Refrigerant distribution unit for two-phase liquid cooling system

Abstract

The utility model discloses a refrigerant distribution unit for a two-phase liquid cooling system, which comprises a refrigerant distribution unit body, a plate heat exchanger of the refrigerant distribution unit body is provided with a high-temperature channel and a low-temperature channel, and two ends of the low-temperature channel are respectively connected to a cooling tower through pipelines; a heat release channel and a heat absorption channel are arranged in the heat regenerator, an inlet end pipeline of the heat release channel is connected to the liquid cooling cabinet, an inlet end pipeline of the heat absorption channel is connected to the outlet end of the high-temperature channel, and an outlet end pipeline of the heat absorption channel is connected to the liquid cooling cabinet; and an inlet pipeline of the gas-liquid separator is connected to the outlet end of the heat release channel, a gas outlet end pipeline of the gas-liquid separator is connected to the inlet end of the high-temperature channel, and a liquid outlet end pipeline of the gas-liquid separator is connected to the inlet end of the high-temperature channel. The cold plate type two-phase liquid cooling system solves the problems that the secondary side liquid supply supercooling degree of an existing cold plate type two-phase liquid cooling system is high, the heat exchange effect of a CDU condenser is poor, and the size is large.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of data center cooling equipment technology, specifically to a refrigerant distribution unit for a two-phase liquid cooling system. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, air cooling is the most common heat dissipation method in data centers, but air-cooled systems consume a lot of energy, with a typical Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) value of 1.7 to 1.9. Cold plate liquid cooling has emerged as a highly efficient heat dissipation method in data centers. The PUE of cold plate liquid cooling is typically 1.2 to 1.5. To further reduce the PUE of data centers and achieve the ultimate goal of green and energy-efficient data centers, cold plate two-phase liquid cooling has become the most effective heat dissipation method.

[0003] In a plate-type two-phase liquid cooling system, the intermediate hub for refrigerant heat exchange between the primary side (facility water) and the secondary side (equipment water) is the CDU, also known in the industry as the refrigerant distribution unit. It is a crucial device for intermediate heat exchange in the liquid cooling system. Currently, most liquid cooling systems are single-phase, with the secondary side refrigerant being a liquid phase. In two-phase liquid systems, the CDU from the single-phase liquid cooling system is generally directly used. However, in a two-phase system, the secondary side refrigerant is a mixed phase—a mixture of vapor and liquid phases. If a single-phase liquid cooling CDU is used, the condenser will contain both vapor and liquid phases. The liquid phase will adhere to the inner wall of the condenser, increasing the condensation thermal resistance and requiring a larger condenser volume for the same heat load. Furthermore, due to the pump's pressurization, the subcooling of the refrigerant (the difference between the actual temperature and the saturation temperature) will further increase, thus affecting the heat exchange efficiency and flow stability within the system. Utility Model Content

[0004] To overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies, a refrigerant distribution unit for a two-phase liquid cooling system is provided to solve the problems of high secondary-side subcooling, poor CDU condenser performance, and large size in existing cold plate two-phase liquid cooling systems.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, a refrigerant distribution unit for a two-phase liquid cooling system is provided, comprising:

[0006] The refrigerant distribution unit body has a plate heat exchanger with a high-temperature channel and a low-temperature channel, and the two ends of the low-temperature channel are respectively connected to the cooling tower through pipelines.

[0007] The regenerator has a heat release channel and a heat absorption channel. The inlet pipe of the heat release channel is connected to the high-temperature return pipe of the liquid cooling cabinet, the inlet pipe of the heat absorption channel is connected to the outlet of the pump, and the outlet pipe of the heat absorption channel is connected to the low-temperature supply pipe of the liquid cooling cabinet.

[0008] A gas-liquid separator, wherein the inlet pipe of the gas-liquid separator is connected to the outlet end of the heat release channel, the gas outlet pipe of the gas-liquid separator is connected to the inlet end of the high-temperature channel of the plate heat exchanger, and the liquid outlet pipe of the gas-liquid separator is connected to the inlet end of the system storage tank.

[0009] Furthermore, the refrigerant distribution unit body is equipped with an expansion tank, which is connected to the high-temperature return pipe of the liquid cooling cabinet and the inlet end of the heat release channel of the return pipe.

[0010] Furthermore, the regenerator is a shell-and-tube heat exchanger.

[0011] Furthermore, the regenerator is a plate heat exchanger.

[0012] Furthermore, the regenerator is a shell-and-tube heat exchanger.

