Data center cooling system

Abstract

The utility model provides a data center cooling system. The system comprises a cooling liquid heat exchanger arranged in a data center, a first gas hydrate generation dissociation unit, a second gas hydrate generation dissociation unit and a turbine expansion power generation device, the first gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit and the second gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit are respectively provided with at least one gas hydrate generation and dissociation group comprising at least one gas hydrate generation and dissociation device; each gas hydrate generation and dissociation device is provided with a reaction cavity, and a cooling liquid flowing pipe is arranged in each reaction cavity; in the same gas hydrate generation and dissociation group, the cooling liquid flowing pipes of the gas hydrate generation and dissociation devices are sequentially connected in series; a cooling liquid outlet of the cooling liquid heat exchanger is respectively connected with cooling liquid inlets of the gas hydrate generation dissociation groups; a cooling liquid inlet of the cooling liquid heat exchanger is connected with a cooling liquid outlet of each gas hydrate generation dissociation group; and a gas inlet of the turbine expansion power generation device is respectively connected with an exhaust port of each gas hydrate generation dissociation device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of energy saving and consumption reduction, in particular to a data center cooling system. Background Art

[0002] Data centers are clusters of large-scale servers that meet user needs by running applications and storing, processing, and transmitting data, providing critical support for the digital economy and social development. However, with the explosive growth of data volumes, ensuring the proper functioning of these servers requires significant amounts of electricity to power data processors and absorb the heat generated by these processors to maintain a stable, low-temperature environment within the data center. This leads to significant energy consumption, posing significant energy and cooling challenges for next-generation information technologies such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and big data. According to statistics, the energy required to power and cool servers alone accounts for 40% of total data center operating costs, and their total electricity consumption accounts for 30% of global electricity generation. With the rapid development of artificial intelligence and big data, energy conservation and consumption reduction in data centers will become a critical societal need.

[0003] Air cooling is the mainstream cooling method in data centers today. Because air cooling uses gas as a heat transfer medium, its thermal conductivity is far weaker than that of liquids. Maintaining a constant operating temperature in data centers requires enormous amounts of electricity. As data centers grow in size and power density, traditional air cooling is no longer sufficient to maintain a constant temperature. Liquid cooling, with its higher heat load and energy efficiency, allows for more servers to be packed into a single unit of space, improving data center computing efficiency. Liquid cooling also reduces fan equipment and significantly reduces noise. Therefore, liquid cooling is a trend in the transition to a green and low-carbon data center.

[0004] How to reduce energy consumption and enhance waste heat recovery and reuse in data centers, and explore a sustainable and environmentally friendly liquid cooling method, are the research focuses in the field of data center heat dissipation and cooling technology. Utility Model Content

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a data center cooling system that can effectively reduce energy consumption and enhance the recovery and reuse of waste heat in the data center.

[0006] In order to achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a data center cooling system, which includes:

[0007] A coolant heat exchanger, a first gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit, a second gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit, and a turbine expansion power generation device are provided in the data center;

[0008] The first gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit is provided with at least one gas hydrate generation and dissociation group; the second gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit is provided with at least one gas hydrate generation and dissociation group; and each gas hydrate generation and dissociation group is provided with at least one gas hydrate generation and dissociation device;

[0009] Each gas hydrate generation and dissociation device is provided with a reaction chamber; a coolant flow pipe is provided inside the reaction chamber of each gas hydrate generation and dissociation device, and the coolant flow pipe is provided with a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet connected to the outside of the gas hydrate generation and dissociation device; the reaction chamber of each gas hydrate generation and dissociation device is provided with an air inlet, a water inlet, an exhaust port, and a drain port connected to the outside of the gas hydrate generation and dissociation device;

[0010] In the same gas hydrate generation and dissociation group, the coolant flow pipes of the gas hydrate generation and dissociation devices are connected in series in sequence, the coolant inlet of the first gas hydrate generation and dissociation device serves as the coolant inlet of the gas hydrate generation and dissociation group, and the coolant outlet of the last gas hydrate generation and dissociation device serves as the coolant outlet of the gas hydrate generation and dissociation group;

[0011] The coolant outlet of the coolant heat exchanger arranged in the data center is connected to the coolant inlet of each gas hydrate generation and dissociation group respectively; the coolant inlet of the coolant heat exchanger arranged in the data center is connected to the coolant outlet of each gas hydrate generation and dissociation group; the gas inlet of the turbine expansion power generation device is connected to the exhaust port of each gas hydrate generation and dissociation device respectively.

