WO2024086916A1

WO2024086916A1 - Carbon capture in an air-cooled data center or crypto-mine

Info

Publication number: WO2024086916A1
Application number: PCT/CA2023/051301
Authority: WO
Inventors: Niall Davidson
Original assignee: Niall Davidson
Priority date: 2022-10-24
Filing date: 2023-10-02
Publication date: 2024-05-02

Abstract

Described are data centers comprising carbon capture apparatus working alongside air-cooled computer systems. Described embodiments include data centers where air is flowed through a carbon capture apparatus and then subsequently flowed through an air-cooled computer system. In another embodiment air is first flowed through the air-cooled computer system and then flowed through the carbon capture apparatus. Embodiments are also described whereby the heated air flowing from the exhaust of a computer system is captured and used for regeneration of a CO2 capture medium.

Description

Carbon Capture in an Air-Cooled Data Center or Crypto-Mine

BACKGROUND

[001] Finding profitable ways to overcome Climate Change is critical. Previous work by the present inventor disclosed in patent application published as WO2021/159202A1 with the title “Carbon Negative Data Centers and Services”, describes carbon capture using a data centers waste-heat and a means to profitably deploy it.

[002] As climate change is still a present risk there is a need for improvements in this field.

SUMMARY

[003] The present disclosure relates to carbon capture in a data center or crypto-mine type environment and efficiently enabling an air-cooled data-center to remove carbon-dioxide from the atmosphere.

[004] Described are data centers comprising carbon capture apparatus and air-cooled computer systems, the data center being configured to flow air through the carbon capture apparatus and through the air-cooled computer system.

[005] In one described embodiment embodying features of the present disclosure air is first flowed through the carbon capture apparatus and air-flowing from the exhaust of the carbon capture apparatus is then flowed through the air-cooled computer system whereby removing CO2 from the air-flow and cooling the air-cooled computer system.

[006] In another described embodiment embodying features of the present disclosure air is first flowed through the air-cooled computer system and air-flowing from the exhaust of the computer system is then flowed through the carbon capture apparatus whereby removing CO2 from the airflow and cooling the air-cooled computer system. [007] Embodiments exemplifying features of the present disclosure may comprise a carbon capture apparatus that comprises a CO2 capture medium, with the carbon capture apparatus configured in such a way that air-flowing into the carbon capture apparatus is directed proximal to the CO2 capture medium.

[008] Embodiments exemplifying features of the present disclosure may comprise an optional heat exchanger positioned in such a way that air that has flowed from the exhaust of the computer system flows through the heat exchanger, heat captured by the heat exchanger may then be transported by a heat transporting means to be used for regeneration of a CO2 capture medium.

[009] Further described are embodiments embodying features of the present disclosure which comprise a CO2 capture medium configured in such a way that heat from the exhaust of the computer system is used to regenerate the CO2 capture medium.

[010] Further described are embodiments embodying features of the present disclosure which comprise an optional secondary flow path configured to allow air or another fluid to be flowed through a chamber of a carbon capture apparatus without requiring it to pass through a computer system.

[011] The described embodiments may be used by any carbon capture apparatus and carbon capture apparatus where regeneration occurs between 20°C and 100°C, below 100°C or over 100°C. This will allow the efficient use of CO2 capture mediums which are available today and may be available in the future as further CO2 capture mediums are developed.

[012] Also described is a method for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while cooling computer systems in a data center, embodiments embodying features of the disclosed method comprise: inducing an air-flow; directing the air-flow through a computer system, whereby cooling the computer system, and; directing the air-flow through a carbon capture apparatus whereby CO2 is removed from the air-flow.

[013] In one described embodiment embodying features of the presently disclosed method the air-flow is directed first through the computer system and then the exhaust from the computer system is directed through the carbon capture apparatus. In another embodiment the air-flow is directed first through the carbon capture apparatus and then the exhaust from the carbon capture apparatus is directed through the computer system.

[014] In another described embodiment embodying features of the presently disclosed method the method optionally comprises capturing heat from the air-flow, and using the captured heat for regeneration of a CO2 capture medium.

[015] And in another described embodiment embodying features of the presently disclosed method the step of using the captured heat for regeneration of a CO2 capture medium optionally comprises directing the captured heat to a heat-pump, and directing the output from the heatpump to the carbon capture apparatus.

DRAWINGS

[016] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

Fig. 1 shows the flow path of an air-stream in a data center with a carbon capture apparatus positioned before an air-cooled computer system;

Fig. 2 shows the flow path of an air-stream in a data center with a carbon capture apparatus positioned after an air-cooled computer system, and;

Fig. 3 shows an alternative flow path of an air-stream through a carbon capture apparatus.

