Air conditioning system

Abstract

To acquire an air conditioning system which can cool a cooling object space until power supply becomes possible by an emergency power source in an emergency, without using cooling water in a cooling water tank.SOLUTION: An air conditioning system includes: a heat source machine which manufactures cooling water for cooling a cooling object space; a redox flow cell which has an electrolyte tank, and which supplies power for emergency by circulating an electrolytic solution of the electrolyte tank; a cooling part for cooling the electrolytic solution filled in the electrolyte tank by a commercial power source; and a heat exchanger which cools the cooling water by using the electrolytic solution until power supply becomes possible from the redox flow cell to the heat source machine in an emergency.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to air conditioning systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an air conditioning system that cools the space to be cooled by supplying cooling water produced by a heat source machine to the space to be cooled through a cooling water circulation pipe, and that has a water-cooled engine generator as an emergency power source, and the engine generator has a cooling water tank for circulating and supplying engine cooling water, and that is capable of supplying the stored cold heat of the water stored in the cooling water tank to the space to be cooled under specified system operating conditions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-70579 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional air conditioning systems, a water-cooled engine generator is used as an emergency power source to cool the space to be cooled (a server room) in emergencies such as power outages. This engine generator is equipped with a cooling water tank to cool the engine. The cooling water in the cooling water tank is used to cool the space to be cooled until the engine generator can supply power in an emergency.

[0005] In addition, as a method other than cooling the space to be cooled using the cooling water from the cooling water tank of the water-cooled engine generator of the above-mentioned conventional technology, a cooling water tank for use in disasters may be installed to cool the space to be cooled (server room) in emergencies such as power outages, and the cooling water from that cooling water tank may be used to cool the space to be cooled.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to cool a space to be cooled without using cooling water from a cooling water tank for a water-cooled engine or a cooling water tank for use in emergencies until power can be supplied from an emergency power source in an emergency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An air conditioning system according to a first aspect includes a heat source unit that cools cooling water for cooling a space to be cooled; a redox flow battery having an electrolyte tank and supplying emergency power by circulating the electrolyte in the electrolyte tank; a cooling unit that cools the electrolyte in the electrolyte tank using power from a commercial power source; and a heat exchanger that cools the cooling water using the electrolyte cooled by the cooling unit until power can be supplied from the redox flow battery to the heat source unit in an emergency.

[0008] According to the configuration of the first aspect, the space to be cooled is cooled using cooling water cooled by the heat source device, while the cooling unit operated by electric power from a commercial power source cools the electrolyte in the electrolyte tank of the redox flow battery.

[0009] In the event of an emergency such as a power outage, the supply of power from the commercial power source will be stopped, causing the heat source machine that runs on power from the commercial power source to stop operating and making it unable to cool the cooling water that cools the space to be cooled. Therefore, the redox flow battery supplies emergency power to the heat source machine by circulating the electrolyte in the electrolyte tank.

[0010] However, there is a time lag between when the supply of power from the commercial power source is stopped and when the redox flow battery can start supplying emergency power.

[0011] Therefore, in an emergency, until it becomes possible to supply power from the redox flow battery to the heat source device, the heat exchanger uses the electrolyte cooled by the cooling unit to cool the cooling water for cooling the space to be cooled, thereby continuing to cool the space to be cooled.

[0012] In this way, the space to be cooled can be cooled without using cooling water from the cooling water tank for the water-cooled engine or the cooling water tank for use in emergencies until power can be supplied by the emergency power source in an emergency.

[0013] an air conditioning system according to a second aspect of the present invention, comprising: a heat source unit that cools cooling water for cooling a space to be cooled; a redox flow battery having an electrolyte tank and supplying emergency power by circulating electrolyte in the electrolyte tank; a cooling unit that cools the electrolyte in the electrolyte tank using power from a commercial power source; a heat exchanger that cools the cooling water using the electrolyte cooled by the cooling unit until power can be supplied from the redox flow battery to the heat source unit in an emergency; one detection unit that detects the temperature of the cooling water; another detection unit that detects the temperature of the electrolyte; and a heat exchanger that cools the cooling water using the electrolyte cooled by the cooling unit if the temperature of the electrolyte is lower than the temperature of the cooling water based on the detection results of the first detection unit and the second detection unit until power can be supplied from the redox flow battery to the heat source unit in an emergency.