[0012] The coolant heat exchanger installed in the data center is used to exchange heat with the data center, absorbing heat from the data processing center and maintaining a low-temperature operating environment. The gas hydrate generation and dissociation device is used to generate gas hydrates in the reaction chamber and utilize the heat of the coolant in the coolant flow pipe to dissociate the gas hydrates generated in the reaction chamber, thereby cooling the coolant in the coolant flow pipe.

[0013] The turbine expansion power generation device is used to utilize the high-pressure gas generated by the dissociation of gas hydrates to perform turbine expansion, so that the internal energy is converted into work to drive the generator to generate electrical energy.

[0014] Gas hydrates are non-stoichiometric solid crystals formed by small guest gas molecules (such as methane, ethane, and CO2) and host water molecules under high pressure and low temperature. The host water molecules are connected by hydrogen bonds to form a cage-like crystal structure, and van der Waals forces encapsulate the guest gas molecules within the cage. Gas hydrates are generally considered to have three basic structures: Type I, Type II, and Type H, depending on the cage structure. Because gas hydrate dissociation is a phase-change, endothermic process, it offers advantages such as high latent heat, high cold storage density, and a wide phase-change temperature range. It can be used as a new cold storage and heat exchange medium, overcoming the shortcomings of water's low phase-change temperature and the poor heat transfer performance of eutectic salts. During the gas hydrate dissociation process, even a slight temperature change can generate a large pressure differential, which can be used for turbine expansion to generate power.

[0015] Based on this, the utility model proposes the above-mentioned data center cooling system, which uses the special properties of the gas hydrate dissociation process to dissipate heat and cool the data center. It can not only reduce the temperature of the coolant medium and effectively maintain the data center in a low-temperature operating environment, but also can make high-value use of the large amount of low-grade waste heat emitted by the data center for a long time, convert internal energy into electrical energy, improve energy utilization efficiency, and significantly reduce the energy consumption and operating costs of the data center, providing a new feasible solution for data center heat dissipation and cooling technology.

[0016] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the first gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit and the second gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit have the same structure (that is, the gas hydrate generation and dissociation devices constituting the first gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit and the gas hydrate generation and dissociation devices constituting the second gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit have the same size, quantity, and connection relationship).

[0017] According to a specific implementation scheme of the present invention, the data center cooling system also includes a gas storage tank, the gas outlet of the turbine expansion power generation device is connected to the gas inlet of the gas storage tank, and the gas outlet of the gas storage tank is connected to the air inlet of each gas hydrate generation and dissociation device.

[0018] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the data center cooling system further includes a circulation pump, which is arranged at the coolant inlet position of the coolant heat exchanger.

[0019] According to a specific implementation scheme of the present utility model, the turbine expansion power generation device is connected to the electrical equipment of the data center cooling system to provide electrical energy for the electrical equipment of the data center cooling system; for example, it is connected to a circulating pump, and the turbine expansion power generation device is used to provide electrical energy for the circulating pump.

[0020] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the turbine expansion power generation device is connected to the electrical equipment of the data center to provide electrical energy for the electrical equipment of the data center.

[0021] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the cooling liquid heat exchanger provided in the data center adopts an immersion liquid cooling heat exchanger or a cold plate liquid cooling heat exchanger.

[0022] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the cooling liquid includes but is not limited to deionized water, fluorocarbons or mineral oil.

[0023] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, each gas hydrate formation and dissociation device is provided with a liquid level gauge for monitoring the water level in the reaction chamber of the gas hydrate formation and dissociation device;

[0024] When hydrate dissociation is carried out, regulating the water level in the reaction chamber of the gas hydrate generation and dissociation device can control the hydrate decomposition rate; when hydrate generation is carried out, regulating the water level in the reaction chamber of the gas hydrate generation and dissociation device can reduce the pressure in the reaction chamber of the gas hydrate generation and dissociation device, thereby making it easier to introduce gas into the reaction chamber of the gas hydrate generation and dissociation device for hydrate generation; in short, regulating the water level in the reaction chamber of the gas hydrate generation and dissociation device can better assist the gas hydrate generation and dissociation device to achieve the effect of cyclically generating gas hydrates and dissociating gas hydrates.

