DUAL CYCLE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF
The present disclosure discloses a dual cycle air conditioning system and a control method thereof. The dual cycle air conditioning system at least includes an evaporator, a compressor, a heat exchanger, a condenser, and a refrigerant pump connected through a main pipeline. The evaporator, the compressor, and the condenser jointly constitute a first loop for regulating a temperature of a first fluid inside the main pipeline by means of the compressor. The evaporator, the condenser, and the refrigerant pump jointly constitute a second loop for regulating the temperature of the first fluid inside the main pipeline. When the temperature of the first fluid is greater than a heat recovery threshold, the first fluid inside the first loop and the first fluid inside the second loop can undergo heat exchange by means of the heat exchanger to regulate a temperature of a second fluid flowing through the heat exchanger.
This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202310345100.7, titled “DUAL CYCLE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF” and filed to the China National Intellectual Property Administration on Apr. 3, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present disclosure relates to the technical field of air conditioning systems, and more particularly, to a dual cycle air conditioning system and a control method thereof.
BACKGROUNDWith the rapid development of national informatization and digitization, data center rooms have become a significant constituent part of national economic development. With the expansion of data centers and large-scale use of high power density servers, heat production of a single cabinet has sharply increased. Heat produced by the high power density servers needs to be taken away timely, otherwise damage may be caused to devices, resulting in economic losses.
In the existing data center rooms, generally dual cycle air conditioners are employed to transfer heat inside the data center rooms to outside through power consumption. In this fashion, for the dual cycle air conditioners, the heat lost outside cannot be effectively recycled, resulting in a large amount of heat waste.
SUMMARYObjectives of the present disclosure are to provide a dual cycle air conditioning system and a control method thereof. By additionally providing a heat exchanger, excess heat is recycled from the dual cycle air conditioning system, such that overall carbon consumption in society is reduced, and power utilization efficiency is improved.
To achieve the above objectives, in one aspect the present disclosure provides a dual cycle air conditioning system, which at least includes an evaporator, a compressor, a heat exchanger, a condenser, and a refrigerant pump connected through a main pipeline. The evaporator, the compressor, and the condenser jointly constitute a first loop for regulating a temperature of a first fluid inside the main pipeline by means of the compressor. The evaporator, the condenser, and the refrigerant pump jointly constitute a second loop for regulating the temperature of the first fluid inside the main pipeline by means of the refrigerant pump. When the temperature of the first fluid is greater than a heat recovery threshold, the first fluid inside the first loop and the first fluid inside the second loop can undergo heat exchange by means of the heat exchanger to regulate a temperature of a second fluid flowing through the heat exchanger.
As a further improvement of the above technical solutions, the main pipeline is connected to a first branch, and a first valve body is arranged on the first branch. Two ends of the first branch are respectively positioned at an inlet and an outlet of the heat exchanger. When the temperature of the first fluid is less than the heat recovery threshold, the first valve body is opened, and the first fluid inside the main pipeline flows through the first branch. When the temperature of the first fluid is greater than the heat recovery threshold, the first valve body is closed, and the first fluid inside the main pipeline flows through the heat exchanger.
As a further improvement of the above technical solutions, the main pipeline is connected to a second branch, and a second valve body is arranged on the second branch. Two ends of the second branch are respectively positioned at an inlet and an outlet of the compressor, such that the first fluid inside the second loop flows to the first branch or the heat exchanger through the first branch.
As a further improvement of the above technical solutions, the main pipeline is connected to a third branch, and a third valve body is arranged on the third branch. Two ends of the third branch are respectively positioned at an inlet and an outlet of the refrigerant pump, such that the first fluid inside the first loop flows to the evaporator through the third branch.
As a further improvement of the above technical solutions, the main pipeline is connected to a fourth branch, and two ends of the fourth branch are respectively positioned at an inlet and an outlet of the condenser. A fourth valve body is arranged on the fourth branch. When the fourth valve body is opened, the first fluid inside the main pipeline flows through the fourth branch. When the fourth valve body is closed, the first fluid inside the main pipeline flows through the condenser.
