Split-Power Chiller Layout for Cooling During Power Outages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Chillers in air-conditioning systems face a significant challenge in maintaining cooling during power outages, as the entire system shuts down, leading to rapid temperature increases that can cause critical computer equipment to overheat or shut down prematurely, even with the use of uninterruptible power sources.
Innovation Solution
A chiller design with distinct power inputs for the refrigeration and chilled-fluid loops, where a critical power source powers the controller and pump in the chilled-fluid loop, allowing continued circulation of the working fluid and heat removal even when the refrigeration loop is not operational, leveraging the stored energy in the chilled-fluid loop to maintain cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a common power input is used for all chiller components, then the system structure is simple, but the cooling capacity is lost completely during power outages
Solution Approach 1:
The power input is divided into two separate inputs: a critical power input that supplies power only to the controller and chilled-water circulating pump, and a non-critical power input that supplies power to the compressor and condenser fan. This segmentation allows the critical cooling function to continue during power outages while maintaining simple system structure.
2Reliability
If an uninterruptible power source is used to power all components, then continuous operation is maintained, but the cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The uninterruptible power source is applied locally only to the critical components (controller and pump) that are essential for maintaining cooling capacity, rather than powering all components. This selective application reduces cost and complexity while ensuring continuous critical function.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the refrigeration loop is shut down during power outage, then energy consumption is reduced, but cooling capacity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of completely shutting down the refrigeration loop or running it at full capacity, the system operates the chilled-water circulating pump at reduced or partial capacity during power outages. This partial operation maintains essential cooling capacity while reducing energy consumption compared to full operation.
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 solution enables prolonged operation of computer components by maintaining cooling capacity during power outages, matching the runtime of the uninterruptible power supply with the cooling provided, preventing overheating and allowing for safe shutdown, thus rendering the uninterruptible power source more effective.
Implementation Method 1
In the air handler, the working fluid can extract heat from air in the room to be cooled
Implementation Method 2
The refrigerant fluid absorbs heat from the working fluid in the evaporator, where the refrigerant fluid is vaporized
Implementation Method 3
the vaporized refrigerant fluid is re-condensed... the refrigerant fluid... dumps that heat in the condenser
Data Source
AI summary
A chiller for supplying chilled fluid for cooling a room includes two distinct power inputs. A critical power input is configured to supply power to a controller and to a pump in a chilled-fluid loop that circulates a cool working fluid through an air handler 34 to cool the air in the air handler. A non-critical power input is configured to supply power to a compressor and, possibly, other elements of a refrigeration loop that includes an evaporator, the compressor, and a condenser to provide refrigeration via an evaporation/condensation cycle. When power is lost to the non-critical power input, the critical power input can continue to independently power the circulation of the working fluid through the chilled-fluid loop to continue to provide a level of cooling in the air handler.