. Second valve; 06. Coolant storage device; 07. Waste liquid treatment device; 08. First temperature sensor; 09. Second temperature sensor 10. Third temperature sensor; 11. Fourth temperature sensor; 121. Humidity sensor; 122. Gas concentration sensor; 123. Gravity sensor; 124. Third pressure sensor; 125. Fifth temperature sensor; 13. Heat recovery branch; 14. First regulating valve; 15. Condensation branch; 16. Condenser; 17. Second regulating valve; 181. First pressure sensor; 182. Second pressure sensor; 191. Vacuum pump; 1911. Heating wire; 1912. Fan; 20. Connecting pipe; 21. Inlet valve. Detailed Implementation

[0009] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this application.

[0010] It should be noted that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. The terms "installed," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly, for example, they can be fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can be mechanical connections or electrical connections; they can be direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; they can be internal connections between two elements. The terms "parallel," "perpendicular," and "equal" include the described situation and situations similar to the described situation, the range of which is within an acceptable deviation range, wherein the acceptable deviation range is determined by those skilled in the art taking into account the measurement under discussion and the error associated with the measurement of a particular quantity (i.e., the limitations of the measurement system). For example, "parallel" includes absolute parallelism and approximate parallelism, where an acceptable deviation range for approximate parallelism can be, for example, within 5°; "perpendicular" includes absolute perpendicularity and approximate perpendicularity, where an acceptable deviation range for approximate perpendicularity can also be, for example, within 5°. "Equal" includes absolute equality and approximate equality, where an acceptable deviation range for approximate equality can be, for example, a difference between the two equal items being less than or equal to 5% of either one. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0011] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0012] The embodiments of this application provide a drying system, and the device is described in detail in conjunction with the structure and working principle of the drying system.

[0013] According to embodiments of the present invention, in one aspect, a drying system is provided, such as... Figure 1As shown, the drying system includes a drying chamber 01 and a heat exchange module; the drying chamber 01 includes an air inlet 011, an exhaust gas outlet 012, and a coolant outlet 013, and is used to accommodate the equipment 02 to be dried; the heat exchange module includes a first heat exchange unit 031 and a second heat exchange unit 032; the first heat exchange unit 031 includes a first hot-side channel and a first cold-side channel, and the second heat exchange unit 032 includes a second hot-side channel and a second cold-side channel; the exhaust gas outlet 012 is sequentially connected to the first hot-side channel and the second hot-side channel; the first cold-side channel is connected to the air inlet pipe 04 and the air inlet 011; the second cold-side channel is connected to the coolant outlet 013.

[0014] Through this application, the waste gas generated during the drying process is sequentially introduced into the first heat exchange unit 031 and the second heat exchange unit 032 for two heat energy extractions. The high-temperature waste gas discharged from the drying chamber 01 first enters the first heat exchange unit 031 to preheat the fresh intake air that will soon be introduced into the drying chamber 01. Since the intake air needs to be heated to a high temperature, the waste heat at the highest temperature is utilized in the first heat exchange unit 031, directly minimizing the energy load of the heating unit and achieving better energy-saving effects. Subsequently, the cooled waste gas enters the second heat exchange unit 032 to preheat the low-temperature coolant recovered from the equipment. The reuse or treatment of the coolant usually only requires preheating to a relatively low temperature, thus matching the temperature of the cooled waste gas, achieving deep recovery of waste heat and eliminating the energy consumption of subsequent secondary heating of the coolant. Therefore, this technology can solve the problem that the high-temperature waste gas and the recovered low-temperature coolant generated in the traditional vacuum drying process are not effectively utilized and are directly discharged, causing energy waste. By using a high-to-low tiered utilization sequence and a compact heat recovery design, the originally waste heat energy is converted into valuable pre-treated heat energy, thereby significantly improving the overall energy utilization efficiency of the system and maximizing the comprehensive energy efficiency.

[0015] Specifically, the drying chamber 01, as a closed process chamber, is mainly used to provide a stable vacuum and heat treatment environment. The applicable equipment 02 to be dried includes not only various immersion liquid-cooled servers, but can also be extended to other electronic components, power modules or instrument components that are sensitive to residual liquids and require precision drying.

[0016] Specifically, the exhaust gas outlet 012 is connected to the inlet of the first hot side channel, the outlet of the first hot side channel is connected to the inlet of the second hot side channel, and the outlet of the second hot side channel is connected to the vacuum pump 191.

[0017] Specifically, the inlet of the second cold side channel is connected to the coolant outlet 013, and the outlet of the second cold side channel is connected to the coolant collection tank 0511.

[0018] Specifically, both the first heat exchange unit 031 and the second heat exchange unit 032 are plate heat exchangers.

[0019] In one embodiment, the drying system further includes a coolant recovery module, which is connected to a second cold-side channel.

[0020] In the above embodiments, by adding a coolant recovery module connected to the second cold-side channel of the second heat exchange unit 032, the recovered coolant after being preheated by the waste heat of the exhaust gas is directly received and stored. The preheating function and the recovery function are integrated, so that the preheated coolant can enter the recovery process, ensuring that the coolant can be reused, thereby significantly saving the purchase cost of coolant and the energy consumption of subsequent processing; it also enables the entire drying, heat recovery and resource recovery process to operate automatically and continuously, improving the smoothness of system operation and overall reliability.

