Modular data center
The present disclosure is directed to examples of modular data centers configured to provide cooling to liquid-cooled electronics equipment stored within the modular data centers. In one aspect, a modular data center can be configured to provide cooling without requiring the use of mechanical refrigeration (e.g. vapor-compression or absorption refrigeration), through the use of a dry cooler in combination with an optional evaporative cooler.
1. An outdoor modular data center comprising: a. An outdoor air intake module defining an exterior wall including an outdoor air inlet; b. an exhaust air outlet module defining an exterior wall including an exhaust air outlet; c. one or more data modules housing liquid cooled electronics equipment, the one or more data modules being located between the air intake and outlet modules, each of the one or more data modules defining an exterior wall; d. a cooling module located between the air outlet module and the one or more data modules, the cooling module including: i. an air-to-liquid heat exchanger having an air side and a liquid side; ii. an evaporative cooler located upstream of the air-to-liquid heat exchanger, the evaporative cooler utilizing a water source to cool and humidify air travelling across the evaporative cooler and entering the air side of the heat exchanger; iii. a cooling circuit including a supply line and a return line connecting the liquid side of the heat exchanger to the liquid cooled electronics equipment, the cooling circuit including a pump that, when activated, circulates a refrigerant between the first heat exchanger liquid side and the liquid cooled electronics equipment via the supply and return lines. e. a fan module located between the cooling module and the exhaust air outlet module, the fan module including at least one fan that, when activated, draws air outdoor air into the outdoor air inlet, through the evaporative cooler and the air side of the heat exchanger, and out of the exhaust air outlet; f. wherein, when the modules are assembled together, the modules define an exterior enclosure housing a first interior space within which the liquid cooled communication equipment is housed and a second interior space through which air can flow from the inlet, through a portion of the data module, through the fan and cooling modules, and out of the exhaust air outlet module, wherein during operation of the fan and the pump, the refrigerant is cooled during circulation through the heat exchanger and the air is heated when passing through the heat exchanger.
2. The outdoor modular data center of claim 1 , wherein the cooling circuit includes one or more control valves in the supply or return line to control refrigerant flow to individual or grouped units of the liquid cooled electronics equipment.
3. The outdoor modular data center of claim 2 , further comprising: a. an electronic control system that controls operation of the fan, the pump, and the one or more control valves.
4. The outdoor modular data center of claim 3 , wherein the control systems controls the speed of at least one of the fan and the pump to maintain a liquid temperature setpoint in the return line of the cooling circuit.
5. The outdoor modular data center of claim 1 , wherein the control system controls the speed of the pump to maintain a pressure setpoint in the supply line of the cooling circuit at a location between the one or more control valves and the pump.