DESCRIPTION

[017] It is intended that the following description and claims should be interpreted in accordance with Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged unless otherwise indicated.

[018] Previous work by the present inventor disclosed in patent cooperation treaty application publish as no. WO2021/159202A1, titled “Carbon Negative Data Centers and Services” describes a data center with carbon capture and a variety of features important to deploy carbon capture in a data center type environment. [019] The present disclosure relates to carbon capture apparatus and related carbon capture apparatus within a data center and configurations of air-flow through the data center that efficiently enable carbon capture. The disclosure provides for a means to integrate carbon capture into a fully, or partially, air-cooled type data center.

[020] For the purposes of this disclosure the term “data center” is defined to include any data center type environment, including but not being limited to data closets, data rooms, data offices, crypto mines, Bitcoin mines, racked computer systems, central offices, telecommunications closets, network closets and any environment designed to cool and power one or more computer systems.

[021] For the purposes of this disclosure the term “computer system” is defined to include any computerized system, including but not being limited to a computer server, network server, network switch, network router, Bitcoin miner, ASIC-based miner, GPU based server, computer host, file server, print server, networked storage system and any computerized system comprising a computer processing unit or similar computerized apparatus existing now or in the future.

[022] For the purposes of this disclosure the term “CO2 capture medium” is intended to include any CO2 capture medium, including but not being limited to sorbents, adsorbents, fluids or other type of CO2 capture medium. As the rate of development of new CO2 capture mediums is high it is impossible to list them all. Presently this includes, but is not limited to, carbonaceous materials such as activated carbon, ordered porous carbons, carbon fibers and graphene, dry alkali metalbased sorbents, zeolites, hybrid-foams, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), microporous organic polymers (MOPs), layered double hydroxides, alumina, nanoclays, silica, zeolite imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), polymers, amines and other CO2 capture mediums which can be used to capture CO2 from the air and subsequently regenerated (heated) to release the CO2.

[023] It is also not intended that this disclosure be limited only to those CO2 capture medium with a particular range of temperature requirement, for example polyguanidine ethyl methacrylate has been found (Langmuir 2022, 38, 17, 5197-5208 Publication Date:December 8, 2021 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.lc02321) to have a CO2 adsorption capacity of 2.4 mmol/g at room temperature and a desorption (regeneration) temperature of just 72°C while zeolites capable of being regenerated at just 65°C are also under development (ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng. 2022, 10, 5, 1759-1764 Publication Date: January 26, 2022 https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng. lc08347). Thus it is anticipated that further development in C02 capture materials will produce C02 capture mediums that can be regenerated between approximately 50°C and 70°C, approximately 70°C and 90°C, above 90°C, above 100°C and maybe even below 50°C. All of which are within the range of temperatures of the present disclosure. That is that can be reached by a computer system exhaust or are in reach by the use of a heat-pump to boost a computer systems exhaust temperature. In some cases today exhaust temperatures from a computer system can be as low as 20°C or lower and reach as high as 80°C (for example Bitcoin miners) or higher. In the case of transistors made from Gallium Nitride can operate above 100°C and therefore operate at an exhaust temperature above 100°C.

[024] Combining a Data Center with carbon capture has a number of benefits which may be of critical importance in the fight against climate change. Including but not being limited to energy efficiency. For example in an embodiment exemplary of the present disclosure carbon capture apparatus, such as a thermal swing adsorption or pressure swing adsorption type carbon capture apparatus, is placed within the air-flow of an air-cooled data center that is used to cool computer servers. In such a way the same air-flow, which is already being engendered by the data center for cooling, is also used to remove CO2 from the atmosphere. This provides the benefit of reducing the energy required for carbon capture by taking advantage of an already existing airflow.

[025] In another embodiment exemplary of the present disclosure carbon capture apparatus, including but not being limited to thermal swing adsorption, pressure swing adsorption type, thermal pressure swing adsorption, thermal vacuum swing adsorption, or amine type carbon capture apparatus, uses the waste-heat generated by one or more computer servers to regenerate a CO2 capture medium and thus release captured CO2 back from the CO2 capture medium where it can be collected. This provides the benefit of again reducing the energy required for carbon capture by taking advantage of a source of waste-heat. In some embodiments this waste-heat may be boosted further, as is described in the present inventors patent application no. WO2021/159202A1, titled “Carbon Negative Data Centers and Services”, by a heat-pump.

