Server Rack Two-Phase Loop Recirculation Vapor Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing two-phase coolant solutions for high-performance servers do not efficiently separate vapor and liquid phases in the mixing phase, leading to inefficiencies in heat removal, which can decrease server reliability and performance over time due to increased temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A server rack design with a two-phase loop recirculation system that includes separators to separate vapor from liquid, valves to control fluid flow, and pumps to manage coolant distribution, allowing for efficient recirculation of liquid coolant back to the supply manifold while vapor is released, thereby enhancing cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If two-phase coolant is used for cooling high-performance servers, then heat removal capability is improved, but vapor-liquid separation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The return manifold is segmented into multiple separate return lines, with each line dedicated to serving specific server chassis. This segmentation allows for improved vapor-liquid separation in each individual return line while maintaining the overall two-phase cooling system's heat removal capability. The separator is also divided into multiple separation chambers that process different fluid streams simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
A dedicated separator component is introduced as an intermediary between the return manifold and the supply manifold. This separator acts as a mediator that efficiently separates vapor from liquid in the two-phase coolant, preventing vapor from entering the supply line while allowing liquid to recirculate. The separator includes drainage mechanisms that facilitate complete vapor removal.
2Device complexity
If vapor is not separated in the mixing phase, then system complexity is reduced, but cooling efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Vapor is extracted from the two-phase coolant stream at multiple points along the return manifold, rather than attempting to separate it all at one location. Each return line has its own vapor separation capability, extracting vapor locally before the fluid returns to the supply manifold. This distributed extraction approach maintains cooling efficiency while avoiding the complexity of a single large centralized separator.
3Device complexity
If liquid coolant is not recirculated efficiently, then system simplicity is maintained, but server reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system ensures continuous recirculation of liquid coolant through the server chassis by maintaining a closed loop from the supply manifold through the servers and back to the supply manifold via the return manifold. The separator continuously removes vapor while allowing liquid to pass through, and the pump maintains continuous circulation. This continuous action ensures consistent cooling and maintains server reliability.
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 significantly improves cooling efficiency by effectively separating vapor and liquid phases, maintaining a proper thermal environment, and extending server performance and lifespan by efficiently managing two-phase coolant recirculation.
Implementation Method 1
two-phase cooling fluid to extract heat from one or more electronic devices and transform into a two-phase mixing fluid having at least a portion of the two-phase cooling fluid evaporated into vapor
Implementation Method 2
at least a portion of the two-phase cooling fluid evaporated into vapor
Implementation Method 3
a first separator disposed on the return manifold to separate the vapor of the two-phase mixing fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A rack with two-phase loop recirculation includes a supply manifold, a return manifold, and a separator. For example, a supply manifold is configured to receive two-phase cooling fluid from a cooling fluid source to distribute the two-phase cooling fluid to one or more server chassis. The two-phase cooling fluid is to extract heat from the one or more electronic devices and to transform into two-phase mixing fluid having at least a portion of the two-phase fluid transformed into vapor. A return manifold is configured to receive the two-phase mixing fluid from one or more loops associated with one or more electronic devices of the server chassis. A separator disposed on the return manifold is configured to separate the vapor of the two-phase mixing fluid and to divert first remaining two-phase cooling fluid of the two-phase mixing fluid directly back to the supply manifold through a return loop.