Cooling system and method using hydrothermal energy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for data centers face high investment costs and management issues when using external hydrothermal energy, and there is a need for a more efficient and cost-effective method to utilize hydrothermal energy for cooling.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system and method that utilizes hydrothermal energy from a water tank to complementarily supply water to a cooling tower, reducing the operational time of freezers and saving energy by using eco-friendly, renewable energy, with a small investment cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If external water resources are used for cooling the data center, then hydrothermal energy can be utilized for cooling, but significantly high investment cost is required and maintenance and management issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes the data center's own water supply system (freshwater intended for equipment cooling) as the heat source for the absorption chiller, eliminating the need to import external water resources. The system serves itself by using its existing water infrastructure for dual purposes: equipment cooling and hydrothermal energy utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The water supply system serves multiple functions: it provides cooling water for equipment and simultaneously serves as the hydrothermal energy source for the absorption chiller. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate external water resources while maximizing the utility of the existing water infrastructure.
2Use of energy by moving object
If external water resources are used for cooling, then hydrothermal energy can be utilized, but consultation with related organizations and responsibility disputes may arise
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the data center's own water supply infrastructure, eliminating the need for external water resources and the associated legal and administrative complications. By serving itself, the system avoids consultations with external organizations and potential responsibility disputes.
3Temperature
If a freezer is used for cooling, then cooling can be provided, but energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the operating parameters by using the absorption chiller driven by waste heat from equipment, operating at different temperature and pressure conditions than conventional compressors. This allows efficient cooling without the high energy consumption of traditional freezer-based systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the waste heat generated by data center equipment into a useful resource that drives the absorption chiller for cooling. This transforms a harmful byproduct (waste heat) into a beneficial energy source, eliminating the need for high energy consumption freezers.
4Temperature
If conventional cooling systems are used, then cooling is provided, but investment cost and operational complexity are high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the cooling function with the waste heat utilization function in a single integrated system. The absorption chiller combines both cooling generation and waste heat consumption into one device, reducing overall system complexity compared to separate cooling and heat management systems.
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 reduces the operation time of freezers and saves energy by using hydrothermal energy stored in a water tank, providing localized cooling and reducing carbon emissions while minimizing investment costs compared to external energy sources.
Implementation Method 1
a water cooling coil (e.g., first cooling coil) configured to cool ambient air using water supplied to an inside
Implementation Method 2
a hydrothermal cooling circulation pump configured to supply power for supplying and returning the supply water to and from the water cooling coil
Implementation Method 3
a cooling tower of a freezer
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling system and associated method may be used to perform cooling using the hydrothermal energy of supply water stored in a supply water tank that is to be complementarily supplied to a cooling tower of a freezer.