Data Center Backup Cooling With Ambient Air and Louver Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data centers face challenges in maintaining cooling during power failures or cooling system failures, as existing backup systems do not provide energy for cooling systems, and backup battery units (BBUs) require cooling, necessitating a cost-effective solution for short-term emergency cooling without dedicated backup energy.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a design that introduces external ambient air for data center cooling in emergency configurations, using intake and exhaust louvers to direct outside air for cooling IT equipment directly, and switches the cooling fluid loop from open to closed modes, utilizing backup energy for fluid recirculation and temperature-controlled switching between normal and emergency cooling modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If backup battery units (BBUs) are used to provide power to IT equipment during power failure, then power backup for IT equipment is achieved, but no backup energy is available for the cooling system
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system uses its own thermal energy storage capacity (ice storage) to provide cooling during power failures, rather than requiring separate backup energy sources. The ice storage units act as self-contained energy reservoirs that automatically discharge cooling capacity when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Ice storage units are pre-charged during normal operation when power is available, storing thermal energy in advance. This preliminary action ensures cooling capacity is ready for immediate use during power failures without requiring backup power for the cooling system.
2Reliability
If dedicated backup power is provided for the cooling system, then cooling reliability during power failure is improved, but infrastructure cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ice storage system serves multiple functions: it provides cooling during normal operation as part of the regular HVAC system, and simultaneously serves as a backup cooling source during power failures. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated backup cooling infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers and stores thermal energy in the form of ice during periods of low demand or excess power availability, then discards the need for active cooling equipment during power failures by utilizing the stored ice for evaporative cooling.
3Loss of energy
If free cooling systems are used to bring outside air into the data center, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the system cannot operate during power failure
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanically-driven free cooling (requiring powered fans and blowers) with a passive evaporative cooling mechanism using ice storage units. Water evaporation from the ice units provides cooling without requiring electrical power for air movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes hydraulic principles by circulating water through evaporative pads and utilizing water evaporation for cooling. This hydraulic approach provides passive cooling during power failures without requiring electrical power for pneumatic devices.
4Temperature
If active cooling systems are used to cool high performance servers, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the phase transition of water from liquid to solid (freezing) during charging to store thermal energy, and from solid to liquid (melting/evaporation) during discharge to provide cooling. This phase change mechanism provides efficient cooling with minimal ongoing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter of the cooling medium by storing it as frozen ice at sub-zero temperatures during charging, then allowing it to warm and evaporate during discharge, providing cooling through controlled parameter changes rather than continuous active cooling.
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 solution allows for short-term cooling without power to the active cooling system, limiting potential corrosion and sustaining data center operations until primary power is restored, reducing infrastructure costs and ensuring minimal damage from overheating.
Implementation Method 1
circulate a coolant to transfer and remove heat from inside the data center
Implementation Method 2
The coolant is either a two phase, e.g., using a refrigeration cycle
Implementation Method 3
evaporative cooling units positioned inside the data center that introduce exterior ambient air into the data center and that cool the interior air via evaporation
Data Source
AI summary
Cooling arrangement of data center configured for backup operation, the arrangement including an active cooling system having: fluid cooling systems. The arrangement further including an intake louvers assuming a closed position separating interior space of the data center from the exterior environment during normal mode of operation and an open position enabling free flow of outside air into the interior space during backup operation; exhaust louvers assuming a closed position separating interior space of the data center from the exterior environment and an open position enabling free flow of interior air out to the exterior environment; and controller configured to direct the intake louvers and exhaust louvers to assume the open position when electrical power supply to the active cooling system has been interrupted. The arrangement further includes a fluid system which functions as an open loop in the normal mode and a closed loop in the backup mode.