As a further improvement of the above technical solutions, the heat exchanger has a first runner and a second runner, where the first runner is interconnected to the main pipeline, and the second runner is interconnected to a heat recovery pipeline. The first fluid and the second fluid respectively flow through the first runner and the second runner to exchange heat by means of the heat exchanger.
As a further improvement of the above technical solutions, the heat recovery pipeline at least includes a return water pipeline and a water supply pipeline, where the return water pipeline and the water supply pipeline are respectively interconnected to two ends of the second runner. A fifth valve body is arranged on the water supply pipeline to control a flow rate of the second fluid flowing out of the second runner.
As a further improvement of the above technical solutions, a sixth valve body is arranged on the main pipeline, and the sixth valve body is positioned between the refrigerant pump and the evaporator to control a flow rate of the first fluid flowing to the evaporator.
As a further improvement of the above technical solutions, the refrigerant pump is connected to a liquid reservoir, and the refrigerant pump is configured to output a refrigerant in conjunction with the liquid reservoir.
To achieve the above objectives, in another aspect the present disclosure also provides a control method for a dual cycle air conditioning system. The dual cycle air conditioning system at least includes an evaporator, a compressor, a heat exchanger, a condenser, and a refrigerant pump sequentially connected through a main pipeline.
The evaporator, the compressor, and the condenser jointly constitute a first loop. The evaporator, the condenser, and the refrigerant pump jointly constitute a second loop. When the temperature of the first fluid is greater than the heat recovery threshold, the first fluid inside the first loop and the first fluid inside the second loop can undergo heat exchange by means of the heat exchanger to regulate the temperature of the second fluid flowing through the heat exchanger. The main pipeline is connected to a first branch, and a first valve body is arranged on the first branch.
The control method includes: confirming whether the second fluid flows through the heat exchanger, determining whether the temperature of the first fluid is greater than the heat recovery threshold when the second fluid flows through the heat exchanger, and closing the first valve body when the temperature of the first fluid is greater than the heat recovery threshold, such that the first fluid flows to the heat exchanger and exchanges heat with the second fluid.
As a further improvement of the above technical solutions, the main pipeline is connected to a fourth branch, and a fourth valve body is arranged on the fourth branch. Two ends of the fourth branch are respectively positioned at an inlet and an outlet of the condenser, and the condenser is provided with a condensate fan. When the first fluid flows to the heat exchanger and flows along the first loop, the fourth valve body is in a closed state. It is determined whether a rotation speed of the condensate fan is at a lower limit value and whether a condensing pressure continues to decrease. The fourth valve body is opened until the condensing pressure reaches a target value when the rotation speed of the condensate fan is at the lower limit value and the condensing pressure continues to decrease.
As a further improvement of the above technical solutions, when the first fluid flows to the heat exchanger and flows along the second loop, the compressor and the fourth valve body are started, and the refrigerant pump and the condensate fan are turned off.
As can be seen from the technical solutions provided in the present disclosure, the dual cycle air conditioning system is provided to efficiently regulate a temperature of a data center room, thereby ensuring that the data center room can stay within a set temperature range for a long time and significantly reducing air-conditioning energy consumption.
Furthermore, by additionally providing the heat exchanger in the system, excess heat is recycled from the dual cycle air conditioning system through a heat recovery function of the heat exchanger after heat exchange requirements are met. Thus, surplus heat may be discharged into outdoor air when there are no heat exchange requirements or the heat exchange requirements are smaller. In this way, heat island effect is reduced, the overall carbon consumption in society can be reduced, and the power utilization efficiency can be improved.
To describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure more clearly, the accompanying drawings required for describing the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Apparently, the accompanying drawings in the following description are merely some embodiments of the present disclosure. To those of ordinary skills in the art, other accompanying drawings may also be derived from these accompanying drawings without creative efforts.
Reference numerals in the accompanying drawings:
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- main pipeline 10; first branch 101; first valve body 1011; second branch 102; second valve body 1021; third branch 103; third valve body 1031; fourth branch 104; fourth valve body 1041; sixth valve body 105; evaporator 20; compressor 30; condenser 40; condensate fan 401; refrigerant pump 50; liquid reservoir 501; heat exchanger 60; first runner 601; second runner 602; return water pipeline 603; return water temperature sensor 6031; water supply pipeline 604; fifth valve body 6041; and water supply temperature sensor 6042.
