REFRIGERATION SYSTEM AND CONTROL METHOD FOR DATA CENTER, AND DATA CENTER

The present disclosure relates to the field of data center technology and discloses a refrigeration system for a data center. The data center includes a refrigeration system and at least one computer room internally provided with at least one liquid-cooled server configured to dissipate heat through a liquid-cooled pipeline. The refrigeration system includes a water-cooled precision air conditioner configured to dissipate heat from the liquid-cooled server in the computer room, and a coolant distribution apparatus configured to dissipate heat from the liquid-cooled pipeline of the liquid-cooled server in the computer room.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202311132338.8, titled “REFRIGERATION SYSTEM AND CONTROL METHOD FOR DATA CENTER, AND DATA CENTER” and filed to the China National Intellectual Property Administration on Sep. 4, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of data center technology, and more particularly, to a refrigeration system and a control method for a data center, and the data center.

BACKGROUND

Currently, with the improvement of performance of servers in data centers, demands for heat dissipation of server chips and other components are also increasing accordingly.

Cold plate liquid-cooled servers are used in related technologies to solve the heat dissipation problem of the servers in the data centers. However, liquid cooling systems in the cold plate liquid-cooled servers can only dissipate heat from components with higher heat generation such as the server chips. Other components with lower heat generation in the servers rely on the servers' own cooling fans to dissipate heat, which results in lower heat dissipation efficiency.

It is to be noted that the above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the present disclosure and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

SUMMARY

To have a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed embodiments, a brief summary is provided below. The summary neither is a general review, nor is intended to determine key/important constituent elements or describe a protection scope of these embodiments, but rather serves as a preface to the detailed description that follows.

The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a refrigeration system and a control method for a data center, and the data center, which can improve heat dissipation efficiency of a server in the data center.

In some embodiments, the data center includes a refrigeration system and at least one computer room internally provided with at least one liquid-cooled server configured to dissipate heat through a liquid-cooled pipeline. The refrigeration system includes:a water-cooled precision air conditioner configured to dissipate heat from the at least one liquid-cooled server in the computer room;a coolant distribution apparatus configured to dissipate heat from the liquid-cooled pipeline of the at least one liquid-cooled server in the computer room; anda cold source provided with a chilled water circuit comprising a first chilled water circuit and a second chilled water circuit; where the first chilled water circuit is connected to the water-cooled precision air conditioner to provide chilled water to the water-cooled precision air conditioner; and the second chilled water circuit is connected to the coolant distribution apparatus to provide the chilled water to the coolant distribution apparatus.

In some embodiments, the refrigeration control method for the data centers is applied to the aforementioned refrigeration system, which also includes a first temperature sensor configured to detect a first ambient temperature inside the computer room. The method includes:obtaining the first ambient temperature inside the computer room when the coolant distribution apparatus is started up; andcontrolling to switch on the water-cooled precision air conditioner when the first ambient temperature is higher than a set temperature.

In some embodiments, the data center includes at least one data center, which is internally provided with at least one liquid-cooled server configured to dissipate heat through the liquid-cooled pipeline. The data center also includes the aforementioned refrigeration system.

The refrigeration system and the control method for the data center and the data center provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure can achieve following technical effects.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the liquid-cooled server transfers heat generated by itself to outside of the computer room through the liquid in the liquid-cooled pipeline, to dissipate the heat from the liquid-cooled pipeline by means of the coolant distribution apparatus outside the computer room. In this way, heat can be dissipated from components with higher heat generation such as a chip of the liquid-cooled server. Heat dissipated from other components with lower heat generation in the liquid-cooled server may be dissipated into interior of the computer room (such as a channel of the computer room). The heat inside the computer room can be transferred to the outside of the computer room by means of the water-cooled precision air conditioner, to dissipate the heat inside the computer room. In this way, the liquid-cooled server provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure can dissipate heat by means of the coolant distribution apparatus and the water-cooled precision air conditioner. Compared to a mode where the liquid-cooled server relies on the liquid-cooled pipeline and its own fan to dissipate heat, heat dissipation efficiency of the server in the data center can be improved.

Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To gain a more detailed understanding of the characteristics and technical contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a detailed description is made to implementation of the embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which serve for reference only and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present disclosure. In the following technical description, for convenience of explanation, multiple details are provided to provide a comprehensive understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, one or more embodiments can still be implemented without these details. In other cases, to simplify the drawings, familiar structures and apparatuses can be simplified for display.

In the specification, the claims and the foregoing accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a term such as “first” or “second” is intended to separate between similar objects but is not intended to describe a specific sequence or precedence order. It is to be understood that data used like this may be interchangeable where appropriate, such that the embodiments of the present disclosure described herein may be implemented. Furthermore, the terms “comprise” and “have” as well as variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

Unless otherwise stated, the term “a plurality of” refers to two or more.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the character “/” indicates that an “or” relationship is between association objects. For example, A/B represents A or B.

The term “and/or” used for describing an association relationship between the association objects represents presence of three relationships. For example, A and/or B may represent presence of the A only, presence of both the A and the B, and presence of the B only.

The term “correspondence” may refer to an association relationship or a binding relationship, and that A corresponds to B refers to an association relationship or a binding relationship between A and B.

Currently, with the improvement of performance of servers in data centers, demands for heat dissipation of server chips and other components are also increasing accordingly.

Cold plate liquid-cooled servers are used in related technologies to solve the heat dissipation problem of the servers in the data centers. However, liquid cooling systems in the cold plate liquid-cooled servers can only dissipate heat from components with higher heat generation such as the server chips. Other components with lower heat generation in the servers rely on the servers' own cooling fans to dissipate heat, which results in lower heat dissipation efficiency.

In view of this, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a refrigeration system and a control method for a data center, and the data center. The liquid-cooled server provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure can dissipate heat by means of a coolant distribution apparatus and a water-cooled precision air conditioner. Compared to a mode where the liquid-cooled server relies on a liquid-cooled pipeline and its own fan to dissipate heat, heat dissipation efficiency of the server in the data center can be improved.

With reference toFIG.1, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a data center100, which includes at least one computer room1and a refrigeration system2. The computer room1is internally provided with at least one liquid-cooled server11, which dissipates heat through a liquid-cooled pipeline12. The refrigeration system2includes a water-cooled precision air conditioner21, a coolant distribution apparatus22, and a cold source23. The water-cooled precision air conditioner21is configured to dissipate heat from the liquid-cooled server11in the computer room1, and the coolant distribution apparatus22is configured to dissipate heat from the liquid-cooled pipeline12of the liquid-cooled server11in the computer room1. The cold source23is provided with a chilled water circuit, which includes a first chilled water circuit24and a second chilled water circuit25. The first chilled water circuit24is connected to the water-cooled precision air conditioner21to provide chilled water to the water-cooled precision air conditioner21. The second chilled water circuit25is connected to the coolant distribution apparatus22to provide the chilled water to the coolant distribution apparatus22.

In the data center provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, the liquid-cooled server transfers heat generated by itself to outside of the computer room through the liquid in the liquid-cooled pipeline, to dissipate the heat from the liquid-cooled pipeline by means of the coolant distribution apparatus outside the computer room. In this way, heat can be dissipated from components with higher heat generation such as a chip of the liquid-cooled server. Heat dissipated from other components with lower heat generation in the liquid-cooled server may be dissipated into interior of the computer room (such as a channel of the computer room). The heat inside the computer room can be transferred to the outside of the computer room by means of the water-cooled precision air conditioner, to dissipate the heat inside the computer room. In this way, the liquid-cooled server provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure can dissipate heat by means of the coolant distribution apparatus and the water-cooled precision air conditioner. Compared to a mode where the liquid-cooled server relies on the liquid-cooled pipeline and its own fan to dissipate heat, the heat dissipation efficiency of the server in the data center can be improved.

