Evaporative Pad Cooling Control for Leak-Free Datacenter Dry Coolers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dry cooling techniques in datacenters face issues such as high water consumption, inconsistent cooling, temperature fluctuations, dust/contaminant buildup, and the dispersion of pathogenic bacteria 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 water distribution arrangement that uses temperature and humidity sensors to control the application of cooling water to evaporating pads, minimizing leaks and optimizing water usage through a controller that adjusts flow rates based on sensor data.
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 and pathogenic bacteria may disperse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs evaporative cooling pads made of porous materials that allow water to be absorbed and evaporated through their structure. This enables efficient heat exchange and precooling of ambient air while controlling water distribution and minimizing waste, thereby improving cooling efficiency without excessive water consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces evaporative cooling pads as an intermediary medium between the water supply system and the ambient air. Instead of directly spraying water onto air, the pads serve as a mediator that facilitates controlled evaporation, improving cooling efficiency while reducing water consumption and preventing pathogen dispersion.
2Temperature
If direct spray techniques are used, then cooling is achieved, but water flow control requires numerous sensors, valves, and electronic components
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporative cooling pads are designed to automatically absorb and evaporate water based on ambient conditions without requiring complex electronic control systems. The pads self-regulate water distribution through capillary action and evaporation rates, eliminating the need for numerous sensors, valves, and electronic components while maintaining effective cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical and electronic water control systems with passive evaporative cooling pads that rely on physical principles such as capillary action and evaporation. This substitution simplifies the system by eliminating sensors, valves, and electronic components while achieving the desired cooling effect.
3Temperature
If water is applied to evaporating pads, then cooling is provided, but not all water is absorbed resulting in leaks and inconsistent cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses evaporative cooling pads made of optimized porous materials with specific capillary structures that ensure uniform water distribution and absorption. These materials prevent water leaks by controlling capillary flow and maintain consistent cooling performance through uniform evaporation across the entire pad surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes parameters such as pad material porosity, thickness, and water distribution rate to achieve complete water absorption and consistent evaporation. By adjusting these parameters, the system eliminates water leaks and maintains stable, consistent cooling performance under varying operating 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 achieves efficient water usage with 100% evaporation ratio, reduces sensor and component count, and prevents leaks, while maintaining consistent cooling performance.
Implementation Method 1
evaporative cooling techniques to precool the temperature of the ambient air that flows through the heat exchanger system
Implementation Method 2
direct spray evaporative techniques to precool the temperature of the ambient air
Implementation Method 3
providing, at an air outlet surface of the evaporating pad, at least one temperature sensor for detecting temperature levels
Implementation Method 4
at least one relative humidity sensor for detecting humidity levels
Implementation Method 5
providing a controller that is communicatively-coupled to the temperature and humidity levels sensors... adjusting a predetermined target volume flow rate of the evaporating cooling water distribution arrangement
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 and directed to maximizing the absorption of cooling water applied to an evaporating pad for maximum evaporation and ambient air cooling while eliminating any leakages resulting therefrom. The evaporating pad is disposed on an air-to-liquid heat exchanger panel supplied by an evaporating cooling water distribution arrangement for applying the controlled amount of cooling water to the evaporating pad. The applied cooling water is to be completely evaporated while being exposed to ambient airflow to dissipate the thermal energy of the heat-generating sources. The evaporating pad includes corresponding temperature and/or humidity sensors for detecting temperature/humidity levels at an air outlet surface and a temperature and humidity sensor at an air inlet surface. A controller communicatively-coupled to the temperature and humidity sensors and evaporating cooling water arrangement controls the cooling water volume flow based on the detected temperature and humidity levels.