Data Center Cooling Using Natural Wind and Modular Refrigeration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data centers generate significant heat due to electrical equipment, relying on energy-intensive refrigeration systems that increase costs.
Innovation Solution
A cooling device utilizing natural wind, which is filtered, humidified, and cooled using a modular system comprising an air inlet plenum, filter module, humidification module, refrigeration module, and controller to maintain preset temperature and humidity levels within the data center housing chamber, leveraging solar power and natural wind flow patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If refrigeration equipment such as air conditioners is used for heat dissipation, then heat dissipation effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling device utilizes natural wind flow to perform the cooling function without requiring active mechanical refrigeration systems. The housing chamber and air inlet plenum are designed to passively capture and direct natural wind through the data center, allowing the system to self-regulate temperature using environmental conditions rather than energy-intensive air conditioners
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical refrigeration system (air conditioners) with a passive fluid dynamics-based cooling system. By designing the housing chamber with specific air inlet and outlet configurations, the system uses natural convection and wind flow to achieve heat dissipation, substituting mechanical energy consumption with natural physical processes
2Use of energy by moving object
If natural wind is used for cooling, then energy consumption is reduced, but temperature and humidity control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates adjustable dampers and controllable air inlet/outlet structures that can dynamically respond to changing environmental conditions. This allows the passive cooling system to adapt its airflow characteristics in real-time, maintaining precise temperature and humidity control despite variations in natural wind conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The housing chamber acts as an intermediary structure that mediates between natural wind and the data center environment. It includes features such as air inlet plenums, filter modules, and distributed air outlets that condition and distribute the natural wind flow, ensuring precise environmental control while maintaining the energy-efficient passive cooling approach
3Use of energy by moving object
If housing chamber with air inlet plenum is designed, then natural wind utilization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing chamber is segmented into functional zones with dedicated air inlet plenums, filter modules, humidification modules, and air outlet sections. This segmentation allows each component to be independently optimized and maintained, reducing overall system complexity despite the enhanced passive cooling capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The housing chamber is designed as a multi-functional structure that simultaneously serves as the building enclosure, the cooling system housing, the air distribution network, and the structural support for all cooling components. This universal design consolidates multiple functions into a single integrated structure, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective natural wind utilization
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
Effectively dissipates heat from data centers using natural wind, reducing energy consumption and operational costs while maintaining optimal humidity to prevent static electricity and enhance cooling efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A cooling device utilizing natural wind, which is filtered, humidified, and cooled
Implementation Method 2
refrigeration module 50, and an air guiding module 60 sequentially arranged in the air inlet plenum along a flow direction of the natural wind in the air inlet plenum
Implementation Method 3
The natural wind is filtered, humidified, and cooled, and then introduced into the housing chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling device for data center includes: a housing chamber configured for housing the data center; an air inlet plenum positioned at one side of the housing chamber and configured for inflowing of external natural wind; an air outlet plenum positioned at another side of the housing chamber; an air return plenum defining two opposite ends communicated with the air inlet plenum and the air outlet plenum, and comprising a return air damper; a controller connected to the return air damper and adapted for controlling the opening and closing of the return air damper; and a refrigeration module located in the air inlet plenum and connected to the controller. A cooling system for data center is also provided.