Alternatively, with reference toFIG.2, the water-cooled precision air conditioner21provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure includes a compressor211, a liquid-cooled condenser212, an electronic expansion valve213, an evaporator214, a fluorine pump215, and a one-way valve216that constitute a refrigerant circulation circuit. The first chilled water circuit24passes through the liquid-cooled condenser212, and the chilled water in the first chilled water circuit24exchanges heat, in the liquid-cooled condenser212, with a refrigerant in a refrigerant pipeline. An inlet of the fluorine pump215is connected to a refrigerant outlet of the liquid-cooled condenser212through the refrigerant pipeline, and an outlet of the fluorine pump215is connected to an inlet of the evaporator214through the refrigerant pipeline. The one-way valve216is arranged in parallel with the compressor211through the refrigerant pipeline, where an inlet of the one-way valve216is connected to an inlet of the compressor211, and an outlet of the one-way valve216is connected to an outlet of the compressor211. In this embodiment, the water-cooled precision air conditioner is internally provided with a fluorine pump, which may be used for circulation when ambient temperature outside the computer room is lower. Thus, it is beneficial for the water-cooled precision air conditioner to save energy.

Alternatively, with reference toFIG.3, the coolant distribution apparatus22provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure includes a plate heat exchanger221and a water pump222. The plate heat exchanger221includes a first branch223and a second branch224, where the first branch223is communicated with the second chilled water circuit25, the second branch224is communicated with the liquid-cooled pipeline12of the liquid-cooled server11. The first branch223and the second branch224may exchange heat. The water pump22is arranged in the second branch224, and the water pump22is configured to transport a liquid in the second branch224. In this embodiment, the heat generated by the liquid-cooled server11may be transferred to the second branch224of the plate heat exchanger221through the liquid in the liquid-cooled pipeline12, and may exchange heat with the chilled water in the first branch223. Thus, heat is dissipated from the liquid-cooled server11.

Alternatively, with reference toFIG.4, the cold source23provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure also includes a cooling apparatus231, a fan232, a circulating pump233, and an auxiliary heating apparatus234. The cooling apparatus231and the fan232are configured to dissipate heat from the chilled water circuit. The circulating pump233is configured to transport the chilled water in the chilled water circuit.

The auxiliary heating apparatus234is arranged at an outlet of the first chilled water circuit24and an outlet of the second chilled water circuit25, respectively. The auxiliary heating apparatus234is configured to heat the chilled water. In this embodiment, when the ambient temperature outside the computer room1is lower, the auxiliary heating apparatus234is turned on to heat the chilled water, which can appropriately increase the temperature of the chilled water. Thus, fluctuation of the temperature of the chilled water can be reduced, such that the water-cooled precision air conditioner21and the coolant distribution apparatus22can separately dissipate heat from the liquid-cooled server11by means of constant temperature chilled water. Thus, it is ensured that the liquid-cooled server11is in a constant temperature environment.

Alternatively, with reference toFIG.5, the refrigeration system2provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure also includes a controller26, a first temperature sensor27, a second temperature sensor28, a first water temperature sensor29, and a second water temperature sensor20.

The first temperature sensor27is configured to detect a first ambient temperature inside the computer room1. The second temperature sensor28is configured to detect a second ambient temperature outside the computer room1. The first water temperature sensor29is configured to detect a water temperature inside the first chilled water circuit. The second water temperature sensor20is configured to detect the water temperature inside the chilled water circuit.

The controller26is separately connected to the first temperature sensor27, the second temperature sensor28, the first water temperature sensor29, and the second water temperature sensor20, and is separately connected to the compressor211, the electronic expansion valve213, the fluorine pump215, the one-way valve216, the water pump222, the fan232, the circulating pump233, and the auxiliary heating apparatus234, and is configured to control operation thereof.

