Realizing rapid energy storage and efficient release in a tesla valve integrated cold energy storage unit for data center cooling

A novel latent heat thermal energy storage system that integrated Tesla valve structure flow channels was developed to improve the energy efficiency of cold energy storage unit. The system utilized phase change materials to store cooling capacity during off-peak hours, which was then used to supplement the cooling load during peak periods. This paper employed a combined experimental and numerical simulation method to compare the Tesla valve structure with a conventional plate-fin structure in terms of cold storage and release times, effective discharge time, and energy storage efficiency. The results indicated that the asymmetric Tesla valve structure enhanced heat transfer and reduced solidification time by 54.6 %. Under an inlet velocity of 0.2 m/s and a charging time of 6 h, the cold storage rate increased by 12.6 %. At a discharge velocity of 0.025 m/s, the system achieved an energy storage efficiency of 89.9 % and a discharge duration of 8.01 h, which significantly outperformed the plate-fin structure with 54.9 % and 4.39 h, respectively. The system also exhibited higher sustained output power and temperature (both at least 1.5 times the reference case with plate-fin structure).