Detailed description of the embodiments of the present disclosure will further be made below with reference to the accompanying drawings to make the above objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present disclosure more apparent. Terms such as “upper”, “above”, “lower”, “below”, “first end”, “second end”, “one end”, “other end” and the like as used herein, which denote spatial relative positions, describe the relationship of one unit or feature relative to another unit or feature in the accompanying drawings for the purpose of illustration. The terms of the spatial relative positions may be intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation other than the orientations shown in the accompanying drawings. For example, the units that are described as “below” or “under” other units or features will be “above” other units or features if the device in the accompanying drawings is turned upside down. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both the orientations of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated by 90 degrees or facing other directions) and the space-related descriptors used herein are interpreted accordingly.
In addition, the terms “installed”, “arranged”, “provided”, “connected”, “slidably connected”, “fixed” and “sleeved” should be understood in a broad sense. For example, the “connection” may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection or integrated connection, a mechanical connection or an electrical connection, a direct connection or indirect connection by means of an intermediary, or an internal connection between two apparatuses, components or constituent parts. For those of ordinary skill in the art, concrete meanings of the above terms in the present disclosure may be understood based on concrete circumstances.
The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Apparently, the embodiments described in the present disclosure are some but not all of the embodiments of the present disclosure. All other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present disclosure without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.
A dual cycle air conditioning system provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure is configured to regulate a temperature inside a data center room, to avoid heat accumulation in the data center room. Failure of discharging the heat timely may damage devices and cause economic losses. Referring to
In practical applications, the evaporator 20, the compressor 30, and the condenser 40 jointly constitute a first loop, which regulates a temperature of a first fluid inside the main pipeline 10 by means of the compressor 30. When outdoor temperature reaches a set high temperature threshold, the dual cycle air conditioning system adopts a mechanical refrigeration mode. Temperature of air in the data center room is regulated by means of the compressor 30 and the condenser 40, and then the air exchanges heat with indoor air by means of the evaporator 20 to reduce indoor temperature during operation of the devices in the data center room.
Moreover, the evaporator 20, the condenser 40, and the refrigerant pump 50 jointly constitute a second loop, which regulates the temperature of the first fluid inside the main pipeline 10 by means of the refrigerant pump 50. When the outdoor temperature does not reach the set high temperature threshold, the dual cycle air conditioning system adopts a natural refrigeration mode. The temperature of the air in the data center room is regulated by means of the condenser 40 and the refrigerant pump 50, and then the air exchanges heat with the indoor air by means of the evaporator 20 to reduce the indoor temperature during the operation of the devices in the data center room.
Through the above mentioned way, in this embodiment, when the outdoor temperature is lower in winter or transitional seasons, outdoor cycle heat exchange is carried out on a refrigerant by means of the refrigerant pump 50, which fully utilizes outdoor natural cold sources. When the outdoor temperature is higher in summer or transitional seasons, compression cycle heat exchange is carried out on the refrigerant by means of the compressor 30, such that the dual cycle air conditioning system does not need to start the compressor 30 for refrigeration for a certain period of time throughout a year, thereby greatly reducing air-conditioning energy consumption.
Further, an indoor sensor and an outdoor temperature sensor are arranged inside and outside the data center room to detect an indoor temperature and an outdoor temperature of the data center room in real-time, and determine refrigeration demands of the data center room based on detection results. Specifically, the dual cycle air conditioning system has a controller, and there is a communication line (wired or wireless communication line) between the indoor sensor and the outdoor temperature sensor and the controller. The controller can receive signals sent by the indoor sensor and the outdoor temperature sensor, to obtain the real-time indoor temperature and outdoor temperature of the data center room. When a differential between the indoor temperature and the outdoor temperature of the data center room exceeds the set high temperature threshold, the indoor sensor and the outdoor temperature sensor feeds back the detected temperature to the controller through the communication line, and then the controller sends a reminder in the form of sound and light, and adjusts the refrigeration mode of the dual cycle air conditioning system accordingly.
