Fluid Vortex Energy Transfer System

Abstract

A fluid energy transfer system comprising at least one coil containing a fluid pumped in a first flow direction. The fluid comes from a source and returns to the same source. The coil is enclosed within a tank. The tank contains a tank fluid. The tank fluid is pumped into the tank in a closed system from at least one heat pump. The tank fluid is circulated from the heat pump into the tank through at least one jet located along a wall of the tank. The tank fluid moves in a direction starting from a first end of the tank and exiting at a second end of the tank in an flow direction opposite that of the coil fluid. The circulation of the tank fluid creates a vortex that creates an increase in the heat transfer coefficient by forced convection in immersion of the tank fluid over the coil.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority provisional application Ser. No. 60954352 filed Aug. 7, 2008.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to thermal energy transfer and specifically to dual fluid heating / cooling systems.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Geothermal systems use the energy below the Earth's surface to transfer thermal energy. Below the approximately 48 inch frost line in the north, a temperature of approximately 48° F. is maintained year round in rock, aquifers and dirt. As the average above ground temperatures rise, so does the year round 48 inch below subsurface temperature to approximately 76° F. in southern Florida. A geothermal system transfers energy to or from a fluid in the geothermal system based on a difference in temperature of the surrounding earth.[0004]Geothermal systems are typically comprised of a closed tube, a pump, and a heat pump. The pump moves a fluid through the tube, where the f...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]To increase the amount of heating / cooling provided by the system, more coils and or additional coils and or faster pumps are added. The tank may be connected to additional tanks serving similar functions to increase the amount of heating / cooling.

[0016]The vortex flow of fluid in the tank creates a forced convection with immersion for a much higher heat transfer coefficient. In an embodiment, the walls of the tank are fabricated from steel. In an embodiment, the outside of the tank is in contact with a silt barrier to allow the free flow of water against the outside of the tank. In an embodiment, the silt barrier or gravel or rock. Use of steel walls in direct contact with a ground water aquifer and constantly moving tank liquid on the inside of the tank(s) also increases the heat transfer coefficient. In an embodiment, the tank is a cylinder shape. In an embodiment, the tank is wider than it is tall, in an embodiment, the tank is taller than it is wide. In an embodiment, the inner tank wall comprises structures that assist in circulating the fluid, such as a manifold, a fin, a rudder, and the like.

[0017]Although the present invention can be used for any heat exchange between two isolated circulating fluids, the present invention provides a safe and practical geothermal (ground source) heating / cooling system for use anywhere in the world without fear of contamination to the environment or damage to the heat pump because it isolates the fluids from each other. In an embodiment, the system comprises at least one sensor to indicate whether the ground source water has leaked into the tank or if the heat pump refrigerant has leaked into the coil fluid to alert personnel to take steps prior to contamination. Upon an alert, the system is shut down and safely purged and repaired before continuing safe and contamination free operations.

Problems solved by technology

While geothermal systems transfer heat to and from the ground efficiently with minimal use of electricity and do not use fossil fuels, they are expensive and slow to install.

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