Performance analysis of multi-source heat recovery air conditioningsystems for data centers

To fully utilize data center waste heat and achieve annual heat recovery, this paper proposes a multi-source heat recovery air conditioning system for liquid-cooled data centers. The system integrates solar collectors, adsorption chillers, and ground heat exchangers to realize annual heat recovery. Specifically, the adsorption chiller utilizes heat from the solar collector and data center coolant to provide cooling, while the ground heat exchanger stores summer heat underground, which is then extracted for winter heating, thus achieving multi-stage waste heat utilization. The results of a case study on a Tianjin data center show this system achieves an energy saving rate of 11.2%, an annual waste heat utilization rate of 56%, and a payback period within 4 years, demonstrating excellent energy efficiency and economic benefits. This research offers a novel approach for waste heat recovery in data centers.