Data Center Pre-cooling Chiller with In-row Air Conditioners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data center cooling systems consume excessive energy due to inefficient cooling methods, particularly in conventional mechanical cooling cycles where compressors account for the largest power consumption, and lack energy-saving measures.
Innovation Solution
A data center local cooling system with a pre-cooling chiller that operates in optimal modes based on external air temperature, utilizing a pre-cooling chiller installed outside the data center, in-row air conditioners between server racks, and a refrigerant distributor for efficient heat exchange and energy management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional mechanical cooling cycles with compressors are used, then cooling function is provided, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-cooling chiller cools outside air before it enters the data center, preparing the air in advance to reduce the cooling load inside. This preliminary cooling action reduces the energy consumption of the main cooling system while maintaining reliable cooling function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary cooling system (pre-cooling chiller and refrigerant distributor) between the outside air and the server room air. This intermediary system uses latent heat of evaporation of refrigerant to efficiently cool air, reducing the energy burden on the main compressor-based cooling system.
2Loss of energy
If outside air is introduced for cooling, then energy saving is achieved, but condensation may form inside the server room
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature and phase parameters of the refrigerant through controlled evaporation in the refrigerant distributor. By maintaining the refrigerant as a gas at room temperature after evaporation, the system prevents condensation while achieving efficient heat exchange and energy saving.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the phase transition of refrigerant from liquid to gas during evaporation in the refrigerant distributor. This phase change absorbs latent heat efficiently for cooling while the resulting gaseous refrigerant at room temperature prevents condensation issues that would occur with colder liquid or vapor phases.
3Productivity
If in-row air conditioners are installed between server racks, then cooling efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple independent in-row air conditioners distributed between server racks, with each unit handling local cooling needs. This segmentation improves cooling efficiency by placing cooling capacity close to heat sources, while the modular nature manages complexity through standardization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the pre-cooling chiller system with the in-row air conditioners through a shared refrigerant distribution network. This merging allows the pre-cooled refrigerant to be distributed to multiple in-row units, achieving improved cooling efficiency while managing system complexity through integrated design.
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 minimizes energy consumption by optimizing the operation of the pre-cooling chiller and in-row air conditioners, achieving efficient heat exchange through latent heat of evaporation and preventing condensation inside the server room.
Implementation Method 1
a pre-cooling chiller that is installed outside a data center, cools cooling water circulating along an interior thereof by heat exchange with first and second refrigerants
Implementation Method 2
refrigerant distributors that are connected to the pre-cooling chiller through a cooling water flow line through which the cooling water flows and a third refrigerant flow line through which a third refrigerant flows, cool the third refrigerant with heat exchange between the inflow cooling water and the third refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
in-row air conditioners that are disposed between server racks in an interior of the data center, are connected to the refrigerant distributors through the third refrigerant flow line through which the third refrigerant flows, cool indoor air with heat exchange between the third refrigerant flowing through the interior and indoor air flowing in a hot zone of the server rack
Implementation Method 4
as the liquid refrigerant is used as a refrigerant to cool indoor air, highly efficient heat exchange is possible by using latent heat of evaporation of the refrigerant
Data Source
AI summary
A data center local cooling system with a pre-cooling chiller includes a pre-cooling chiller that is installed outside a data center; a plurality of refrigerant distributors that are connected to the pre-cooling chiller through a cooling water flow line through which the cooling water flows and a third refrigerant flow line through which a third refrigerant flows; a plurality of in-row air conditioners that are disposed between server racks in an interior of the data center, are connected to the refrigerant distributors through the third refrigerant flow line through which the third refrigerant flows; and a control unit that is electrically connected to the pre-cooling chiller, the plurality of refrigerant distributors, and the plurality of in-row air conditioners, and controls operations of the pre-cooling chiller, the plurality of refrigerant distributors, and the plurality of in-row air conditioners based on an temperature of external air.