In-Situ Pasteurization of Electronic Liquid Cooling Loops
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electronic liquid cooling loops, bacteria growth leads to biofilm formation, which can clog cooling systems and reduce their effectiveness, necessitating improved bacterial neutralization methods without external additives or pollution.
Innovation Solution
An in-situ pasteurization system that utilizes the heat generated by computer electronics to maintain the cooling liquid at a pasteurization temperature (e.g., 72°C) for a target time, neutralizing bacteria without requiring anti-bacterial solvents or external testing, and employing machine learning to optimize pasteurization parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If liquid cooling loops are used to cool high-power IT equipment, then cooling performance is improved, but bacteria growth in the cooling liquid leads to biofilm formation that clogs the system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the waste heat generated by IT equipment into a beneficial pasteurization tool. By directing cooling liquid through a heat exchange system that utilizes excess heat from server racks, the system raises the cooling liquid temperature to pasteurization levels (above 60°C), effectively neutralizing bacteria and preventing biofilm formation without requiring additional energy input or chemical additives.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own waste heat resources to perform pasteurization, making the cooling system self-sufficient for bacterial control. The heat exchange system is integrated into the existing cooling infrastructure, allowing the cooling liquid to be heated and pasteurized within the closed-loop system without external interventions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional bacterial neutralization methods are used (anti-bacterial solvents, external testing), then bacteria are controlled, but additional pollution and system complexity are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-pasteurization using its own waste heat, eliminating the need for external chemical treatments, additives, or off-site testing facilities. The closed-loop heat exchange system continuously pasteurizes the cooling liquid in-place, maintaining bacterial control without introducing pollutants or requiring complex external intervention systems.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If cooling liquid temperature is increased to neutralize bacteria, then bacterial neutralization is achieved, but cooling effectiveness may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic pasteurization cycles rather than continuous high-temperature operation. The heat exchange system intermittently raises cooling liquid temperature to pasteurization levels, maintains it for a specified duration, then returns to normal cooling temperatures. This periodic approach ensures bacterial neutralization while preserving overall cooling effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different temperature regimes to different portions of the cooling liquid at different times. By controlling the heat exchange process, the system creates localized pasteurization zones where bacteria are neutralized, while other portions of the cooling loop maintain optimal cooling temperatures for heat dissipation from IT equipment.
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
Effectively neutralizes bacteria within the cooling liquid, preventing biofilm formation and maintaining coolant functionality, while avoiding additional pollution and the need for off-site testing, with automated bacterial prevention and efficient temperature management.
Implementation Method 1
heat generated by computer electronics of the computer system is transferred to the electronics cooling liquid
Implementation Method 2
maintain the temperature of the electronics cooling liquid for a target time... that corresponds to a pasteurization time frame for neutralizing bacteria
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a system, method, and computer program product for in-situ pasteurization of electronics cooling liquid of an electronic liquid cooling loop. A processor may activate a cooling liquid pasteurization system that allows for pasteurization of the electronics cooling liquid. The processor may detect a temperature of the electronics cooling liquid, where heat generated by computer electronics of a computer system is transferred to the electronics cooling liquid. The processor may determine that the temperature of the electronics cooling liquid is within a target range that neutralizes bacteria. The processor may maintain the temperature of the electronics cooling liquid for a target time using the heat generated by the computer electronics of the computer system, where the target time corresponds to a pasteurization time frame for neutralizing bacteria in the electronics cooling liquid. The processor may deactivate the cooling liquid pasteurization system when the target time has been reached.