Using a fluid dynamic energy separation technique, in combination with thermoelectric generators (TEGs), a unique hybrid cooling system using low grade waste heat is proposed. This system uses the concept of fluid structure interactions and vorticity redistribution to produce large levels of vorticity within working fluid and thereby generate large temperature gradients in the working fluid which can be isolated and extracted. The completed unit will require little to no external power which will result in no operating costs. Likewise, the thermal separator has no moving parts and will also not require any maintenance. Also, the unit will require no external cooling air or chilled water lines which will drastically decrease the footprint compared to the current configurations and eliminate spatial positioning restrictions. .ESI, teamed with GTS, is well positioned to transition the prototype from this STTR to DoD and other Federal Agencies. ESI and GTS see even greater potential in promoting these STTR advancements in the commercial business sector as well, with first emphasis on businesses requiring significant Data Centers (Google, Amazon, etc.), Fortune 500 Corporate IT centers, and large building management firms (where office building computing infrastructure is a significant cost driver).
Benefit: For the Phase I effort it is expected that the proposed that the ESI separator will create numerous fluid structure interactions that will cause the local vorticity to intensify and produce large thermal gradients in the working fluid with little or no need of outside electrical energy. This will allow for the cooling of the internal components in an electrical cabinet in the following two ways: the cold air from the separator will be exposed to the internal components and thermal energy will be extracted from the waste heat through the use of an evaporator. Additionally, low levels of additional electrical energy will be produced by the TEGs which if not used for the working fluid pump can be stored in batteries to power the cabinet for a short period of time in the case of a power outage while the back-up generators are warming up. .ESI, teamed with GTS, is well positioned to transition the prototype from this STTR to DoD and other Federal Agencies. ESI and GTS see even greater potential in promoting these STTR advancements in the commercial business sector as well, with first emphasis on businesses requiring significant Data Centers (Google, Amazon, etc.), Fortune 500 Corporate IT centers, and large building management firms (where office building computing infrastructure is a significant cost driver).
Keywords: Modular/Scalable Cooling System, Modular/Scalable Cooling System, Mission Critical Enclosures, Thermal Management Technology, Hybrid Cooling System, Electronic Computer Cabinets