[0014] According to the configuration of the second aspect, the space to be cooled is cooled using cooling water cooled by the heat source device, while the cooling unit operated by electric power from a commercial power source cools the electrolyte in the electrolyte tank of the redox flow battery.

[0015] In the event of an emergency such as a power outage, the supply of power from the commercial power source will be stopped, causing the heat source machine that runs on power from the commercial power source to stop operating and making it unable to cool the cooling water that cools the space to be cooled. Therefore, the redox flow battery supplies emergency power to the heat source machine by circulating the electrolyte in the electrolyte tank.

[0016] However, there is a time lag between when the supply of power from the commercial power source is stopped and when the redox flow battery can start supplying emergency power.

[0017] Therefore, when the supply of electric power from the commercial power source is stopped and the temperature of the electrolyte in the redox flow battery is lower than the temperature of the cooling water for cooling the space to be cooled, the heat exchanger uses the electrolyte cooled by the cooling unit to cool the cooling water for cooling the space to be cooled until the supply of electric power from the redox flow battery to the heat source device becomes possible, thereby continuing to cool the space to be cooled.

[0018] In this way, the space to be cooled can be cooled without using the cooling water in the cooling water tank for the water-cooled engine or the cooling water tank for use in emergencies until power can be supplied by the emergency power source in an emergency. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the present disclosure, in an emergency, the space to be cooled can be cooled without using cooling water from a cooling water tank for a water-cooled engine or a cooling water tank for use in disasters until power can be supplied from an emergency power source. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an air conditioning system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a configuration diagram showing a server room and the like of an air conditioning system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a redox flow battery of an air conditioning system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram showing a power supply diameter of an air conditioning system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 5] 3 is a diagram showing the flow of coolant and electrolyte in the air conditioning system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 3 is a diagram showing the flow of coolant and electrolyte in the air conditioning system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 1 is a block diagram showing a power supply diameter of an air conditioning system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 8]3 is a diagram showing the flow of coolant and electrolyte in the air conditioning system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 1 is a block diagram showing a power supply diameter of an air conditioning system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 10] 3 is a diagram showing the flow of coolant and electrolyte in the air conditioning system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a power supply diameter of an air conditioning system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] 10 is a diagram showing the flow of coolant and electrolyte in an air conditioning system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a power supply diameter of an air conditioning system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] 10 is a diagram showing the flow of coolant and electrolyte in an air conditioning system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] First Embodiment An example of an air conditioning system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 10. Note that the dimensional relationships between elements, the ratios of elements, etc. shown in the drawings do not necessarily match those in reality. Furthermore, the dimensional relationships between elements, the ratios of elements, etc. do not necessarily match between multiple drawings.

[0022] (Air Conditioning System 10) 1, the air conditioning system 10 includes a heat source unit 42 that cools cooling water, and an air conditioner 60 that is placed in a server room 50 and receives a supply of cooling water from the heat source unit 42 to cool multiple ICT equipment 54 housed in the server racks 52. The air conditioning system 10 also includes a redox flow battery 12 that serves as an emergency power source for supplying power to the heat source unit 42, the air conditioner 60, and the ICT equipment 54 in the event of an emergency such as a power outage.

[0023] The air conditioning system 10 also includes a cooling unit 28 that cools the electrolyte in the redox flow battery 12, and a heat exchanger 36 that is used in emergencies such as power outages.

[0024] [Server Room 50] 2, the server room 50 houses multiple server racks 52, and each server rack 52 is provided with multiple pieces of ICT equipment 54. Furthermore, the server room 50 has a double floor, and below the floor surface 50a on which the server racks 52 are placed, a circulation space 50b through which gas can circulate is formed. The server racks 52 are an example of a space to be cooled.

