Phase Change Material Data Center Cooling System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data centers face inefficiencies in waste heat removal due to non-uniform heat generation across racking systems and variations in outside air quality, leading to potential overheating and cooling system failures.
Innovation Solution
A thermal energy receptacle system incorporating phase change material modules that transfer heat from air to phase change materials, allowing the phase to change (e.g., melt) and utilizing a fluid transport system to manage heat exchange, which can be activated or deactivated based on cooling needs and integrated with both mechanical and free cooling modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If uniform heat removal methods are applied to non-uniform waste heat generation sources, then cooling system simplicity is maintained, but cooling efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple independently controllable cooling zones corresponding to different rack locations. Each zone can be activated or deactivated based on local heat generation requirements, allowing efficient heat removal from high-density areas while avoiding unnecessary cooling in low-heat areas, thus resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and cooling efficiency.
2Power
If outside air is used for cooling, then cooling capacity is increased, but cooling reliability deteriorates due to air quality variations
Solution Approach 1:
A thermal energy receptacle system with phase change material serves as an intermediary between the outside air cooling source and the data center equipment. The phase change material absorbs and stores cooling capacity when outside air conditions are favorable, and releases it when conditions deteriorate or during peak heat generation periods, thereby decoupling the cooling system from direct dependence on outside air quality and maintaining reliable cooling.
3Reliability
If phase change material is used for heat storage, then cooling reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The phase change material-based thermal energy receptacle system operates autonomously to regulate heat transfer. The phase change material automatically absorbs heat during phase transition without requiring external control, and releases heat when temperature drops, providing self-regulating cooling reliability. This self-service mechanism reduces the need for complex control systems while maintaining high reliability.
4Power
If cooling system is sized for peak heat generation, then cooling capacity is sufficient, but energy consumption increases during low heat periods
Solution Approach 1:
The phase change material is pre-charged with cooling capacity during periods of low heat generation or when outside air cooling is available. This preliminary storage of thermal energy allows the system to meet peak cooling demands without proportionally increasing continuous energy consumption, as the stored cooling capacity can be drawn upon during high-heat periods.
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 solution effectively manages heat removal from data centers, maintaining optimal temperatures and reducing the risk of overheating, even during cooling system failures, by utilizing phase change materials to absorb and release heat efficiently, regardless of outside air conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The thermal energy receptacle system transfers heat from air moving through the air handling system to the phase change material modules such that the phase of the phase change material changes
Implementation Method 2
phase change material modules that transfer heat from air to phase change materials, allowing the phase to change (e.g., melt)
Data Source
AI summary
A data center includes an air handling system and a thermal energy receptacle system. The air handling system moves air across heat producing components of electrical systems in the data center. The thermal energy receptacle system is coupled to the air handling system. The thermal energy receptacle system includes one or more heat exchangers that exchange heat between air moving through the air handling system and a fluid, one or more phase change material modules including phase change material, and a fluid transport system that transports fluid between the phase change material modules and the heat exchangers. The thermal energy receptacle system transfers heat from air passing over the one or more heat exchangers to at least one of the phase change material modules such that at least a portion of the phase change material changes phase.