For example, assuming that the high temperature threshold is set to P1 and the differential between the indoor temperature and the outdoor temperature of the data center room is P2, when the indoor sensor and the outdoor temperature sensor send values of the indoor and outdoor temperatures to the controller, the controller may compare the differential with the set high temperature threshold P1. Based on comparison results, the refrigeration mode of the dual cycle air conditioning system is adjusted, including adjusting the mechanical refrigeration mode to the natural refrigeration mode, or adjusting the natural refrigeration mode to the mechanical refrigeration mode, or keeping the current mechanical refrigeration mode or natural refrigeration mode.
To recycle the excess heat dissipated by the first fluid during the circulation process, the dual cycle air conditioning system also at least includes a heat exchanger 60, and both the first loop and the second loop are provided with the heat exchanger 60. Specifically, when the temperature of the first fluid exceeds the set heat recovery threshold, the first fluid inside the first loop and the first fluid inside the second loop can undergo heat exchange by means of the heat exchanger 60 to regulate the temperature of the second fluid flowing through the heat exchanger 60. In this way, by providing the excess heat to the second fluid required for heating, waste of heat resources can be effectively avoided.
In an implementable embodiment, there are provided two compressors 30 connected in parallel, and each parallel branch is provided with a check valve. In this way, the number of the compressors 30 may be selected according to cooling demands to achieve efficient regulation of the temperature of the data center room.
In an implementable embodiment, the main pipeline 10 is connected to a first branch 101, where two ends of the first branch 101 are respectively positioned at an inlet and an outlet of the heat exchanger 60, and the first branch 101 is provided with a first valve body 1011. Specifically, the controller is electrically connected to the first valve body 1011 and can control ON or OFF of the first valve body 1011. That is, the first fluid will change its flow direction based on the controller's control of the first valve body 1011, including flowing along the first branch 101 to the condenser 40, or flowing through the heat exchanger 60 to exchange heat with the second fluid before flowing to the condenser 40. When the temperature of the first fluid is less than the heat recovery threshold, because the temperature does not meet heat recovery requirements, the controller will open the first valve body 1011 such that the first fluid flows through the first branch 101 and does not exchange heat with the second fluid. When the temperature of the first fluid exceeds the heat recovery threshold, the temperature meets the heat recovery requirements. In this case, the controller will close the first valve body 1011 such that the first fluid flows through the heat exchanger 60 and exchanges heat with the second fluid.
Further, a heat temperature sensor may be arranged on the main pipeline 10 to detect the temperature of the first fluid currently flowing in the main pipeline 10, and determine, based on this detection result, whether the temperature of the first fluid meets the heat recovery requirements. The heat temperature sensor is electrically connected to the controller, and the controller can receive a signal sent by the heat temperature sensor and obtain the temperature of the first fluid currently flowing in the main pipeline 10. When the temperature of the first fluid meets the set heat recovery requirements, the heat temperature sensor feeds back the detected temperature to the controller, such that the controller adjusts the flow direction of the first fluid.
For example, assuming that according to the heat recovery requirements a heat recovery temperature is set to P3, and that the temperature of the first fluid inside the main pipeline 10 is set to P4, when the heat temperature sensor sends a value of the current temperature of the first fluid to the controller, the controller may compare the value with the set heat recovery temperature P3, and may adjust the flow direction of the first fluid based on the comparison results, including causing the first fluid to flow along the first branch 101 and causing the first fluid to flow through the heat exchanger 60.
