Building Cooling Control Using Air-Side Water Pre-Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In data centers and similar buildings, hybrid air/liquid cooling systems often require the chiller system to cool liquid even when outside air is sufficiently cool, leading to unnecessary resource consumption and reduced chiller system lifespan due to prolonged operation.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a control system that allows intake air to cool the water flow of the liquid cooling system only when the air temperature meets a threshold, bypassing the chiller system and reducing power consumption by shutting it down, while also enabling reduced fan speeds and pump power usage in the ventilation and liquid cooling systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the chiller system operates continuously to cool liquid, then the cooling function is maintained, but power consumption increases and component lifespan decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between chiller cooling and free cooling modes based on ambient temperature conditions. When outdoor temperature is below a threshold, the system uses free cooling (bypassing the chiller); when above the threshold, it activates the chiller. This dynamic operation optimizes energy consumption while maintaining required cooling temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts the chiller from the mandatory cooling path by introducing a bypass line. This allows the liquid cooling system to operate independently of the chiller when outdoor conditions permit, separating the chiller operation from continuous cooling requirements and reducing unnecessary energy consumption.
2Temperature
If the chiller system operates continuously, then cooling capacity is maintained, but the lifespan of chiller components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The chiller operation is made dynamic rather than continuous. The control system monitors outdoor temperature and activates the chiller only when necessary (when temperature exceeds the threshold). This reduces cumulative operating hours and extends component lifespan while maintaining cooling capacity when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses free outdoor air as a natural cooling source when conditions permit, eliminating the need for chiller operation. This self-service approach using environmental resources reduces wear on chiller components and extends their operational life.
3Temperature
If the ventilation system operates at high fan speeds, then cooling efficiency is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Fan speeds are dynamically adjusted based on the cooling mode and temperature differential requirements. During free cooling mode or when temperature differences are favorable, fans operate at reduced speeds. The control system optimizes fan speed to maintain adequate airflow and cooling efficiency while minimizing energy consumption.
4Temperature
If the liquid cooling system operates at high pump power, then cooling performance is improved, but electricity consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Pump power is dynamically controlled based on system conditions and cooling mode. When operating in free cooling mode or when temperature differentials are favorable, pumps reduce their power consumption. The control system adjusts pump speed to maintain adequate liquid flow and cooling performance while minimizing electricity usage.
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 approach conserves power resources, reduces electricity consumption, and extends the lifespan of chiller system components by minimizing their operational hours, while maintaining effective cooling through optimized use of air and liquid temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
controlling the ventilation system to cause the air flow to cool the water flow of the liquid cooling system through the heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
A device may monitor an intake temperature of an air flow through an air intake of a building that includes a ventilation system for temperature control of a first region of the building, a liquid cooling system for temperature control of equipment that is within a second region of the building, and a heat exchanger that is thermally coupled to the ventilation system and the liquid cooling system. The device may determine that the intake temperature is below a threshold temperature. The device may control the ventilation system to cause the air flow to cool a water flow of the liquid cooling system via the heat exchanger to produce a cooled water flow. The device may control the liquid cooling system to cause the cooled water flow of the liquid cooling system to bypass a chiller system of the liquid cooling system to reduce power consumption by the chiller system.