Containment System for Phase Change Data Center Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data centers face challenges in efficiently managing and containing two-phase coolant vapor, leading to coolant loss and reduced cooling efficiency, which affects server performance and reliability due to increased temperatures from high-performance electronics.
Innovation Solution
A containment system with an aisle layout that includes immersion tank aisles and vapor management aisles, utilizing vapor return units to condense vapor back into coolant and distribute it efficiently through a distribution system, thereby reducing vapor loss and improving coolant management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional cooling systems are used for high-performance servers, then servers can operate, but heat dissipation becomes insufficient leading to increased temperatures and reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs two-phase immersion cooling where coolant transitions between liquid and vapor phases to efficiently absorb and remove heat from high-performance servers. The coolant circulates through liquid phase to absorb heat, then vaporizes to carry thermal energy away, condenses back to liquid, and repeats the cycle, maintaining optimal server temperatures while ensuring reliable operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses hydraulic circulation of liquid coolant through immersion tanks, with pumps and distribution systems moving the coolant throughout the data center. The pneumatic aspect is incorporated through vapor management where vaporized coolant is collected and condensed, creating a closed-loop thermal management system that efficiently handles heat dissipation
2Loss of substance
If vapor management is not implemented, then system complexity is reduced, but coolant loss increases and cooling efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The vapor management system implements feedback control where vapor sensors detect vapor levels and composition, and this information feeds back to control vapor collection and condensation processes. This closed-loop control optimizes coolant recovery, minimizes losses, and maintains system efficiency while managing the complexity through intelligent automation
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding vaporized coolant as waste, the system recovers it through condensation processes. The vapor is collected, condensed back to liquid phase, and returned to the coolant circulation system, preventing coolant loss and maintaining sustainable operation without requiring excessive coolant replenishment
3Loss of substance
If containment structures are added to manage vapor, then coolant containment improves, but ease of operation decreases due to restricted access
Solution Approach 1:
The containment system is segmented into modular sections with defined access points and pathways. Vapor containment structures are divided into discrete zones that can be independently accessed, allowing operators to reach immersion tanks through designated access corridors without compromising overall vapor containment integrity. This segmentation maintains containment effectiveness while preserving operational accessibility
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 achieves highly efficient phase change fluid management, reduces coolant loss, improves energy efficiency, and lowers operational costs while enhancing system scalability and deployability.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing vapor return units to condense vapor back into coolant
Implementation Method 2
two phase coolant used in data center cooling
Implementation Method 3
Containment solution for phase change systems
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for managing coolant in data centers are disclosed. Coolant may be used in data centers to regulate the temperatures of computing devices. The disclosed methods and system may provide for containment of vapor and condensation of the vapor into coolant. The coolant may be used as part of a two phase cooling system to cool the computing devices. The vapor may be generated when the coolant removes heat from computing devices during operation while at least partially submerged in the coolant. A mobile condenser is used for condensing the vapor within the containment.