[026] Today data centers can be air-cooled by many different means, including but not being limited to: free cooling; adiabatic cooling; evaporative cooling; computer room air conditioning systems; computer room air handling units; indirect cooling systems such as Facebook’s SPLC, and; a variety of other air-cooling technologies that are well known to a person having ordinary skill in the art of data center design and deployment. The present disclosure provides the necessary means to integrate carbon capture into an air-flow within an air-cooled data center and can thus be integrated into a data center cooled via air generally. It is not intended that the present disclosure requires a data center cooled only by air and may instead be cooled by a combination of cooling means.

[027] Referring now to figure 1 which shows air-flow through a data center. The air-flow 102 first enters a carbon capture apparatus 110, before exiting the carbon capture apparatus 110 via air-flow 104, the air-flow 104 then enters a computer system 120 whereby cooling the computer system 120 and exiting via air-flow 106 before entering an optional heat capture apparatus 130 and exiting the optional heat capture apparatus 130 via air-flow 108.

[028] The source of air-flow 102 can be from any means, this includes but is not limited to fans, natural air-movement or another means of generating air-flow. Additional apparatus may also be positioned or located in any of the air-flows 102, 104, 106 or 108. For example filters, evaporative walls, fogging systems and other apparatus to manage air quality and humidity and other air-management apparatus may be located in the path of these air-flows without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Similarly apparatus such as fans or guides may be positioned in the path of air-flows 102, 104, 106 or 108 without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Furthermore it is not intended that air-flows 102, 104, 106, or 108 be restricted to a single carbon capture apparatus 110, computer system 120 or optional heat capture apparatus 130 within a data center.

[029] Carbon capture apparatus 110 may be of any type, including but not being limited to a thermal swing adsorption, pressure swing adsorption type, thermal pressure swing adsorption, thermal vacuum swing adsorption, amine or any other type of carbon capture apparatus. For the purpose of this disclosure a thermal swing adsorption type apparatus of the type where heat is used to regenerate (release captured CO2 from) a CO2 capture medium such as an adsorbent is discussed.

[030] Shown is a carbon capture apparatus 110 comprising two chambers, a first chamber 114 and a second chamber 116. The first chamber 114 containing a first CO2 capture medium, configured to capture CO2 from an air-stream passing in proximity to it and the second chamber 116 containing a second CO2 capture medium configured to capture CO2 from an air-stream passing in proximity to it. As the air-flow 102 passes through the carbon capture apparatus 110 it passes through one or both of the chambers 114, 116 whereby CO2 is captured by either the first or second CO2 capture mediums.

[031] While carbon capture apparatus 110 is shown comprising two chambers 114, 116, this is not required and carbon capture apparatus 110 may contain none, one or more chambers. Embodiments exemplifying features of the present disclosure may also comprise a carbon capture apparatus comprising a CO2 capture medium located on a tray, container, wall, surface, bath, stream, waterfall or any other means intended to expose a CO2 capture medium to the air. For example embodiments exemplifying features of the present disclosure includes a carbon capture apparatus 110 which uses a CO2 capture medium located upon a tray that is configured to be removed from the carbon capture apparatus 110 and regenerated in another location.

[032] Carbon capture apparatus 110 may contain optional air-director 112, optional air-director 112 can be configured to direct air-flow 102 into either the first chamber 114 or the second chamber 116. Optional air-director 112 allows for air-flow 102 to be directed into either the first chamber 114 or the second chamber 116 within the carbon capture apparatus 110. Alternative embodiments of the present disclosure may instead direct air-flow 102 within the carbon capture apparatus 110 by moving, rotating or translating the first chamber 114 or the second chamber 116 into the air-flow 102 being directed into the carbon capture apparatus. Yet other embodiments of the present disclosure may instead open or close a door or otherwise seal the apparatus via some mechanism to block or allow air-flow 102 to pass through either the first chamber 114 or the second chamber 116.

[033] As air-flows through the computer system 120, heat is removed from the computer system 120 and heats the air such that air-flow 106 is a different temperature than air-flow 104. Optional heat capture apparatus 130, which could be a heat-exchanger or similar device, can then be used to capture heat from air-flow 106. The heat then can be transported via heat transporting means that includes, but is not limited to, thermal conduction, a liquid coolant, a fluid coolant, a heatpipe, a thermosyphon or some other means of conducting heat to be used to regenerate a CO2 capture medium which may, or may not, be located within the carbon capture apparatus. Alternatively embodiments exemplifying features of the present disclosure include, for example, using the heat captured by the optional heat capture apparatus 130 to regenerate a CO2 capture medium on a tray that has been moved from the carbon capture apparatus 110 to another location.