[0025] [60 air conditioners, 42 heat source machines] 2, the air conditioner 60 is disposed in the server room 50. The air conditioner 60 includes a heat exchanger 62 that cools the air by heat exchange, and a blower fan 64 that sends the cooled air to the server racks 52 through the circulation space 50b.

[0026] The heat source unit 42 is configured to cool the cooling water, and the cooling water cooled by the heat source unit 42 is configured to circulate between the heat source unit 42 and the heat exchanger 62.

[0027] Specifically, there is provided a pipe W01 through which cooling water flows from the heat source unit 42 to the heat exchanger 62, and a pipe W02 through which cooling water flows from the heat exchanger 62 to the heat source unit 42. The pipe W01 is further divided into a pipe W01a connected to the heat source unit 42 and a pipe W01b connected to the heat exchanger 62, and a three-way valve 24 is provided between the pipe W01a and the pipe W01b. Furthermore, a pump P01 is disposed midway along the flow path of the pipe W01a.

[0028] In addition, the piping W02 is divided into a piping W02a connected to the heat source unit 42 and a piping W02b connected to the heat exchanger 62, and a three-way valve 26 is provided between the piping W02a and the piping W02b.

[0029] In this configuration, during normal operation, other than during an emergency such as a power outage, the heat source machine 42 operates using power from a commercial power source. The heat source machine 42 then cools the cooling water used to cool the server rack 52. This cooling water is supplied to the heat exchanger 62 of the air conditioner 60 through the piping W01 by the operating pump P01.

[0030] The heat exchanger 62 exchanges heat between the heat recovered from the server room 50 and the cooling water that flows through the pipe W01 and is supplied to the heat exchanger 62. The cooling water that has undergone heat exchange is returned to the heat source machine 42 through the pipe W02 by the operating pump P01, and is cooled again by the heat source machine 42.

[0031] Meanwhile, the blower fan 64 sends the cool air generated by the heat exchange in the heat exchanger 62 through the circulation space 50b to the server rack 52. In this way, the inside of the server rack 52 is cooled.

[0032] [Redox flow battery 12] The redox flow battery 12 (hereinafter referred to as "RF battery") is one type of electrolyte circulation type storage battery, and as shown in FIG. 3, it comprises a cell 14 that performs charging and discharging, a positive electrode circulation mechanism 16 that circulates a positive electrode electrolyte through the cell 14, and a negative electrode circulation mechanism 18 that circulates a negative electrode electrolyte through the cell 14.

[0033] In this embodiment, as an example of the RF battery 12, a vanadium-based RF battery using vanadium electrolyte containing V ions in the positive electrode electrolyte and the negative electrode electrolyte is used.

[0034] The cell 14 includes a positive electrode 14a, a negative electrode 14b, and a diaphragm 14c. The diaphragm 14c is disposed to separate the positive electrode 14a from the negative electrode 14b. Note that the solid arrows in the cell 14 indicate charging reactions, and the dashed arrows indicate discharging reactions.

[0035] The positive electrode circulation mechanism 16 includes a positive electrode tank 16a filled with a positive electrode electrolyte, a pipe W05 through which the positive electrode electrolyte flows from the positive electrode tank 16a to the cell 14, a pump P02 disposed midway through the flow path of the pipe W05, and a pipe W06 (see FIG. 1) through which the positive electrode electrolyte flows from the cell 14 to the positive electrode tank 16a.

[0036] The negative electrode circulation mechanism 18 includes a negative electrode tank 18a filled with a negative electrode electrolyte, a pipe W07 through which the negative electrode electrolyte flows from the negative electrode tank 18a to the cell 14, a pump P03 disposed midway through the flow path of the pipe W07, and a pipe W08 (see FIG. 1) through which the negative electrode electrolyte flows from the cell 14 to the negative electrode tank 18a.

[0037] In this configuration, the operating pump P02 causes the positive electrode electrolyte to circulate through the pipes W05 and W06, and the operating pump P03 causes the negative electrode electrolyte to circulate through the pipes W07 and W08, thereby charging or discharging the RF battery 12.

