Data Center Spray Cooling Air-Conditioning System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data center computer rooms face high thermal and power density issues due to increasing server power consumption, leading to inefficient cooling and significant electrical energy consumption, particularly with traditional mechanical refrigeration methods that consume excessive energy and water resources.
Innovation Solution
An air-conditioning system for data center computer rooms featuring independent refrigeration subsystems with spray cooling units, magnetic levitation compressors, and modular management, allowing for natural and mechanical refrigeration modes based on ambient temperature and server cluster size, reducing water consumption and energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional mechanical refrigeration is used to cool data center computer rooms, then cooling effect is achieved, but electrical energy consumption increases significantly (over 35% of total power consumption)
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operating parameters of the refrigeration system by using spray cooling units to spray water on outdoor heat exchange units, changing the heat dissipation mechanism from pure mechanical compression to a hybrid system that utilizes evaporative cooling and natural convection, thereby reducing electrical energy consumption while maintaining cooling effect
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces part of the mechanical refrigeration system with spray cooling technology. The spray cooling units spray water directly on the outdoor heat exchange units, using evaporative cooling and natural convection to dissipate heat, substituting the need for high-power mechanical compressors and reducing electrical energy consumption
2Temperature
If indirect evaporative cooling air-conditioning units are used for mechanical refrigeration, then cooling is provided, but water resource consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies spray cooling locally at the outdoor heat exchange units rather than using a full evaporative cooling system. Water is sprayed only where needed for heat dissipation, and the parallel connection of multiple indoor heat exchange modules allows selective operation, reducing overall water consumption while maintaining cooling capability
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigeration system is segmented into multiple independent subsystems with parallel indoor heat exchange modules. Each module can operate independently, allowing the system to use only the necessary cooling capacity and corresponding water consumption, avoiding the excessive water usage of traditional full-scale evaporative cooling systems
3Temperature
If traditional centralized refrigeration systems are used, then cooling is provided, but the system cannot effectively dissipate heat for heating devices, leading to device shutdown
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigeration system is divided into multiple independent refrigeration subsystems, each with its own outdoor refrigeration module and parallel indoor heat exchange modules. This segmentation allows each subsystem to independently serve specific server clusters, ensuring that if one subsystem fails or is adjusting, other subsystems continue to provide cooling, thus maintaining device operation continuity and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts cooling capacity by independently controlling multiple refrigeration subsystems and parallel indoor heat exchange modules based on real-time thermal conditions of different server clusters. This dynamic adjustment capability ensures that cooling is precisely matched to actual heat generation, preventing both overheating and unnecessary shutdowns
4Use of energy by moving object
If modular refrigeration subsystems with spray cooling are used, then water consumption is reduced and energy is saved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into multiple independent refrigeration subsystems with standardized modules. While this segmentation improves energy efficiency and reduces water consumption, it does increase system complexity. The patent manages this complexity through standardized module design and parallel architecture, where each subsystem follows the same structure, making the complexity manageable and maintainable
Solution Approach 2:
The outdoor refrigeration modules and indoor heat exchange modules are designed as universal, multi-functional components that can be replicated and combined in parallel. This universality allows the system to achieve energy efficiency through modular deployment while keeping individual module complexity low, as each module is a standardized, self-contained unit
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 provides flexible and accurate refrigeration capacity allocation, reduces water usage, minimizes server outage risks, and improves operational reliability by independently controlling server temperatures and utilizing natural cooling sources, thereby saving energy and reducing power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
spray cooling unit arranged adjacent to an outer side of the outdoor heat exchange unit
Implementation Method 2
The compressor is a magnetic levitation compressor
Implementation Method 3
outdoor heat exchange unit connected to the mechanical refrigeration unit through the pipelines
Implementation Method 4
outdoor heat exchange unit
Implementation Method 5
outdoor fan arranged at an air outlet of the outdoor heat exchange unit
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an air-conditioning system for a data center computer room and a control method thereof, belonging to the field of data center technology. The system includes one or more refrigeration subsystems and one or more server clusters, where pipelines of each of the refrigeration subsystem are independent of each other. Each of the refrigeration subsystems includes at least one outdoor refrigeration module and a plurality of indoor heat exchange modules respectively arranged in the server clusters, and the plurality of indoor heat exchange modules are connected in parallel through the pipelines.