Two-Phase Immersion Cooling Vapor Compression for Container Pressure Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
The rapid increase in internal pressure within data center containers using two-phase immersion-cooling systems leads to potential damage and coolant leakage due to pressure differences, affecting heat dissipation efficiency and increasing costs for coolant replenishment.
Innovation Solution
A two-phase immersion-cooling system incorporating a container with a liquid-storing area and a vapor area, connected to a pressure vessel via a gas channel, utilizes a vapor compressor to draw mixed gases from the vapor area and inject them into the pressure vessel, thereby regulating pressure and preventing excessive internal pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the two-phase coolant continuously evaporates and condenses in the container, then the heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but the internal pressure of the container continuously increases causing damage and coolant leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the gas-phase coolant and air mixture from the container's vapor area using a vapor compressor, removing the harmful high-pressure gas phase from the closed container system. This extracted mixture is then discharged to the external environment, preventing pressure accumulation that would damage the container while maintaining the evaporation-condensation heat dissipation cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The vapor compressor acts as an intermediary device between the container's vapor area and the external environment. It mediates the pressure balance by selectively removing excess gas-phase coolant and air, allowing the system to maintain efficient two-phase heat transfer without risking container damage from pressure buildup.
2Reliability
If the internal pressure of the container increases, then the vapor compressor can be activated to reduce pressure, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a pressure sensor that automatically monitors the container's internal pressure and triggers the vapor compressor activation when pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex manual control systems, as the pressure sensor and vapor compressor work together in an automatic feedback loop to maintain pressure within safe limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the pressure sensor continuously monitors container pressure and provides feedback to control the vapor compressor operation. When pressure reaches a critical level, the sensor signals the compressor to activate, reducing pressure until it returns to the safe range, at which point the compressor stops. This closed-loop feedback mechanism simplifies overall system control while ensuring reliable pressure management.
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 effectively prevents container damage and leakage, enhances condensation efficiency by increasing the partial pressure of the gas-phase coolant, and reduces the loading and power consumption of the condenser by allowing condensation at higher temperatures with lower flowrates.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid-phase coolant is configured for in thermal contact with the at least one heat source and to be vaporized into a gas-phase coolant
Implementation Method 2
the gas-phase coolant flows upwards and can be condensed into liquid form by one or more condensers
Implementation Method 3
the vapor compressor is disposed on the gas channel and configured to draw the mixed gas in the vapor area of the container so as to decrease pressure of the vapor area and to inject the mixed gas into the pressure vessel so as to increase pressure of the pressure vessel
Data Source
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AI summary
A two-phase immersion-cooling system (1), adapted for accommodating and cooling at least one heat source (H), includes a container (10), a pressure vessel (21), and a vapor compressor (22), the container includes a liquid-storing area (11) and a vapor area (12), the liquid-phase coolant (81) is configured for in thermal contact with at least one heat source and to be vaporized into gas-phase coolant (82) towards the vapor area and mixed with air (831) and water vapor (832) in the vapor area into a mixed gas (83). The pressure vessel is connected to the vapor area via a gas channel (31), the vapor compressor is disposed on the gas channel and configured to draw the mixed gas in the vapor area so as to decrease pressure of the vapor area and to inject the mixed gas into the pressure vessel so as to increase pressure of the pressure vessel.