[0038] [Cooling section 28] As shown in FIG. 1, the cooling unit 28 includes a heat source unit 28a, a heat exchanger 28b, a pipe W10, a pipe W11, and a pipe W12.

[0039] The heat source unit 28a has a function of cooling the cooling water, and the pipe W10 is arranged so that the cooling water cooled by the heat source unit 28a circulates between the heat source unit 28a and the heat exchanger 28b. Specifically, a pump P05 is arranged midway through the flow path of the pipe W10, and the cooling water cooled by the heat source unit 28a flows through the pipe W10 and circulates between the heat source unit 28a and the heat exchanger 28b by the operating pump P05.

[0040] The pipes W11 and W12 are connected to the heat exchanger 28b and communicate with each other inside the heat exchanger 28b.

[0041] The pipe W11 is made up of a pipe W11a connected to the heat exchanger 28b, a pipe W11b branching from the pipe W11a and connected to the positive electrode tank 16a, and a pipe W11c branching from the pipe W11a and connected to the negative electrode tank 18a. A pump P06 is disposed midway along the flow path of the pipe W11a, and a three-way valve 32 is provided at the branch point of the pipe W11.

[0042] The pipe W12 is made up of a pipe W12a connected to the heat exchanger 28b, a pipe W12b branching from the pipe W12a and connected to the positive electrode tank 16a, and a pipe W12c branching from the pipe W12a and connected to the negative electrode tank 18a. A three-way valve 34 is provided at the branching point of the pipe W12.

[0043] In this configuration, three-way valve 32 connects pipes W11a and W11b, and three-way valve 34 connects pipes W12a and W12b. Pump P06 in operation causes the positive electrode electrolyte to flow through pipes W11a, W11b, W12b, and W12a, circulating between heat exchanger 28b and positive electrode tank 16a. Pump P05 in operation also causes cooling water cooled by heat source unit 28a to flow through pipe W10 and circulate between heat source unit 28a and heat exchanger 28b. Heat exchange thereby occurs in heat exchanger 28b, and the positive electrode electrolyte in positive electrode tank 16a is cooled.

[0044] Meanwhile, the three-way valve 32 connects the pipes W11a and W11c, and the three-way valve 34 connects the pipes W12a and W12c. The operating pump P06 causes the negative electrode electrolyte to flow through the pipes W11a, W11c, W12c, and W12a, and circulate between the heat exchanger 28b and the negative electrode tank 18a. The operating pump P05 also causes the cooling water cooled by the heat source unit 28a to flow through the pipe W10 and circulate between the heat source unit 28a and the heat exchanger 28b. This causes heat exchange in the heat exchanger 28b, and the negative electrode electrolyte in the negative electrode tank 18a is cooled.

[0045] [Heat exchanger 36] The heat exchanger 36 has a function of cooling the cooling water flowing through the pipes W01 and W02 by using the cooled electrolyte.

[0046] Specifically, a pipe W20 is provided, one end of which is connected to the three-way valve 24 and the other end of which is connected to the three-way valve 26. A pump P08 is disposed midway along the flow path of this pipe W20, and a portion of the pipe W20 passes through the inside of the heat exchanger 36. Furthermore, a portion of the pipe W06 and a portion of the pipe W08 pass through the inside of the heat exchanger 36.

[0047] In this configuration, the pipes W20 and W01b are connected by the three-way valve 24, and the pipes W20 and W02b are connected by the three-way valve 26. Then, by the operating pump P08, the cooling water flows through the pipes W20, W01b, and W02b and circulates between the heat exchanger 62 and the heat exchanger 36.

[0048] Additionally, the operating pump P02 causes the positive electrode electrolyte to flow through the pipes W05 and W06 and circulate between the positive electrode tank 16a and the heat exchanger 36. Additionally, the operating pump P03 causes the negative electrode electrolyte to flow through the pipes W07 and W08 and circulate between the negative electrode tank 18a and the heat exchanger 36.

