Stratified Cold Water Storage to Minimize Mixing in Data Center Backup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal energy storage systems for data center servers face inefficiencies due to unpredictable backup times, inconsistent air conditioning temperatures, and inefficient water distribution, leading to increased costs and potential data center instability.
Innovation Solution
A thermal energy storage system with stratified hot and cold water layers, utilizing upper and lower distributors with adjustable positions and customizable distribution holes to minimize water mixing and optimize water flow, ensuring consistent temperature distribution and efficient energy storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the number of buffer tanks is increased or a large capacity buffer tank is installed to predict backup time, then the suppliable time of cold water is extended, but the device complexity and space occupation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer tank is divided into multiple stratification zones (first zone, second zone, third zone, fourth zone) with different temperature characteristics. This segmentation allows the system to store both cold and hot water in distinct regions, extending the suppliable time of cold water without requiring multiple separate buffer tanks, thus resolving the contradiction between duration and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a vertical dimension to water storage by creating stratified temperature zones within a single tank. The distributor is positioned at different heights to selectively draw from specific zones, effectively using spatial dimensionality to extend cold water supply duration without increasing the number of tanks
2Duration of action of moving object
If hot water is stored in the buffer tank to extend backup time, then the suppliable time is increased, but hot water may pass through the air conditioner and return to the freezer, causing temperature inconsistency
Solution Approach 1:
Different zones within the buffer tank are assigned different temperature qualities - the first and second zones store cold water while the third and fourth zones store hot water. The distributor is positioned to selectively draw from cold water zones during backup, ensuring that only cold water passes through the air conditioner and returns to the freezer, thus maintaining temperature consistency while extending backup time
Solution Approach 2:
The distributor acts as an intermediary device that selectively connects to different stratification zones based on operational requirements. During backup, it draws from cold water zones; during normal operation, it can access hot water zones. This intermediary function allows the system to extend backup time with hot water storage while preventing temperature inconsistency by controlling which zone water is drawn from
3Productivity
If a conventional distributor is used in the buffer tank, then the structure is simple, but the cold water stored in the thermal energy storage cannot be used efficiently due to mixing of hot and cold water
Solution Approach 1:
The distributor is designed with localized functionality - it is positioned at a specific height corresponding to the boundary between cold and hot water zones, with distribution holes oriented to draw preferentially from the cold water zone. This localized design maximizes cold water usage efficiency while maintaining relatively simple structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The distributor structure incorporates adjustable or repositionable elements that allow it to adapt to different water levels and temperature stratification patterns. This dynamic capability enables the distributor to maintain optimal positioning for cold water extraction throughout the charging and discharging cycles, improving productivity without requiring complex mechanical systems
4Stability of the object's composition
If water is supplied into the thermal energy storage without proper distribution, then the operation is simple, but water cannot uniformly reach each region inside the thermal energy storage
Solution Approach 1:
The distributor is segmented into multiple sections with distribution holes arranged at different positions and orientations. This segmentation allows water to be distributed uniformly across different regions of the thermal energy storage, preventing temperature stratification issues while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that leverages natural convection currents
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 enhances thermal storage efficiency by minimizing water mixing, allowing for stable and continuous operation of the data center air conditioning system, even during power failures or initial freezer reactivation, by ensuring cold water is supplied at the correct temperature.
Implementation Method 1
stratify hot water and cold water so as to minimize mixing of the hot water and the cold water
Implementation Method 2
an upper distributor located in the upper space and configured to suck the hot water
Implementation Method 3
a lower distributor located in the lower space and configured to supply the cold water
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal energy storage system includes: a thermal energy storage having an upper space for storing hot water and having a lower space for storing cold water, in which the hot water and the cold water are stratified; an upper diffuser located in the upper space; and a lower diffuser located in the lower space, wherein the thermal energy storage includes: a body having a cylindrical shape and having a central axis arranged parallel to a ground; a first dome part having a dome shape and configured to seal open one side of the body; a second dome part having a dome shape and configured to seal an open opposite side of the body; and a plurality of separation plates spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction within the body.