Modular Data Pod Cooling With Free-Cooling and Mechanical Sub-Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional data center cooling systems are inefficient due to oversized infrastructure, high energy consumption, and limited geographical applicability, particularly in high-density data centers and regions with extreme wet-bulb temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A modular data pod system with a hybrid cooling system that combines free-cooling using atmospheric air and mechanical sub-cooling, allowing for efficient cooling of electronic equipment in high-density data centers, even in high wet-bulb conditions, by utilizing a close-coupled cooling system with multiple fluid circuits that adjust cooling capacity based on environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional chiller plants are used to cool entire data centers, then cooling capacity is sufficient, but energy consumption increases significantly and cost efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The data center is divided into multiple modular data pods, each with its own dedicated cooling system. This segmentation allows each module to be cooled independently based on its specific thermal load, preventing the waste of cooling capacity in traditional systems that cool entire facilities uniformly. The modular approach enables precise matching of cooling capacity to actual needs in each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
Each data pod is equipped with a close-coupled cooling system that provides localized cooling exactly where heat is generated by IT equipment. This local quality approach ensures that cooling is delivered precisely to the hot spots in each module rather than distributing cold air throughout the entire facility, significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining adequate cooling capacity.
2Reliability
If traditional chiller plants are designed based on peak power consumption capacity, then sufficient cooling is provided during peak loads, but efficiency drops significantly during load fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system in each data pod is designed to dynamically adjust its cooling capacity based on real-time thermal loads from IT equipment. Unlike traditional systems sized for peak capacity that operate inefficiently during partial loads, these modular systems can scale their cooling output to match actual demands, maintaining high operational efficiency while ensuring cooling reliability even during peak loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The close-coupled cooling systems are pre-positioned within each data pod alongside the IT equipment they serve. This preliminary placement allows the cooling systems to be immediately responsive to thermal loads without the delays and inefficiencies of centralized systems, maintaining optimal efficiency across varying load conditions while ensuring cooling reliability is never compromised.
3Use of energy by moving object
If air-cooled free cooling systems are used, then operational costs are reduced, but geographical applicability is limited to cool, dry climates
Solution Approach 1:
The modular data pod cooling system is designed with multi-functionality to operate effectively across diverse geographical conditions. Each pod can switch between different cooling modes including free cooling when environmental conditions permit, and mechanical cooling when they don't, making the system universally applicable regardless of climate. This versatility maintains low operational costs while removing geographical limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanical cooling capability that bridges the gap between free cooling and high-temperature environments. When ambient conditions are favorable, free cooling operates directly; when conditions are unfavorable, the mechanical cooling intermediary steps in to provide the necessary cooling, allowing the system to maintain low operational costs associated with free cooling while expanding geographical applicability to include regions with extreme wet-bulb temperatures.
4Adaptability or versatility
If adiabatic-assisted cooling systems are used, then geographical reach is expanded, but cooling capacity is insufficient for high density data centers
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges adiabatic cooling with mechanical sub-cooling in a hybrid architecture. The adiabatic cooling component provides the geographical versatility and energy efficiency, while the mechanical sub-cooling component supplements the total cooling capacity to handle high-density IT loads. This combination achieves both expanded geographical reach and sufficient cooling capacity for modern high-density data centers.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system uses a composite approach combining different cooling mechanisms (adiabatic cooling and mechanical sub-cooling) similar to how composite materials combine different properties. The adiabatic portion provides energy efficiency and geographical adaptability, while the mechanical sub-cooling portion provides the additional cooling capacity needed for high-density applications, creating a system that exhibits both geographical versatility and high cooling capacity.
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 modular data pod system reduces energy costs and infrastructure needs, provides efficient cooling in high-density environments, and is scalable, adaptable to varying data center loads, and suitable for diverse geographical conditions, enhancing energy efficiency and operational flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a free-cooling system configured to cool a first fluid in thermal communication with electronic equipment using atmospheric air
Implementation Method 2
a mechanical sub-cooling system coupled to the free-cooling system. The mechanical sub-cooling system is configured to cool a second fluid flowing in the free-cooling system as a function of an amount by which the free-cooling system has exceeded its maximum cooling capacity
Data Source
AI summary
A space-saving, high-density modular data pod system and an energy-efficient cooling system for cooling electronic equipment and method of cooling are disclosed. The cooling system includes a free-cooling system cooling a first fluid in thermal communication with the electronic equipment using atmospheric air and a mechanical sub-cooling system coupled to the free-cooling system. The mechanical system cools a second fluid flowing in the free-cooling system as a function of an amount by which the free-cooling system has exceeded its maximum cooling capacity. The method of cooling includes using a first fluid, enabling heat transfer from the first fluid to a second fluid that has been cooled using atmospheric air, and mechanically cooling the second fluid to the extent that free cooling the first fluid is insufficient to cool the first fluid. The cooling system operates by the wet bulb temperature exceeding a first predetermined wet bulb temperature.