Evaporative Pad Cooling Control for Low-Water Datacenter Dry Coolers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dry cooling techniques for datacenters face issues such as high water consumption, inconsistent cooling, temperature fluctuations, and pathogenic bacteria dispersion due to direct spray methods, along with the need for numerous sensors and electronic components.
Innovation Solution
A datacenter dry cooling system with an evaporative cooling arrangement that uses a controlled amount of cooling water applied to an evaporating pad, monitored by temperature and humidity sensors, to optimize water usage and prevent leaks, while reducing the number of sensors and electronic components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If direct spray evaporative techniques are used to precool ambient air, then cooling efficiency is improved, but water consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an evaporative pad made of porous material that allows water to be distributed and evaporated gradually as air passes through it. This provides consistent cooling while using water more efficiently compared to direct spray methods, resolving the contradiction between cooling efficiency and water consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses ambient air flow to naturally carry away evaporated water and provide cooling without requiring additional energy input or complex control mechanisms. The evaporative pad continuously absorbs and releases water through its porous structure, providing self-regulating cooling that reduces both water consumption and energy usage.
2Temperature
If direct spray evaporative techniques are used, then cooling is provided, but pathogenic bacteria such as Legionella may be dispersed
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporative pad acts as an intermediary between the water source and the ambient air. Water is applied to the pad rather than sprayed directly into the air, and evaporation occurs within the pad structure. This intermediate step prevents direct aerosolization of water that could carry pathogens, while still providing the desired cooling effect.
3Temperature
If evaporating pads are used without controlled water application, then cooling is provided, but inconsistent cooling and temperature fluctuations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that monitor temperature and humidity levels in real-time and provide feedback to the water distribution system. Based on this feedback, the water application rate is automatically adjusted to maintain optimal evaporative cooling conditions, ensuring consistent temperature control and preventing fluctuations.
Solution Approach 2:
The water distribution system is designed to dynamically adjust water flow rates based on operating conditions. The system transitions from static water application to dynamic control, allowing the evaporative pad to maintain optimal moisture levels under varying ambient conditions, thereby ensuring consistent cooling performance.
4Temperature
If conventional evaporative cooling systems are implemented, then cooling is achieved, but numerous sensors, detectors, and electronic components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multi-functional sensors that can detect multiple parameters (temperature, humidity, water flow) with a single device, reducing the total number of components required. The control system is designed to handle multiple functions through integrated electronics, simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining effective cooling capability.
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 achieves efficient cooling with minimal water consumption and reduced energy usage by optimizing water application based on ambient conditions, preventing leaks, and minimizing hardware requirements.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporating pad, disposed at an input airflow side of the air-to-liquid heat exchanger panel, and configured to receive a controlled measured amount of cooling water that is to be evaporated while exposed to the forced ambient airflow in order to dissipate the thermal energy of the warmed liquid
Implementation Method 2
the cooling liquid adapted to absorb the thermal energy of the heat-generating source resulting in a warmed liquid
Implementation Method 3
an air-to-liquid heat exchanger panel adapted to receive the warmed liquid, via the cooling liquid closed loop arrangement, and exposed to the forced ambient airflow
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
A datacenter dry cooling system and method for cooling a heat-generating source are provided. The configuration includes an evaporating pad disposed on an air-to-liquid heat exchanger panel and an evaporating cooling water distribution arrangement for applying a controlled measured amount cooling water to the evaporating pad. The applied water serves is to be evaporated while the evaporating pad is exposed to ambient airflow to dissipate thermal energy of warmed liquid received from the heat-generating sources. The evaporating pad incorporates at least one of a temperature sensor or a humidity sensor for detecting outside temperature or humidity levels. A controller communicatively-coupled to the temperature or humidity sensor controls the volume flow of the cooling water based on the detected temperature or humidity levels.