[0049] As a result, the heat exchanger 36 performs heat exchange between the electrolytic solution cooled by the cooling unit 28 and the cooling water flowing through the pipes W01b, W02b, and W20.

[0050] 〔others〕 The air conditioning system 10 includes an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) 90 (see FIG. 7), and a control unit 80 (see FIG. 1) that controls each unit. The configuration of the control unit 80 will be described below together with its operation.

[0051] (action) [Normal time] First, a description will be given of normal times when no emergency situation occurs. During normal times, the control unit 80 controls each part, causing each part to operate as follows.

[0052] - Operation of RF Battery 12 - As shown in Fig. 4, the pump P02 and the pump P03 are operated by the supply of power from the commercial power supply 100. As a result, as shown in Fig. 5, the positive electrode electrolyte is circulated by the pump P02, and the negative electrode electrolyte is circulated by the pump P03, thereby charging or discharging the RF battery 12.

[0053] Furthermore, when power is supplied from commercial power source 100, three-way valve 34 connects pipes W12a and W12b, and three-way valve 32 connects pipes W11a and W11b. When power is supplied from commercial power source 100, heat source unit 28a, heat exchanger 28b, pump P05, and pump P06 operate, as shown in FIG.

[0054] As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the pump P06 causes the positive electrode electrolyte to flow through the pipes W11a, 11b, 12b, and 12a and circulate between the heat exchanger 28b and the positive electrode tank 16a.

[0055] Furthermore, pump P05 causes the cooling water cooled by heat source unit 28a to flow through pipe W10 and circulate between heat source unit 28a and heat exchanger 28b, thereby performing heat exchange in heat exchanger 28b and cooling the positive electrode electrolyte in positive electrode tank 16a.

[0056] Furthermore, when the positive electrode electrolyte is cooled to a predetermined temperature, the supply of power from commercial power source 100 causes three-way valve 34 to connect pipes W12a and W12c, and three-way valve 32 to connect pipes W11a and W11c.

[0057] 6, the pump P06 causes the negative electrode electrolyte to flow through the pipes W11a, 11c, 12c, and 12a and circulate between the heat exchanger 28b and the negative electrode tank 18a. As a result, heat exchange occurs in the heat exchanger 28b, and the negative electrode electrolyte in the negative electrode tank 18a is cooled.

[0058] In this way, by switching the three-way valve 32 and the three-way valve 34, the positive electrode electrolyte in the positive electrode tank 16a and the negative electrode electrolyte in the negative electrode tank 18a are cooled to the same temperature.

[0059] -Cooling of ICT equipment 54- When power is supplied from the commercial power source 100, the three-way valve 24 connects the pipes W01a and W01b, and the three-way valve 26 connects the pipes W02a and W02b.

[0060] Furthermore, the supply of power from the commercial power supply 100 operates the heat source unit 42, the pump P01, and the air conditioner 60, as shown in FIG.

[0061] 5 and 6, the cooling water cooled by the heat source unit 42 is caused by the pump P01 to flow through the pipes W01 and W02 and circulate between the heat source unit 42 and the heat exchanger 62 of the air conditioner 60. Specifically, the cooling water flows through the pipe W01 to be supplied from the heat source unit 42 to the heat exchanger 62, and flows through the pipe W02 to be returned from the heat exchanger 62 to the heat source unit 42.

[0062] The heat exchanger 62 then exchanges heat between the heat recovered from the server room 50 and the cooling water that flows through the pipe W01 and is supplied to the heat exchanger 62. Furthermore, the blower fan 64 sends the cool air generated by the heat exchange in the heat exchanger 62 through the circulation space 50b to the server rack 52. In this way, the ICT equipment 54 in the server rack 52 is cooled.

[0063] [During a power outage (before power can be supplied from RF battery 12)] Next, we will explain the situation when a power outage occurs, which is an example of an emergency, and the supply of power from the commercial power source 100 to each component becomes impossible, but before the RF battery 12 can start supplying power to each component. There is a time lag between when the supply of power from the commercial power source 100 stops and when the RF battery 12 can start supplying emergency power.