[0021] In one embodiment, the coolant recovery module includes a detection unit and a diversion unit; the detection unit is connected to the second cold-side channel and is used to detect the composition and purity of the coolant; the diversion unit is connected to the outlet of the detection unit, and the diversion unit includes a first branch 0521 and a second branch 0522. The first branch 0521 is provided with a first valve 0523, and the end of the first branch 0521 is connected to the coolant storage device 06; the second branch 0522 is provided with a second valve 0524, and the end of the second branch 0522 is connected to the waste liquid treatment device 07; the drying system also includes a control module, which is communicatively connected to the detection unit, the first valve 0523, and the second valve 0524.

[0022] In the above embodiments, the coolant recovery module, by setting up a detection unit and a diversion unit connected to the second cold-side channel, realizes online monitoring and intelligent quality classification of the recovered coolant. The preheated coolant is first analyzed for composition and purity by the detection unit. Based on the detection results, the control module automatically controls the opening and closing of the first valve 0523 and the second valve 0524, directing qualified coolant to the coolant storage device 06 for direct reuse, and diverting unqualified waste liquid to the waste liquid treatment device 07. This not only ensures the reliability of the reused coolant quality and avoids damage to the immersion liquid cooling system from inferior coolant, but also achieves refined classification management of the coolant, improving resource recycling rates.

[0023] Specifically, the control module includes a programmable logic controller (PLC) and a host computer.

[0024] Specifically, both the first valve 0523 and the second valve 0524 are preferably electric ball valves.

[0025] In one embodiment, the detection unit includes a coolant collection tank 0511 and a detection sensor 0512; the coolant collection tank 0511 is connected to the second cold side channel, the first branch 0521 and the second branch 0522; the detection sensor 0512 is located in the coolant collection tank 0511.

[0026] In the above embodiments, the coolant collection tank 0511 not only serves as a buffer hub between the heat recovery liquid and the diversion pipeline, effectively eliminating the instantaneous impact of fluid pulsation, bubble interference, and unstable flow rate on the detection signal, but also ensures that the detection sensor 0512 can obtain accurate composition and purity data in a relatively static or stable liquid surface environment, thereby improving the accuracy of the detection results; at the same time, the timing logic of collecting and storing first and then detecting and diverting provides the control module with a sufficient response window to execute valve switching actions, avoiding the risk of misdiversion caused by the lag in real-time online detection response.

[0027] In a specific implementation, the detection sensor 0512 is an infrared spectral sensor, which is integrated into the coolant collection tank 0511 and is used to perform online, non-destructive, rapid composition and purity analysis on the recovered coolant.

[0028] In a specific implementation, by integrating an infrared spectral sensor and a diversion unit, the system can immediately perform online component analysis on the recovered coolant after the drying process is completed, and automatically control the pipeline valves based on the analysis results to achieve intelligent separation of qualified products and waste liquid. The preheated high-quality coolant can be directly reused in the original liquid cooling system through the coolant storage device 06, thus constructing a closed-loop resource management process of recovery, online detection, differentiated regeneration, and direct reuse. This not only saves on coolant purchase costs but also provides crucial data support for batch quality monitoring and full lifecycle management of the coolant.

[0029] In one embodiment, the inlet and outlet of the first hot-side channel are both equipped with a first temperature sensor 08; the drying system also includes a control module, which is communicatively connected to both first temperature sensors 08, and obtains the sensible heat release and actual heat exchange efficiency of the waste gas flow through the first heat exchange unit 031 based on the real-time reading difference between the two first temperature sensors 08.

[0030] In the above embodiment, by setting first temperature sensors 08 at the inlet and outlet of the first hot-side channel respectively, the control module can quantify the sensible heat release and actual heat exchange efficiency of the exhaust gas flowing through the first heat exchange unit 031 based on the real-time reading difference of the first temperature sensors 08 at both ends, thereby dynamically evaluating the preheating effect of the intake air. This not only allows for dynamic evaluation of whether the heat exchange performance meets design expectations, but also provides direct quantitative basis for optimizing drying process parameters such as intake air flow and heating power, as well as for triggering maintenance warnings in cases of heat exchanger scaling or blockage.

[0031] In one embodiment, the inlet and outlet of the first cold side channel are both equipped with second temperature sensors 09; the drying system also includes a control module, which is communicatively connected to both second temperature sensors 09, and evaluates the actual heating efficiency of the first heat exchange unit 031 on the intake gas based on the temperature difference between the two second temperature sensors 09.

[0032] In the above embodiment, by installing second temperature sensors 09 at the inlet and outlet of the first cold-side channel and communicating with the control module, quantitative monitoring of the intake preheating effect is achieved. The control module can evaluate the actual heating efficiency of the first heat exchange unit 031 on the intake gas in real time based on the difference between the inlet ambient temperature and the outlet preheating temperature, thereby providing data support for control strategies such as intake flow regulation and heating power optimization of the heating unit. This not only dynamically verifies the actual energy-saving effect of the waste heat recovery system but also indirectly determines whether there are faults such as blockage or heat exchange efficiency decay in the first cold-side channel by monitoring changes in the inlet and outlet temperature difference, ensuring that the intake preheating process is always in optimal working condition.

