697results about "Waste gas energy" patented technology

There is herein described energy storage systems. More particularly, there is herein described thermal energy storage systems and use of energy storable material such as phase change material in the provision of heating and / or cooling systems in, for example, domestic dwellings.

The invention relates to an energy storing method and apparatus for use by end-users of energy, such as commercial property owners and operators. The system differs from past systems, insofar as it is not intended to be used by and in connection with energy suppliers, such as large utility and power supply plants and grids. The system preferably relates to the manner in which an end-user of energy can implement energy and costs savings, by using energy storage and time-shifting methods, to control and regulate the consumption of energy in a manner that achieves a cost savings over a period of time. One aspect of the method relates to accurately forecasting and predicting the energy demands and peaks that might occur on a daily basis, by recording and analyzing the prior day's history, as well as the overall energy demand histories, using short and long term forecasts, and then setting up a variable energy storage / use plan or schedule that helps to reduce the peak demands by time-shifting the energy that is used, i.e., reducing consumption during high demand / high cost periods, and using the energy stored during low demand / low cost periods during the high demand / high cost periods.

This invention provides a system and method for cogeneration of electric power and building heat that efficiently interfaces a liquid-cooled electric power generator with a multi-zone forced hot water (hydronic) space heating system. The system and method utilizes an electric generator with an electric output capacity (kW) that is near the time-averaged electric power consumption rate for the building and with a heat generation capacity that is useful for meeting building heating needs. This generator is operated as the priority source of heat for the building, but normally only when there is a demand for heat in building, with the intent of running the generator for long periods of time and generating a total amount of electric energy (kWhs) that is significant in comparison to the total electric energy consumption of the building over time. The actual onsite time-variable power demand (kW) is met by a combination of the cogenerated electric power produced on site and quantities of electric power from the public electric power grid or another external power source. Hence, useful electric power is generated on site as a by-product of the required generation of heat for space or water heating. The generator is run at a speed / operating condition that is appropriate to maintaining a long operational life.

The invention relates to an energy storing method and apparatus for use by end-users of energy, such as commercial property owners and operators. The system differs from past systems, insofar as it is not intended to be used by and in connection with energy suppliers, such as large utility and power supply plants and grids. The system preferably relates to the manner in which an end-user of energy can implement energy and costs savings, by using energy storage and time-shifting methods, to control and regulate the consumption of energy in a manner that achieves a cost savings over a period of time. One aspect of the method relates to accurately forecasting and predicting the energy demands and peaks that might occur on a daily basis, by recording and analyzing the prior day's history, as well as the overall energy demand histories, using short and long term forecasts, and then setting up a variable energy storage / use plan or schedule that helps to reduce the peak demands by time-shifting the energy that is used, i.e., reducing consumption during high demand / high cost periods, and using the energy stored during low demand / low cost periods during the high demand / high cost periods.

This invention provides a system and method for cogeneration of electric power and building heat that efficiently interfaces a liquid-cooled electric power generator with a multi-zone forced hot water (hydronic) space heating system. The system and method utilizes an electric generator with an electric output capacity (kW) that is near the time-averaged electric power consumption rate for the building and with a heat generation capacity that is useful for meeting building heating needs. This generator is operated as the priority source of heat for the building, but normally only when there is a demand for heat in building, with the intent of running the generator for long periods of time and generating a total amount of electric energy (kWhs) that is significant in comparison to the total electric energy consumption of the building over time. The actual onsite time-variable power demand (kW) is met by a combination of the cogenerated electric power produced on site and quantities of electric power from the public electric power grid or another external power source. Hence, useful electric power is generated on site as a by-product of the required generation of heat for space or water heating. The generator is run at a speed / operating condition that is appropriate to maintaining a long operational life.

Disclosed herein is a heat exchange apparatus, which comprises a hollow blade member having a first fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet and a first fluid passageway for a first fluid that extends between the inlet and the outlet. The blade member is sized and shaped to be located in a second fluid passageway for a second fluid. The blade member is configured to enhance thermal energy transfer between the fluids as they flow along their respective passageways.

Described is a modular thermal energy transfer system. The modular thermal energy transfer system includes a plurality of modular thermal units, each modular thermal unit having a thermal retainer with a conditioning pipe and a usable fluid pipe disposed therein. The conditioning pipes are in fluidic communication with one another, and the usable fluid pipes are in fluidic communication with one another. The conditioning pipes are adapted to carry a conditioning fluid therethrough and to allow transfer of thermal energy between the thermal retainers and the conditioning fluid. The usable fluid pipes are adapted to carry a usable fluid therethrough and to allow the transfer of thermal energy between the thermal retainers and the usable fluid. The various thermal retainers of the modular thermal units are configured to be positionable proximate one another such that thermal energy is transferable between substantially adjacent thermal retainers.

