Centralized Liquid Spray Cooling for Data Center Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data center cooling methods, such as air conditioning and water cooling, lead to high energy consumption and increased costs, with non-central air conditioning failing to distribute cold air evenly and water cooling being limited by resource scarcity and high costs, especially in regions with water shortages and cold temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A centralized heat-exchange cooling system utilizing a spray hydraulic device and thermally-conductive liquid working substance for efficient cooling of data server cabinets, where the liquid is sprayed directly onto the heating elements, reducing thermal resistance and energy consumption, and using a centralized cooling method that eliminates the need for fans within the machine room.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional air conditioning units are used for data center cooling, then cooling coverage can be achieved, but energy consumption increases significantly and cold air distribution becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional air-based cooling with liquid-based spray cooling. Liquid working substance is sprayed directly onto heating elements through spray nozzles, utilizing hydraulic principles to achieve superior heat transfer efficiency. This liquid-spray approach eliminates the need for large volumes of air movement, thereby reducing energy consumption while improving cooling performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the cooling function from centralized air conditioning systems and implements it at the source of heat generation. By spraying liquid directly onto heating elements, the cooling action is taken out from remote air conditioning units and applied precisely where heat is generated, eliminating uneven distribution and reducing energy loss.
2Temperature
If water cooling is implemented, then cooling efficiency improves, but water consumption increases and system cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and application method of the liquid working substance. Instead of using water in conventional cooling systems, the invention employs a specialized liquid working substance that is sprayed in controlled amounts directly onto heating elements. The liquid evaporates or absorbs heat and then recycles, significantly reducing consumption while maintaining high cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recycles the liquid working substance after it has performed its cooling function. The liquid that has absorbed heat from the heating elements is collected and reused, minimizing waste and reducing overall consumption of the working substance, thereby addressing water resource scarcity concerns.
3Temperature
If centralized air conditioning is used, then cooling capacity increases, but construction costs and system complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cooling system into modular components: spray nozzles, liquid distribution systems, and recycling units. Each cabinet or server rack can be equipped with its own spray cooling system, allowing for decentralized, modular deployment. This segmentation reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high cooling capacity through distributed cooling points.
Solution Approach 2:
The spray cooling system is designed to be self-regulating and easy to maintain. The liquid working substance automatically circulates and recycles, reducing the need for complex control systems and manual intervention. This self-service characteristic simplifies operation and maintenance, thereby reducing system complexity.
4Temperature
If more cooling equipment is deployed, then cooling performance improves, but energy consumption accounts for 30% of total data center energy use
Solution Approach 1:
By utilizing liquid-based spray cooling instead of air-based systems, the invention achieves much higher heat transfer coefficients. This hydraulic approach allows for more efficient energy utilization in the cooling process, reducing the energy required to move heat away from heating elements and thereby reducing overall energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid working substance continuously circulates through the system, absorbing heat from heating elements and then being cooled and reused. This continuous cycle ensures that cooling action is constantly applied where needed, maximizing the usefulness of the cooling energy and minimizing waste, thereby reducing energy loss.
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 significantly improves cooling performance, reduces energy consumption, and decreases noise levels while being easy to integrate and manufacture, with the ability to handle high cooling loads and provide effective thermal management without phase transition of the liquid working substance during spraying.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid working substance sprayed from the spraying mechanisms can be returned to the outer liquid working substance tank through the return pipes, and then can be cooled down by means of the spray hydraulic device and the hydraulic working substance cooling equipment
Implementation Method 2
the liquid working substance sprayed from the spraying mechanisms can be returned to the outer liquid working substance tank through the return pipes, and then can be cooled down by means of the spray hydraulic device and the hydraulic working substance cooling equipment
Data Source
AI summary
A centralized cooling system for data center comprises at least one cabinet, a spray hydraulic device and a hydraulic working substance cooling equipment integrated outside the cabinet, and an outer liquid working substance tank, which are connected by a pipe, wherein the cabinet comprises an auxiliary cabinet, a server cabinet, a liquid inlet pipe, and a return pipe; wherein an inner liquid working substance tank, a main pipe and a pipe distributor are arranged inside the auxiliary cabinet; a server and a plurality of spraying mechanisms are arranged inside the server cabinet; the liquid working substance sprayed from the spraying mechanisms is returned to the outer liquid working substance tank through the return pipe, cooled down by means of the spray hydraulic device and the hydraulic circulating cooling device, and enters the inner liquid working substance tank, and the liquid working substance has no phase transition during the spraying process.