LNG Regasification Cooling Loop for Data Center Waste Heat
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for efficient cooling of data centers and heating of liquefied natural gas (LNG) during the regasification process to form natural gas, as existing methods are energy-intensive and often require external power sources.
Innovation Solution
A coupled data center cooling/LNG regasification apparatus that transfers heat from data centers to liquefied natural gas, utilizing a heat transfer fluid and phase change container to cool the data center while regasifying LNG, which can generate power for computation needs, creating a symbiotic relationship between data center cooling and LNG regasification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If external power sources are used for data center cooling and LNG regasification, then cooling and heating functions can be achieved, but energy consumption increases and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines data center cooling and LNG regasification into a single integrated system. The heat exchanger serves dual purposes: cooling data center equipment while simultaneously heating LNG to enable phase change. This merging eliminates the need for separate cooling and heating systems, reducing overall energy consumption and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts waste heat from data center operations, which would normally be discarded, into a useful resource for heating LNG during regasification. By capturing and utilizing this otherwise harmful waste heat, the system achieves both cooling objectives and eliminates the need for external heating energy sources.
2Temperature
If external power sources are used for data center cooling and LNG regasification, then cooling and heating functions can be achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines data center cooling and LNG regasification into a single integrated system. The heat exchanger serves dual purposes: cooling data center equipment while simultaneously heating LNG to enable phase change. This merging eliminates the need for separate cooling and heating systems, reducing overall energy consumption and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a cooling device for data center equipment and as a heating device for LNG regasification. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Loss of energy
If waste heat from data centers is used to regasify LNG, then energy efficiency improves and self-sufficiency increases, but system integration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts waste heat from data center operations, which would normally be discarded, into a useful resource for heating LNG during regasification. By capturing and utilizing this otherwise harmful waste heat, the system achieves both cooling objectives and eliminates the need for external heating energy sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own waste heat output to fuel its own LNG regasification needs, creating a self-sufficient cycle. The data center's operational heat becomes the energy source for processing LNG, reducing dependency on external power sources and improving overall energy efficiency.
4Loss of energy
If heat transfer fluid is used to transfer heat from data center to LNG, then heat transfer efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heat transfer fluid as an intermediary substance to facilitate efficient heat transfer between the data center equipment and the LNG. This fluid circulates through the system, absorbing heat from data center components and delivering it to the LNG in the heat exchanger, enabling controlled and efficient thermal energy transfer.
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 reduces energy consumption by utilizing waste heat from data centers to regasify LNG, providing self-sufficiency and efficient cooling and power generation, enhancing data center resilience and reducing reliance on external power grids.
Implementation Method 1
a heat transfer fluid pipe configured to hold a heat transfer fluid, the heat transfer fluid configured to transfer a heat from the data center to a liquefied natural gas
Implementation Method 2
configured to hold a portion of the liquefied natural gas during a phase change of the liquefied natural gas to a gas phase natural gas
Implementation Method 3
a heat exchanger configured to transfer from the heat transfer fluid at least thirty percent of an enthalpy of vaporization energy used in a phase change of the liquefied natural gas into a gas phase natural gas
Data Source
AI summary
The invention comprises a coupled data center cooling/liquid natural gas (LNG) regasification heating apparatus, such as an apparatus configured to cool a data center, comprising: a heat transfer fluid pipe configured to hold a heat transfer fluid, the heat transfer fluid configured to transfer a heat from the data center to a liquefied natural gas; and a phase change container, such as positioned on a fuel transport vehicle, configured to hold a portion of the liquefied natural gas during a phase change of the liquefied natural gas to a gas phase natural gas, the phase change container further comprising a heat exchanger configured to transfer from the heat transfer fluid at least thirty percent of an enthalpy of vaporization energy used in a phase change of the liquefied natural gas into a gas phase natural gas.