[0013] Furthermore, the refrigerant distribution unit body is equipped with a liquid storage tank, the outlet end pipe of the high temperature channel is connected to the liquid storage tank, the liquid storage tank is connected to the inlet end of the heat absorption channel through a delivery pipe, a water pump is installed on the delivery pipe, and the liquid outlet end pipe of the gas-liquid separator is connected to the liquid storage tank.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: the refrigerant distribution unit for a two-phase liquid cooling system separates the high-temperature vapor-liquid refrigerant mixture in a gas-liquid separator. The vaporized refrigerant is then transported to the plate heat exchanger via pipeline. This design reduces pipeline flow resistance and improves the heat exchange efficiency of the plate heat exchanger (condenser) within the CDU, thereby reducing the volume of the CDU condenser. Furthermore, the regenerator utilizes the high-temperature returning vapor-liquid two-phase refrigerant to heat the single-phase refrigerant in the supply pipe, thereby reducing the subcooling of the refrigerant in the secondary supply pipe, improving the heat exchange efficiency of the refrigerant within the cold plates, reducing pressure fluctuations during the phase change process, and simultaneously sharing the condensing load of the condenser, further reducing the condenser volume. In addition, the regenerator requires no external power input, avoiding the increased energy consumption caused by using heaters, thus achieving energy conservation and emission reduction. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Other features, objects, and advantages of this application will become more apparent from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the refrigerant distribution unit for a two-phase liquid cooling system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a bottom view of the refrigerant distribution unit for a two-phase liquid cooling system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The present application will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the relevant utility model and not intended to limit the scope of the utility model. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, only the parts relevant to the utility model are shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0019] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be combined with each other. This application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0020] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, this utility model provides a refrigerant distribution unit for a two-phase liquid cooling system, including: a refrigerant distribution unit body 1, a regenerator 2, and a gas-liquid separator 3.

[0021] The refrigerant distribution unit body 1 includes a plate heat exchanger 11. The plate heat exchanger 11 has a high-temperature channel and a low-temperature channel.

[0022] Specifically, both ends of the cryogenic channel are connected to the cooling tower via pipelines. The outlet of the cryogenic channel is connected to the cooling tower via a water supply pipe (c), and the cooling tower is connected to the inlet of the cryogenic channel via a return water pipe (d).

[0023] In this embodiment, the refrigerant distribution unit body 1 is a prior art technology, and it also includes other auxiliary components, such as pressure, temperature, and flow sensors, manual valves, pressure relief valves, exhaust valves, and electric valves, which are not shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0024] In this embodiment, the regenerator 2 is a liquid-liquid heat exchanger. Specifically, the regenerator 2 has a heat release channel and a heat absorption channel. The inlet pipe of the heat release channel is connected to the high-temperature return pipe of the liquid cooling cabinet. The inlet pipe of the heat absorption channel is connected to the outlet pipe of the high-temperature channel. The outlet pipe of the heat absorption channel is connected to the low-temperature supply pipe of the liquid cooling cabinet.

[0025] The gas-liquid separator 3 has an inlet, a gas outlet, and a liquid outlet. The inlet pipe of the gas-liquid separator 3 is connected to the outlet of the heat release channel. The gas outlet pipe of the gas-liquid separator 3 is connected to the inlet of the high-temperature channel of the plate heat exchanger. The liquid outlet pipe of the gas-liquid separator 3 is connected to the inlet of the high-temperature channel.

[0026] In this embodiment, the refrigerant distribution unit body 1 is equipped with an expansion tank 12. The expansion tank 12 is connected to the high-temperature return pipe of the liquid cooling cabinet and the inlet end of the heat release channel of the regenerator.

[0027] As a preferred implementation, the regenerator 2 is a shell-and-tube heat exchanger.

[0028] As a preferred implementation, the regenerator 2 is a plate heat exchanger.

[0029] In some embodiments, the regenerator 2 may also be a shell-and-tube heat exchanger.

[0030] In this embodiment, the refrigerant distribution unit body 1 is equipped with a liquid storage tank 13. The outlet end pipe of the high-temperature channel is connected to the liquid storage tank 13. The liquid storage tank 13 is connected to the inlet end of the heat absorption channel via a delivery pipe. A water pump 14 is installed on the delivery pipe. The liquid outlet end pipe of the gas-liquid separator 3 is connected to the liquid storage tank 13.

[0031] The refrigerant distribution unit of this utility model for a two-phase liquid cooling system is an intermediate heat exchange hub and a power drive device for the flow of refrigerant on the secondary side in a two-phase liquid cooling system.

[0032] The working principle of the refrigerant distribution unit for a two-phase liquid cooling system of this invention is as follows:

[0033] The high-temperature vapor-liquid refrigerant mixture (secondary side return liquid) flowing back from the liquid-cooled cabinet first enters the expansion tank through return liquid pipe a to balance or regulate the system pressure; then it enters the inlet end of the heat release channel of the regenerator through the pipeline to heat the low-temperature refrigerant supplied to the secondary side (in the heat absorption channel of the regenerator) to reduce its subcooling.

[0034] After heat recovery, the high-temperature vapor-liquid refrigerant mixture then flows into the inlet of the gas-liquid separator. In the gas-liquid separator, the high-temperature vapor-liquid refrigerant mixture is affected by gravity, with the high-temperature liquid refrigerant depositing at the bottom of the gas-liquid separator and flowing into the storage tank from the liquid outlet at the bottom of the gas-liquid separator, while the high-temperature vapor refrigerant flows into the plate heat exchanger from the gas outlet at the top of the gas-liquid separator.

