Container Data Center Layout for Heat and Power Optimization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Container data centers face inefficiencies in heat management and power distribution, leading to suboptimal performance and increased power loss due to the conventional arrangement of server cabinets and power supply equipment, which affects the effectiveness of air handling units and power cable lengths.

Innovation Solution

The container data center design includes server cabinet groups at opposite ends with a power supply equipment group in the middle, featuring air handling units on the outside for heat dissipation and dehumidification, and a stop plate to isolate hot and cool air streams, optimizing heat distribution and reducing power cable lengths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If server cabinets are arranged at one end and power supply equipment at the other end, then installation is simplified, but heat management efficiency deteriorates and power loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidpower loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The container interior is segmented into distinct functional zones: server cabinet groups at opposite ends and power supply equipment group in the middle. This segmentation allows optimized cable routing where power cables connect servers to the central power group, reducing cable lengths and power loss while maintaining installation simplicity through modular zone-based layout

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The power supply equipment is positioned in the middle of the container interior, creating a central hub configuration. This spatial arrangement in the middle dimension allows power cables to radiate outward to server cabinets on both sides, reducing overall cable length and power loss compared to end-to-end arrangements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If server cabinets are arranged at one end and power supply equipment at the other end, then installation is simplified, but air handling unit effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidair handling unit effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The container is segmented into thermal zones with server cabinet groups at opposite ends generating heat and power supply equipment in the middle. Air handling units are positioned to serve these segmented zones efficiently, with return air ducts collecting hot air from server cabinets and directing it to cooling equipment, improving overall air handling effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The power supply equipment group in the middle serves as an intermediary zone that facilitates optimized air flow paths. Return air ducts can efficiently collect hot air from both server cabinet groups and transport it to air handling units, improving heat dissipation effectiveness without complicating the server-power spatial relationship

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If server cabinets are arranged at one end and power supply equipment at the other end, then installation is simplified, but heat distribution uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidheat distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The container interior is segmented into symmetric zones with server cabinet groups positioned at opposite ends and power supply equipment in the middle. This symmetric segmentation ensures uniform heat distribution patterns, with hot air rising from both end zones and being collected by return air ducts, creating balanced thermal management throughout the container

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

While the overall layout is symmetric, the specific arrangement within zones can be asymmetric to optimize local heat distribution. Server cabinets within each group and power equipment in the middle can be arranged to create uniform heat patterns, with return air ducts strategically positioned to capture hot air from all areas evenly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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 arrangement enhances the usage of air handling units, evenly distributes heat, reduces power loss, and prevents hot air backflow, resulting in improved operational efficiency and reduced power cable lengths.

Implementation Method 1

air handling units on the outside for heat dissipation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

air handling units on the outside for heat dissipation and dehumidification

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDehumidification:

Implementation Method 3

a stop plate to isolate hot and cool air streams, optimizing heat distribution and reducing power cable lengths

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical Separation:

Data Source

PatentEP3157316B1Container data center

Publication Date: 2021.07.14 CLOUD NETWORK TECH SINGAPORE PTE LTD

Figure 1
Figure 2

AI summary

A container data center includes a container, two server cabinet groups, and a power supply equipment group. The container includes an interior. The two server cabinet groups are respectively arranged at two opposite ends of the interior of the container. The power supply equipment group is arranged in the container between the two server cabinet groups.