Condenser Gas Estimation for Subambient Cooling Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Subambient cooling systems face inefficiencies due to the accumulation of non-condensable gases, which decrease heat removal capability and affect coolant levels in condensers, leading to reduced system performance and operational longevity.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for estimating non-condensable gas content in cooling systems by measuring liquid levels, temperature differentials, pressure differentials, and temperature gradients within the condenser, allowing for selective removal and improved monitoring and control of air leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If non-condensable gases are allowed to accumulate in the cooling system, then the system structure remains simple, but heat removal capability and system efficiency significantly decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system that continuously monitors condenser pressure and temperature to detect non-condensable gas accumulation. The system compares actual measurements with expected values and automatically activates the purge system when gas accumulation is detected, maintaining optimal heat removal capability without requiring complex manual intervention or continuous system shutdowns.
Solution Approach 2:
The purge system is designed to automatically detect and remove non-condensable gases without external intervention. The control system self-monitors system conditions, determines when purging is necessary, and executes the purging operation autonomously, allowing the system to maintain efficiency while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
2Productivity
If purging systems are implemented to remove non-condensable gases, then heat removal capability is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system serves multiple functions: it monitors condenser pressure, measures temperature differentials, detects non-condensable gas accumulation, determines purge timing, and controls the purge operation. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional control unit, the patent minimizes the increase in device complexity while maintaining effective heat removal capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the monitoring and purging functions into an integrated system. The same control unit that monitors system parameters also controls the purge operation, and the purge valve is integrated with the existing refrigerant circulation system. This merging approach reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall system structure.
3Productivity
If continuous monitoring of non-condensable gases is performed, then system efficiency is maintained, but loss of time for measurements and data processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous monitoring, the system performs periodic measurements of condenser pressure and temperature at predetermined intervals. The control system evaluates these periodic measurements to detect non-condensable gas accumulation and triggers purging operations only when necessary. This periodic approach maintains system efficiency while significantly reducing the time spent on measurements and data processing compared to continuous monitoring.
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
Enables longer, more efficient operation of cooling systems by accurately detecting and managing non-condensable gases, thereby maintaining optimal coolant levels and heat transfer efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
measure a liquid level of a condenser, a temperature differential between an evaporator and the condenser, a pressure differential between the evaporator and the condenser, a temperature gradient of the condenser, and/or a pressure gradient of the condenser
Implementation Method 2
measure a liquid level of a condenser, a temperature differential between an evaporator and the condenser, a pressure differential between the evaporator and the condenser, a temperature gradient of the condenser, and/or a pressure gradient of the condenser
Implementation Method 3
a variety of different types of cooling systems may be utilized to dissipate the thermal energy
Implementation Method 4
measure a temperature gradient of the condenser
Implementation Method 5
non-condensable gases such as external air (in-leakage air) may possibly leak into the cooling loop... non-condensable gases such as air accumulate within the system
Implementation Method 6
the presence of such non-condensable gases (i.e., in-leakage air) within the system may affect the coolant level within a condensing heat exchanger
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
In certain embodiments, estimating air in a cooling system includes measuring a property that can be used to estimate the air to yield a plurality of measurements. The measurements are performed for different heat loads and for different concentrations of non-condensable gas in the cooling system. The measurements are stored a data set.