With reference toFIG.6, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a refrigeration control method for a data center. This method may be applied to the aforementioned refrigeration system2, and this method may be performed by the controller26of the refrigeration system2. This method includes:Step S61: obtaining the first ambient temperature inside the computer room when the coolant distribution apparatus is started up; andStep S62: controlling to switch on the water-cooled precision air conditioner when the first ambient temperature is higher than a set temperature.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the liquid-cooled server transfers heat generated by itself to outside of the computer room through the liquid in the liquid-cooled pipeline, to dissipate the heat from the liquid-cooled pipeline by means of the coolant distribution apparatus outside the computer room. In this way, heat can be dissipated from components with higher heat generation such as a chip of the liquid-cooled server. Heat dissipated from other components with lower heat generation in the liquid-cooled server may be dissipated into interior of the computer room (such as a channel of the computer room). The heat inside the computer room can be transferred to the outside of the computer room by means of the water-cooled precision air conditioner, to dissipate the heat inside the computer room. In this way, by using the refrigeration control method for the data center provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure, when the ambient temperature within the data center is higher, the liquid-cooled server can dissipate heat by means of the coolant distribution apparatus and the water-cooled precision air conditioner. Compared to a mode where the liquid-cooled server relies on the liquid-cooled pipeline and its own fan to dissipate heat, the heat dissipation efficiency of the server in the data center can be improved.

Alternatively, the compressor and the fluorine pump are controlled to be switched on when the water temperature inside the first chilled water circuit is higher than or equal to a first water temperature threshold. Or the compressor is controlled to be switched off and the fluorine pump is controlled to be switched on when the water temperature inside the first chilled water circuit is lower than the first water temperature threshold.

In this embodiment, the water-cooled precision air conditioner has lower load when the temperature of the chilled water in the first chilled water circuit is lower. At this moment, the compressor is switched off and the fluorine pump is switched on, which not only can save energy but also can ensure refrigeration effects of the water-cooled precision air conditioner.

Alternatively, the second ambient temperature outside the computer room is obtained. It is controlled to switch on the auxiliary heating apparatus when the second ambient temperature is below a first temperature threshold. In this embodiment, when the ambient temperature outside the computer room is lower, the auxiliary heating apparatus234is turned on to heat the chilled water, which can appropriately increase the temperature of the chilled water. Thus, fluctuation of the temperature of the chilled water can be reduced, such that the water-cooled precision air conditioner and the coolant distribution apparatus can separately dissipate heat from the liquid-cooled server by means of the constant temperature chilled water. Thus, it is ensured that the liquid-cooled server is in a constant temperature environment.

Alternatively, a rotational speed of the fan and an operating frequency of the circulating pump are decreased when the water temperature inside the chilled water circuit is below a second water temperature threshold. Or the rotational speed of the fan and the operating frequency of the circulating pump are increased when the water temperature inside the chilled water circuit is higher than the second water temperature threshold.

In this embodiment, based on the water temperature inside the chilled water circuit, the rotational speed of the fan and the operating frequency of the circulating pump may be controlled separately to indirectly control the temperature of the chilled water supplied by the cold source, which allows the cold source to supply the constant temperature chilled water, and in turn enables the water-cooled precision air conditioner and the coolant distribution apparatus to dissipate heat by means of the constant temperature chilled water, to ensure stable heat dissipation effects of the liquid-cooled server.

With reference toFIG.7, the embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a refrigeration control apparatus700for a data center, comprising a processor100and a memory101. Alternatively, the apparatus700may also include a communication interface102and a bus103. Communications among the processor100, the communication interface102and the memory101may be achieved by means of the bus103. The communication interface102may be used for information transmission. The processor100can call logical instructions in the memory101to perform the refrigeration control method for the data center as described in the above embodiments.

In addition, when a logic instruction in the foregoing memory101can be implemented in the form of a software functional unit and is sold or used as an independent product, the logic instruction can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium.

As a computer-readable storage medium, the memory101may be configured to store software programs, computer executable programs, and program instructions/modules corresponding to the method in the embodiments of the present disclosure. The processor100executes functional applications and data processing by running the program instructions/modules stored in the memory101, thus implementing the refrigeration control method for the data center as described in the above embodiments.

