Data Center Waste Cooling Air Recovery for Product Drying Applications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data centers generate significant heat while maintaining equipment at a constant temperature, necessitating an effective system to manage and utilize waste cooling air efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a drying room above the data center to dehydrate moisture-laden products using waste cooling air and a reservoir tank to distribute and pressurize waste cooling air for various applications, including drying purposes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If waste cooling air is discharged directly from the data center, then heat management is simplified, but energy is wasted and drying applications cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful waste heat from data center cooling air into a beneficial resource for drying rooms. The waste cooling air, which would normally be discarded, is redirected through ducting systems to provide drying functionality in storage areas, thereby eliminating energy waste while creating useful functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The waste cooling air system serves multiple functions: it continues to remove heat from the data center equipment while simultaneously providing drying capabilities in storage areas. This multi-functionality allows the same air stream to perform both cooling and drying tasks, reducing overall energy consumption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If drying rooms are added to the data center facility, then product drying capability is improved, but facility complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drying room functionality is merged with the existing data center facility structure. Rather than building separate drying facilities, the patent integrates drying rooms within the data center building envelope, using the same structural framework and combining HVAC systems to provide both data center cooling and drying room functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The waste cooling air from the data center equipment self-services the drying rooms by being redirected through ducting systems. The same air that cools the equipment automatically provides the drying function, eliminating the need for separate drying systems and reducing overall facility complexity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If waste cooling air is used for drying, then energy utilization is enhanced, but temperature control of drying environment becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the natural temperature variations in waste cooling air by timing the drying operations to coincide with periods when equipment cooling demands are lower and air temperature is more suitable for drying. This parameter timing approach allows effective use of waste heat while maintaining appropriate drying conditions.
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 effectively recovers value from waste cooling air by dehydrating products and providing a means to distribute heated air for drying applications, enhancing energy utilization and reducing heat management costs.
Implementation Method 1
The air duct conveys waste cooling air from the data center into the drying room
Implementation Method 2
The drying room removes moisture from the moisture laden product by exposing the moisture laden product to the waste cooling air from the data center
Implementation Method 3
a reservoir tank blower configured to convey the waste cooling air from the data center into the reservoir tank and to pressurize the interior of the reservoir tank
Implementation Method 4
The reservoir tank includes an insulated wall that assists in maintaining a temperature within the reservoir tank
Data Source
AI summary
A system to create a dehydrating environment from the waste cooling air from a data center including a drying room above the data center. Waste cooling air dries moisture laden product in the drying room and is returned to the data center. Also, a system to distribute waste cooling air from a data center. The system includes a reservoir tank and a local tank for waste cooling air. Both tanks include insulated walls that assist in maintaining a temperature within the reservoir tank. A reservoir tank blower conveys waste cooling air from the data center into the reservoir tank and pressurizes the interior of the reservoir tank. Pressurized waste cooling air from the data center is delivered from the local tank through the blower when a blower valve is opened.