[0064] Therefore, before power can be supplied from the RF12 battery to each part during a power outage, the control unit 80 controls each part, causing each part to operate as follows.

[0065] - Operation of RF Battery 12 - The supply of power from the emergency battery 90 operates the pump P02 and the pump P03 as shown in Fig. 7. As a result, as shown in Fig. 8, the positive electrode electrolyte is circulated by the pump P02 and the negative electrode electrolyte is circulated by the pump P03, and the RF battery 12 starts discharging.

[0066] -Cooling of ICT equipment 54- When power is supplied from the emergency battery 90, the three-way valve 24 connects the pipe W01b to the pipe W20, and the three-way valve 26 connects the pipe W02b to the pipe W20.

[0067] Furthermore, the air conditioner 60, the heat exchanger 36, and the pump P08 operate as shown in Fig. 7 due to the supply of power from the emergency battery 90. The pump P08 causes the cooling water inside the pipes W01b, W02b, and W20 to flow through the pipes W01b, W02b, and W20 and circulate between the heat exchanger 62 of the air conditioner 60 and the heat exchanger 36 as shown in Fig. 8.

[0068] Meanwhile, the operating pump P02 causes the positive electrode electrolyte to flow through the pipes W05 and W06 and circulate between the positive electrode tank 16a and the heat exchanger 36. Furthermore, the operating pump P03 causes the negative electrode electrolyte to flow through the pipes W07 and W08 and circulate between the negative electrode tank 18a and the heat exchanger 36.

[0069] As a result, the heat exchanger 36 performs heat exchange between the electrolytic solution cooled by the cooling unit 28 under normal conditions and the cooling water flowing through the pipes W01b, W02b, and W20, thereby cooling the cooling water flowing through the pipes W01b, W02b, and W20.

[0070] Furthermore, heat exchanger 62 exchanges heat between the heat recovered from server room 50 and the cooling water that flows through pipe W01b and is supplied to heat exchanger 62. Furthermore, blower fan 64 sends the cool air generated by the heat exchange in heat exchanger 62 through circulation space 50b to server rack 52. In this way, ICT equipment 54 in server rack 52 is cooled.

[0071] [During a power outage (after power supply from RF battery 12 becomes possible)] Next, a description will be given of what happens after a power outage occurs, making it impossible to supply power to each part from the commercial power supply 100, and after it becomes possible to supply power to each part from the RF12 battery. After it becomes possible to supply power to each part from the RF12 battery during a power outage, each part operates as follows under the control of the control unit 80.

[0072] - Operation of RF Battery 12 - 9, the pump P02 and the pump P03 are operated by the supply of power from the emergency battery 90. As a result, the positive electrode electrolyte is circulated by the pump P02, and the negative electrode electrolyte is circulated by the pump P03, so that the RF battery 12 continues to discharge, and power can be supplied from the RF battery 12.

[0073] -Cooling of ICT equipment 54- When power is supplied from the RF battery 12, the three-way valve 24 connects the pipes W01a and W01b, and the three-way valve 26 connects the pipes W02a and W02b.

[0074] Furthermore, the supply of power from the RF battery 12 operates the heat source unit 42, the pump P01, and the air conditioner 60, as shown in FIG.

[0075] 10, the cooling water cooled by the heat source unit 42 is caused by the pump P01 to flow through the pipes W01 and W02 and circulate between the heat source unit 42 and the heat exchanger 62 of the air conditioner 60. Specifically, the cooling water flows through the pipe W01 to be supplied from the heat source unit 42 to the heat exchanger 62, and flows through the pipe W02 to be returned from the heat exchanger 62 to the heat source unit 42.

[0076] The heat exchanger 62 then exchanges heat between the heat recovered from the server room 50 and the cooling water that flows through the pipe W01 and is supplied to the heat exchanger 62. Furthermore, the blower fan 64 sends the cool air generated by the heat exchange in the heat exchanger 62 through the circulation space 50b to the server rack 52. In this way, the ICT equipment 54 in the server rack 52 is cooled.

