Waterborne Data Center Cooling for Rapid Modular Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data centers face challenges with high power and cooling demands due to inefficient cooling systems, requiring extensive time and financial resources for construction and deployment, and are not transportable or re-configurable, making them unsuitable for rapid deployment in areas needing data center services.
Innovation Solution
A waterborne data center facility utilizing a modular, energy-efficient water-based closed-loop cooling system that employs naturally occurring cold water to cool high-density computer systems, allowing for rapid deployment and transportability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional cooling systems are used in data centers, then cooling capacity can be provided, but power consumption increases significantly (accounting for half of total power consumed)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces water as an intermediary cooling medium that absorbs heat from computer systems through heat exchangers. The water-based closed-loop cooling system uses water's high specific heat capacity to efficiently transfer thermal energy from the data center equipment to the surrounding environment, replacing conventional air-based cooling systems and significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining effective cooling capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical cooling systems (compressors, condensers, evaporators) with a passive water-based thermal exchange system. By utilizing water's natural heat absorption properties and circulating it through heat exchangers, the system eliminates the need for energy-intensive mechanical refrigeration cycles, thereby maintaining cooling capacity while dramatically reducing power consumption
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional data centers are constructed on-site, then facility stability is ensured, but deployment time increases (taking two years from concept to operation)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the data center facility into modular, containerized units that can be independently constructed, tested, and transported. Each module contains complete functional systems (power, cooling, computing equipment), allowing parallel assembly and rapid deployment. This segmentation enables the facility to be deployed in weeks rather than years, while maintaining stability through standardized modular designs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary assembly and testing of complete data center modules in manufacturing facilities before deployment. All equipment is pre-installed, pre-configured, and pre-tested within containerized modules, eliminating on-site construction delays. This preliminary action allows the facility to be rapidly deployed by simply transporting and connecting pre-assembled modules, reducing deployment time from two years to weeks while ensuring operational stability through factory-quality assembly
3Stability of the object's composition
If conventional data centers are constructed on-site, then facility permanence is achieved, but transportability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data center into transportable modular units housed in reinforced containers. Each module is self-contained with complete functional systems, allowing the entire facility to be broken down into discrete, movable units that can be transported by conventional logistics. This segmentation maintains operational permanence through standardized interfaces while enabling full transportability to various deployment locations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs universal modular modules that can be deployed in various configurations and locations. Each containerized module serves multiple functions (housing equipment, providing cooling, electrical distribution) and can be combined in different arrangements to create data centers of varying sizes. This universality enables the facility to be transported and re-deployed to different locations while maintaining operational permanence and adaptability to various site requirements
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 waterborne data center significantly reduces deployment time, power consumption, and operational costs, enabling quick setup and mobility for areas needing data center services, such as disaster recovery or military deployments.
Implementation Method 1
an energy-efficient water-based closed-loop cooling system that uses naturally occurring cold water to cool the data center and the plurality of computer systems therein
Data Source
AI summary
Waterborne data center facility systems and methods comprising a purpose-built marine vessel, a pre-fabricated data center facility structure, a plurality of computer systems, a plurality of energy-efficient water-based heat exchange systems, a plurality of energy efficient closed-loop cooling systems, a plurality of data center modules and a plurality of electrical power generators. Described systems and methods may be employed to quickly deploy an energy-efficient waterborne data center facility. Described waterborne data center facility is transportable and may be moved to areas where data center facility and data center type services are needed. Water-based heat exchange and closed-loop cooling system enable energy-efficient cooling to data center facility and the plurality of computing systems therein. Power generators may be used to provide power to data center facility. Waterborne data center facility may prove helpful in areas following natural disasters or for military purposes where data center services are needed but not readily available.