Modular Outdoor Heat Exchange for Continuous Data Center Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling systems for data centers, such as chilled water designs, suffer from poor energy efficiency and instability, while large phase change systems fail to meet continuous cooling demands.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration system with an indoor heat exchange module and outdoor heat exchange modules that can switch between active and standby modes, utilizing an air suspension compressor and an uninterruptible power system to ensure continuous refrigerant circulation and efficient heat exchange, with a condensing device and liquid storage to maintain cooling capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional chilled water cooling systems are used for data centers, then cooling coverage can be achieved, but energy efficiency deteriorates and system stability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides outdoor heat exchange modules into multiple independent units that can operate independently. Each module includes a compressor, condensing device, and associated controls, allowing selective activation of only the cooling capacity needed while maintaining system stability through modular redundancy
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of active outdoor heat exchange modules based on real-time cooling demands. The control device monitors indoor heat exchange module temperatures and activates or deactivates outdoor modules accordingly, optimizing energy efficiency while ensuring sufficient cooling capacity is always available
2Productivity
If large phase change systems are deployed to meet continuous cooling demands, then cooling capacity increases, but system complexity and inability to respond to varying demands worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of a single large phase change system, the invention uses multiple smaller outdoor heat exchange modules that can be independently controlled. This segmentation provides the necessary total cooling capacity while reducing individual component complexity and enabling flexible response to varying cooling demands through selective module activation
Solution Approach 2:
Each outdoor heat exchange module is designed as a universal unit capable of operating in different modes (active or standby) to meet varying cooling demands. The modules can function independently or in combination, providing scalable cooling capacity without requiring complex specialized systems for different load conditions
3Loss of energy
If outdoor heat exchange modules are disconnected from indoor modules in standby mode, then energy consumption reduces, but cooling response time worsens
Solution Approach 1:
Outdoor heat exchange modules in standby mode remain pre-configured and connected to the refrigerant circulation system, with compressors maintained in a ready state. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid activation and immediate cooling response when demanded, eliminating startup delays while still reducing energy consumption compared to continuous full-operation 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 provides stable and efficient cooling by ensuring continuous operation and rapid switching of outdoor heat exchange modules, avoiding insufficient cooling capacity and maintaining data center temperature requirements.
Implementation Method 1
the compression device includes an air suspension compressor; the air suspension compressor is connected between an output terminal of the indoor heat exchange module and an input terminal of the condensing device
Implementation Method 2
outdoor heat exchange modules configured for the refrigerant to dissipate heat
Implementation Method 3
the condensing device includes a condensing coil, an input terminal of the condensing coil being connected to an output terminal of the compression device, and an output terminal of the condensing coil being connected to an input terminal of the indoor heat exchange module
Implementation Method 4
an indoor heat exchange module configured for refrigerant to absorb heat
Implementation Method 5
refrigerant to absorb heat
Implementation Method 6
the outdoor heat exchange module further includes a liquid storage portion; and the liquid storage portion is connected between an output terminal of the condensing device and an input terminal of the indoor heat exchange module, and is configured to store the refrigerant output from the condensing device
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigeration system is provided. The refrigeration system includes: an indoor heat exchange module configured for refrigerant to absorb heat; outdoor heat exchange modules for the refrigerant to dissipate heat. The outdoor heat exchange module includes a compression device and a condensing device; the outdoor heat exchange module is switchable between an active mode and a standby mode; in the active mode, the outdoor heat exchange module is connected to the indoor heat exchange module; in the standby mode, the outdoor heat exchange module is disconnected from the indoor heat exchange module, and the compression device of the outdoor heat exchange module is in an operation status.