Performance analysis of compression-assisted absorption refrigeration-heating system for waste heat recovery of liquid-cooling data center

The power consumption for cooling of data centers increases continuously contributed to the enlargement of heat dissipation demands. Waste heat recovery is regarded as a promising solution for energy conservation and carbon reduction. A compression-assisted absorption refrigeration-heating system aimed at waste heat utilization of liquid-cooling data center is proposed. The effects of heat sources, auxiliary compression process and split ratios on the proposed system performance are discussed, and the analysis of application that synchronously produces chilled water for liquid-cooling data center and hot water for domestic use is conducted. The compression process can provide effective compensation for the system performance that weakens the demands on the quality of cooling source and driving heat source. As the compression ratio raises from 1.067 to 2.0, the minimum generation temperature decreases from 52.0 °C to 27.2 °C. The system can completely satisfy the refrigeration need, of 4.29 kW for liquid-cooling data centers and provide additional thermal energy, of 1.37 kW for heating. A quantitative relationship between the flow split ratios and circulation ratios is found out that can be a wise presentation for the adjustment of the refrigeration and heating loads. This research results can provide theoretical basis and guidance for low-grade waste heat recovery in liquid-cooling data center based on the absorption heat pump technology. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd