Air conditioning system with a liquid to air membrane energy exchanger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data center air conditioning systems consume excessive energy due to inefficient cooling, limiting server capacity and increasing operational costs, while liquid cooling technologies offer potential but face challenges with coolant costs and water quality issues.
Innovation Solution
A Liquid-to-Air Membrane Energy Exchanger (LAMEE) system is used as an evaporative cooler to reduce water temperature, which is then used for liquid cooling, reducing energy consumption and costs by up to 95% compared to conventional air cooling methods, and minimizing water usage and coolant expenses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If liquid cooling technologies are used to reject heat at the server, then server processing density increases and cooling energy efficiency improves, but coolant costs and water quality maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the cooling fluid by using phase change materials that transition between solid and liquid phases. This allows the system to achieve liquid cooling effectiveness while using inexpensive, readily available materials like salt solutions rather than expensive specialized coolants, thereby reducing coolant costs and water quality maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inexpensive phase change materials such as salt solutions that can be easily replaced or replenished. These materials are far cheaper than traditional specialized coolants, and their temporary or disposable nature eliminates the need for complex water quality treatment and maintenance, directly addressing the cost issue while maintaining high server processing density
2Device complexity
If conventional air cooling systems are used in data centers, then system simplicity is maintained, but energy consumption increases and server capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of cooling fluids (transitioning between solid, liquid, and gas phases) to achieve efficient heat rejection. This phase change mechanism provides superior cooling effectiveness compared to conventional air cooling, enabling higher server capacity while maintaining relatively simple system architecture, thus reducing energy consumption without significantly increasing device complexity
3Temperature
If cooling towers are used to reject heat from coolant, then heat rejection is achieved, but mineral accumulation and corrosion problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional cooling tower systems with disposable or easily replenishable phase change materials. These materials are introduced in solid form, undergo phase changes to reject heat, and are then replaced without requiring complex circulation systems. This eliminates the mineral accumulation and corrosion problems associated with cooling towers while maintaining effective heat rejection capability, thereby improving system reliability
4Temperature
If water is used for evaporative cooling, then cooling effectiveness improves, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the composition and properties of the evaporative cooling fluid by using concentrated salt solutions instead of pure water. These salt solutions have different evaporation characteristics and can achieve effective cooling with significantly reduced water consumption. The parameter change in fluid composition allows the system to maintain cooling effectiveness while minimizing water loss, directly addressing the water consumption issue
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The LAMEE system significantly reduces data center cooling energy consumption and operating costs, enhances server processing density, and extends the life of cooling system components by eliminating the need for chemical treatments and reducing maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
A Liquid-to-Air Membrane Energy Exchanger (LAMEE) system is used as an evaporative cooler to reduce water temperature
Implementation Method 2
Liquid-to-Air Membrane Energy Exchanger (LAMEE) system is used as an evaporative cooler
Implementation Method 3
Liquid-to-Air Membrane Energy Exchanger (LAMEE)
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for controlling conditions in an enclosed space, such as a data center, or for providing cooling to a device, can include using a Liquid-to-Air Membrane Energy Exchanger (LAMEE) as an evaporative cooler. The LAMEE or exchanger can cool water to the outdoor air wet bulb temperature in a cooling system disposed outside of the enclosed space or device. The reduced-temperature water can be delivered to the enclosed space or device or can cool a coolant that is delivered to the enclosed space or device. The air in the enclosed space, or one or more components in the enclosed space, can be cooled by delivering the reduced-temperature water or coolant to the enclosed space, rather than moving the supply air from the enclosed space to the cooling system. In an example, the cooling system can include one or more cooling coils, upstream or downstream of the LAMEE.