[0033] In one embodiment, the inlet of the second hot-side channel is provided with a first temperature sensor 08; the outlet of the second hot-side channel is provided with a third temperature sensor 10; the drying system also includes a control module, which is communicatively connected to both the first temperature sensor 08 and the third temperature sensor 10, and obtains the sensible heat release and actual heat exchange efficiency of the waste gas flow through the second heat exchange unit 032 based on the temperature difference between the first temperature sensor 08 and the third temperature sensor 10.

[0034] In the above embodiment, by installing a first temperature sensor 08 and a third temperature sensor 10 at the inlet and outlet of the second hot-side channel, respectively, the monitoring of the second-stage heat recovery process is achieved. The control module, by collecting real-time temperature data of the exhaust gas entering and leaving the second hot-side channel, can not only calculate the actual heat exchange and thermal efficiency of the second-stage heat exchange process, thereby dynamically evaluating the overall energy efficiency of the entire cascade heat recovery system; it can also provide early warnings of potential abnormalities such as poor flow in the second hot-side channel based on temperature difference trends, providing a basis for preventative maintenance.

[0035] In one embodiment, the inlet and outlet of the second cold side channel are both equipped with a fourth temperature sensor 11; the drying system also includes a control module, which is communicatively connected to both fourth temperature sensors 11, and evaluates the actual heating efficiency of the second heat exchange unit 032 on the coolant based on the temperature difference between the two fourth temperature sensors 11.

[0036] In the above embodiment, by setting a fourth temperature sensor 11 at the inlet and outlet of the second cold side channel and communicating with the control module, the control module can quantitatively evaluate the actual heating efficiency of the second heat exchange unit 032 on the coolant in real time based on the temperature difference data between the inlet and outlet, thereby evaluating the efficiency of the second-stage heat recovery process.

[0037] In one embodiment, the drying system further includes a detection module, a heat recovery branch 13, a first regulating valve 14, a condensation branch 15, a second regulating valve 17, and a control module. The detection module is located inside the drying chamber 01 and includes a humidity sensor 121. The heat recovery branch 13 is sequentially connected to the exhaust gas outlet 012, the first hot-side channel, and the second hot-side channel. The first regulating valve 14 is located in the heat recovery branch 13. The condensation branch 15 is sequentially connected to the coolant outlet 013, the condenser 16, and the second cold-side channel. The second regulating valve 17 is located in the condensation branch 15. The control module is communicatively connected to the humidity sensor 121, the first regulating valve 14, and the second regulating valve 17. When the actual humidity value of the humidity sensor 121 is higher than a first preset threshold, the control module adjusts the opening of the first regulating valve 14 to be less than the opening of the second regulating valve 17. When the actual humidity value of the humidity sensor 121 is lower than the second preset threshold, the control module adjusts the opening of the first regulating valve 14 to be greater than the opening of the second regulating valve 17.

[0038] In the above embodiment, by installing a humidity sensor 121 in the drying chamber 01, and combining it with the heat recovery branch 13, the condensation branch 15, the first regulating valve 14, and the second regulating valve 17, intelligent diversion control based on real-time humidity feedback is achieved. When the humidity sensor 121 detects that the actual humidity value is higher than the first preset threshold, the control module automatically adjusts the opening of the first regulating valve 14 to be smaller than the second regulating valve 17. The flow resistance of the condensation branch 15 is small, allowing high-humidity steam to preferentially enter the condensation branch 15 for efficient condensation and recovery, ensuring maximum capture of coolant. When the humidity is lower than the second preset threshold, the control module adjusts the opening of the first regulating valve 14 to be larger than the second regulating valve 17. The flow resistance of the heat recovery branch 13 is small, allowing low-humidity exhaust gas to preferentially enter the heat recovery branch 13 for waste heat cascade utilization. Through the dynamic diversion strategy, on-demand allocation is achieved. When the humidity is high, condensation dehumidification is enhanced; when the humidity is low, waste heat recovery is enhanced. While ensuring drying effect and dehumidification efficiency, efficient utilization of heat energy is achieved, enabling the system to operate stably under different drying conditions.

[0039] In a specific implementation, the humidity sensor 121 directly monitors the humidity changes of the ambient air inside the drying chamber 01, which is a key basis for assessing the vapor moisture content during the drying process and thus judging the degree of drying of the equipment.

[0040] In a specific implementation, both the first regulating valve 14 and the second regulating valve 17 are preferably proportional valves.

[0041] In one embodiment, a pressure detection component is further included, comprising a first pressure sensor 181 and a second pressure sensor 182. The first pressure sensor 181 is located in the heat recovery branch 13 and is used to acquire a first pressure value. The second pressure sensor 182 is located in the condensation branch 15 and is used to acquire a second pressure value. Both the first pressure sensor 181 and the second pressure sensor 182 are communicatively connected to the control module. The control module dynamically adjusts the opening of the first regulating valve 14 and / or the second regulating valve 17 based on the deviation between the pressure difference between the first pressure value and the second pressure value and a preset target pressure difference value.

