SYSTEM FOR AIR CONDITIONING A BUILDING

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a system for air conditioning a building.

[0002] It is known from the general state of the art to take appropriate precautions during the changing seasons to maintain indoor temperatures within a comfortable range for the occupants. Various types of heating systems are used to raise the temperature, while air conditioning units often lower it by drawing in outside air, cooling it via a compressor, and then circulating it into the room.

[0003] Modern systems are used as so-called mechanical ventilation systems, in which outside air is drawn into the building's interior via a heat exchanger and a radial fan. Exhaust air is often fed back to the heat exchanger via an evaporative cooler, while the air drawn in by another radial fan is expelled from the building. In addition to various air purification filters, auxiliary heaters can also be used, thus enabling indoor ventilation.

[0004] An example of such a ventilation system is known from DE 10 2018 213 274 A1.This document describes an air conditioning unit with a housing featuring an exhaust air opening, a supply air opening, a return air opening, and an outside air opening; a supply air and return air fan; cross-flow heat exchangers arranged one behind the other in recirculation mode, and one above the other in outside air mode, with heat exchanger bypass dampers arranged in the flow paths of the outside air supply air and the exhaust air return air streams for the transfer of thermal energy between the air streams; a hybrid refrigeration system with a compressor, an evaporator, and a condenser, as well as a water / water glycol refrigerant heat exchanger as a further condenser; a reheating device; an adiabatic spray humidification device; dampers for controlling the air streams; and a device for regulating the humidity and temperature of at least some of the air streams.

[0005] Furthermore, it is known to supply outside air to an interior space, whereby all interior spaces of a building are connected via a common exhaust air duct, through which the exhaust air can be supplied to a heat pump, so that the energy contained in the exhaust air can be transferred to, for example, a hot water storage tank via the heat pump before it leaves the building. Such exhaust air heat pumps contribute to the energy efficiency of a building.

[0006] From DE 29 26 610 A1, a storage system for providing input heat energy at a low temperature level for heat pump systems is known, which absorb this energy and release it again at a higher temperature level. In this system, a water basin is designed such that its contents can freeze without damaging the basin, and a heat exchanger system located at or embedded in the basin floor allows the cooling and freezing heat of this basin to be supplied to the cold side of a heat pump.

[0007] Besides using an artificial water basin, it is also known to use natural bodies of water as a storage medium.

[0008] From DE 10 2015 104 909 A1, an energy storage device is known which has a heat exchanger which is floating on a lower basin, preferably filled with water via a first supply line and designed as a lake, wherein water from the lower basin and coolant penetrating the heat exchanger can be supplied via a second supply line and coolant of a heat pump can be supplied via a third supply line in separate circuits, so that energy can be extracted via the heat exchanger by freezing the water of the lower basin or in the form of sensible heat from the water of the lower basin and transferred to a consumer for heat release and / or for cooling release.

[0009] Furthermore, DE 10 2015 121 177 A1 discloses a floating device for introducing thermal energy into a body of water and for extracting thermal energy from the water, comprising a water heat exchanger which, after the device is placed in the water, is immersed and has an inlet and an outlet for a heat transfer fluid that can transfer thermal energy to or from the water. The device also includes an air heat exchanger that can be penetrated by ambient air and has an inlet for water from the water with a corresponding outlet, so that water from the water can flow through the air heat exchanger, whereby thermal energy can be transferred between the ambient air flowing through the air heat exchanger and the water flowing through the air heat exchanger.

[0010] The devices described above typically work in conjunction with a heat pump installed in a building. This heat pump can be supplied with electrical energy, for example, via the power grid or a dedicated energy storage system.

[0011] DE 202 03 713 U discloses a device in a building for generating heat energy with a heat pump, which is provided on the cold side, through which a heat exchange medium flows, with a supply and a return line and has an air / liquid heat exchanger connected between the supply and the return line, mounted on a wall or on the roof of the building, which is arranged with a small distance from the wall or roof, forming an intermediate space, wherein the intermediate space is connected to at least one collecting pipe laid in the building for exhaust air generated in the building.

[0012] DE 100 54 607 A1 shows a low-energy building, in particular a passive building, with thermal insulation that essentially surrounds the wall surfaces, roof surfaces and the floor surface as a closed shell from the outside.

[0013] DE 195 44 245 A1 describes a building with a roof structure featuring a ventilated roof membrane, which supports a solar energy system on its exterior. At least one air duct for temperature control of the building interior branches off within the ventilated section of the roof membrane.

[0014] The LT 5 827 B concerns thermal technologies, specifically for space heating and cooling systems, in which renewable solar radiation, wind pressure and water energy are absorbed by different devices.

[0015] Against this background, the task now arises to create a system for air conditioning indoor spaces that, compared to previous systems, enables year-round use and has lower installation costs while offering higher energy efficiency.

[0016] This problem is solved by the features of claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. These can be combined with one another in a technologically meaningful manner. The description supports the invention.

[0017] According to the invention, a system for air conditioning a building is provided, which has a ventilated surface element connected to at least one exhaust air duct for removing the air from the ventilation, and which is equipped with an air conditioning unit connected to a fluid circuit of a heat pump, wherein the exhaust air duct and a further fluid circuit of the heat pump are connected to an energy storage device located outside the building, wherein the energy storage device is designed for energy transfer and energy storage with a heat exchanger in a liquid reservoir, which is connected via the heat exchanger to the further fluid circuit of the heat pump, wherein the air from the exhaust air duct is guided into the liquid reservoir via a heat exchanger.