The memory101may include a program storage area and a data storage area, where the program storage area may store an operating system, application programs required for at least one function; and the data storage area may store data created according to the use of a terminal device. In addition, the memory101may include a high-speed random access memory, and may also include a non-volatile memory.

The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure may be embodied in the form of software products, which may be stored in a storage medium, including one or more instructions to cause a computer device (a personal computer, a server or a network device and so on) to execute all or part of steps of the method as recited in the embodiments of the present disclosure. The foregoing storage medium may be various medium that can store program codes, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) flash disk, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disc. The storage medium may also be transient storage medium.

The above descriptions and the accompanying drawings fully illustrate the embodiments of the present disclosure to enable those skilled in the art to practice them. Other embodiments may include structural, logical, electrical, process, and other changes. The embodiments only represent possible changes. Unless explicitly specified, independent components and functions are optional, and an operation sequence may change. Portions and features of some embodiments can be included in, or substituted for, those of other embodiments. Moreover, the terms used in the present disclosure are only for describing the embodiments and are not intended to limit the claims. As used in the descriptions of the embodiments and the claims, singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to also include plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Similarly, as used in the present disclosure, the term “and/or” refers to any and all possible combinations that include one or more associated lists. In addition, the term “comprise” and its variants such as “comprises” and/or “comprising” used in the present disclosure refer to the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but not exclusive of the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups of thereof. In the case of no more restrictions, elements restricted by a sentence “include a” do not exclude the fact that additional identical elements may exist in a process, a method or a device of these elements. Herein, each of the embodiments is focused on difference from other embodiments, and references may be made among these embodiments with respect to the same or similar portions among these embodiments. For the methods, products, etc. disclosed in the embodiments, if they correspond to the method section disclosed in the embodiments, reference may be made to the description of the method section for relevant parts.

Those skilled in the art may realize that units and algorithm steps in various examples as described in embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented by electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are executed in a hardware mode or a software mode depends on specific applications and design constraints on the technical solutions. Those skilled in the art may use different methods to implement the functions set forth in each of the specific applications. However, the implementation shall be not believed beyond the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art may clearly understand that for a convenient and concise description, a concrete work process of systems, apparatuses and units described above may refer to a corresponding process of the foregoing method embodiments, which is not repeated anymore herein.

In the embodiments disclosed herein, the disclosed methods and products (including but not limited to apparatuses, devices, etc.) may be implemented through other means. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely exemplary. For example, a unit partition is merely a logic functional partition. In actual implementation, additional manners of partitioning may be available. For example, a plurality of units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. In addition, intercoupling or direct coupling or communications connection displayed or discussed may be indirect coupling or communications connection, electrical or mechanical or in other forms, by means of some interfaces, apparatuses or units. The unit serving as a detached component may be or not be physically detached, the component serving as a unit display may be or not be a physical unit, i.e., either located at one place or distributed on a plurality of network elements. Units may be selected in part or in whole according to actual needs to achieve this embodiment. In addition, various functional units in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be integrated into one processing unit, or various units may be separately or physically existent, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

The flowcharts and block diagrams in the drawings illustrate architectures, functions and operations that may be implemented according to the system, the method and the computer program product of the embodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, each block in the flowcharts and block diagrams may represent a module, a program segment, or a code portion. The module, the program segment, or the code portion includes one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function. In some alternative implementations, the functions denoted by the blocks may occur in a sequence different from the sequences shown in the drawings. For example, in practice, two blocks in succession may be executed, depending on the involved functionalities, substantially in parallel, or in a reverse sequence. In the description corresponding to the flowcharts and block diagrams in the attached drawings, the operations or steps corresponding to different blocks may also occur in a different order than disclosed in the description, and sometimes there is no specific order between different operations or steps. For example, in practice, two operations or steps in succession may be executed, depending on the involved functionalities, substantially in parallel, or in a reverse sequence. Each block in the block diagrams and/or the flowcharts and/or a combination of the blocks in the block diagrams and/or the flowcharts may be implemented by a dedicated hardware-based system executing specific functions or operations, or by a combination of a dedicated hardware and computer instructions.