Data Center Cooling System Core Structure

This diagram illustrates an integrated data center cooling system centered on chilled water/cooling water circulation and heat exchange.

Core Cooling Circulation Structure

Primary Loop: Cooling Water Loop

Cooling Tower → Cooling Water → Chiller → (Heat Exchange) → Cooling Tower

• Cooling Tower: Dissipates heat from cooling water to atmosphere using outdoor air
• Pump/Header: Controls cooling water pressure and flow rate through circulation pipes
• Heat Exchange in Chiller: Cooling water exchanges heat with refrigerant to cool the refrigerant

Secondary Loop: Chilled Water Loop

Chiller → Chilled Water → CRAH → (Heat Exchange) → Chiller

• Chiller: Generates chilled water (7-12°C) through compressor and refrigerant cycle
• Pump/Header: Circulates chilled water to CRAH units and returns it back
• Heat Exchange in CRAH: Chilled water exchanges heat with air to cool the air

Tertiary Loop: Cooling Air Loop

CRAH → Cooling Air → Servers → Hot Air → CRAH

• CRAH (Computer Room Air Handler): Generates cooling air through water-to-air heat exchanger
• FAN: Forces circulation of cooling air throughout server room
• Heat Absorption: Air absorbs server heat and returns to CRAH

Heat Exchange Critical Points

Heat Exchange #1: Inside Chiller

• Cooling Water ↔ Refrigerant: Transfers refrigerant heat to cooling water in condenser
• Refrigerant ↔ Chilled Water: Absorbs heat from chilled water to refrigerant in evaporator

Heat Exchange #2: CRAH

• Chilled Water ↔ Air: Transfers air heat to chilled water in water-to-air heat exchanger
• Chilled water temperature rises → Returns to chiller

Heat Exchange #3: Server Room

• Hot Air ↔ Servers: Air absorbs heat from servers
• Temperature-increased air → Returns to CRAH

Energy Efficiency: Free Cooling

Low-Temperature Outdoor Air → Air-to-Water Heat Exchanger → Chilled Water Cooling → Reduced Chiller Load

• Condition: When outdoor temperature is sufficiently low
• Effect: Reduces chiller operation and compressor power consumption (up to 30-50%)
• Method: Utilizes natural cooling through cooling tower or dedicated heat exchanger

Cooling System Control Elements

Cooling Basic Operations Components:

• Cool Down: Controls water/air temperature reduction
• Water Circulation: Adjusts flow rate through pump speed/pressure control
• Heat Exchanges: Optimizes heat exchanger efficiency
• Plumbing: Manages circulation paths and pressure loss

Heat Flow Summary

Server Heat → Air → CRAH (Heat Exchange) → Chilled Water → Chiller (Heat Exchange) → 
Cooling Water → Cooling Tower → Atmospheric Discharge

Summary

This system efficiently removes server heat to the outdoor atmosphere through three cascading circulation loops (air → chilled water → cooling water) and three strategic heat exchange points (CRAH, Chiller, Cooling Tower). Free cooling optimization reduces energy consumption by up to 50% when outdoor conditions permit. The integrated pump/header network ensures precise flow control across all loops for maximum cooling efficiency.

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With Claude