[0077] (summary) As described above, the air conditioning system 10 can cool the server rack 52 without using cooling water from the cooling water tank for the water-cooled engine or the cooling water tank for use in emergencies until power can be supplied by the RF battery 12 in an emergency.

[0078] Furthermore, by using the RF battery 12 as an emergency power source, the time from when an emergency occurs until the emergency power source can supply power can be shortened compared to when a water-cooled engine generator is used as an emergency power source.

[0079] Second Embodiment An example of an air conditioning system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 11 to 14. Note that, with regard to the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 12, an air conditioning system 110 according to the second embodiment includes a detection unit 112 that detects the temperature of the cooling water flowing through pipes W01 and W02, a detection unit 114 that detects the temperature of the positive electrode electrolyte, and a detection unit 116 that detects the temperature of the negative electrode electrolyte.

[0081] Specifically, the detection unit 112 is disposed midway through the flow path of the pipe W02, the detection unit 114 is disposed inside the positive electrode tank 16a, and the detection unit 116 is disposed inside the negative electrode tank 18a. The detection unit 112 is an example of one detection unit, and the detection units 114 and 116 are examples of other detection units.

[0082] (action) [During a power outage (before power can be supplied from RF battery 12)] Next, a description will be given of a situation where a power outage occurs, which is an example of an emergency, making it impossible to supply power to each part from commercial power supply 100, and before power can be supplied to each part from the RF12 battery. Before power can be supplied to each part from the RF12 battery during a power outage, control unit 180 controls each part based on the detection results of detection units 112, 114, and 116, and each part operates as follows.

[0083] - Operation of RF Battery 12 - The supply of power from the emergency battery 90 operates the pump P02 and the pump P03 as shown in Fig. 11. As a result, as shown in Fig. 12, the positive electrode electrolyte is circulated by the pump P02 and the negative electrode electrolyte is circulated by the pump P03, and discharge begins in the RF battery 12.

[0084] -Cooling of ICT equipment 54- The detection result by detection unit 112 is T1, the detection result by detection unit 114 is T2, and the detection result by detection unit 116 is T3. If T1≦T2, T3 is satisfied, control unit 180 receives the detection result and operates each unit as follows. Note that each electrolyte is cooled by cooling unit 28 so that T2 and T3 are the same temperature.

[0085] When power is supplied from the emergency battery 90, the three-way valve 24 connects the pipes W01a and W01b, and the three-way valve 26 connects the pipes W02a and W02b.

[0086] 11, the pump P01 and the air conditioner 60 are operated by the supply of power from the emergency battery 90. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12, the cooling water in the pipes W01 and W02 is caused to flow through the pipes W01 and W02 by the pump P01 and circulate between the heat source unit 42 and the air conditioner 60. Note that, because the heat source unit 42 is not operating, the cooling water flowing through the pipes W01 and W02 is not cooled by the heat source unit 42.

[0087] The heat exchanger 62 then exchanges heat between the heat recovered from the server room 50 and the cooling water that flows through the pipe W01 and is supplied to the heat exchanger 62. Furthermore, the blower fan 64 sends the cool air generated by the heat exchange in the heat exchanger 62 to the server rack 52 through the circulation space 50b. In this way, the ICT equipment 54 in the server rack 52 is cooled by the cooling water cooled by the heat source unit 42 during normal operation.

[0088] On the other hand, if T1>T2, T3 is satisfied, the control unit 180 receives this detection result and operates each unit as follows.

[0089] When power is supplied from the emergency battery 90, the three-way valve 24 connects the pipe W01b to the pipe W20, and the three-way valve 26 connects the pipe W02b to the pipe W20.

[0090] Furthermore, the air conditioner 60, the heat exchanger 36, and the pump P08 operate as shown in Fig. 13 due to the supply of power from the emergency battery 90. The pump P08 causes the cooling water inside the pipes W01b, W02b, and W20 to flow through the pipes W01b, W02b, and W20 and circulate between the heat exchanger 62 of the air conditioner 60 and the heat exchanger 36 as shown in Fig. 14.