Still further, the first valve body 1011 may be an electric regulating valve to regulate a flow rate of the first fluid flowing through the first branch 101. After determining that the temperature of the first fluid meets the heat recovery requirements and confirming that the second fluid is required for heating, the controller may regulate the flow rate of the first fluid flowing through heat exchanger 60 and the first branch 101 based on the temperature of the first fluid currently flowing and a temperature required for the second fluid, to ensure that the flow rate of the first fluid flowing through heat exchanger 60 can meet the heat recovery requirements of the second fluid. That is, the flow rate of the first fluid flowing through the heat exchanger 60 is positively correlated with a flow section. The larger the flow section, the more heat released by the first fluid in the process of heat exchange with the second fluid. Therefore, by adjusting an opening degree of the first valve body 1011, a temperature differential between the first fluid and the second fluid can be controlled, such that the temperature of the second fluid flowing out of heat exchanger 60 meets the heat recovery requirements. It is to be noted that the first valve body 1011 may also be other types of valves that can control the flow rate, which is not limited by the present disclosure.
Unlike the above manner where the first branch 101 is connected to the main pipeline 10, referring to
In an implementable embodiment, the main pipeline 10 is connected to a second branch 102, where two ends of the second branch 102 are respectively positioned at an inlet and an outlet of the compressor 30, and a second valve body 1021 is arranged on the second branch 102. The main pipeline 10 is connected to a third branch 103, where two ends of the third branch 103 are respectively positioned at an inlet and an outlet of the refrigerant pump 50, and a third valve body 1031 is arranged on the third branch 103. Specifically, both the second valve body 1021 and the third valve body 1031 are electrically connected to the controller, and thus the controller can control ON or OFF of the second valve body 1021 and the third valve body 1031 according to demands. That is, the first fluid will change its flow direction based on the controller's control of the second valve body 1021 and the third valve body 1031. After the refrigeration mode of the dual cycle air conditioning system is confirmed, the controller adjusts the flow direction of the first fluid based on the refrigeration mode. For example, assuming that the dual cycle air conditioning system is currently in the natural refrigeration mode and the temperature of the first fluid does not meet the heat recovery requirements, the controller will turn on the first valve body 1011 and the second valve body 1021, and turn off the third valve body 1031, such that the first fluid flows through the second branch 102, the first branch 101, the condenser 40, and the refrigerant pump 50. When the temperature of the first fluid meets the heat recovery requirements, the controller will turn on the second valve body 1021, and turn off the first valve body 1011 and the third valve body 1031, such that the first fluid flows through the second branch 102, the heat exchanger 60, the condenser 40, and the refrigerant pump 50. After the controller changes the refrigeration mode from the natural refrigeration mode to the mechanical refrigeration mode based on the differential between the temperature of the indoor sensor and the temperature of the outdoor temperature sensor, the controller will turn off the second valve body 1021 and turn on the third valve body 1031, such that the first fluid flows along the first loop. When the temperature of the first fluid does not meet the heat recovery requirements in this refrigeration mode, the controller will turn on the first valve body 1011, and in this case the first fluid flows through the compressor 30, the first branch 101, the condenser 40, and the third branch 103. When the temperature of the first fluid meets the heat recovery requirements in this refrigeration mode, the controller will turn off the first valve body 1011, and in this case, the first fluid flows through the compressor 30, the first branch 101, the condenser 40, and the third branch 103.
In an implementable embodiment, the main pipeline 10 is connected to a fourth branch 104, where two ends of the fourth branch 104 are respectively positioned at an inlet and an outlet of the condenser 40, and a fourth valve body 1041 is arranged on the fourth branch 104. Specifically, the controller is electrically connected to the fourth valve body 1041 and can control ON or OFF of the fourth valve body 1041 based on the outdoor temperature. When the outdoor temperature gradually decreases, use of the condenser 40 can be reduced by turning on the fourth valve body 1041 to allow the first fluid to flow through the fourth branch 104, thereby reducing energy consumption for heat dissipation.
In an implementable embodiment, the heat exchanger 60 has a first runner 601 and a second runner 602, where the first runner 601 is interconnected to the main pipeline 10, and the second runner 602 is interconnected to a heat recovery pipeline. The first fluid and the second fluid respectively flow through the first runner 601 and the second runner 602 to exchange heat by means of the heat exchanger 60. In practical applications, the heat exchanger 60 may be a plate heat exchanger 60, a shell-and-tube exchanger 60, or other heat exchange apparatuses that can exchange heat with liquids in the two runners, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
Further, the heat recovery pipeline at least includes a return water pipeline 603 and a water supply pipeline 604, where the return water pipeline 603 and the water supply pipeline 604 are respectively interconnected to two ends of the second runner 602, such that the second fluid can flow into the second runner 602 through the return water pipeline 603 to exchange heat with the first fluid flowing through the first runner 601, and finally flow out of the water supply pipeline 604. In this way, the excess heat of the dual cycle air conditioning system is recycled.
