Power and refrigeration cascade system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing on-site power generation systems for data centers face challenges in achieving efficient temporal matching of power and thermal output with time-dependent loads, leading to inefficiencies and high energy consumption, especially when operating independently from the grid.
Innovation Solution
A combined power and refrigeration cascade system (PARCS) that includes an electric power system, a refrigeration system, and an absorption system, where the refrigeration system is thermally coupled to the electric power system and an absorption system to achieve low condensing temperatures, enabling efficient use of waste heat for cooling and power supply needs, and is designed to match cooling needs with actual power supplied to the load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If absorption chillers are used to utilize waste heat for cooling, then energy efficiency is improved, but the system cannot provide sub zero temperature refrigeration
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into two separate absorption chillers operating in series: a first absorption chiller that operates at higher temperature to provide primary cooling, and a second absorption chiller that operates at lower temperature to provide sub-zero refrigeration. This segmentation allows each chiller to operate within its optimal temperature range while collectively providing both high-efficiency cooling and low-temperature refrigeration capabilities.
2Loss of energy
If grid-independent operation is implemented, then power conversion losses are reduced, but temporal mismatching between power/thermal output and load demands occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates dynamic control mechanisms that allow the absorption chillers to adjust their operation based on real-time thermal and power demands. The first and second absorption chillers can be independently controlled to match varying load requirements, enabling the grid-independent system to adapt temporally to changing demands while maintaining energy efficiency.
3Temperature
If cascaded combinations of exhaust-driven ABS and VC cooling are used, then low-temperature refrigeration is provided, but temporal mismatching occurs when operated in grid-independent mode
Solution Approach 1:
The cascaded absorption chiller system is designed to serve itself by utilizing waste heat from the first absorption chiller as the heat source for the second absorption chiller. This self-service arrangement eliminates the need for external grid connection while maintaining the ability to provide low-temperature refrigeration, and the system's inherent thermal coupling enables temporal matching between power generation and cooling demands.
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 PARCS system achieves 30-50% energy savings compared to conventional power supply and cooling systems, with improved energy efficiency and reduced power conversion losses by utilizing waste heat effectively and providing correlated power and cooling for data centers.
Implementation Method 1
The absorption system is thermally coupled to the refrigeration system and configured to remove heat rejected by the refrigeration system
Implementation Method 2
The refrigeration system is thermally coupled to a component, wherein the component is the electric power system and/or a load powered by the electric power system
Data Source
AI summary
A combined power and refrigeration cascade system that includes an electric power system (PS) that produces both electric power and medium-to-high-grade waste heat. To reduce energy consumption by a load having a computer chip, the load is powered by a power source and thermally coupled to a refrigeration system, which is also powered by the power source. The refrigeration system is thermally coupled to an absorption system, which is configured to remove heat rejected by the refrigeration system. The refrigeration system and the absorption system are in a cascaded arrangement such that the refrigeration system condensing temperature is less than twenty degrees Celsius. In particular, absorption chillers of the absorption system and vapor-compressors of the refrigeration system are in a cascading arrangement that produces subzero cooling.