Evaporative Condenser Cooling Loop for Low-Energy Data Centers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional chilled water data center cooling systems have high energy consumption due to numerous heat exchange links and a one-way working medium, leading to poor energy performance.

Innovation Solution

A cooling system that performs phase-change heat exchange with a gaseous cooling agent transformed into a liquid via an evaporative condenser, then air-returning heat exchange with the data center interior, and back to the evaporative condenser through a circulation path, reducing heat exchange links and energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If traditional chilled water cooling system is used, then cooling function is provided, but energy consumption is high due to large numbers of heat exchange links

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidnumber of heat exchange links
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple heat exchange functions into a single evaporative condenser that handles both condensation and evaporative cooling in one integrated device, eliminating the need for separate heat exchange links and reducing energy consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The evaporative condenser performs multiple functions simultaneously: it condenses refrigerant gas, cools the condensing refrigerant through evaporative cooling, and provides overall heat exchange functionality, making the system more efficient with fewer components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of energy

If traditional one-way working medium system is used, then cooling is provided, but overall energy performance is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy performanceVSAvoidworking medium circulation path
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic two-way working medium circulation system where the refrigerant can flow in different directions based on operating conditions, allowing the system to adapt to varying cooling loads and improve overall energy performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The circulating pump ensures continuous circulation of the working medium through the optimized circulation path, maintaining continuous heat exchange and cooling action without interruption, which improves energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

This system reduces energy consumption and improves energy performance by minimizing heat exchange links and utilizing a phase-change working medium for efficient cooling within the data center.

Implementation Method 1

perform a phase-change heat exchange of a gaseous cooling agent transmitted in the second branch of the pump cabinet with spraying water via the evaporative condenser to transform it into a liquid cooling agent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

the evaporative condenser, the liquid storage tank and the fluorine pump of the first branch, and the heat exchange terminal are connected in sequence to form a circulation path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporative cooling: Evaporative Cooler

Implementation Method 3

perform an air-returning heat exchange of the liquid cooling agent transmitted through the first branch with the interior air of the data center via the heat exchange terminal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP3910265B1Cooling system
Publication Date: 2023.05.03 BEIJING BAIDU NETCOM SCI & TECH CO LTD
  • EP3910265B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3910265B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3910265B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present disclosure discloses a cooling system and relates to the field of cooling technology for data center, comprising: an evaporative condenser, a pump cabinet and a heat exchange terminal, the pump cabinet comprises a first branch and a second branch, wherein the first branch includes a liquid storage tank and a fluorine pump, an input end of the liquid storage tank is connected to an output end of the evaporative condenser, an output end of the liquid storage tank is connected to an input end of the fluorine pump, and an output end of the fluorine pump is connected to an input end of the heat exchange terminal. A compressor is included in the second branch in which its input end is connected to an output end of the heat exchange terminal and its output end is connected to an input end of the evaporative condenser. It is possible to reduce heat exchange links and thus energy consumption of the cooling system based on the technology of the present disclosure, so as to improve energy performance of the cooling system.