Computing heat transfer for useful applications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Crypto-currency mining generates significant waste heat due to high computational demands, which is not effectively utilized despite being a valuable resource.
Innovation Solution
A computing waste heat energy collection system that captures heat from computing components using air intake, fans, heat exchangers, and a controller to circulate working fluids for repurposing in applications like building heating, potable water, and agricultural uses, incorporating evaporative cooling and a mobile unit design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If proof-of-work algorithms are used for crypto-currency mining, then crypto currency can be mined and profits generated, but significant waste heat is generated that is not effectively utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful waste heat generated by crypto-currency mining into a useful resource by integrating heat exchangers that capture this thermal energy and transfer it to working fluids for heating applications, thereby transforming an energy loss into a beneficial by-product that reduces overall energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers waste heat that would otherwise be discarded by implementing a heat recovery mechanism where heat exchangers capture thermal energy from mining equipment and transfer it through working fluids to provide heating for buildings or water, thus recovering and reutilizing the wasted energy
2Productivity
If more computing power is deployed to increase mining profitability, then more crypto currency can be mined, but more waste heat is generated requiring increased cooling capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the temperature increase and waste heat that result from deploying more computing power into a useful resource by capturing this thermal energy through heat exchangers and utilizing it for heating applications, thereby converting the thermal burden into a benefit that offsets energy consumption
3Loss of energy
If waste heat is captured and transferred using heat exchangers and working fluids, then heat recovery efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces working fluids as intermediary substances that facilitate heat transfer from the mining equipment to the heating application. These fluids circulate through heat exchangers, absorbing waste heat and transporting it to where it is needed, thereby enabling efficient heat recovery while maintaining a modular and manageable system architecture
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
The system efficiently recovers and repurposes waste heat, reducing cooling costs for mining operations and providing a valuable resource for heating and agricultural applications, while allowing for denser computing component arrangements and flexible deployment.
Implementation Method 1
The movement of the air across the computing components cools the computing components by heat transfer from the computing components to the air
Implementation Method 2
A second heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat collected by the first heat exchanger and deliver the heat for useful applications
Implementation Method 3
The sprayer is configured to spray the first working fluid on the vegetative mass, wherein the first working fluid is water. The vegetative mass operates to cool the air prior to collection at the intake via evaporative cooling
Data Source
AI summary
A system for collecting waste heat from computing components and delivering the collected heat for useful applications is provided. At least a first heat exchanger is provided to collect the waste heat generated by the computing components. A further heat exchanger is provided to transfer the heat collected by the first heat exchanger and deliver it for useful applications. The useful applications can include providing heat to a building (e.g., residential, commercial, agricultural building). A controller is provided to operation of the components of the heat exchangers (e.g., fans, pumps, valves) to ensure that the computing components are maintained at a suitable temperature.