[034] Yet another alternative embodiment exemplifying features of the present disclosure include using heat exhausted from the computer system 120 to regenerate a tray containing a CO2 capture medium positioned in air-flow 106 whereby heat is captured directly by the tray or CO2 capture medium and the CO2 capture medium is regenerated releasing CO2.

[035] In an embodiment exemplifying the present disclosure heat capture apparatus 130 is a heat exchanger, and heat from air-flow 106 is captured in a liquid coolant. The liquid coolant is then pumped to the carbon capture apparatus 130 whereby it can be used to regenerate the CO2 capture medium located within one of the chambers. In another embodiment exemplifying the present disclosure the heat capture apparatus 130 is a heat exchanger, and heat from air-flow 106 is captured in a fluid based coolant. The fluid based coolant is then pumped via a heat-pump 140 where it is boosted in temperature and then pumped to the carbon capture apparatus 130 whereby it is used to regenerate the CO2 capture medium located within one of the chambers. By using a heat-pump in this manner a CO2 capture medium with a higher regeneration temperature than the heat exhausted from the computer system 120 can be used. For example a CO2 capture medium with a regeneration temperature higher than approximately 100°C can be used with a computer system 120 exhaust heat of between approximately 20°C to 100°C.

[036] Carbon capture apparatus 110 may be configured in such a way that in a first mode of operation, air-flow 102 entering the carbon capture apparatus 110 is directed via the optional air director 112 through the first chamber 114 whereby capturing CO2 from air-flow 102, simultaneously the second chamber 116 can be undergoing regeneration, or releasing captured CO2 from the CO2 capture medium, this process comprises: sealing the second chamber 116 off from air-flow 102; heating the CO2 capture medium contained within the second chamber 116 to release CO2 from the CO2 capture medium, and; pumping the CO2 out of the sealed second chamber 116. In a second mode of operation the carbon capture apparatus 110 repeats the same process for the first chamber 114, while capturing CO2 from air-flow 102 in the second chamber 116. By switching which chamber is capturing CO2 and which chamber is regenerating the carbon capture apparatus can constantly capture CO2.

[037] Referring now to figure 2, which shows an alternative configuration of air-flow through a data center. The air-flow 202 first enters a computer system 220, whereby cooling the computer system 220 before exiting the computer system 220 via air-flow 206, the air-flow 206 then enters the optional heat capture apparatus 230 and exits the optional heat capture apparatus 230 via airflow 209, air-flow 209 then enters the carbon capture apparatus 210 and exits the carbon capture apparatus 210 via air-flow 208.

[038] In the configuration shown in figure 2 the computer system 220 is cooled before the air enters the carbon capture apparatus 210, this has the benefit of pre-heating the air that subsequently flows through the carbon capture apparatus 210. This may have benefits by heating the air-flow 209 to a higher temperature so that a CO2 capture medium located within the carbon capture apparatus 210 will operate at a higher CO2 capture efficiency.

[039] It is to be understood that while figures 1 and figures 2 show specific configurations other configurations and ordering of the carbon capture apparatus, computer systems and optional heat capture apparatus can be devised in application of the principles of the present disclosure without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention herein.

[040] Referring now to figure 3, which shows an alternative air-flow path through a carbon capture apparatus 310. In some embodiments of the present disclosure it may be beneficial to provide an alternative path for air to flow through the first chamber 314 or second chamber 316. In figure 3 shown is air-flow 352 which may comprise a flow of fresh-air, air-flow 352 enters the carbon capture apparatus 310 and is directed by an air-director 312 through either the first chamber 314 or the second chamber 316 before exiting the carbon capture apparatus 310 via airflow 354.

[041] Carbon capture apparatus 310 may be configured in such a way that in a first mode of operation, air-flow 302 entering the carbon capture apparatus 310 is directed via the optional air director 312 through the first chamber 314 whereby capturing CO2 from air-flow 302 and exiting via air-flow 308, simultaneously the second chamber 316 may be undergoing regeneration, this process comprises: sealing the second chamber 316 off from air-flow 302; heating the CO2 capture medium contained within the second chamber 316 to release CO2 from the CO2 capture medium; pumping the CO2 out of the sealed second chamber 316, and; once the CO2 has been removed from the sealed second chamber 316 cooling the CO2 capture medium to ambient temperature by directing air-flow 352 through the second chamber 316. In a second mode of operation the carbon capture apparatus 310 instead regenerates the first chamber 314 while capturing CO2 from air-flow 302 in the second chamber 316.