[0042] In the above embodiment, by real-time monitoring and comparing the pressure difference between the two heat recovery branches 13 and the condensation branch 15, the control module can monitor pressure imbalances caused by valve adjustments, flow rate changes, or operating condition fluctuations, and dynamically adjust the opening of the first regulating valve 14 and the second regulating valve 17 to maintain the pressure difference between the heat recovery branch 13 and the condensation branch 15 within a preset target range. Through active pressure balance control, problems such as uneven airflow distribution and inaccurate flow splitting ratios caused by pressure fluctuations are effectively eliminated, ensuring that the system can stably and reliably guide the waste gas into the target branch according to the optimal settings, regardless of changes in waste gas characteristics, thus guaranteeing the flow splitting effect.

[0043] In a specific implementation, the first pressure sensor 181 is preferably a vacuum gauge; the second pressure sensor 182 is preferably a vacuum gauge.

[0044] In one embodiment, the system further includes an execution module, a detection module, and a control module. The execution module includes a vacuum pump 191 and a heating unit. The vacuum pump 191 is connected to the drying chamber 01 and is used to evacuate the drying chamber 01. The heating unit is connected to the drying chamber 01 and is used to heat the drying chamber 01. The detection module is located inside the drying chamber 01 and includes a humidity sensor 121, a gas concentration sensor 122, and a gravity sensor 123. The control module is communicatively connected to the vacuum pump 191, the heating unit, the humidity sensor 121, the gas concentration sensor 122, and the gravity sensor 123. When the actual humidity value of the humidity sensor 121 and the actual gas concentration value of the gas concentration sensor 122 are both lower than the target threshold and remain below it for a set time, and the actual mass value of the gravity sensor 123 shows a stable trend during the verification period, the vacuum pump 191 and the heating unit are controlled to shut down.

[0045] In the above embodiments, a triple verification is constructed by setting a humidity sensor 121, a gas concentration sensor 122, and a gravity sensor 123, and the control module is configured to execute a fusion judgment logic with stability verification, thereby achieving ultra-high reliability automatic determination of the drying endpoint. When the actual humidity value and the actual gas concentration value are both lower than the target threshold and remain so for a set time, the control module further verifies that the gravity sensor 123 shows a stable quality without a downward trend during the verification period before finally determining that drying is complete and shutting down the vacuum pump 191 and the heating unit. The continuous stability requirement of the dual thresholds of humidity and concentration filters out false compliance of gaseous parameters, while the unchanged gravity as the final physical quantity verification directly proves that there is no liquid residue. The triple redundancy mechanism not only avoids the safety hazard of under-drying caused by misjudgment, but also eliminates the energy waste and equipment damage caused by over-drying, ensuring the absolute reliability and high consistency of the drying quality of each server, fundamentally overcoming the defects of a single sensor being susceptible to instantaneous interference or fluctuations in operating conditions.

[0046] Specifically, the target thresholds include the target humidity threshold and the target gas concentration threshold.

[0047] In a specific implementation, the heating unit includes a heating wire 1911 and a fan 1912 that drives gas circulation. The heating wire 1911 and the fan 1912 provide a controllable heat source for the drying process. The outlet of the fan 1912 is connected to the inlet of the first cold side channel through an air inlet pipe 04. The outlet of the first cold side channel is connected to the air inlet 011 of the drying chamber 01 through a connecting pipe 20. The heating wire 1911 is installed on the connecting pipe 20 and is communicatively connected to the control module.

[0048] Specifically, an intake valve 21 is also provided on the connecting pipe 20, and the intake valve 21 is communicatively connected to the control module.

[0049] In a specific implementation, the vacuum pump 191 is used to establish and maintain the negative pressure environment required by the process, and is connected to the outlet of the second hot side channel to evacuate the drying chamber 01 through the outlet of the second hot side channel.

[0050] In a specific implementation, the gas concentration sensor 122 is preferably a volatile organic compound (VOC) gas sensor. The VOC gas sensor can specifically identify and monitor the concentration of organic vapor generated by the evaporation of the target coolant in real time, providing a core chemical dimension basis for assessing the progress of coolant recovery and determining the final degree of drying.

[0051] In a specific implementation, a support mechanism 014 is provided inside the drying chamber 01 for placing the equipment 02 to be dried; the gravity sensor 123 is preferably a high-precision gravity sensor 123, which is installed below the support mechanism 014 or integrated with the support mechanism 014. The high-precision gravity sensor 123 measures the total mass change of the server being dried in real time with gram-level accuracy. This serves as the most direct and reliable physical quantity basis for determining the total amount of liquid residue.

[0052] In a specific implementation, the detection module further includes a fifth temperature sensor 125, which is installed inside the drying chamber 01 to monitor the air temperature inside the drying chamber 01, and the fifth temperature sensor 125 is communicatively connected to the control module.

[0053] In one embodiment, the detection module further includes a third pressure sensor 124, which is communicatively connected to the control module. The control module acquires the heating power of the heating unit, the third pressure value of the third pressure sensor 124, and the actual mass value of the gravity sensor 123. It inputs the heating power, the third pressure value, and the actual mass value into a pre-stored drying kinetics prediction model, and obtains the predicted end time when the actual mass value decreases to the target dry weight based on the drying kinetics prediction model. During the predicted end time, it controls the heating unit and / or vacuum pump 191 to gradually reduce the power.

