Three-Coil Dehumidifier Layout for Data Center Humidity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data centers face inefficiencies in cooling systems, particularly in addressing heat buildup and humidity, as existing CRAC units mix cool air with room temperature air, are inefficient in latent cooling, and traditional CRAH units have reduced moisture removal capacity with warmer supply set points.
Innovation Solution
A modular and scalable dehumidifier unit with three coils and a thermal unit, configured to pre-cool, dehumidify, and re-warm air, using a cooling fluid that flows through the thermal unit to adjust temperatures and control humidity, integrated with a cooling system that can be strategically placed within data centers to optimize cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If CRAC units are used to cool the data center, then the equipment can be cooled, but the cool air is mixed with room temperature air which is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional zones: a cold aisle region where cool air is delivered directly to equipment, and a hot aisle region where hot air is collected. This segmentation prevents mixing of cool and room temperature air, maintaining the integrity of the cooling process and improving energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the cooling function from traditional perimeter-mounted CRAC units and delivers it directly to the equipment racks through dedicated cold aisle containment. This extraction allows cool air to be delivered precisely where needed without being diluted by room temperature air.
2Temperature
If CRAC units discharge cold air into the data center room, then cooling is provided, but the outlet air is blown into the room and mixed with room temperature air at or near the equipment racks
Solution Approach 1:
The data center is segmented into distinct thermal zones using physical barriers and containment structures. The cold aisle is contained separately from the hot aisle and return air paths, preventing unwanted mixing and allowing precise control of air flow to equipment racks.
3Loss of energy
If CRAH units operate with warmer supply set points to increase sensible heat ratio, then chiller operation becomes more efficient, but moisture removal capacity is greatly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the temperature parameter of the supply air to maintain a higher sensible heat ratio, improving chiller efficiency. Simultaneously, it employs dehumidification coils and control strategies to maintain adequate moisture removal capacity despite the warmer supply temperature.
4Productivity
If the number of electrical devices mounted in each rack increases, then equipment density increases, but heat build-up and hot spots within the enclosure worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented to deliver cooling capacity directly at the rack level through cold aisle containment. This allows high-density equipment to be cooled locally before heat accumulates, preventing hot spots and enabling higher equipment density without exacerbating thermal issues.
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 dehumidifier unit effectively removes moisture, reducing the need for humidification and improving cooling efficiency, with a sensible heat ratio of 18% and latent coefficient of performance of approximately 99.5%, while minimizing energy consumption and space usage.
Implementation Method 1
a first coil in fluid communication with a source of cooling fluid... configured pre-cool air delivered by the air moving device
Implementation Method 2
a second coil in fluid communication with the source of cooling fluid and configured to dehumidify air
Implementation Method 3
a third coil in fluid communication with one of the source of cooling fluid or the first coil and configured to warm air delivered from the second coil
Implementation Method 4
a thermal unit disposed between the source of cooling fluid and the second and third coils... adapted to remove heat from cooling fluid flowing to the second coil and adapted to heat cooling fluid flowing to the third coil
Data Source
AI summary
A dehumidifier unit includes a first coil in fluid communication with a source of cooling fluid, a second coil in fluid communication with the source of cooling fluid, a third coil in fluid communication with the source of cooling fluid, and a thermal unit disposed between the source of cooling fluid and the second and third coils. The thermal unit may be adapted to remove heat from cooling fluid flowing to the second coil and adapted to heat cooling fluid flowing to the third coil. A fan may be configured to move air across the first, second and third coils. The first coil may be configured to pre-cool air moving over the first coil, the second coil may be configured to dehumidify the air moving over the second coil, and the third coil may be configured to warm the air moving over the third coil. Other embodiments and methods of cooling are further disclosed.