The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of providing energy to a dwelling. An engine is housed within an inner tank, which is in turn housed within an outer tank. The engine provides electricity which is used for a dwelling. Exhaust fumes from the engine are piped through a series of heat-exchanging tubes within the outer tank to heat potable water within the outer tank. Water enters the potable tank at a bottom of the tank, and warms as it rises through the outer tank toward an outlet near a top of the outer tank. Hot, potable water is provided from the top of the outer tank to the dwelling. Condensate from the exhaust is captured and used as potable water. Heat, vibration, and acoustic energy from the engine is captured by the fluid in the inner tank and transferred to the outer tank.

A heat transfer system includes a heat exchanger configured to transfer heat between a first fluid and a second fluid. The heat exchanger includes an outer sleeve and a microchannel unit. The outer sleeve has an interior surface defining a cavity and an exterior surface configured to be in direct thermal communication with the first fluid. The microchannel unit is received in the cavity. The microchannel unit has a plurality of microchannels configured to receive the second fluid therein and be in direct thermal communication with the second fluid. The microchannel unit has an exterior surface in direct thermal communication with the interior surface of the outer sleeve to transfer heat therebetween. At least one of the interior surface of the outer sleeve and the exterior surface of the microchannel unit has grooves defining breach channels for the first fluid or the second fluid should a breach in the outer sleeve or the microchannel unit occur.

The invention discloses an energy-saving heat supply system with a function of reducing the temperature of heat supply return water, and belongs to the field of improvement of energy utilization efficiency. Heat exchange can be repeatedly carried out on heat sources by multistage heat exchangers, multistage absorption heat exchange units, multistage compression heat pumps and an ice making type refrigerator, accordingly, the heat supply areas can be enlarged, and the energy utilization efficiency can be improved. The energy-saving heat supply system has the advantages that the temperature of the return water of heat supply primary pipe networks can be reduced and reach 0 DEG C, the return water contains 10% of ice particles, accordingly, route heat loss of the return water of the heat supply primary pipe networks can be reduced, the temperature difference of the return water of the heat supply primary pipe networks can be increased and reaches 118 DEG C from the original 60 DEG C, the flow rate of circulating water of the heat supply primary pipe networks can be lowered, energy consumption of circulating pumps can be reduced, heat supply flow rates of a user side can be greatly increased, the delivery efficiency of the pipe networks can be improved, the heat supply scale can be expanded, waste heat of a cooling tower can be recycled, and the like.

An apparatus for heating water has a tank for storing water and an air conditioning system that defines a refrigerant flow path through which refrigerant flows. The refrigerant flow path passes through the heat exchanger so that refrigerant heat is contributed to the tank. A control system controls operation of the water heating apparatus.

A novel water heat exchanger with a helix coil incorporated into a stainless steel elongated variable diameter cylindrical housing. A buffer tank is incorporated within the lumen of the helix coil. In one embodiment, the heat exchanger utilizes a radial direct-firing burner and a blower-driven hot flue gas to heat water for domestic and commercial use. In one embodiment, at least a rope seal is disposed between adjacent coil loops of a portion of the helix coil for enhancing heat transfer to the helix coil. In one embodiment, solar and electric heating systems are combined with the helix coil heat exchanger and disposed within the buffer tank to provide supplemental heating. In another embodiment, the heat exchanger further comprises a Stirling engine comprised of a free piston having hot and cold ends that is disposed within the cavity taken up the buffer tank, wherein the hot end receives heat from the burner and the cold end is cooled by the incoming cold water line to form an electric power generator.

Water heater apparatus includes a tank for storing water; a heat exchanger associated with the tank and being operative to receive refrigerant and transfer heat therefrom to the tank, the heat exchanger representatively being a heat conductive tube externally wrapped around the tank in heat conductive contact therewith; air conditioning apparatus operative to utilize refrigerant flowing through a refrigerant circuit portion of the air conditioning apparatus, the refrigerant circuit portion being in fluid communication with the heat exchanger; and a control system operative to selectively cause a portion of the flowing refrigerant to pass through the heat exchanger, or cause essentially the entire flow of the refrigerant to bypass the heat exchanger.

A heat exchanger for heat exchange between a first and a second fluid and comprising a cylindrical casing 2 , a cylindrical fluid conduit 5 arranged inside the casing such that an axially extending tubular space 8 is defined, at least one helical coil 9, 10 of a finned or corrugated tube being arranged inside the tubular space, and adjustable throttle means 17, 17 a , 18 adapted and arranged for adjustably throttling flow of the first fluid through the conduit 5 to adjust the flow of the first fluid through the conduit and the first tubular space for adjusting the heat exchange between the first fluid and the second fluid flowing through the helical coils 9, 10.