[0025] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the air inlet, water inlet, exhaust port and drain port of the reaction chamber of each gas hydrate generation and dissociation device are all provided with control valves.

[0026] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet of each gas hydrate formation and dissociation group are both provided with a control valve.

[0027] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the reaction chamber of each gas hydrate generation and dissociation device is further provided with a promoter dosing port connected to the outside of the gas hydrate generation and dissociation device, so as to add a promoter to the reaction chamber of the gas hydrate generation and dissociation device to promote the formation of hydrates.

[0028] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0029] 1. The data center cooling system provided by the present invention uses liquid cooling instead of air cooling. Compared with the currently common air cooling method, liquid cooling is more efficient and also facilitates energy integration. The cooling liquid exchanges heat with the data center, absorbing the ineffective heat released by the data center over a long period of time. The heat-absorbing cooling liquid then exchanges heat with gas hydrates. Since gas hydrates have the advantage of large latent heat of phase change, the temperature of the cooling liquid can be effectively reduced, maintaining a constant temperature working environment in the data center, making the data center operation more stable and extending its life.

[0030] 2. Compared with traditional data center heat dissipation and cooling systems, the data center cooling system provided by the present invention can fully recycle and reuse a large amount of low-grade waste heat emitted by the data center. While the coolant and gas hydrates are exchanging heat, the gas hydrates can decompose into high-pressure gas, which is then subjected to turbine expansion to generate electricity, converting internal energy into electrical energy to provide electricity for the electrical devices of the system, further reducing the energy consumption of the system and improving the energy utilization efficiency. It can reduce the temperature of the data center while making high-value use of the heat emitted by the data center during long-term operation.

[0031] 3. The data center cooling system provided by the present invention can reasonably utilize the temperature conditions of no more than 10°C provided by the outdoor natural environment, and with appropriate pressure and hydrate formation promoters, generate gas hydrates that can lower the temperature of the coolant, thereby significantly reducing refrigeration energy consumption and saving the operating costs of the data center. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of a data center cooling system in one embodiment.

[0033] Figure 2 The figure is a flow chart of cooling a data center using a data center cooling system according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] In order to have a clearer understanding of the technical features, objectives and beneficial effects of the present invention, the technical solution of the present invention is now described in detail below, but it should not be understood as limiting the scope of implementation of the present invention.

[0035] This embodiment provides a data center cooling system, such as Figure 1 As shown, the system includes: a coolant heat exchanger 1 arranged in a data center, a first gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit 2, a second gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit 3, a circulation pump 4, a turbine expansion power generation device 5, and a gas storage tank 6.

[0036] The first gas hydrate formation and dissociation unit 2 is provided with a gas hydrate formation and dissociation group; the second gas hydrate formation and dissociation unit 3 is provided with a gas hydrate formation and dissociation group; each gas hydrate formation and dissociation group is provided with a gas hydrate formation and dissociation device.

[0037] Each gas hydrate formation and dissociation device is provided with a reaction chamber 18; a coolant flow pipe 19 is provided inside the reaction chamber 18 of each gas hydrate formation and dissociation device, and the coolant flow pipe 19 is provided with a coolant inlet 7 and a coolant outlet 8 that are connected to the outside of the gas hydrate formation and dissociation device; the reaction chamber 18 of each gas hydrate formation and dissociation device is provided with an air inlet 10, a water inlet 11, an exhaust port 9, and a drain port 12 that are connected to the outside of the gas hydrate formation and dissociation device. The air inlet 10, water inlet 11, exhaust port 9, drain port 12, coolant inlet 7, coolant outlet 8 of each gas hydrate formation and dissociation device, as well as the gas outlet 16 of the gas storage tank 6, are all provided with a control valve 17.

[0038] The coolant outlet of the coolant heat exchanger 1 installed in the data center is connected to the coolant inlet 7 of the gas hydrate generation and dissociation devices in the first gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit 2 and the second gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit 3, respectively. The coolant inlet of the coolant heat exchanger 1 installed in the data center is connected to the coolant outlet 8 of the gas hydrate generation and dissociation devices in the first gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit 2 and the second gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit 3, respectively. The gas inlet 13 of the turbine expansion power generation device 5 is connected to the exhaust port 9 of each gas hydrate generation and dissociation device. The gas outlet 14 of the turbine expansion power generation device 5 is connected to the gas inlet 15 of the gas storage tank 6, and the gas outlet 16 of the gas storage tank 6 is connected to the gas inlet 10 of each gas hydrate generation and dissociation device. The circulation pump 4 is installed at the coolant inlet position of the coolant heat exchanger 1.

