Refrigeration Air Wall Apparatus for Data Center Humidity Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigeration air wall apparatuses in data centers cannot simultaneously meet temperature and humidity requirements, leading to the need for separate dehumidifiers and humidifiers, which complicates system architecture and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration air wall apparatus integrating a heat exchange unit, a dehumidification unit, and a fan unit, with the dehumidification unit positioned between the heat exchange and fan units, and a humidification unit positioned in front of the fan unit, allowing for simultaneous temperature regulation and humidity control, reducing the number of systems needed and simplifying architecture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate dehumidifiers and humidifiers are provided in data centers to meet humidity requirements, then humidity control is improved, but system complexity and initial investment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the dehumidification unit and humidification unit into the refrigeration air wall apparatus, merging multiple functions (cooling, dehumidification, and humidification) into a single integrated system. This eliminates the need for separate dehumidifiers and humidifiers, thereby simplifying system architecture while maintaining reliable humidity control.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigeration air wall apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions: cooling through the heat exchange unit, dehumidification through the dehumidification unit with condensation, and humidification through the humidification unit. This multi-functional design allows a single system to meet both temperature and humidity requirements, reducing system complexity.
2Reliability
If separate dehumidifiers and humidifiers are provided in data centers, then humidity requirements are met, but initial investment and construction costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the dehumidification and humidification units into the refrigeration air wall apparatus, the patent reduces the total number of equipment items needed in the data center. This integration lowers initial investment and construction costs while maintaining effective humidity control through the combined system.
3Temperature
If traditional refrigeration air wall apparatuses are used, then temperature requirements are met, but humidity control capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigeration air wall apparatus is enhanced with both dehumidification and humidification units, transforming it from a single-function cooling device into a multi-functional environmental control system. This allows the apparatus to simultaneously meet temperature requirements through the heat exchange unit and humidity requirements through the integrated humidity control units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines temperature control (heat exchange unit) and humidity control (dehumidification and humidification units) into a single integrated apparatus, enabling simultaneous meeting of both temperature and humidity requirements without needing separate systems.
4Reliability
If multiple separate systems are installed in data centers, then comprehensive environmental control is achieved, but space requirements and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges cooling, dehumidification, and humidification functions into a single refrigeration air wall apparatus, reducing the number of separate systems from three (cooling system, dehumidifier, humidifier) to one integrated system. This simplifies system architecture while maintaining comprehensive environmental control.
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
This integrated solution reduces the number of systems in data centers, simplifies architecture, lowers costs, and improves integration by enabling efficient dehumidification and humidification within the refrigeration air wall apparatus, reducing power consumption and space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
air sequentially exchanges heat through the heat exchange unit and the first gas-to-liquid heat exchanger to condense water vapor in the air
Implementation Method 2
air sequentially exchanges heat through the heat exchange unit and the first gas-to-liquid heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a refrigeration air wall apparatus and a data center. The refrigeration air wall apparatus at least includes a heat exchange unit, a dehumidification unit, and a fan unit. The dehumidification unit is positioned between the heat exchange unit and the fan unit along an air flow direction, and the dehumidification unit is positioned in front of the heat exchange unit. The dehumidification unit includes a first gas-to-liquid heat exchanger, a first liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger, and a first electric valve. The first gas-to-liquid heat exchanger is connected in series with an internal channel of the first liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger to form an internal circulation loop, and the first electric valve is connected in series with the internal circulation loop. An external channel of the first liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger is connected in series with a first external cold source device to form an external circulation loop.