Immersion Cooling Conversion Using High-Boiling Fluids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing two-phase and hybrid immersion cooling systems are costly due to the use of expensive non-flammable, thermally conductive, dielectric, low boiling point fluorochemicals as operating fluids, and there is a need to convert these systems to more cost-effective one-phase immersion cooling systems without a known method for convenient conversion.
Innovation Solution
The conversion of two-phase or hybrid immersive cooling systems to one-phase systems is achieved by modifying the structure to allow a cooled portion of a high boiling point substitute operating fluid to flow into the reservoir from a direction other than from above, and using a high boiling point composition as the substitute operating fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two-phase or hybrid immersion cooling systems are used, then effective heat management is achieved, but operational costs increase due to expensive fluorochemicals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the boiling point parameter of the operating fluid from low boiling point (two-phase) or high boiling point (single-phase) to a specific intermediate range (100-200°C). This parameter change enables the fluid to undergo controlled phase transition within the reservoir, achieving effective heat management while using more cost-effective fluids that don't require the expensive properties of traditional fluorochemicals
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, specialized fluorochemicals with more economical operating fluids that can achieve the required cooling performance through controlled phase transition. The system uses readily available or less expensive fluids combined with structural modifications (condensers, heating elements) to achieve the cooling effect that previously required costly proprietary substances
2Quantity of substance
If single-phase immersion cooling systems are used, then operational costs are reduced, but heat management effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces controlled phase transitions of the operating fluid within the reservoir to enhance heat management. By incorporating heating elements that create localized boiling and condensers that facilitate condensation, the system achieves two-phase heat transfer mechanisms within an otherwise single-phase immersion cooling setup, significantly improving heat extraction effectiveness while maintaining cost advantages
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate components (heating elements and condensers) within the reservoir to mediate heat transfer. These intermediaries enable phase transition of the operating fluid, creating localized two-phase heat transfer zones that enhance overall heat management effectiveness without requiring the entire system to operate as a complex two-phase immersion cooling system
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 approach allows for the conversion of expensive two-phase systems to more economical one-phase systems, reducing operational costs while maintaining effective heat management for heat generating components such as crypto miners.
Implementation Method 1
The heat transfer to the operating fluid can occur via natural convection and/or forced convection. In natural convection the operating fluid utilizes gravity currents for circulation
Implementation Method 2
In forced convection, a pump is used to circulate the operating fluid within from the reservoir, through the heat exchanger, and back to the reservoir
Implementation Method 3
The operating fluid extracts heat from the heat generating components, and transfers it to a coolant via a heat exchanger, which the rejects the transferred heat at a facility level through a coolant flowing through the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 4
In natural convection the operating fluid utilizes gravity currents for circulation with or without the help of an agitator
Data Source
AI summary
A two-phase or hybrid immersive cooling system is converted to a one-phase immersive cooling system, by (1) modifying a structure of the two-phase immersive cooling system such that a cooled portion of a substitute operating fluid flows into the operating fluid reservoir from a direction other than from above the reservoir, and (2) using a high boiling point composition as the substitute operating fluid. In some embodiments the tube condensers of the two-phase or hybrid immersive cooling system are retained, and in other embodiments at least portions of the regions previously occupied by tube condensers are used for heat exchangers, and optionally fluid pumps. In still other embodiments at least portions of the regions previously occupied by tube condensers are used for hot fluid holding tanks.