Systems, apparatuses, methods, and computer program products for providing an asset operations heat output to an asset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data centers face challenges in achieving carbon neutrality or negativity due to high lifecycle emissions, which cannot be solely mitigated by using renewable power sources, necessitating a system to capture and utilize waste heat for asset operations.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump system configured to receive waste heat from a data center and power input to generate an asset operations heat output, which is then provided to assets like direct air capture systems, reducing lifecycle emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If renewable power sources are used in data centers, then carbon emissions from power consumption are reduced, but lifecycle emissions cannot be fully mitigated due to remaining waste heat and operational emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent captures waste heat from data center operations (a harmful byproduct) and converts it into useful thermal energy through heat pumps. This recovered heat is then utilized for various purposes including heating buildings, preheating cooling water, and supporting direct air capture operations, thereby transforming an environmental liability into a valuable resource that reduces overall lifecycle emissions
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers waste heat that would otherwise be discarded into the environment. By implementing heat recovery mechanisms across data center infrastructure (IT equipment, cooling systems, HVAC), the patent captures this discarded thermal energy and redirects it to useful applications, preventing energy loss and reducing the need for additional energy consumption
2Object-generated harmful factors
If waste heat is captured and utilized through heat pumps, then carbon neutrality is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pump system is designed to perform multiple functions: heating data center facilities, preheating cooling water, supporting direct air capture operations, and providing general thermal energy for building heating. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single integrated platform, managing complexity while delivering diverse carbon reduction benefits
Solution Approach 2:
Heat pumps serve as intermediary devices that bridge the gap between waste heat sources (data center equipment) and heat utilization points (buildings, cooling systems, air capture facilities). These intermediaries facilitate efficient thermal energy transfer and temperature adjustment, enabling carbon neutrality without requiring direct connection between all heat sources and sinks
3Object-generated harmful factors
If waste heat is used for direct air capture operations, then carbon negativity is achieved, but high temperature heat requirements increase energy demand
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating actions by capturing waste heat and preheating water or air before it enters direct air capture processes. This pre-conditioning of thermal inputs reduces the additional energy required for high-temperature operations in air capture, making the overall process more energy-efficient while achieving carbon negativity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges waste heat from data center operations with the thermal requirements of direct air capture processes. By combining these previously separate thermal streams into an integrated system, the waste heat that would otherwise be lost is now utilized to meet the high temperature demands of air capture, reducing overall energy demand while enabling carbon removal
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
Enables data centers to be carbon neutral or negative by capturing and utilizing waste heat to generate high-temperature heat output for assets, thereby reducing overall emissions.
Implementation Method 1
the heat pump is configured to receive a waste heat input from a data center... the heat pump is configured to receive a power input from a power source... the heat pump is configured to generate an asset operations heat output based at least in part on the waste heat input and the power input
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, apparatuses, methods, and computer program products are provided herein. For example, an embodiment described herein includes a heat pump and a heat pump operations apparatus. In some embodiments, the heat pump may be configured to receive a waste heat input from a data center. The waste heat input is associated with a first temperature. In some embodiments, the heat pump may be configured to receive a power input from a power source. In some embodiments, the heat pump may be configured to generate an asset operations heat output based at least in part on the waste heat input and the power input. The asset operations heat output is associated with a second temperature. The second temperature is greater than the first temperature. In some embodiments, the heat pump may be configured to providing the asset operations heat output to an asset.