Modular Hot Aisle Cooling Fluid Routing for Variable Data Hall Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Colocation data centers require flexible space utilization to accommodate diverse customer requirements, often necessitating closed systems without direct outside air or liquid cooling, and existing cooling systems are inefficient in managing varying heat loads and heat rejection.
Innovation Solution
A modular hot aisle cooling unit (MHACU) system with a pump package and fluid supply line, controlled by a computing device to manage cooling fluid distribution among multiple MHACUs, optimizing temperature and fluid flow to match heat load demands, and incorporating heat recovery systems for efficient heat rejection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a closed cooling system is used to accommodate diverse customer requirements, then flexibility in space utilization is improved, but heat rejection efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into multiple independent modular hot aisle cooling units (MHACUs) that can be individually controlled and configured. Each MHACU operates as a separate module with its own cooling fluid circulation, allowing flexible spatial arrangement to accommodate diverse customer requirements while maintaining efficient heat rejection through localized thermal management
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic control of cooling fluid flow and temperature through computing devices that monitor and adjust operational parameters in real-time. This enables the closed cooling system to adapt to varying heat loads and optimize heat rejection efficiency despite the closed-loop configuration
2Area of stationary object
If cooling fluid is supplied to multiple MHACUs in series, then cooling coverage is improved, but temperature control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system segments the cooling fluid flow into multiple independent MHACU modules, each capable of receiving cooled fluid and maintaining its own temperature control. This segmentation allows extended cooling coverage across multiple units while preserving precise temperature control through individual module management
Solution Approach 2:
Computing devices continuously monitor the temperature of cooling fluid in each MHACU and adjust fluid flow and temperature parameters accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures precise temperature control even when cooling fluid is supplied to multiple MHACUs in series, preventing temperature deviations while maintaining comprehensive cooling coverage
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 provides efficient cooling by minimizing energy consumption, reducing infrastructure costs, and enhancing cooling flexibility, while maintaining uniform temperature distribution and reducing water consumption through real-time control of cooling fluid temperature and flow.
Implementation Method 1
determine that a temperature of the cooling fluid in a first MHACU among the multiple MHACUs has risen
Implementation Method 2
cooling fluid distribution among multiple MHACUs, optimizing temperature and fluid flow
Implementation Method 3
a pump package configured to provide cooling fluid to the MHACUs
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes multiple MHACUs for cooling one or more servers in a data hall. The system also includes a pump package for providing cooling fluid to the MHACUs, and a fluid supply line conveying the cooling fluid to the MHACUs. The system also includes at least one computing device configured to: determine that a cooling fluid temperature in a first MHACU has risen to a first temperature that is less than a predetermined maximum temperature; in response to the determination, control the system to provide at least some of the cooling fluid to a second MHACU; determine that the cooling fluid temperature in the second MHACU has risen to a second temperature that is at least the predetermined maximum temperature; and in response to the determination, control the system to provide the cooling fluid to a fluid return line for return to the pump package.