Data Center Backup Thermal Regulation With Waste Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermal regulation systems for back-up systems in data centers, such as back-up generators and electric batteries, consume significant power and lead to increased operational costs and environmental impact due to continuous operation, and are inefficient in integrating with other data center infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
A thermal regulation system that thermally connects the data center to the back-up system, transferring heat from the data center to the back-up system using a heat transfer module, thereby pre-heating the back-up system without the need for a dedicated closed-loop thermal regulation system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated closed-loop thermal regulation system with coolant heaters is used for the back-up system, then the back-up generator can start and operate reliably in cold weather, but power consumption increases significantly (4kW to 18kW) leading to higher operational costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the thermal regulation function into the data center's existing cooling infrastructure by integrating a heat exchanger into the coolant circulation system. The back-up system's coolant loop is thermally coupled to the data center coolant loop, allowing waste heat from data center equipment to automatically warm the back-up system during cold periods, eliminating the need for dedicated heating elements and reducing power consumption from 4-18kW to near zero during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The data center coolant circulation system performs dual functions: it cools data center equipment during normal operation and simultaneously provides thermal regulation for the back-up system. The heat exchanger enables the same coolant infrastructure to serve multiple thermal management purposes, making the thermal regulation system universal rather than dedicated, thereby reducing overall energy consumption and operational costs.
2Reliability
If coolant heaters operate constantly during cooler seasons to maintain predetermined temperature, then the back-up system remains ready for immediate operation, but equipment wear and tear increases leading to larger maintenance and replacement costs
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the back-up system thermal regulation into the data center's existing coolant circulation infrastructure, the patent eliminates the need for separate, continuously-operating heating equipment. The heat exchanger passively transfers thermal energy from the data center coolant loop to the back-up system coolant loop, reducing mechanical wear on dedicated heating components and lowering maintenance requirements while ensuring back-up system readiness.
3Reliability
If an independent thermal regulation system is used for the back-up system, then temperature control is dedicated and reliable, but integration opportunities with other data center infrastructure are limited reducing scalability and energy efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the back-up system thermal regulation with the data center's existing coolant circulation system through a heat exchanger. This integration allows the back-up system to leverage the same thermal infrastructure used for data center equipment cooling, enabling better load balancing, improved energy efficiency, and enhanced scalability as the data center grows. The system maintains reliable temperature control while gaining the adaptability benefits of infrastructure integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger creates a universal thermal management solution where the data center coolant circulation system serves both data center equipment cooling and back-up system thermal regulation. This multi-functional approach enhances adaptability and scalability, allowing the same infrastructure to support multiple systems and enabling easier expansion as data center requirements evolve.
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
Reduces power consumption and operational costs, decreases environmental impact, and enhances integration and scalability by utilizing excess thermal energy from the data center.
Implementation Method 1
the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit are thermally connected via the heat transfer module such that heat is transferred from the first coolant fluid to the second coolant fluid to the back-up system
Data Source
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AI summary
A thermal regulation system for pre-heating a back-up system for a data center is disclosed. The thermal regulation system includes a heat transfer module with a first fluid conduit, circulating a first coolant fluid from the data center through the heat transfer module, and a second fluid conduit, circulating a second coolant fluid from the heat transfer module through the back-up system. The first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit are thermally connected via the heat transfer module such that heat is transferred from the first coolant fluid to the second coolant fluid to the back-up system.