[0054] In the above embodiment, by adding a third pressure sensor 124 that communicates with the control module, and constructing a drying kinetics prediction model together with data from the heating power and gravity sensor 123, accurate prediction and forward-looking power adjustment of the future drying process are achieved. The control module collects heating power, chamber pressure, and server mass in real time, inputs them into the pre-trained drying kinetics model, dynamically predicts the remaining time for the mass to drop to the target dry weight, and actively controls the heating unit and / or vacuum pump 191 to smoothly and gradually reduce power as the predicted end time approaches. By forward-looking power reduction, energy waste caused by high-power idling after the end point is avoided, and thermal inertia overshoot or system shock that may be caused by sudden shutdown is eliminated. At the same time, the drying kinetics model based on multi-parameter fusion ensures the accuracy of the prediction, improves system energy efficiency, ensures absolute reliability of drying quality, and effectively extends the service life of the heating unit and vacuum pump 191.

[0055] In a specific implementation, the third pressure sensor 124 is preferably a vacuum gauge.

[0056] In one embodiment, the device further includes an identification acquisition module, a storage module, and a control module. The identification acquisition module is used to acquire the identification information of the device 02 to be dried. The storage module pre-stores drying process parameters corresponding to the identification information of different servers. The control module is communicatively connected to both the identification acquisition module and the storage module. The control module retrieves the corresponding drying process parameters from the storage module based on the identification information acquired by the identification acquisition module, and controls the drying process based on the retrieved drying process parameters.

[0057] In the above embodiments, by integrating an identification acquisition module and a storage module into the system and communicating with the control module, one-click adaptive loading of drying process parameters based on server identity recognition is achieved. When the equipment to be dried, 02, enters the workstation, the identification acquisition module automatically reads its unique identification information. The control module then calls the matching parameter set from the storage module, which contains drying process parameters corresponding to different identification information, and automatically controls the drying process based on this. This eliminates the reliance of traditional equipment on operators' experience in setting parameters, thus eliminating process deviations caused by human error or lack of experience, and enabling personalized and precise processing of servers of different models and levels of contamination. Simultaneously, the entire process is automatically executed according to preset optimal parameters, improving processing efficiency and batch consistency, and providing a foundation for subsequent intelligent and unmanned operation and maintenance.

[0058] Specifically, the control module integrates core control algorithms such as a multimodal fusion endpoint judgment algorithm, a predictive power regulation algorithm, a heat recovery system coordination strategy, and coolant fractionation logic.

[0059] In one embodiment, the drying system further includes a detection module, a storage module, and a control module; the detection module is located inside the drying chamber 01 and includes a humidity sensor 121, used to detect the humidity inside the drying chamber 01 and generate actual humidity change data; the storage module is used to store preset humidity change data; the control module is communicatively connected to the humidity sensor 121 and the storage module, the control module acquires the actual humidity change data of a single drying process, compares the actual humidity change data with the preset humidity change data, and generates a coolant quality judgment result based on the comparison result.

[0060] In the above embodiment, by installing a humidity sensor 121 in the drying chamber 01 to collect actual humidity change data and comparing it with preset humidity change data in the storage module, online indirect analysis of coolant quality is achieved. After a single drying process, the control module automatically compares the measured actual humidity change data with preset humidity change data of the same model server and the same coolant under standard conditions in the database. Once a significantly slow rate of humidity decrease or an abnormal data curve shape is detected, a coolant quality anomaly warning can be generated. No additional complex liquid composition analysis instruments are required; indirect assessment of coolant volatility, viscosity changes, or thermal degradation trends can be completed solely based on the inherent humidity monitoring data from the drying process. This reduces hardware costs and enables online tracking of the coolant's lifecycle. By providing early warnings of potential coolant degradation risks, maintenance personnel can take timely replacement or regeneration measures, avoiding quality hazards caused by coolant performance degradation. This transforms coolant management from a passive mode of periodic replacement to a proactive and intelligent mode of on-demand maintenance.

[0061] Specifically, humidity change data refers to dynamic information continuously monitored and recorded by humidity sensor 121 throughout the drying process. Its manifestations include, but are not limited to, humidity curves that change over time, or data tables, feature values, etc.

[0062] In a specific implementation, the drying task is initialized and parameters are adaptively loaded. After the operator places the equipment 02 to be dried into the drying chamber 01, the system obtains the unique identifier of the equipment 02 by scanning or manual input. Based on this identifier, the system automatically retrieves the optimal set of drying parameters for the equipment 02 from the pre-built process parameter database. The drying parameter set includes at least the target humidity threshold, the target gas concentration threshold, and the stabilization determination time. Specifically, the unique identifier can be a serial number (SN code).

[0063] In a specific implementation, the intelligent coolant recovery process is divided into a gravity drainage stage and a vacuum purging, condensation diversion, and two-stage heat recovery stage. First, in the gravity drainage stage, the control module opens the second regulating valve 17, allowing the free coolant adhering to the server surface to flow out naturally using gravity. Simultaneously, the gravity sensor 123 monitors the mass change in real time. When the mass change rate is lower than a third preset threshold, the system determines that the free coolant recovery is complete and records the recovery amount M1 for this stage. Then, the system enters the vacuum purging, condensation diversion, and two-stage heat recovery stage. The system first closes the second regulating valve 17, the first valve 0523, the second valve 0524, and the intake valve 21, then opens the first regulating valve 14 and starts the vacuum pump 191 to quickly pump the pressure inside the drying chamber 01 to the set vacuum level. Next, the air inlet valve 21 is opened, and a certain amount of dry hot gas is injected into the drying chamber 01. The gas exchanges heat fully with the server surface, causing the attached liquid film to evaporate and forming medium-temperature and medium-humidity purging exhaust gas. During this process, the gravity sensor 123 continuously monitors the mass decrease caused by the evaporation of the liquid film. When the mass decrease curve enters the plateau period, the recovery amount M2 of this stage is recorded, and the purging stage is completed.