[0039] Furthermore, the gas hydrate formation and dissociation device of the first gas hydrate formation and dissociation unit 2 and the gas hydrate formation and dissociation device of the second gas hydrate formation and dissociation unit 3 have the same structure.

[0040] Furthermore, the turbine expansion power generation device 5 is connected to the electrical equipment of the data center cooling system to provide electrical energy for the electrical equipment of the data center cooling system.

[0041] Furthermore, the turbine expansion power generation device 5 is connected to the electrical equipment of the data center to provide electrical energy for the electrical equipment of the data center.

[0042] Furthermore, the cooling liquid heat exchanger 1 provided in the data center adopts an immersion liquid cooling heat exchanger or a cold plate liquid cooling heat exchanger.

[0043] Furthermore, the coolant is deionized water, fluorocarbon or mineral oil.

[0044] Furthermore, each gas hydrate formation and dissociation device is provided with a liquid level meter for monitoring the water level in the reaction chamber of the gas hydrate formation and dissociation device.

[0045] Furthermore, the reaction chamber 18 of each gas hydrate formation and dissociation device is also provided with a promoter adding port connected to the outside of the gas hydrate formation and dissociation device, so as to add a promoter into the reaction chamber 18 of the gas hydrate formation and dissociation device to promote the formation of hydrates.

[0046] Experimental Example 1

[0047] Use Figure 1 The data center cooling system shown in the figure is used to cool the data center. The process is as follows Figure 2 As shown, specifically including:

[0048] (1) The gas hydrate generation and dissociation device of the first gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit is placed under the temperature conditions required for hydrate generation (which can be provided by an outdoor natural low-temperature environment, and the temperature is usually not higher than 10°C), the valves of the air inlet and the water inlet are opened, the valves of the exhaust port, the drain port, the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet are closed, and an appropriate amount of water and gas (which come from the gas storage tank 6) are introduced into the reaction chamber of the gas hydrate generation and dissociation device of the first gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit so that the pressure in the reaction chamber of the gas hydrate generation and dissociation device of the first gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit reaches the set pressure. Then, the valves of the first air inlet 10 and the water inlet 11 are closed, and an appropriate amount of hydrate generation promoter is filled into the reaction chamber of the gas hydrate generation and dissociation device of the first gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit. The reaction chamber of the gas hydrate generation and dissociation device of the first gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit is allowed to stand to generate gas hydrates until the pressure in the reaction chamber of the gas hydrate generation and dissociation device of the first gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit does not change significantly, and it is considered that the gas hydrate generation is completed.

[0049] At the same time, for the gas hydrate generation and dissociation device of the second gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit, the valves of the coolant inlet, coolant outlet, exhaust port and drain port are opened, and the valves of the air inlet and water inlet are closed; the coolant from the coolant heat exchanger arranged in the data center enters the coolant flow pipe of the gas hydrate generation and dissociation device of the second gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit from the coolant inlet, and exchanges heat with the gas hydrate generated in the reaction chamber of the gas hydrate generation and dissociation device of the second gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit; after the heat exchange, the temperature of the coolant decreases and enters the coolant heat exchanger arranged in the data center from the coolant outlet to cool the data center, and the gas hydrates are heated and dissociated; the high-pressure gas generated by the gas hydrate dissociation enters the turbine expansion power generation device for expansion and power generation; the gas with reduced pressure after expansion and power generation enters the gas storage tank 6 for storage.

[0050] (2) After step (1) is completed, the gas hydrate generation and dissociation device of the second gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit is placed under the temperature conditions required for hydrate generation (which can be provided by an outdoor natural low-temperature environment, and the temperature is usually not higher than 10°C), the valves of the air inlet and the water inlet are opened, the valves of the exhaust port, the drain port, the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet are closed, and an appropriate amount of water and gas (from the gas storage tank 6) are introduced into the reaction chamber of the gas hydrate generation and dissociation device of the second gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit to allow the second gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit to generate hydrate. After the pressure in the reaction chamber of the gas hydrate generation and dissociation device reaches the set pressure, the second air inlet 10 valve and the water inlet 11 valve are closed, and an appropriate amount of hydrate generation promoter is filled into the reaction chamber of the gas hydrate generation and dissociation device of the second gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit. The reaction chamber of the gas hydrate generation and dissociation device of the second gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit is allowed to stand to generate gas hydrates. Until the pressure in the reaction chamber of the gas hydrate generation and dissociation device of the second gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit does not change significantly, it can be considered that the gas hydrate generation is completed.

