Data Center Refrigeration System with Plate Heat Exchanger
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigeration systems in data centers are inefficient in dissipating heat from both high and low heat generation components in servers, as liquid-cooled servers can only effectively dissipate heat from components with higher heat generation, while lower heat generation components rely on less efficient fan cooling.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration system for data centers that combines a liquid cooling system with a plate heat exchanger and an air cooling system, utilizing a compressor, coolers, and an evaporator to enhance heat dissipation efficiency by circulating refrigerants and coolants through separate branches of the plate heat exchanger and the air cooling system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If liquid cooling system is used for high heat generation components, then heat dissipation efficiency for chips is improved, but heat dissipation capability for low heat generation components deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines liquid cooling and air cooling systems into a unified refrigeration system. The liquid cooling subsystem handles high heat generation components through plate heat exchangers, while the air cooling subsystem handles low heat generation components through evaporators and cooling fans, achieving comprehensive heat dissipation coverage for all server components
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigeration system is segmented into distinct liquid cooling and air cooling subsystems. The liquid cooling subsystem includes plate heat exchangers connected to high heat generation components, while the air cooling subsystem includes evaporators and fans for low heat generation components, allowing each subsystem to optimize its performance for specific component types
2Productivity
If separate cooling systems are used for high and low heat generation components, then heat dissipation effectiveness is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges liquid cooling and air cooling systems into a single integrated refrigeration system that shares common components including compressor, condensers, expansion valves, and refrigerant circulation pathways. This integration reduces overall system complexity while maintaining the effectiveness of separate cooling zones for different component types
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 combined refrigeration system achieves better heat dissipation effects compared to traditional liquid cooling and fan cooling methods, thereby improving the overall heat dissipation efficiency of servers in data centers.
Implementation Method 1
the compressor in the liquid cooling system can compress a low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant into a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
which flows into the first cooler and is cooled into a high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant. The high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant flows into the first branch of the plate heat exchanger to exchange heat with the coolant in the second branch
Implementation Method 3
The first branch and the second branch may exchange heat, and the coolant flowing out of the second branch flows through the liquid cooling plate to dissipate heat from the liquid-cooled server
Implementation Method 4
the refrigerant flows into the evaporator after being throttled by the throttling apparatus to dissipate the heat from the liquid-cooled server
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to the field of refrigeration system technology, and discloses a refrigeration system for a data center. The data center includes a liquid-cooled server, and the refrigeration system includes a liquid cooling system and an air cooling system. The liquid cooling system includes a compressor, a first cooler, and a plate heat exchanger constituting a refrigerant circulation circuit. The plate heat exchanger includes a first branch and a second branch, where the first branch is configured to circulate a refrigerant, the second branch is configured to circulate a coolant, and the second branch is communicated with a liquid cooling plate of the liquid-cooled server. The air cooling system includes a second cooler, a refrigerant drive apparatus, a throttling apparatus, and an evaporator constituting another refrigerant circulation circuit. An inlet of the second cooler is communicated with an outlet of the first branch of the plate heat exchanger.