[0064] Specifically, after purging, vacuum pump 191 continues to operate, further reducing the pressure inside drying chamber 01 from the purging vacuum level to the target process vacuum level. Simultaneously, it increases the power of the heating unit, causing the remaining trace amounts of coolant inside the server to deeply boil and vaporize under low pressure, generating high-temperature, high-humidity process steam. When the actual humidity value of humidity sensor 121 is higher than the first preset threshold, the control module adjusts the opening of the first regulating valve 14 to be less than the opening of the second regulating valve 17, increasing the resistance of the heat recovery branch 13. Most of the high-humidity steam, due to minimal flow resistance, naturally flows directly into the main condensation branch 15 and is efficiently liquefied by the condenser 16, ensuring recovery efficiency. As a large amount of steam is condensed, the humidity decreases. When the actual humidity value of humidity sensor 121 remains below the second preset threshold, it indicates that the gas is now mainly dry hot waste gas. The control module gradually adjusts the openings of the first regulating valve 14 and the second regulating valve 17 until the opening of the first regulating valve 14 is greater than the opening of the second regulating valve 17, resulting in lower flow resistance in the heat recovery branch 13, allowing most or all of the waste gas to be directed into the heat recovery branch 13.

[0065] Specifically, the exhaust gas flowing through the heat recovery branch 13 releases sensible heat in the first heat exchange unit 031, preheating the intake air entering the drying chamber 01; in the second heat exchange unit 032, it further releases residual heat, deeply preheating the recovered coolant to a temperature suitable for direct reuse (e.g., above 35°C). The preheated coolant can be directly returned to the immersion liquid cooling system for equipment testing or replenishment without additional heating, achieving an energy-saving closed loop.

[0066] In a specific implementation, during the later stages of the vacuum heating and recovery phase, the system enters the fine drying and endpoint determination phase. The control module executes the following triple-redundant, stability-verified judgment logic: The control module continuously reads the actual humidity value of humidity sensor 121 and the actual gas concentration value of gas concentration sensor 122. When both the actual humidity value of humidity sensor 121 and the actual gas concentration value of gas concentration sensor 122 are below the target humidity threshold, a stability determination timer is triggered. After the stability determination timer is started, the system does not immediately determine completion, but instead checks whether the actual humidity value and the actual gas concentration value remain simultaneously below their respective target thresholds during the subsequent stability determination time. If either parameter value rises above the target threshold during this time, the verification timer is immediately reset until the conditions are met again. After the above stability verification is passed, the control module retrieves data from gravity sensor 123 during the most recent verification period (e.g., 30 seconds) to determine whether the total mass of the server has shown no decreasing trend. This is the most direct and reliable physical evidence to determine whether the liquid has completely evaporated. Finally, the control module generates the final drying completion command only when all the above conditions are met.

[0067] In a specific implementation, predictive performance optimization control is performed simultaneously during the fine drying and endpoint determination stages. The control module collects the current heating power Q, the third pressure value P detected by the third pressure sensor 124, and the actual mass value m fed back by the gravity sensor 123 in real time. These three parameters are used as input variables and substituted into a pre-trained drying kinetics prediction model. This model describes the mathematical relationship between drying rate and heating power, pressure, and mass through regression fitting of historical data, and can predict the trajectory of server mass change over a future period of time. When the predicted end time for the actual mass value to decrease to the target dry weight is obtained from the drying kinetics prediction model, the control module immediately initiates forward-looking power adjustment, smoothly and gradually reducing the power of the heating unit and the pumping power of the vacuum pump 191. While accurately achieving the drying target, it effectively avoids energy waste caused by high-power idling after the endpoint. Specifically, the mathematical relationship between drying rate and heating power, pressure, and mass can be: r = a*Q + b*(1 / P) + c*m + d, where a, b, c, and d are coefficients fitted through regression fitting of historical data.

[0068] In a specific implementation, upon receiving the final drying completion instruction, the system automatically executes a safety vacuum breaking procedure to restore the pressure inside the drying chamber 01 to atmospheric pressure. The operator can then safely remove the processed server. Throughout the drying process, all real-time data collected by sensors, the operational status of each actuator, the start and end times and recovery amounts for each stage, the endpoint judgment log, and real-time energy consumption data are automatically recorded and uploaded to the Manufacturing Execution System (MES) via a host computer, forming a complete and traceable digital process archive.

[0069] In a specific implementation, the system integrates a vacuum system leak self-check function to ensure the long-term reliable sealing performance of the drying chamber 01. The self-check procedure is automatically triggered periodically by the control module, for example, when the equipment is first turned on each day. During the self-check, the control module first closes all valves connected to the outside world, ensuring the drying chamber 01 is completely sealed, and records the initial pressure value. After a preset settling time Δt, the pressure value inside the chamber is recorded again. The control module calculates the pressure recovery rate based on the two pressure values. - The calculated pressure recovery rate is calculated as Δt / Δt and compared with a preset alarm threshold (e.g., 5 Pa / min). If the calculated pressure recovery rate exceeds the preset alarm threshold, it indicates an abnormal leak in the system. The control module immediately triggers a system leak alarm signal and prompts the operator to perform corresponding maintenance. This changes the equipment maintenance mode from post-fault response to pre-fault warning, improving equipment availability and mean time between failures (MTBF) and reducing the risk of unexpected downtime.

