Cooling system for high density heat loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data center climate control systems face challenges in achieving high reliability and uptime due to the complexity and cost of implementing complete redundancy in cooling systems, particularly in pumped refrigerant cooling systems, which can be prohibitively expensive and complicated.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system design that incorporates multiple pumping units operating at variable speeds, where if one unit experiences a fault, the others can increase output to maintain fluid flow, and additional units can be activated to provide redundancy, reducing the need for extensive redundant infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complete replication of cooling systems is implemented to achieve reliable redundancy, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity and implementation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into multiple independent pumping units, each capable of operating autonomously. This segmentation allows the system to provide redundancy through modular components rather than complete system replication, reducing overall complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Each pumping unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate independently to provide full cooling capacity, or work in conjunction with other units to share the load. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated standby systems, reducing device complexity while ensuring reliability.
2Reliability
If additional pumps and modules are added to over-provision the cooling system, then system reliability is improved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The pumping units incorporate variable speed drives that allow dynamic adjustment of operating parameters. This enables the system to optimize performance based on actual cooling demands, ensuring reliability without requiring excessive pumping capacity that would increase costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by adjusting the speed and flow rate of pumping units based on real-time conditions. This allows a smaller number of units to provide adequate cooling capacity across varying loads, avoiding the need for over-provisioning additional hardware.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple pumping units share refrigerant flow, then cost is reduced by avoiding full redundancy, but maintaining sufficient fluid flow becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors refrigerant flow conditions and pumping unit performance, using this feedback to dynamically adjust operating parameters. This ensures that sufficient fluid flow is maintained even when multiple units share the load, preventing flow insufficiency while reducing the need for full redundancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to maintain continuous adequate refrigerant flow to thermal loads through coordinated operation of multiple pumping units. By ensuring that at least one unit can always meet the minimum flow requirement, the system maintains reliability while reducing the quantity of pumping equipment needed.
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 enhances system reliability and uptime while minimizing costs by allowing for efficient redistribution of refrigerant flow and reducing the necessity for full redundancy, thus maintaining cooling performance with reduced complexity and expense.
Implementation Method 1
a first pump circulating refrigerant through a thermal load
Implementation Method 2
pumping units that share refrigerant flow, allowing one unit to compensate for another's reduced capacity by increasing speed
Data Source
AI summary
A pumped refrigerant cooling system having multiple pumping units for providing working fluid to a load to enable cooling of a space via the load. The pumped refrigerant cooling system operates the pumping units at less than capacity. When a pumping unit is deactivated, the output of the remaining pumping units is increased to maintain fluid flow.