Cooling system with reduced pressure drop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cooling systems for data centers face mechanical problems and increased energy consumption due to the combination of different heat removal methods, which can lead to pressure drops and inefficiencies when switching between operating modes.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system with a controller and fluid control devices, including proportional and incremental valves, is used to manage the flow of heat transfer fluids between different cooling coils and heat exchangers, maintaining a constant flow rate and minimizing pressure drops across the system, allowing for efficient operation in mechanical, hybrid, and free cooling modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If different heat removal methods are combined in a cooling system, then heat removal capability is improved, but pressure drops and mechanical problems increase
Solution Approach 1:
A flow control device is introduced as an intermediary component between the chilled water coil and dry cooler pathways. This device mediates the water flow, adjusting it to maintain substantially constant pressure drop across the heat exchanger during mode transitions, thereby preventing water hammer and mechanical stress while enabling flexible switching between different heat removal methods
2Productivity
If different heat removal methods are combined in a cooling system, then heat removal capability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the flow rate of water through the flow control device based on operating conditions and mode transitions. By optimizing flow rates in real-time rather than maintaining fixed high flow rates, the system reduces pump energy consumption while maintaining effective heat removal capability across different operating modes
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cooling system switches between operating modes, then adaptability is improved, but pressure drop changes cause mechanical problems
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control device serves as a mediator that smooths out pressure drop changes during mode transitions. It actively adjusts water flow to compensate for the different resistance characteristics of the chilled water coil and dry cooler pathways, maintaining substantially constant pressure drop and preventing water hammer effects that would otherwise occur during switching
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates pressure sensors and flow control devices that respond to pressure drop changes during mode transitions. The feedback mechanism detects pressure variations and automatically adjusts the flow rate through the flow control device to maintain constant pressure drop, preventing mechanical problems while enabling flexible mode switching
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 reduces mechanical issues and energy consumption by stabilizing pressure drops and maintaining consistent flow rates across operating modes, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of data center cooling systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat exchanger in fluid communication with the first heat transfer fluid and the second heat transfer fluid
Implementation Method 2
a second heat exchanger in fluid communication with the second heat transfer fluid and a source of external air
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A cooling system includes a cooling device having a first cooling coil and a second cooling coil, a first heat transfer fluid in fluid communication with the first cooling coil, a second heat transfer fluid in fluid communication with the second cooling coil, a first heat exchanger in fluid communication with the first heat transfer fluid and the second heat transfer fluid, a second heat exchanger in fluid communication with the second heat transfer fluid and a source of external air, a system of fluid control devices in fluid communication with the second heat transfer fluid and configured to minimize a change in a total pressure drop of the second heat transfer fluid when the cooling system switches between operating modes, and a controller configured to selectively control the cooling device and the system of fluid control devices to operate the cooling system in each of the operating modes.