Systems, methods and devices for utilizing an energy chassis device designed to sense, collect, store and distribute energy from where it is available using devices that harvest or convert energy to locations requiring energy such as but not limited to HVAC (heating, ventilation and cooling) systems. The systems, methods and devices can also be used with a next generation geothermal heat exchanger that achieves higher energy harvesting efficiency and provides greater functionality than current geothermal exchangers.

A water heating apparatus having structure for recovering sensible and latent heat from flue gases generated in a heater thereof and transferring the heat to water to be heated. The apparatus has a closed circuit for liquid, such as water, in which are positioned two heat exchangers. One of the heat exchangers is positioned in the heater of the apparatus for transferring heat from a burner of the heater to liquid in the closed circuit. The other heat exchanger is positioned in a water pass-through system to heat the water therein. The apparatus has an air pass-through system for carrying flue gases from the heater out an exhaust pipe. The flue gases travel through a third heat exchanger positioned in the water pass-through system whereby sensible and latent heat from the flue gases are transferred to water in the water pass-through system, further heating the water therein.

A system is disclosed which utilizes air conditioning waste to heat a second fluid such as swimming pool water. The second condenser for pool water heating is connected in parallel with the air conditioning condenser. An accumulator is connected between the condensers and the expansion valve to absorb fluctuations in refrigerant level due to different operating conditions caused by the pool water heating, thereby ensuring that liquid refrigerant is always supplied to the expansion valve. A controller reads the ambient air temperature at the air conditioning condenser and reads the air conditioning system condensing pressure and uses an algorithm to compute ambient air fan speed at the air conditioning condenser based on these two inputs to maintain a consistent heated pool water temperature.An alternate system includes first and second condensers connected in series with an accumulator connected between the second condenser and the expansion valve and a pressure equalization line connected between the compressor and the accumulator. A controller reads the ambient air temperature at the air conditioning condenser and reads the air conditioning system condensing pressure and uses an algorithm to compute ambient air fan speed at the air conditioning condenser based on these two inputs to maintain a consistent heated pool water temperature.

The object of the invention is an air supply unit (1) for recovering heat energy from an air stream (e.g., exhaust air) and transferring the heat energy to another air stream (e.g., supply air). The air supply unit (1) comprises a casing (25), in the casing (25) an exhaust air channel (4) for leading exhaust air (2) through the casing (25) of the air supply unit (1), in the casing (25) a supply air channel (7) for leading supply air (7) through the casing (25) of the air supply unit (1), and in the casing (25) a heat exchanger (10) for transferring heat energy between the exhaust air (2) flowing in the exhaust air channel (4) that leads through the casing (25) and the supply air (3) flowing in the supply air channel (7). In the casing (25), the air supply unit (1) comprises a heat pump (11) having a first heat interchanger (12) having a first interior for refrigerant, and a second heat interchanger (13) having a second interior for refrigerant. The first heat interchanger (12) is adapted into the supply air channel (4) between the first inlet (5) and the heat exchanger and the second heat interchanger (13) is adapted into the supply air channel (7).

The invention provides a thermal power system with complementation between solar energy and biomass energy. The thermal power system comprises a solar light condensing device, a solar heat storage kettle, a biomass heat power station, a combined refrigerating and icing device for intensive cooling, and a hot water system for intensive heating, wherein the solar light condensing device is connected with the solar heat storage kettle through a pipeline, the inlet of a first output heat exchanger B1 of the solar heat storage kettle is connected with the outlet of a water supply pump of a biomass boiler, and the outlet of the B1 is connected with the inlet of a water supply system of the biomass boiler; an inlet pipeline of a second output heat exchanger B2 of the solar heat storage kettle is connected with an output pipeline of a water purification plant, and the outlet of the B2 is connected with a heat input pipeline of the combined refrigerating and icing device; the heat input pipeline can supply heat for refrigerating and icing; and work cooling water of the combined refrigerating and icing device is connected to a hot water kettle of the heat supply system to intensively supply heat to users. The solar heat storage kettle is a two-medium or three-medium double-circulation heat storage kettle, and the heat storage medium is heat transfer oil and fused salt.

A heat management system is capable of managing unlimited hydronic heat sources and unlimited heating zones, each located within a desired area and each controlled by temperature sensors. The system uses plural system heating sources to heat a heating solution (preferable glycol-based) that is either heated directly or through a liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger. The heating solution is passed through various plumbing configurations to heat domestic water for users and to heat zones or areas in which user will live. The heat management system of the invention may be used for several applications including RV, marine and home hot water and heating applications.