[0051] At the same time, for the gas hydrate generation and dissociation device of the first gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit, the valves of the coolant inlet, coolant outlet, exhaust port and drain port are opened, and the valves of the air inlet and water inlet are closed; the coolant from the coolant heat exchanger arranged in the data center enters the coolant flow pipe of the gas hydrate generation and dissociation device of the first gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit from the coolant inlet, and exchanges heat with the gas hydrate generated in the reaction chamber of the gas hydrate generation and dissociation device of the first gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit; after the heat exchange, the temperature of the coolant decreases and enters the coolant heat exchanger arranged in the data center from the coolant outlet to cool the data center, and the gas hydrates are heated and dissociated; the high-pressure gas generated by the gas hydrate dissociation enters the turbine expansion power generation device for expansion and power generation; the gas with reduced pressure after expansion and power generation enters the gas storage tank 6 for storage.

[0052] (3) Repeat steps (1)-(2) to continuously cool the data center.

[0053] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A data center cooling system, characterized in that: The system includes: A coolant heat exchanger, a first gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit, a second gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit, and a turbine expansion power generation device are provided in the data center; The first gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit is provided with at least one gas hydrate generation and dissociation group; the second gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit is provided with at least one gas hydrate generation and dissociation group; and each gas hydrate generation and dissociation group is provided with at least one gas hydrate generation and dissociation device; Each gas hydrate generation and dissociation device is provided with a reaction chamber; a coolant flow pipe is provided inside the reaction chamber of each gas hydrate generation and dissociation device, and the coolant flow pipe is provided with a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet connected to the outside of the gas hydrate generation and dissociation device; the reaction chamber of each gas hydrate generation and dissociation device is provided with an air inlet, a water inlet, an exhaust port, and a drain port connected to the outside of the gas hydrate generation and dissociation device; In the same gas hydrate generation and dissociation group, the coolant flow pipes of the gas hydrate generation and dissociation devices are connected in series in sequence, the coolant inlet of the first gas hydrate generation and dissociation device serves as the coolant inlet of the gas hydrate generation and dissociation group, and the coolant outlet of the last gas hydrate generation and dissociation device serves as the coolant outlet of the gas hydrate generation and dissociation group; The coolant outlet of the coolant heat exchanger arranged in the data center is connected to the coolant inlet of each gas hydrate generation and dissociation group respectively; the coolant inlet of the coolant heat exchanger arranged in the data center is connected to the coolant outlet of each gas hydrate generation and dissociation group; the gas inlet of the turbine expansion power generation device is connected to the exhaust port of each gas hydrate generation and dissociation device respectively.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The first gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit has the same structure as the second gas hydrate generation and dissociation unit.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The data center cooling system also includes a gas storage tank. The gas outlet of the turbine expansion power generation device is connected to the gas inlet of the gas storage tank, and the gas outlet of the gas storage tank is connected to the air inlet of each gas hydrate generation and dissociation device.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The data center cooling system further includes a circulation pump, which is arranged at the coolant inlet of the coolant heat exchanger.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The turbine expansion power generation device is connected to the electrical equipment of the data center cooling system to provide electrical energy for the electrical equipment of the data center cooling system.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The turbine expansion power generation device is connected to the electrical equipment of the data center to provide electrical energy for the electrical equipment of the data center.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The cooling liquid heat exchanger installed in the data center adopts an immersion liquid cooling heat exchanger or a cold plate liquid cooling heat exchanger.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein: Each gas hydrate generation and dissociation device is provided with a liquid level meter for monitoring the water level in the reaction chamber of the gas hydrate generation and dissociation device.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The air inlet, water inlet, exhaust port and drain port of the reaction chamber of each gas hydrate formation and dissociation device are all provided with control valves; The coolant inlet and coolant outlet of each gas hydrate formation and dissociation group are both provided with control valves.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The reaction chamber of each gas hydrate formation and dissociation device is also provided with a promoter adding port connected to the outside of the gas hydrate formation and dissociation device, so as to add a promoter into the reaction chamber of the gas hydrate formation and dissociation device to promote the formation of hydrates.

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