Still further, the water supply pipeline 604 is provided with a fifth valve body 6041 electrically connected to the controller. The fifth valve body 6041 may be an electric regulating valve to regulate the flow rate of the second fluid flowing from the second runner 602 to an external device. After it is determined that the temperature of the second fluid meets requirements of external water supply temperature and external water supply demands are confirmed, the controller may adjust the opening degree of the fifth valve body 6041 according to the demands, such that the temperature and the flow rate of the second fluid flowing out of the water supply pipeline 604 can meet the requirements of the external water supply. It is to be noted that the fifth valve body 6041 may also be other types of valves that can control the flow rate, which is not limited by the present disclosure.
To ensure that the temperature of the second fluid flowing out of the water supply pipeline 604 meets the water supply demands, a water supply temperature sensor 6042 may also be arranged on the water supply pipeline 604, and a return water temperature sensor 6031 may be arranged on the return water pipeline 603. After obtaining real-time temperature values detected by the return water temperature sensor 6031 and the water supply temperature sensor 6042, the controller may adjust the opening degree of the fifth valve body 6041 based on the temperature values. The water supply temperature sensor 6042 is positioned between the fifth valve body 6041 and the heat exchanger 60, meaning that after the second fluid flows out of the second runner 602 and when the second fluid is flowing along the water supply pipeline 604, the second fluid may first flow through the water supply temperature sensor 6042, and then flow out after being regulated by the fifth valve body 6041. In this way, the temperature of the second fluid may be detected first. When the temperature of the second fluid currently flowing out is lower than the requirements of water supply temperature, the fifth valve body 6041 may be closed, or the opening degree of the fifth valve body 6041 may be minimized to extend residence time of the second fluid inside the second runner 602, such that the second fluid can exchange heat with the first fluid for a long time to increase the temperature of the second fluid. In this fashion, only a portion of the second fluid first flowing out of the fifth valve body 6041 does not meet the temperature requirements. Correspondingly, when the temperature of the second fluid currently flowing out is higher than the requirements of water supply temperature, the fifth valve body 6041 may be opened, or the opening degree of the fifth valve body 6041 may be maximized to shorten the residence time of the second fluid inside the second runner 602, thereby reducing time for heat exchange between the second fluid and the first fluid, and thus lowering the temperature of the second fluid. In this fashion, only a portion of the second fluid first flowing out of the fifth valve body 6041 does not meet the temperature requirements.
In an implementable embodiment, a sixth valve body 105 is arranged on the main pipeline 10, and the sixth valve body 105 is positioned between the refrigerant pump 50 and the evaporator 20. Specifically, the controller is electrically connected to the sixth valve body 105 and can turn on/off the sixth valve body 105 according to requirements for the indoor temperature of the data center room. Alternatively, the fifth valve body 6041 may be an electric regulating valve to control the flow rate of the first fluid flowing to the evaporator 20.
In an implementable embodiment, the refrigerant pump 50 is connected to a liquid reservoir 501, which is used to store the refrigerants in the pipelines. When the dual cycle air conditioning system is the in natural refrigeration mode, the refrigerant pump 50 provides power for circulation of the refrigerants in the main pipeline 10, such that the refrigerants can overcome resistance and complete the refrigeration cycle.
