Indirect free cooling module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Direct free cooling methods transfer pollutants from external air into internal environments, damaging living organisms and equipment and increasing maintenance costs and reducing equipment lifespan.
Innovation Solution
An indirect free cooling module using an adiabatic device, heat exchangers, and a damper system, controlled by sensors and a control system to direct air flows, which prevents direct mixing of external and internal air, utilizing evaporative cooling and heat transfer to condition air for a data center.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If direct free cooling is used to cool internal environments, then cooling efficiency is improved, but pollutants are transferred from external air to internal environment damaging equipment and living organisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate fluid (water or glycol solution) that circulates through heat exchangers to transfer heat from internal air to external air without direct air mixing. This intermediary fluid enables cooling while preventing pollutant transfer, as the fluid acts as a barrier between the two air streams.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system is divided into separate circulation loops: an internal air circulation loop with heat exchangers, and an external air/water circulation loop. This segmentation allows independent control of each loop, enabling heat transfer while maintaining physical separation between internal and external air streams to prevent pollutant contamination.
2Ease of operation
If direct free cooling mixes external air with internal air, then cooling operation is simplified, but maintenance costs increase and equipment lifespan decreases due to pollutant damage
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate fluid circulation system provides a controlled and monitored cooling process. The fluid can be filtered, treated, and monitored for quality, ensuring equipment reliability while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control systems that manage fluid circulation and heat exchange.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors and control mechanisms that monitor temperature, fluid flow, and system performance. This feedback enables automated adjustment of operating parameters, maintaining optimal cooling while protecting equipment from pollutant damage, thus extending equipment lifespan without complicating operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If indirect free cooling with heat exchangers is used, then pollutant transfer is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
While the intermediate fluid circulation system adds components, it prevents the need for complex air filtration and pollution monitoring systems that would be required in direct cooling systems operating in polluted environments. The fluid-based heat exchange provides inherent pollution isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate fluid system serves multiple functions: heat transfer, pollution isolation, and potential for integrated cooling of multiple zones or equipment types. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing versatile cooling protection against pollutants across different applications within the facility.
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 cools air in data centers without transferring pollutants, reducing maintenance costs and extending equipment life by using evaporative cooling and heat transfer techniques, ensuring safe and efficient cooling operations.
Implementation Method 1
an adiabatic device in fluid communication with a source of external air
Implementation Method 2
at least one heat exchanger in fluid communication with the adiabatic device and a flow of air from the data center
Data Source
AI summary
An indirect free cooling module and method for cooling air from a data center is provided. The module includes an adiabatic device in fluid communication with a source of external air, at least one heat exchanger in fluid communication with the adiabatic device and a flow of air from the data center, a damper system in fluid communication with the at least one heat exchanger, and a control system in communication with the damper system and configured to selectively direct the flow of air from the data center to the heat exchanger and to selectively direct a flow of air from the at least one heat exchanger through the damper system.