On-Floor Data Center Cooling With Water Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data centers face high operational costs due to both the energy required to power electronic equipment and the additional energy needed for cooling, as the heat generated by thousands of microprocessors necessitates extensive use of energy-intensive cooling systems like chillers and cooling towers.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes on-floor cooling units with proportioning control valves and a controller to manage the flow of cooling water, allowing for efficient temperature regulation by adjusting water flow based on temperature changes, reducing the need for expensive chillers and minimizing energy consumption by using elevated temperatures for cooling, which are managed through a modular and scalable design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If extensive cooling systems like chillers and cooling towers are used to remove heat from data centers, then effective temperature control is achieved, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into multiple independent on-floor cooling units distributed throughout the data center. Each unit handles cooling for a specific zone or rack, allowing localized temperature control without requiring a centralized chiller system to service the entire facility, thereby reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The on-floor cooling units are designed to operate autonomously using passive cooling principles and natural convection. The units self-regulate temperature without requiring continuous operation of high-energy chillers, utilizing the natural heat dissipation properties of the flooring material and ambient air flow patterns.
2Use of energy by moving object
If on-floor cooling units with proportioning control valves are used, then water flow is optimized and energy consumption is minimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Proportioning control valves are installed in each on-floor cooling unit to dynamically adjust water flow rates based on actual cooling demands. The valves modulate flow in response to temperature sensors and occupancy levels, optimizing energy efficiency while preventing water waste during low-load periods without requiring complex centralized control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Each on-floor cooling unit is equipped with its own proportioning control valve and temperature sensing capability, allowing localized optimization of water flow based on specific zone requirements. This distributed control approach achieves system-wide energy efficiency without the complexity of a centralized control architecture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If modular and scalable cooling design is implemented, then system adaptability is improved and costs are reduced, but initial device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is designed as a modular array of standardized on-floor cooling units that can be independently installed, removed, or reconfigured. Each module is a self-contained unit with integrated components, allowing the system to be scaled to match data center growth without requiring redesign, thereby achieving adaptability while keeping individual module complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The on-floor cooling units are designed as universal modules capable of serving multiple functions and configurations. Each unit can operate independently or in combination with adjacent units, adapting to various data center layouts and cooling requirements without requiring specialized components, thus reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
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 the total amount of water required for cooling, minimizes the use of energy-intensive cooling components, and allows for efficient operation with less electrical power, lowering operating and capital costs while maintaining effective temperature control for data center equipment.
Implementation Method 1
Each on-floor cooling unit can include a heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from the electronic equipment to the cooling water source
Implementation Method 2
Each proportioning control valve is configured to turn in response to a signal from the controller, the valve able to be fully closed, fully open, or partially open
Implementation Method 3
The cooling water source can include a cooling tower
Data Source
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Figure 2B
AI summary
A system for cooling air in a data center includes a data center having electronic equipment in operation, a cooling water source, and a plurality of on-floor cooling units. The cooling water source is configured to retain at maximum capacity a total amount of water. Each on-floor cooling unit is configured to cool air heated by a portion of the electronic equipment in the data center using water from the cooling water source. The total amount of water is insufficient to maintain a leaving air temperature of each on-floor cooling unit below an inside setpoint when a temperature outside of the data center is above a predetermined external temperature.