Blended-Mode Evaporative Cooling for Data Center Liquid Heat Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data center cooling systems face inefficiencies due to limitations in cooling server capacities, leading to reduced processing power and increased energy consumption, as traditional air-cooling methods are not effective in managing high heat loads efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A conditioning system that combines an evaporative cooler with a downstream recovery coil, operating in blended mode to optimize water usage and energy efficiency by varying the distribution of cooling fluids and evaporation rates, allowing for efficient liquid cooling and reducing the need for air-cooling systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional air-cooling systems are used to cool servers, then the cooling system can operate with simple structure, but the cooling efficiency is insufficient and servers cannot reach maximum processing capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from air-cooling to liquid-cooling systems, using water or other liquids as the cooling medium. The liquid cooling system circulates through channels in contact with server components, efficiently absorbing heat and transporting it to external heat exchangers, thereby enabling higher server processing density and reduced energy consumption per unit of computing power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal properties of the cooling system by switching from gas-phase cooling (air) to liquid-phase cooling. This parameter change enables more effective heat removal due to the higher specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity of liquids, allowing servers to operate at higher temperatures and densities while maintaining optimal processing capacity.
2Productivity
If liquid cooling systems are implemented to maximize server capacity, then cooling efficiency improves significantly, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates liquid cooling channels directly within server racks and data center infrastructure, nesting the cooling system within the existing structural framework. This approach allows cooling pipes and heat exchangers to be embedded in rack units, eliminating the need for separate, bulky cooling equipment and reducing overall system complexity despite the advanced cooling technology.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid cooling system is designed to serve multiple functions: cooling servers, pre-cooling intake air for air-conditioning systems, and enabling heat recovery for building heating or water heating applications. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and simplifies the overall infrastructure by consolidating thermal management tasks.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If full liquid cooling is deployed to eliminate air-cooling systems, then cooling costs are reduced by up to 90%, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements heat recovery systems that capture waste heat from liquid-cooled servers and convert it into useful thermal energy for building heating, domestic hot water, or industrial processes. This recovery approach reduces the need for additional cooling capacity and minimizes water consumption by reusing the thermal energy that would otherwise be discarded.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid cooling system is designed to pre-cool intake air for air-conditioning systems using the cold return water from servers, creating a self-service cooling arrangement. This reduces the load on primary cooling systems and decreases overall water consumption by utilizing the thermal properties of the circulating coolant for secondary cooling functions.
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 significantly reduces data center cooling energy consumption, operating costs, and increases server processing density, achieving up to 90% savings in cooling costs and 50% in operating costs, while maintaining optimal water usage efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The evaporative cooler can condition the outdoor air such that the conditioned air can pass through the recovery coil and cool water circulating through the recovery coil
Implementation Method 2
the conditioned air can pass through the recovery coil and cool water circulating through the recovery coil
Data Source
AI summary
Conditioning systems and methods for providing cooling to a heat load can include an evaporative cooler arranged in a scavenger plenum with a recovery coil downstream of the evaporative cooler. The conditioning systems can operate in various modes, including an adiabatic mode and an evaporative mode, depending on outdoor air conditions. The systems can operate in a blended mode between the adiabatic mode and the evaporative mode by varying the distribution of return water from the recovery coil into at least partially isolated sections of a storage tank, and selectively directing cold water from the evaporative cooler into the tank. The mix of warm and cold water exiting the tank can be varied to maintain the cold-water supply at or near a set point temperature for the heat load. In an example, the systems can include a pre-cooler in the plenum upstream of the evaporative cooler for pre-conditioning the scavenger air.