Mixed mode modular cooling system and operating method thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current chillers using compressors or pumped refrigerant economizers (PRE) systems face inefficiencies at intermediate temperatures, as they either lose efficiency at high temperatures or fail to optimize performance across varying temperature ranges.
Innovation Solution
A modular cooling system with multiple refrigerant loops that can operate in pumped or compressed modes based on demand, allowing flexible switching between these modes to optimize efficiency across different temperature ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a compressor is used for cooling, then high efficiency in modulation is achieved, but performance worsens at high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two cooling modes (compressor mode and free cooling mode) based on ambient temperature conditions. The controller monitors ambient temperature and automatically transitions between modes to maintain optimal energy efficiency across varying temperature ranges, resolving the contradiction between maintaining efficiency and adapting to high temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system is designed with dual functionality: it can operate as a traditional compressor-based chiller or as a free cooling system using ambient air. This multi-functionality allows the system to handle both low-temperature high-efficiency scenarios and high-temperature conditions effectively, eliminating the performance degradation at high temperatures.
2Productivity
If free cooling is combined with compressors, then cooling capacity is increased, but performance worsens at high temperatures due to additional coils
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic mode switching based on ambient temperature thresholds. The controller activates free cooling mode when ambient temperature is favorable, utilizing the cooling towers and evaporators directly. When ambient temperature rises and free cooling becomes inefficient, the system transitions to compressor mode, avoiding the energy losses associated with operating additional coils at high temperatures.
3Temperature
If a pumped refrigerant economizer is used, then efficiency is retained with high ambient temperatures, but opportunities for additional efficiency at intermediate temperatures are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides universal cooling capability across all temperature ranges by incorporating both compressor-based cooling and free cooling pathways. The controller intelligently selects the optimal mode based on real-time ambient temperature conditions, ensuring high efficiency at intermediate temperatures through compressor operation while maintaining effectiveness at high temperatures through free cooling mode.
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 efficiently accommodates a wide range of cooling demands by dynamically adjusting refrigerant loop operation, maintaining high efficiency regardless of ambient temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
pumping a first two-phase refrigerant through a first condenser and a first evaporator
Implementation Method 2
compressing the first two-phase refrigerant between the first evaporator and the first condenser
Implementation Method 3
pumping a first two-phase refrigerant through a first condenser and a first evaporator
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A mixed mode modular cooling system can include two or more mixed mode refrigerant loops and plumbing to permit a working fluid to circulate through at least a portion of the loops. Each mixed mode refrigerant loop can include an evaporator, a condenser, a pump to pump a refrigerant through the evaporator and the condenser, and a compressor configured to compress the refrigerant between the evaporator and the condenser. As cooling demand varies, each mixed mode refrigerant loop can be brought online and operated in either compressed refrigerant mode or pumped refrigerant mode.