Distributed Cooling and Power Tap Layout for Zoned Data Centers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data centers face inefficiencies in cooling systems, particularly with computer room air conditioners, which have low heat capacity and require extensive installation, limiting flexibility and increasing operational costs due to the need to cool the entire room rather than just operational portions.
Innovation Solution
A system with distributed power and coolant taps arranged in a regular pattern, connected to heat exchangers, allowing for localized cooling and independent power and coolant management across zones, enabling efficient heat removal and flexible data center operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If computer room air conditioners are used to cool the entire room, then heat removal is achieved, but installation complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple independent cooling zones, each served by its own air conditioner. This allows the facility to be divided into functional areas that can be cooled independently, reducing the complexity of installing and operating a single large system while providing targeted cooling only where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Different zones within the facility are provided with different cooling capacities based on their specific heat generation requirements. High-density computing areas receive more cooling capacity, while low-density areas receive less, optimizing energy usage and reducing overall system complexity compared to uniform cooling of the entire space.
2Temperature
If computer room air conditioners cool the entire room, then heat removal is achieved, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The facility is divided into multiple cooling zones that can be operated independently. This allows cooling to be provided only to areas where computers are actually operating, rather than cooling the entire room. Unused or under-construction areas can have their air conditioners turned off, significantly reducing energy consumption and operational costs.
Solution Approach 2:
Cooling capacity is provided in a modular fashion, with each zone receiving only the cooling it needs based on actual computer density and operational status. This partial action approach avoids the waste of providing full cooling capacity to the entire facility when only portions are in use.
3Temperature
If computer room air conditioners are installed, then cooling capability is provided, but flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into multiple independent zones that can be activated or deactivated based on operational needs. This modular approach provides flexibility to adapt to changing facility configurations, such as converting between high-density and low-density computing areas, or bringing portions of the facility online progressively during construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system is designed to be dynamically adjustable, with each zone's air conditioner capacity and operation level can be modified based on actual computer density and heat generation. This allows the facility to adapt to changing computational workloads and physical configurations without being constrained by a fixed cooling infrastructure.
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 approach enhances cooling efficiency by placing coolant closer to microprocessors, reduces operational costs by allowing partial data center operation during construction, and provides flexibility in data processing by enabling independent power and coolant management across zones.
Implementation Method 1
cooling coils to be connected between a supply tap and a return tap... cooling coils to remove heat from air near the rack-mounted computers
Data Source
AI summary
A facility is described that includes one or more enclosures defining an interior space, a plurality of power taps, a plurality of coolant supply taps, and a plurality of coolant return taps. A flow capacity of the supply taps and a flow capacity of the return taps can be approximately equal over a local area of the interior space. The plurality of power taps, the plurality of supply taps, and the plurality of return taps can be divided into a plurality of zones, with taps of each zone are configured to be controllably coupled to a power source or a coolant source independently of the taps of other zones. The taps can be positioned along paths, and paths of the power taps can be spaced from associated proximate paths of supply and return taps by a substantially uniform distance along a substantial length of the first path.