Staged Cooling Circuit With Pumped Economizer Mode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data center cooling systems are inefficient, consuming at least half of the power used in a typical data center, with existing technologies failing to optimize energy usage effectively, particularly in managing temperature and humidity levels.
Innovation Solution
A high-efficiency cooling system with staged cooling using multiple cooling circuits arranged in series, incorporating tandem digital scroll compressors and a pumped refrigerant economizer mode that bypasses the compressor when outdoor temperatures are low, allowing the liquid pump to circulate refrigerant without compression, thereby reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the compressor is used to circulate refrigerant in conventional cooling systems, then the cooling function is provided, but energy consumption is high (consuming at least half of the power used in a typical data center)
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two operational modes: compressed refrigerant circulation mode (using compressor) and pumped refrigerant circulation mode (using liquid pump). This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize energy consumption based on outdoor temperature conditions while maintaining reliable cooling performance through controller-managed mode transitions
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of refrigerant circulation by switching between compression-based circulation (at higher outdoor temperatures) and pump-based circulation (at lower outdoor temperatures). This parameter change enables significant energy reduction when outdoor temperatures are favorable, while maintaining cooling effectiveness through controlled transitions between modes
2Productivity
If the compressor operates continuously to provide cooling, then the cooling capacity is maintained, but energy efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic mode switching between compressor operation and liquid pump operation based on outdoor temperature conditions. The controller monitors outdoor temperature and periodically transitions between compressed refrigerant mode and pumped refrigerant mode, enabling the system to maintain cooling capacity while improving energy efficiency during favorable outdoor temperature periods
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the natural temperature difference between outdoor air and indoor equipment when outdoor temperatures are low, allowing the pumped refrigerant mode to provide cooling without compressor energy consumption. The liquid pump circulates refrigerant to absorb indoor heat and reject it to the cooler outdoor environment, enabling the system to serve itself efficiently during favorable conditions
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 significantly reduces energy consumption by optimizing compressor operation and leveraging the liquid pump to enhance cooling efficiency, especially during low outdoor temperatures, leading to increased annual energy efficiency and improved system performance.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid pump is on and pumps the refrigerant in a liquid phase
Implementation Method 2
refrigerant is circulated around the cooling circuit by the liquid pump
Implementation Method 3
the compressor is on and compresses a refrigerant in a vapor phase to raise its pressure and thus its condensing temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling system has a cabinet and a plurality of separate cooling stages including an upstream cooling stage and a downstream cooling stage. At least the upstream cooling state is a variable capacity cooling stage. Each cooling stage has a cooling circuit. Evaporators of the cooling circuits are arranged in the cabinet so that air passes over them in serial fashion. A controller when a Call for Cooling first reaches a point where cooling is needed, operating the upstream cooling circuit to provide cooling and not the downstream cooling circuit. When the Call for Cooling has increased to a second point, the controller additionally operates the downstream cooling circuit to provide cooling. The cooling capacity at which the upstream cooling circuit is being operated is less than its full capacity when the Call for Cooling reaches the second point.