[0035] Inside the plate heat exchanger, the primary cooling water (facility water) in the low-temperature channel exchanges heat with the secondary high-temperature vapor refrigerant in the high-temperature channel. The high-temperature vapor refrigerant releases heat and condenses into liquid refrigerant, which then flows into the storage tank. Meanwhile, the primary cooling water is heated and flows into the external cooling tower for cooling via the water supply pipe c. The liquid refrigerant in the storage tank is pumped to and transported to the regenerator. Inside the regenerator, the liquid refrigerant absorbs heat from the vapor-liquid mixture of refrigerant in the secondary return liquid. The heated liquid refrigerant is finally transported to the liquid cooling cabinet via the liquid supply pipe b.

[0036] This invention relates to a refrigerant distribution unit for a two-phase liquid cooling system by adding a gas-liquid separator and a regenerator to the secondary-side loop of the CDU equipment. The gas-liquid separator separates the high-temperature vapor-liquid refrigerant mixture in the secondary-side return liquid line into a single vapor phase and a single liquid phase. The vapor phase flows through the pipeline into the condenser (i.e., plate heat exchanger 11) for condensation, while the liquid phase enters the receiver through connecting pipelines. The regenerator heats the single-phase refrigerant in the secondary-side supply liquid line using the high-temperature vapor-liquid refrigerant mixture in the secondary-side return liquid line, reducing its subcooling and avoiding the additional power consumption of heating the refrigerant. Simultaneously, the high-temperature vapor-liquid refrigerant mixture in the return liquid line releases heat, reducing the condensation load in the condenser and further reducing the condenser's volume.

[0037] This invention relates to a refrigerant distribution unit for a two-phase liquid cooling system. The high-temperature vapor-liquid refrigerant mixture is separated in a gas-liquid separator, and the vaporized refrigerant is transported to the plate heat exchanger via pipeline. This design reduces pipeline flow resistance and improves the heat exchange efficiency of the plate heat exchanger (condenser) within the CDU, thereby reducing the volume of the CDU condenser. Furthermore, the regenerator utilizes the high-temperature returning vapor-liquid two-phase refrigerant to heat the single-phase refrigerant in the supply pipe, thereby reducing the subcooling of the refrigerant in the secondary supply pipe, improving the heat exchange efficiency of the refrigerant within the cold plates, reducing pressure fluctuations during the phase change process, and simultaneously sharing the condensing load of the condenser, further reducing the condenser volume. In addition, the regenerator requires no external power input, avoiding the increased energy consumption caused by using heaters, thus achieving energy conservation and emission reduction.

[0038] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and an explanation of the technical principles employed. Those skilled in the art should understand that the scope of the utility model involved in this application is not limited to the technical solutions formed by specific combinations of the above-described technical features, but should also cover other technical solutions formed by arbitrary combinations of the above-described technical features or their equivalents without departing from the inventive concept. For example, technical solutions formed by substituting the above features with (but not limited to) technical features with similar functions disclosed in this application.

Claims

1. A refrigerant distribution unit for a two-phase liquid cooling system, characterized in that, include: The refrigerant distribution unit body has a plate heat exchanger with a high-temperature channel and a low-temperature channel, and the two ends of the low-temperature channel are respectively connected to the cooling tower through pipelines. A regenerator has a heat release channel and a heat absorption channel. The inlet pipe of the heat release channel is connected to a liquid cooling cabinet, the inlet pipe of the heat absorption channel is connected to the outlet pipe of the high temperature channel, and the outlet pipe of the heat absorption channel is connected to the liquid cooling cabinet. A gas-liquid separator, wherein the inlet pipe of the gas-liquid separator is connected to the outlet end of the heat release channel, the gas outlet pipe of the gas-liquid separator is connected to the inlet end of the high-temperature channel, and the liquid outlet pipe of the gas-liquid separator is connected to the inlet end of the high-temperature channel.

2. The refrigerant distribution unit for a two-phase liquid cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The refrigerant distribution unit is equipped with an expansion tank. The liquid cooling cabinet is connected to the expansion tank via a return pipe. The expansion tank is connected to the pipeline at the inlet end of the heat release channel.

3. The refrigerant distribution unit for a two-phase liquid cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The regenerator is a shell-and-tube heat exchanger.

4. The refrigerant distribution unit for a two-phase liquid cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The regenerator is a plate heat exchanger.

5. The refrigerant distribution unit for a two-phase liquid cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The regenerator is a shell-and-tube heat exchanger.

6. The refrigerant distribution unit for a two-phase liquid cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The refrigerant distribution unit is equipped with a liquid storage tank. The outlet pipe of the high-temperature channel is connected to the liquid storage tank. The liquid storage tank is connected to the inlet of the heat absorption channel through a delivery pipe. A water pump is installed on the delivery pipe. The liquid outlet pipe of the gas-liquid separator is connected to the liquid storage tank.

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