The invention provides a method for directly feeding primary network returned water in the steam condenser as condensed water and a method for reducing the water outlet temperature of the condensed water of a steam condenser step by step, increasing the water supply temperature of a primary network step by step and improving the power generation efficiency and the heat supply effect. The method comprises a thermal power plant steam extraction heat supply system, a returned water temperature adjusting system, a thermal power plant steam condenser cooling water system and a high-temperature-difference heat supply primary pipe network.

A self-contained water-to-water heat transfer system is provided that mixes hot water produced by a heat exchange with cold output fluid expelled from the heat pump to make source fluid. More specifically, in order to reduce the fluid flow rate required within a heat pump and substantially prevent freezing of evaporator coils within the heat pump, source water fed into the heat pump is taken from a mixture of the output hot water that was generated in the heat pump and the cool water exiting the heat pump. The system alleviates the need to employ a ground loop outside of a structure that is required by traditional geothermal heating systems.

A heat activated (preferably natural gas, propane, solar or waste heat fired) absorption heat pump water heater and heat exchange system. The heat driven absorption heat pump system extracts low grade heat from the ambient air and produces high grade heat suitable for heating water for domestic, climate control or process purposes in a storage tank. Flue gases exiting the absorption heat pump system are further cooled by the heated water to enable high (condensing) combustion efficiencies. The heat activated heat pump water heating system achieves efficiencies of 150% or greater.

An integrated domestic utility system is used to recycle grey water in a domestic house as a means to divert treated potable water away from non-potable uses, and in particular, toilet flushing. The system comprises a rainwater tank for storing rainwater collected from a roof top and a grey water tank to store grey water collected from a shower or bathtub. The rainwater is used to augment the grey water supply through a self regulating valve. Domestic water can also be used to replenish the grey water tank. A demand amount of grey water is pumped from the storage tank to at least one toilet tank. The system is controlled by a controller using pressure sensors and temperature sensors. The invention may include a solar heating circuit coupled to a domestic water heater. In one example of the invention, the system stores grey water in a bathtub and supplies it to toilet tank.

A fuel cell cogeneration system comprises a fuel cell, a cooling system for the fuel cell, a heater, a heat utilization portion configured to store heat recovered in the cooling system to allow the heat to be consumed, a detector configured to detect calories remaining in the heat utilization portion, and a controller, wherein the controller determines whether or not the calories remaining in the heat utilization portion are at least not less than the calories required to increase the temperature of the fuel cell to the operating temperature, and based on determination, increases the temperature of the fuel cell to the operating temperature by supplying the remaining calories to the fuel cell through the cooling system and / or by heating the cooling water in the cooling system by the heater.

Synergistic Energy Ecosystem using a co-generation system and method wherein waste energy from waste heat producers within an enclosure including an electric generator is reclaimed to supply heat to the cold end of a heat pump within the enclosure for optimized use in space heating a habitat and to the management of the distribution of electricity from the generator so as to supply electricity to the habitat and to neighbouring habitats when efficient, cost-effective or required to do so by distribution policies managing the energy eco-system.

An apparatus can have and combine certain aspects of a stove, a water heater and an exhaust system. The apparatus may further have and combine certain aspects of additional appliances such as a dishwasher, a gas oven, an electric oven, a disinfection cabinet and a cabinet. The apparatus can advantageously use one exhaust vent and one gas hook up while performing multiple functions.

A controller in a heat management system is capable of managing unlimited hydronic heat sources and unlimited heating zones, each located within a desired area and each controlled by temperature sensors in bi-directional electronic / electrical communication with the controller. A user interface can be included with the controller (or interact with the controller) and be in bi-directional electrical / electronic communication with the controller. In such a way, one or more users can manage the heating of domestic water and the heating of zones or areas in which the one or more users live via the controller. The controller in the heat management system may be used for controlling hydronic heating systems installed in RV, marine and home applications.

A cogeneration system includes a coolant circuit through which a coolant is circulated for conducting a heat exchange with an exhaust heat generated by a power generation unit, a buffer tank provided at the coolant circuit and storing the coolant, a heating circuit including a heating power source and a heating terminal, the heating power source generating a heating water that is circulated to be supplied to the heating terminal, a heating water bypass circuit bypassing a flow passage of the heating circuit at a portion between an exit of the heating terminal and the heating power source, and a heat exchanging device performing a heat exchange between the heating water flowing through the heating water bypass circuit and the coolant.

The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for heating a fluid without a flame. The modular heater (apparatus) that includes an enclosure, a dynamic heat generator disposed within the enclosure, an electric motor disposed within the enclosure, a first fluid connector attached to the enclosure, a second fluid connector attached to the enclosure and an electrical connector attached to the enclosure. The electric motor drives the dynamic heat generator to heat the fluid to a specified temperature without a flame. The first fluid connector connects the dynamic heat generator to a fluid source. The second fluid connector connects the dynamic heat generator to a fluid storage. The electrical connector connects the electric motor to a power source.