[0070] In a specific implementation, the first heat exchange unit 031 and the second heat exchange unit 032 form a two-stage plate heat exchanger series recovery loop. Combined with the intelligent parallel diversion control of the heat recovery branch 13 and the condensation branch 15, a tiered deep recovery of the waste heat from the high-temperature exhaust gas generated during the drying process is achieved. Specifically, the first-stage heat exchange is used to preheat the drying gas entering the drying chamber 01, directly reducing the main energy consumption load of the heating unit; the second-stage heat exchange is used to preheat the condensed and recovered coolant, bringing its temperature to a level suitable for direct reuse in the immersion liquid cooling system, thus eliminating the additional energy consumption required for secondary heating due to the low temperature of the coolant in traditional processes. Compared to the direct discharge of high-temperature exhaust gas and low-temperature condensate waste heat, the system's overall energy saving rate can reach over 40%.

[0071] In a specific implementation, the entire drying process is fully automated. From the initial gravity drainage and the intermediate vacuum purging to the later deep drying and cascade heat recovery, all process steps are automatically controlled and dynamically switched by the control module based on real-time feedback from multiple sensors such as humidity sensor 121 and quality sensor. This not only greatly improves the processing efficiency and batch consistency of a single device, but also reduces the technical dependence and labor intensity of operators.

[0072] like Figure 2 As shown, the specific operation process of this application is as follows: Start; Obtain the unique identification code of the equipment to be dried 02; Call the drying parameter group that best matches the equipment to be dried 02; Enter the gravity drainage stage; Enter the vacuum purging, condensation diversion and two-stage heat recovery stage; Enter the fine drying and endpoint judgment stage; Simultaneously execute the predictive performance consumption optimization control in the fine drying and endpoint judgment stage; Execute the safety vacuum breaking procedure; Upload the data to the manufacturing execution system; End.

[0073] Specifically, the scope of this application is not limited to the drying process of immersion liquid-cooled servers, but can also be extended to multiple industrial fields with requirements for drying processes. For example, in the semiconductor manufacturing industry, this system can be used for efficient and ultra-clean drying after wafer cleaning, preventing water stains from remaining; and the triple redundant endpoint judgment mechanism formed by the humidity sensor 121, gas concentration sensor 122, and gravity sensor 123 of this application can meet the semiconductor industry's requirements for process reliability; in the field of precision manufacturing, such as the drying process of precision parts like aero-engine blades or precision instruments after cleaning or coating, the physical quantity verification of the gravity sensor 123 can ensure that no liquid residue is achieved, thereby avoiding corrosion or contamination caused by trace amounts of moisture during subsequent use; in the food and pharmaceutical fields, it is suitable for the low-temperature vacuum drying process of medicinal materials or food raw materials after cleaning or extraction, wherein the gas concentration sensor 122 of this application can simultaneously monitor the retention of effective components or the degree of removal of odor substances.

[0074] The drying system provided in this application has been described in detail above. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The descriptions of the embodiments above are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several improvements and modifications to this application without departing from the principles of this application, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A drying system, characterized in that, include: The drying chamber (01) includes an air inlet (011), an exhaust gas outlet (012) and a coolant outlet (013), and the drying chamber (01) is used to accommodate the equipment (02) to be dried. The heat exchange module includes a first heat exchange unit (031) and a second heat exchange unit (032); the first heat exchange unit (031) includes a first hot-side channel and a first cold-side channel, and the second heat exchange unit (032) includes a second hot-side channel and a second cold-side channel; the exhaust gas outlet (012) is sequentially connected to the first hot-side channel and the second hot-side channel; the first cold-side channel is connected to the air inlet pipe (04) and the air inlet (011); the second cold-side channel is connected to the coolant outlet (013); A coolant recovery module is connected to the second cold-side channel; the coolant recovery module includes a detection unit and a diversion unit; the detection unit is connected to the second cold-side channel and is used to detect the composition and purity of the coolant; the diversion unit is connected to the outlet of the detection unit, and the diversion unit includes a first branch (0521) and a second branch (0522). A first valve (0523) is provided on the first branch (0521), and the end of the first branch (0521) is connected to the coolant storage device (06); a second valve (0524) is provided on the second branch (0522), and the end of the second branch (0522) is connected to the waste liquid treatment device (07); The control module is communicatively connected to the detection unit, the first valve (0523), and the second valve (0524). When the detection unit detects that the coolant is qualified, the control module controls the first valve (0523) to open and the second valve (0524) to close. When the detection unit detects that the coolant is unqualified, the control module controls the first valve (0523) to close and the second valve (0524) to open.

2. The drying system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection unit includes: The coolant collection tank (0511) is connected to the second cold side channel, the first branch (0521) and the second branch (0522); A detection sensor (0512) is installed in the coolant collection tank (0511).