Based on the same inventive concept, referring to
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- confirming whether the second fluid flows through the heat exchanger 60, determining whether the temperature of the first fluid is greater than the heat recovery threshold when the second fluid flows through the heat exchanger 60, and closing the first valve body 1011 when the temperature of the first fluid is greater than the heat recovery threshold, such that the first fluid flows to the heat exchanger 60 and exchanges heat with the second fluid. As can be seen, on/off conditions of the first valve depend on whether there are external water supply demands and whether heat of the dual cycle air conditioning system at this moment meets heat exchange temperature demands. Only when the two conditions are met may the first fluid flow through the heat exchanger 60 and use the excess heat for heat exchange of the second fluid. The return water pipeline 603 is provided with a pressure sensor, and the controller may receive a signal from the pressure sensor to obtain a real-time pressure inside the return water pipeline 603. Based on the pressure value, the controller determines whether there is liquid flowing in the current return water pipeline 603.
After the above two conditions are met, that is, after the heat exchange demands and the heat exchange conditions are confirmed, when the first fluid flows to the heat exchanger 60 and flows along the first loop, the fourth valve body 1041 is in a closed state. In this case, it is determined whether a rotation speed of the condensate fan 401 of the condenser 40 is at a lower limit value and whether a condensing pressure continues to decrease. The fourth valve body 1041 is opened until the condensing pressure reaches a target value when the rotation speed of the condensate fan 401 is at the lower limit value and the condensing pressure continues to decrease. Thus, range of differential between the temperature of the first fluid and the required temperature may be determined according to the rotation speed of the condensate fan 401. When the rotation speed of the condensate fan 401 is faster, this indicates that the current temperature of the first fluid is higher. When the rotation speed of the condensate fan 401 reaches the lower limit value, this indicates that the current temperature of the first fluid does not need to be regulated by the condenser 40, instead the fourth valve body 1041 may be opened, In this way, it is ensured that the condensing pressure of the dual cycle air conditioning system is within the range of the target value.
When the first fluid flows to the heat exchanger 60 and flows along the second loop, the compressor 30 is started. After the compressor 30 is in a stable running state, the fourth valve body 1041 is opened, and the refrigerant pump 50 is turned off. Alternatively, the opening degree of the fourth valve body 1041 is 100%, such that the first fluid flows out of the fourth branch 104 and no longer flows through the condenser 40. Therefore, it is required to turn off the condensate fan 401.
As can be seen from the technical solutions provided by one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the dual cycle air conditioning system is provided to efficiently regulate the temperature of the data center room, thereby ensuring that the data center room can stay within the set temperature range for a long time and significantly reducing the air-conditioning energy consumption.
Furthermore, by additionally providing the heat exchanger 60 in the system, the excess heat is recycled from the dual cycle air conditioning system through the heat recovery function of the heat exchanger 60 after the heat exchange requirements are met. Thus, surplus heat may be discharged into outdoor air when there are no heat exchange requirements or the heat exchange requirements are smaller. In this way, heat island effect is reduced, the overall carbon consumption in society can be reduced, and the power utilization efficiency can be improved.
The embodiments set forth above are only illustrated as preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. All modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present disclosure shall fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.
Claims
1. A dual cycle air conditioning system at least comprising an evaporator, a compressor, a heat exchanger, a condenser, and a refrigerant pump connected through a main pipeline;
- wherein the evaporator, the compressor, and the condenser jointly constitute a first loop, and the first loop regulates a temperature of a first fluid inside the main pipeline by means of the compressor;
- the evaporator, the condenser, and the refrigerant pump jointly constitute a second loop, and the second loop regulates the temperature of the first fluid inside the main pipeline by means of the refrigerant pump; and
- when the temperature of the first fluid is greater than a heat recovery threshold, the first fluid inside the first loop and the first fluid inside the second loop can undergo heat exchange by means of the heat exchanger to regulate a temperature of a second fluid flowing through the heat exchanger.
2. The dual cycle air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the main pipeline is connected to a first branch, and a first valve body is arranged on the first branch; and
- two ends of the first branch are respectively positioned at an inlet and an outlet of the heat exchanger, when the temperature of the first fluid is less than the heat recovery threshold, the first valve body is opened, and the first fluid inside the main pipeline flows through the first branch; and when the temperature of the first fluid is greater than the heat recovery threshold, the first valve body is closed, and the first fluid inside the main pipeline flows through the heat exchanger.
