Energy-saving potential of separated two-phase thermosiphon loops for data center cooling

This study aims to experimentally examine the energy-saving potential by using R-134a filled separated two-phase thermosiphon loop (STPTL) for data center applications. A parametric study had been made to compare the energy consumption of two data center racks. Two fin-and-tube heat exchangers were attached to one of the racks to form two individual thermosiphon loops. The experiments were carried out subject to different operating conditions, including three ambient temperatures (20 °C, 23 °C, and 27 °C) and filling ratios ranging from 30 to 90% in association with heating loads ranging between 1.5 kW and 6 kW. Parametric influences regarding concentrated heat loading or uniform heat loading are studied. It was found that an appreciable energy-savings can be obtained at high filling ratios and a maximum of 49% energy-saving with the assistance of thermosiphon is observed. Accordingly, the rising of system pressure will result in noticeable savings. Relative to the uniform heat loading of the data rack, the thermosiphon shows even more energy-saving potential in concentrated heat loading. This phenomenon is more pronounced at a lower ambient temperature like 20 °C. On the other hand, there is no appreciable energy-saving for the thermosiphon between concentrated and uniform heating loads when the ambient temperature is high (27 °C). Furthermore, the influence of airflow rate was also investigated under various ambient temperatures with a 90% filling ratio and a heating load of 6 kW. The results revealed that the lower airflow rate in the thermosiphon yields comparatively better energy-saving than the higher flow rate. The study on the influence of using two STPTLs indicated that 15–23% energy-saving can be achieved at a 90% filling ratio and 6 kW heating load for all the studied ambient conditions if compared with testing each loop separately. Lower thermal resistance is seen at the higher filling ratios, ambient temperatures, and heating loads.