3. The drying system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The inlet and outlet of the first hot side channel are equipped with a first temperature sensor (08); the drying system also includes a control module, which is communicatively connected to both of the first temperature sensors (08), and obtains the sensible heat release and actual heat exchange efficiency of the waste gas flow through the first heat exchange unit (031) based on the temperature difference between the two first temperature sensors (08). And / or, the inlet and outlet of the first cold side channel are provided with a second temperature sensor (09); the drying system also includes a control module, which is communicatively connected to both of the two second temperature sensors (09), and evaluates the actual heating efficiency of the first heat exchange unit (031) on the intake gas based on the temperature difference between the two second temperature sensors (09); And / or, the inlet of the second hot side channel is provided with a first temperature sensor (08); the outlet of the second hot side channel is provided with a third temperature sensor (10); the drying system also includes a control module, which is communicatively connected to both the first temperature sensor (08) and the third temperature sensor (10), and obtains the sensible heat release and actual heat exchange efficiency of the waste gas flow through the second heat exchange unit (032) based on the temperature difference between the first temperature sensor (08) and the third temperature sensor (10); And / or, the inlet and outlet of the second cold side channel are provided with a fourth temperature sensor (11); the drying system also includes a control module, which is communicatively connected to both of the fourth temperature sensors (11) and evaluates the actual heating efficiency of the second heat exchange unit (032) for the coolant based on the temperature difference between the two fourth temperature sensors (11).

4. The drying system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Also includes: The detection module, located inside the drying chamber (01), includes a humidity sensor (121). Heat recovery branch (13), wherein the heat recovery branch (13) is sequentially connected to the exhaust gas outlet (012), the first heat side channel and the second heat side channel; The first regulating valve (14) is located in the heat recovery branch (13). Condensation branch (15), wherein the condensation branch (15) is sequentially connected to the coolant outlet (013), the condenser (16) and the second cold side channel; The second regulating valve (17) is located in the condensation branch (15). The control module is communicatively connected to the humidity sensor (121), the first regulating valve (14), and the second regulating valve (17). When the actual humidity value of the humidity sensor (121) is higher than a first preset threshold, the control module adjusts the opening of the first regulating valve (14) to be less than the opening of the second regulating valve (17). When the actual humidity value of the humidity sensor (121) is lower than a second preset threshold, the control module adjusts the opening of the first regulating valve (14) to be greater than the opening of the second regulating valve (17).

5. The drying system according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes a pressure detection component, which comprises: A first pressure sensor (181) is located in the heat recovery branch (13) and is used to obtain a first pressure value; The second pressure sensor (182) is located in the condensation branch (15) and is used to obtain the second pressure value; The first pressure sensor (181) and the second pressure sensor (182) are both connected to the control module. The control module dynamically adjusts the opening of the first regulating valve (14) and / or the second regulating valve (17) according to the deviation between the pressure difference between the first pressure value and the second pressure value and the preset target pressure difference.

6. The drying system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Also includes: The execution module includes a vacuum pump (191) and a heating unit. The vacuum pump (191) is connected to the drying chamber (01) and is used to evacuate the drying chamber (01). The heating unit is connected to the drying chamber (01) and is used to heat the drying chamber (01). The detection module, located in the drying chamber (01), includes a humidity sensor (121), a gas concentration sensor (122), and a gravity sensor (123). The control module is communicatively connected to the vacuum pump (191), the heating unit, the humidity sensor (121), the gas concentration sensor (122), and the gravity sensor (123); When the actual humidity value of the humidity sensor (121) and the actual gas concentration value of the gas concentration sensor (122) are both lower than the target threshold and remain so for a set time, and the actual mass value of the gravity sensor (123) shows a stable trend during the verification period, the vacuum pump (191) and the heating unit are controlled to shut down.

7. The drying system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The detection module also includes a third pressure sensor (124), which is communicatively connected to the control module; The control module acquires the heating power of the heating unit, the third pressure value of the third pressure sensor (124), and the actual mass value of the gravity sensor (123); inputs the heating power, the third pressure value, and the actual mass value into a pre-stored drying kinetics prediction model, and obtains the prediction end time when the actual mass value decreases to the target dry weight according to the drying kinetics prediction model, and controls the heating unit and / or vacuum pump (191) to gradually reduce the power within the prediction end time.

8. The drying system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The heating unit includes: The outlet of the fan (1912) is connected to the inlet of the first cold side channel through the air intake pipe (04), and the outlet of the first cold side channel is connected to the air inlet (011) through the connecting pipe (20). Heating wire (1911) is disposed on the connecting pipe (20).

9. The drying system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Also includes: The identification acquisition module is used to acquire the identification information of the equipment to be dried (02); The storage module pre-stores drying process parameters corresponding to the identification information of different servers; The control module is communicatively connected to both the identifier acquisition module and the storage module. The control module retrieves the corresponding drying process parameters from the storage module based on the identifier information obtained by the identifier acquisition module, and controls the drying process based on the retrieved drying process parameters.

10. The drying system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The drying system also includes: The detection module, located inside the drying chamber (01), includes a humidity sensor (121) for detecting the humidity inside the drying chamber (01) and generating actual humidity change data; The storage module is used to store preset humidity change data; The control module is communicatively connected to the humidity sensor (121) and the storage module. The control module acquires the actual humidity change data of a single drying process, compares the actual humidity change data with the preset humidity change data, and generates a coolant quality judgment result based on the comparison result.

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