Container Liquid-Cooled Data Centers for High-Density Server Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data centers face limitations in cooling high-power servers due to the inefficiencies of air-cooled mechanical refrigeration systems, which cannot meet the increasing demands for heat dissipation and power density, leading to higher energy consumption, longer deployment cycles, and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A container liquid-cooled data center system that includes a power transformation and distribution section, IT equipment cooling section, and a cooling device section, utilizing a cooling liquid circulation system with fluorocarbon-based cooling liquid and a closed cooling tower or air-cooled heat exchanger to dissipate heat efficiently, reducing reliance on mechanical refrigeration and optimizing server compatibility and layout.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If air-cooled mechanical refrigeration is used, then cooling is provided for servers, but cooling capacity is insufficient for high power density and energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical refrigeration system with a liquid cooling system that uses a cooling liquid (such as fluorocarbon) to directly absorb heat from servers. This substitution eliminates the inefficiencies of air cooling and mechanical compressors, achieving higher cooling capacity with lower energy consumption through direct thermal contact and heat transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a liquid cooling circulation system where cooling liquid flows through pipelines connected to servers and heat exchangers. The hydraulic system uses pumps to circulate the cooling liquid, enabling efficient heat transfer from servers to the cooling liquid and then to the environment through heat exchangers, thereby resolving the contradiction between cooling capacity and energy consumption.
2Reliability
If conventional air cooling is used, then servers are cooled, but deployment cycle is long and costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cooling system into modular components including server-side cooling liquid connections, centralized heat exchangers, and circulation pumps. This segmentation allows for flexible deployment and easier installation compared to conventional air cooling systems, reducing the deployment cycle while maintaining reliable cooling through dedicated liquid cooling pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements pre-configured cooling liquid circulation systems and heat exchanger installations before server deployment. This preliminary preparation of cooling infrastructure enables faster onboarding of servers without requiring complex on-site cooling system assembly, thereby reducing deployment time while ensuring reliable cooling from the outset.
3Productivity
If high power density servers are deployed, then server performance increases, but heat dissipation requirements exceed air cooling capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the cooling medium from air to liquid (cooling liquid with higher heat capacity and thermal conductivity). This parameter change enables the system to handle higher heat dissipation requirements from high power density servers. The liquid cooling system can absorb and transport more heat per unit volume, directly supporting increased server performance and power density.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cooling liquid as an intermediary substance between servers and the environment. The cooling liquid circulates through servers, absorbing heat directly from high power density components, and then transports this heat to heat exchangers for dissipation. This intermediary mechanism enables effective heat management for high power density servers that exceed air cooling capacity.
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
Improves heat dissipation efficiency, increases server reliability, reduces energy consumption, and allows for rapid and cost-effective deployment of high-density server arrangements by utilizing natural cooling sources.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling liquid heat exchanger, a cooling liquid circulation pump, a cooling liquid supply pipeline, and a cooling liquid return pipeline
Implementation Method 2
a cooling liquid circulation pump, a cooling liquid supply pipeline, and a cooling liquid return pipeline
Implementation Method 3
The closed cooling tower is a plate-type cross-flow structure, where a water inlet of the closed cooling tower is communicated with a water outlet of the IT equipment cooling section
Implementation Method 4
an air-cooled heat exchanger, and a cooling water circulation pump
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a container liquid-cooled data center, which includes a power transformation and distribution and fire control section, an IT equipment cooling section, and a cooling device section. The IT equipment cooling section includes a plurality of standard container server cluster chassis, each of which is internally provided with an immersion liquid-cooled system connected to the cooling device section through a pipeline. The cooling device section includes a closed cooling tower, an air-cooled heat exchanger, and a cooling water circulation system to dissipate heat from a circulating liquid system.