3. The dual cycle air conditioning system according to claim 2, wherein the main pipeline is connected to a second branch, and a second valve body is arranged on the second branch; and
- two ends of the second branch are respectively positioned at an inlet and an outlet of the compressor, such that the first fluid inside the second loop flows to the first branch or the heat exchanger through the first branch.
4. The dual cycle air conditioning system according to claim 3, wherein the main pipeline is connected to a third branch, and a third valve body is arranged on the third branch; and
- two ends of the third branch are respectively positioned at an inlet and an outlet of the refrigerant pump, such that the first fluid inside the first loop flows to the evaporator through the third branch.
5. The dual cycle air conditioning system according to claim 4, wherein the main pipeline is connected to a fourth branch, and two ends of the fourth branch are respectively positioned at an inlet and an outlet of the condenser; and
- a fourth valve body is arranged on the fourth branch, when the fourth valve body is opened, the first fluid inside the main pipeline flows through the fourth branch; and when the fourth valve body is closed, the first fluid inside the main pipeline flows through the condenser.
6. The dual cycle air conditioning system according to claim 5, wherein the heat exchanger has a first runner and a second runner, the first runner is interconnected to the main pipeline, the second runner is interconnected to a heat recovery pipeline, and the first fluid and the second fluid respectively flow through the first runner and the second runner to exchange heat by means of the heat exchanger.
7. The dual cycle air conditioning system according to claim 6, wherein the heat recovery pipeline at least comprises a return water pipeline and a water supply pipeline, and the return water pipeline and the water supply pipeline are respectively interconnected to two ends of the second runner; and
- a fifth valve body is arranged on the water supply pipeline to control a flow rate of the second fluid flowing out of the second runner.
8. The dual cycle air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein a sixth valve body is arranged on the main pipeline, and the sixth valve body is positioned between the refrigerant pump and the evaporator to control a flow rate of the first fluid flowing to the evaporator.
9. The dual cycle air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerant pump is connected to a liquid reservoir, and the refrigerant pump is configured to output a refrigerant in conjunction with the liquid reservoir.
10. A control method for a dual cycle air conditioning system, the dual cycle air conditioning system at least comprises an evaporator, a compressor, a heat exchanger, a condenser, and a refrigerant pump sequentially connected through a main pipeline; wherein
- the evaporator, the compressor, and the condenser jointly constitute a first loop; the evaporator, the condenser, and the refrigerant pump jointly constitute a second loop, when a temperature of the first fluid is greater than a heat recovery threshold, the first fluid inside the first loop and the first fluid inside the second loop can undergo heat exchange by means of the heat exchanger to regulate a temperature of a second fluid flowing through the heat exchanger;
- the main pipeline is connected to a first branch, and a first valve body is arranged on the first branch; and
- the control method comprises:
- confirming whether the second fluid flows through the heat exchanger, determining whether the temperature of the first fluid is greater than the heat recovery threshold when the second fluid flows through the heat exchanger, and closing the first valve body when the temperature of the first fluid is greater than the heat recovery threshold, such that the first fluid flows to the heat exchanger and exchanges heat with the second fluid.
11. The control method for the dual cycle air conditioning system according to claim 10, wherein the main pipeline is connected to a fourth branch, a fourth valve body is arranged on the fourth branch, two ends of the fourth branch are respectively positioned at an inlet and an outlet of the condenser, and the condenser is provided with a condensate fan; and
- when the first fluid flows to the heat exchanger and flows along the first loop, the fourth valve body is in a closed state, it is determined whether a rotation speed of the condensate fan is at a lower limit value and whether a condensing pressure continues to decrease, and the fourth valve body is opened until the condensing pressure reaches a target value when the rotation speed of the condensate fan is at the lower limit value and the condensing pressure continues to decrease.
12. The control method for the dual cycle air conditioning system according to claim 11, wherein when the first fluid flows to the heat exchanger and flows along the second loop, the compressor and the fourth valve body are started, and the refrigerant pump and the condensate fan are turned off.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 14, 2024
Publication Date: Oct 3, 2024
Inventors: Binghua ZHANG (Zhangjiakou City), Mingjiang LI (Zhangjiakou City)
Application Number: 18/605,586
