Chilled water cooling system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional chilled water cooling systems are inefficient in conserving energy, especially as the acceptable air temperature for IT servers increases, as they primarily rely on air-cooled chilled water main machines which may not be sufficient for higher water temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A chilled water cooling system that incorporates a natural cooling circuit with a cooling tower and a mechanical cooling circuit connected in parallel, allowing for efficient energy conservation by utilizing a natural cooler as the primary source and an air-cooled or water-cooled mechanical cooling circuit as an auxiliary source, depending on climatic conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the supplied and returned water temperatures are set to 10°C and 15°C respectively, then the cooling effect is sufficient for servers, but the time for utilizing natural cooling technology becomes relatively short
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the water temperature parameters from conventional 10°C/15°C to 18°C/25°C, extending the temperature range to maximize natural cooling utilization time while still meeting server cooling requirements according to ASHRAE guidelines
2Reliability
If an air-cooled chilled water main machine is used as the primary cooling source, then mechanical cooling can be provided, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic switching mechanism between natural cooling and mechanical cooling modes based on outdoor temperature conditions, allowing the system to automatically transition between cooling sources to minimize energy consumption while ensuring adequate cooling performance
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes free natural cooling resources from the environment during suitable conditions, making the cooling system self-sufficient without requiring mechanical intervention, thereby reducing energy consumption
3Use of energy by moving object
If the acceptable air temperature for servers is increased to 18-27°C, then energy consumption can be reduced, but conventional chilled water systems with low water temperatures may not be sufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the chilled water temperature parameters to match the higher acceptable server air temperature range, changing from 10°C/15°C to 18°C/25°C, thereby improving system adaptability to modern server thermal requirements while enabling energy-saving high-temperature operation
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 configuration reduces energy consumption and enhances cooling efficiency by utilizing natural cooling methods when possible and switching to mechanical cooling only when necessary, thereby optimizing energy usage and cooling performance.
Implementation Method 1
a natural cooler (10), a chilled water main pump (1P1), and at least one first pipeline (125, 126) connected in series
Implementation Method 2
natural cooling technology
Implementation Method 3
a terminal heat exchanger connected in series... The terminal heat exchanger is disposed at a location in need of cooling
Data Source
AI summary
A chilled water cooling system includes a natural cooling circuit and a mechanical cooling circuit. The natural cooling circuit includes a natural cooler, a chilled water main pump, at least one first pipeline, and a terminal heat exchanger connected in series. The terminal heat exchanger is disposed at a location in need of cooling. The mechanical cooling circuit includes a chilled water main machine, a chilled water auxiliary pump, and at least one second pipeline connected in series. The mechanical cooling circuit is connected in parallel with the natural cooling circuit through a controllable connecting device.