Container Data Center Cooling Layout for Variable Heat Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container-type data centers may face insufficient cooling using air cooling methods, necessitating alternative methods like water cooling or immersion cooling depending on heat generation, which are not efficiently managed.
Innovation Solution
A container-type data center incorporating an immersion vessel for liquid cooling, an air cooling rack, and a water cooling rack with a vapor compression cooling device and cooling water type system, allowing flexible cooling methods based on heat generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If air cooling method is used, then device complexity is reduced, but cooling effectiveness deteriorates when heat generation is high
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system dynamically switches between air cooling and water cooling modes based on the heat generation level of electronic devices. The control unit monitors temperature or heat generation and automatically selects the appropriate cooling method, making the system adaptable rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The container-type data center is designed to support multiple cooling methods (air cooling and water cooling) within a single system. The cooling device can function in different modes depending on requirements, making the system universal and applicable to various heat generation scenarios.
2Reliability
If water cooling method is used, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the cooling method based on actual heat generation. Water cooling is activated only when necessary (high heat generation), reducing the average complexity and resource usage compared to always having water cooling systems running.
Solution Approach 2:
The water cooling system is integrated within the container-type data center structure, with the cooling device nested inside the container body. The immersion vessel and water cooling rack are compactly arranged within the container, optimizing space utilization.
3Reliability
If cooling capacity is increased, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically selects the appropriate cooling method based on heat generation levels. For low heat generation, simpler air cooling is used with lower power consumption. For high heat generation, water cooling is activated to provide sufficient cooling capacity while avoiding the continuous power consumption of running high-capacity cooling systems at full load.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (cooling method selection) based on heat generation conditions. By adjusting which cooling system is active rather than running all systems continuously, power consumption is optimized while maintaining adequate cooling effectiveness.
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 effectively adjusts cooling methods to match heat output, reducing power consumption and enhancing cooling efficiency by selectively using immersion, air, or water cooling, and includes a retractable roof for ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
an immersion vessel that is provided inside the container body and in which a cooling liquid for immersing and cooling an electronic device is stored
Implementation Method 2
a water cooling rack that is provided inside the container body and includes a water-cooled heat sink that is attached to a heat generating portion of the electronic device while being brought into contact with the heat generating portion
Implementation Method 3
an air cooling evaporator that evaporates the expanded refrigerant and cools air
Implementation Method 4
a condenser that condenses the evaporated refrigerant
Implementation Method 5
a cooling water type cooling device including a radiator that discharges sensible heat of cooling water to an outside of the container body to cool the cooling water
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Provided is a container-type data center capable of properly cooling an electronic apparatus to be cooled according to the amount of heat generated by the electronic apparatus. A container-type data center (1) comprises: a container body (2); a liquid immersion container (5) which is provided inside the container body (2), and in which is stored a cooling liquid into which an electronic apparatus is immersed and cooled; an air-cooling rack (6) that is provided inside the container body (2), and through which cooling air passes; and a water-cooling rack (7) that is provided inside the container body (2), and that is provided with a water-cooled heat sink installed in contact with a heat-generating part of the electronic apparatus.