Modular Data Center Air Handling for Accessible Cooling Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data center air handling systems lack efficient cooling solutions, with evaporator and condenser units often not located in standardized, accessible positions, making maintenance and repair difficult, and not designed for transportability.
Innovation Solution
An air handling unit with a heat exchange unit, outside air inlet, filter chamber, condenser unit, evaporator, and evaporator bypass, designed for efficient cooling by recirculating air rapidly and allowing for external placement of condenser units, enabling easy access and transportability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If evaporator and condenser units are installed inside the facility, then cooling function is provided, but maintenance and repair access is difficult and units are not transportable
Solution Approach 1:
The air conditioning system is divided into separate modular units: evaporator units that remain inside the facility and condenser units that are placed outside. This segmentation allows the condenser units to be easily accessible for maintenance and transportable, while the evaporator units continue to provide cooling functionality inside the facility.
Solution Approach 2:
The condenser units are extracted from the interior facility space and placed in external locations. This extraction resolves the contradiction by making these units easily accessible for maintenance and repair while the evaporator units remain positioned to provide the necessary cooling function inside the facility.
2Ease of operation
If air conditioning units are placed inside the facility, then cooling is provided, but units are not located in standardized accessible positions
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the air conditioning system into evaporator and condenser units positioned at different locations, the system achieves standardized accessible positions for the condenser units outside the facility while the evaporator units remain strategically positioned inside to maintain proper temperature control.
3Productivity
If conventional air handling systems are used, then cooling is provided, but cooling efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously recirculates and cools air through the evaporator and condenser units, maintaining efficient cooling operation. The modular design allows for optimized heat exchange processes that improve cooling efficiency while reducing energy consumption compared to conventional systems.
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 design enhances cooling efficiency by rapid air recirculation, reduces facility temperatures, and facilitates easier maintenance and relocation of air handling components.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchange unit containing an exhaust fan that emits heat from the heated air as the vented air
Implementation Method 2
a condenser unit coupled to the filter chamber that creates an air cooling area over which the filtered air passes to create the cooled air
Implementation Method 3
an evaporator that provides a water wall through which the filtered air can pass
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is an air handling unit for use in an integrated data center that provides for efficient cooling.