Indirect Free Cooling Module for Pollutant-Isolated Data Center Air
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Solution Overview
Problem
Direct free cooling methods transfer pollutants from external air to 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 and heat exchangers to cool air from a data center, with a control system and sensors to manage airflow and temperature, preventing direct mixing of external and internal air.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If direct free cooling is used to cool internal air, then cooling efficiency is improved, but pollutants are transferred from external air to internal environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary fluid (chilled water or glycol solution) that acts as a mediator between external air and internal air. The external air cools the intermediary fluid in a heat exchanger, and the cooled intermediary fluid then cools the internal air through a separate heat exchanger, preventing direct contact and pollutant transfer while maintaining cooling efficiency
2Use of energy by moving object
If direct free cooling is used, then energy consumption is reduced, but equipment lifespan is shortened due to pollutant damage
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediary fluid system allows the patent to maintain low energy consumption by utilizing free cooling from external air, while simultaneously protecting equipment from pollutants through the heat exchanger barrier, thus extending equipment lifespan
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:
The system is segmented into distinct functional modules: external air intake, heat exchanger for cooling the intermediary fluid, circulation pump, and internal heat exchanger for cooling the internal air. This modular segmentation makes the complex system more manageable and maintainable
4Ease of repair
If indirect free cooling system is implemented, then maintenance costs are reduced, but initial device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented modular design allows for easier maintenance and repair of individual components without affecting the entire system, reducing long-term maintenance costs despite the increased initial complexity
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 data center air without transferring pollutants, reducing maintenance costs and extending equipment life by using an indirect cooling process that isolates external air from internal air.
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
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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.