[042] This alternative air-flow path has the benefit of ensuring that heat from the regeneration process does not enter the data center or computer systems within the data center. In yet another embodiment of the present invention the heat from the regeneration process within the carbon capture apparatus 310 and which is removed via air-flow 354 could additionally be captured and re-used for regeneration or other purposes via, for example, an additional heat exchanger installed in air-flow 354.

[043] The above embodiments exemplify a method implemented within a data center or data center type environment comprising: inducing an air-flow; directing the air-flow through a computer system whereby cooling the computer system, and; directing the air-flow through a carbon capture apparatus whereby removing CO2 from the air-flow. The method may optionally further comprise: capturing heat from the air-flow, and; using the captured heat for regeneration of a CO2 capture medium.

[044] The step of using the captured heat for regeneration of a CO2 capture medium may further comprise: directing the captured heat to a heat-pump, and; directing the output from the heatpump to the CO2 capture medium to be used for regeneration. The step of using the captured heat for regeneration of a CO2 capture medium may optionally comprise directing the heat to the carbon capture apparatus whereby it is used to regenerate the CO2 capture medium.

[045] Although specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the many possible specific arrangements that can be devised in application of the principles of the invention. Numerous and varied other arrangements can be devised by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

What I claim is:

1. A data center comprising: a) a carbon capture apparatus, and; b) an air-cooled computer system, the data center being configured to flow air through the carbon capture apparatus and through the air-cooled computer system.

2. Tire data center of claim 1 where air is first flowed through the carbon capture apparatus and airflowing from the exhaust of the carbon capture apparatus is then flowed through the air-cooled computer system whereby removing CO2 from the air-flow and cooling the air-cooled computer system.

3. The data center of claim 1 where air is first flowed through the air-cooled computer system and air-flowing from the exhaust of the computer system is then flowed through the carbon capture apparatus whereby removing CO2 from the air-flow and cooling the air-cooled computer system.

4. The data center of claims 1 to 3 where the carbon capture apparatus comprises: c) a CO2 capture medium configured in such a way that air-flowing into the carbon capture apparatus is directed proximal to the CO2 capture medium.

5. The data center of claims 1 to 4 further comprising: f) a heat-exchanger, the heat exchanger being positioned in such a way that air that has flowed from the exhaust of the computer system flows through the heat exchanger, the heat captured by the heat exchanger being used for regeneration.

6. The data center of claims 1 to 4 further configured in such a way that the exhaust heat from the computer system is used to regenerate the CO2 capture medium.

7. Tire data center of claims 1 to 6 wherein the data center is a crypto-mine.

8. Tire data center of claims 1 to 6 wherein the data center is a general purpose data center.

9. Tire data center of claims 1 to 6 wherein the data center is operated by a cloud operator.

10. The data center of claims 1 to 9 wherein the air-flowing from exhaust of the computer system is at least 20°C.

11. The data center of claims 1 to 9 wherein the air-flowing from the exhaust of the computer system is between approximately 20°C and 80°C.

12. A method for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while cooling computer systems in a data center, the method comprising: a) inducing an air-flow; b) directing the air-flow through a computer system, and; c) directing the air-flow through a carbon capture apparatus.

13. The method of claim 12 where the air-flow is directed first through the computer system and then the exhaust from die computer system is directed through the carbon capture apparatus.

14. The method of claim 12 where the air-flow is directed first flirough the carbon capture apparatus

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) and then the exhaust from the carbon capture apparatus is directed through the computer system.

15. The method of claims 12 to 14 further comprising: d) capturing heat from the air-flow, and; e) using the captured heat for regeneration of a CO2 capture medium.

16. The method of claim 15 where the step of using the captured heat for regeneration of a CO2 capture medium comprises: f) directing the captured heat to a heat-pump, and; g) directing the output from the heat-pump to the CO2 capture medium to be used for regeneration.

17. A data center with carbon capture, the data center comprising: a) a computer system being at least partially cooled by flowing air through the computer system, and; b) an adsorbent configured to capture CO2 from an air-stream passing proximal to the adsorbent, the data center being configured to flow air proximal to the adsorbent.

18. The data center of claim 17 where heat exhausted from the computer system is used to regenerate the adsorbent.

19. The data center of claims 17 or 18 where the data center is a crypto-mine.

20. The data center of claims 17 or 18 where the data center is cooled via free-cooling.

21. The data center of claim 18 where the adsorbent is regenerated at a temperature between approximately 50°C and 70°C.

22. The data center of claim 18 where the adsorbent is regenerated at a temperature between approximately 70°C and 90°C.

23. The data center of claim 18 where the adsorbent is regenerated at a temperature above 90°C.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)