[0091] Meanwhile, the operating pump P02 causes the positive electrode electrolyte to flow through the pipes W05 and W06 and circulate between the positive electrode tank 16a and the heat exchanger 36. Furthermore, the operating pump P03 causes the negative electrode electrolyte to flow through the pipes W07 and W08 and circulate between the negative electrode tank 18a and the heat exchanger 36.

[0092] As a result, the heat exchanger 36 performs heat exchange between the electrolytic solution cooled by the cooling unit 28 under normal conditions and the cooling water flowing through the pipes W01b, W02b, and W20, thereby cooling the cooling water flowing through the pipes W01b, W02b, and W20.

[0093] Furthermore, heat exchanger 62 exchanges heat between the heat recovered from server room 50 and the cooling water that flows through pipe W01b and is supplied to heat exchanger 62. Furthermore, blower fan 64 sends the cool air generated by the heat exchange in heat exchanger 62 through circulation space 50b to server rack 52. In this way, ICT equipment 54 in server rack 52 is cooled.

[0094] While the present disclosure has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to such embodiments and that various other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. Although not specifically described in the above embodiments, an engine generator may also be used as an emergency power source in the event of an emergency.

[0095] Although not specifically described in the above embodiment, the RF battery partially replaces the capacity of the emergency battery and engine generator, which function only in the event of a disaster, thereby reducing the initial capacity of the emergency battery and engine generator.

[0096] Although not specifically described in the above embodiment, utilizing the RF battery during normal times improves the building's peak shaving and self-consumption rate of renewable energy. Furthermore, during peak shifting and peak shaving, the pumps P02 and P03 can be operated using power from the commercial power source to supply power to the building.

[0097] Furthermore, although not specifically described in the above embodiment, under normal circumstances, the cold energy stored in the positive electrode tank 16a and the negative electrode tank 18a can be supplied to the air conditioner 60 using the heat exchanger 36 to cool the ICT equipment 54 in the server rack 52.

[0098] Although not specifically described in the above embodiment, after the power outage is released, the control unit 80 controls each unit to return to normal operation. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 10. Air Conditioning System 12 Redox flow battery 16a Positive electrode tank (an example of an electrolyte tank) 18a Negative electrode tank (an example of an electrolyte tank) 28 Cooling section 36 Heat exchanger 42 Heat source machine 52 Server rack (an example of a space to be cooled) 100 Commercial power 110 Air Conditioning System 112 detection unit (an example of one detection unit) 114 Detection unit (an example of another detection unit) 116 Detection unit (an example of another detection unit)

Claims

1. a heat source machine that cools cooling water for cooling a space to be cooled; a redox flow battery having an electrolyte tank and supplying emergency power by circulating the electrolyte in the electrolyte tank; a cooling unit that cools the electrolyte in the electrolyte tank using power from a commercial power source; a heat exchanger that cools the cooling water using the electrolyte cooled by the cooling unit until power can be supplied from the redox flow battery to the heat source device in an emergency; and An air conditioning system equipped with:

2. a heat source machine that cools cooling water for cooling a space to be cooled; a redox flow battery having an electrolyte tank and supplying emergency power by circulating the electrolyte in the electrolyte tank; a cooling unit that cools the electrolyte in the electrolyte tank using power from a commercial power source; a heat exchanger that cools the cooling water using the electrolyte cooled by the cooling unit until power can be supplied from the redox flow battery to the heat source device in an emergency; and a detection unit that detects the temperature of the cooling water; Another detection unit that detects the temperature of the electrolyte; a heat exchanger that cools the cooling water using the electrolyte cooled by the cooling unit when the temperature of the electrolyte is lower than the temperature of the cooling water based on the detection results of the one detection unit and the other detection unit until the redox flow battery can supply power to the heat source device in an emergency; An air conditioning system equipped with:

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