[0018] According to the invention, in this system for air conditioning interior spaces, the air conditioner is used to heat and cool the outside air using a heat pump. This eliminates the need for space heaters, which are often present in regions with heating requirements. The air from the ventilation behind the building's surface element is passed through the energy storage unit and exhausted. A significant portion of the energy is recovered by the heat pump via the subsequent fluid circuit. In contrast to previously used space heaters combined with air conditioners, installation costs are significantly reduced. For example, in regions with heating requirements, air conditioners are often inactive during the winter, as underfloor heating is used for comfort.While known air conditioning units also have a connection for supplying outside air, this outside air is only mixed with the supply air in a predetermined ratio in conjunction with a recirculation function and often has to be preheated to provide so-called primary air. Overall, the energy efficiency of the system according to the invention for air conditioning indoor spaces is higher than that of systems known from the prior art, since energy-intensive air ventilation is largely eliminated.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the air from the rear ventilation of the surface element, after leaving the heat exchanger in the liquid reservoir, is directed to an air heat exchanger that is also connected to the heat pump. In this process, the air can mix with outside air before entering the air heat exchanger.

[0020] Accordingly, the concept according to the invention is extended such that, after flowing through the heat exchanger in the liquid reservoir, the exhaust air leaving the system is fed to an air heat exchanger, whereby the air from the rear ventilation of the surface element can mix with outside air upstream of the air heat exchanger. The energy still contained in the air from the rear ventilation of the surface element can then also be utilized via the air heat exchanger. It has proven advantageous to first feed the air from the rear ventilation of the surface element to a heat exchanger with a liquid reservoir and not to mix it immediately with the outside air, as this can prevent potentially large temperature differences.The combination of a first heat exchanger in the liquid reservoir and a second heat exchanger as an air heat exchanger, in combination with the supply of outside air, enables very efficient operation of the system according to the invention.

[0021] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the air heat exchanger is arranged above the liquid reservoir in such a way that a radially inwardly directed airflow of exhaust air and outside air can be generated through the air heat exchanger by means of a fan arranged inside, wherein the airflow leaves the system in a central area.

[0022] Advantageously, the airflow from the rear ventilation of the surface element exits the liquid reservoir along its outer circumference, so that the airflow through the heat exchanger then advantageously flows radially inwards, allowing the airflow to exit the system in a central area. This enables an airflow that follows the arrangement of the individual components without significant deflections around obstacles, thus allowing for a simple overall design of the energy storage system.

[0023] According to a further embodiment of the invention, an air inlet for outside air is slot-shaped along an outer circumference of a cover and an air outlet for outside air and air from the rear ventilation of the surface element is preferably formed centrally on the cover.

[0024] In this way, the flow of outside air through the air heat exchanger can be easily achieved, so that a compact design of the energy storage contributes to overall reduced installation costs of the system for air conditioning indoor spaces.

[0025] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the surface element is a photovoltaic system with rear ventilation.

[0026] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the surface element is a facade element with rear ventilation.

[0027] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the air from the rear ventilation of the surface element is guided by means of a fan or a ventilator.

[0028] According to a further embodiment of the invention, additional exhaust air is supplied to the air from the rear ventilation of the surface element.

[0029] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the energy storage unit is connected via a further heat pump to an air conditioning unit for air conditioning the interior spaces of the building. Accordingly, an air conditioning unit is arranged on a ceiling, on a wall or in a parapet of the interior space.

[0030] Depending on the interior layout, the cooling unit can be positioned in different locations, and different unit designs can be chosen depending on whether it is being used in a residential or office building. In addition to the connection lines to the heat pump and an outside air supply, a connection to the exhaust duct must also be established between the cooling unit and the heat pump.

[0031] The energy stored in the fluid reservoir of the energy storage unit can be used by the heat pump, via the fluid circuit, to heat the outside air accordingly, ensuring a comfortable indoor climate when heating is required. The exhaust air is then fed back into the energy storage unit, allowing the energy it contains to be extracted. When cooling is required, the air conditioner cools the outside air before supplying it to the interior as supply air, using the heat pump's fluid circuit. In addition to its function as a space heater, the system according to the invention can also be used for air conditioning. The air conditioner often operates in recirculation mode. If neither heating nor cooling of the room air is desired, the air conditioner can operate in recirculation mode to exchange stale air, thus improving indoor comfort.

[0032] Some exemplary embodiments are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows: Figure 1 shows a side view of a system according to the invention in a schematic representation, Figure 2 shows a sectional view through an energy storage device for use in a system according to Figure 1 Figure 3 shows a top view of the energy storage unit. Figure 2 Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of a surface element for use in a system according to Figure 1 Figure 5 shows another schematic representation of a surface element for use in a system according to Figure 1 , and Figure 6 shows another schematic representation of a surface element for use in a system according to Figure 1 .

[0033] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent components are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0034] In Figure 1In one embodiment, a system 2 according to the invention for air conditioning a building 6 is shown. The building 6 can be, for example, a residential building or an office building. However, the invention can be applied to different types of buildings; therefore, the example shown should be considered non-limiting. The building 6 has, for example, a facade cladding attached to a side wall as a surface element 4. In this case, the surface element 4 is equipped with a rear ventilation system, from which rising, warming air from the rear ventilation of the surface element 4 is supplied to an exhaust air duct 10. In the example shown, the surface element 4 is attached to a side wall of the building 6. However, the surface element 4 can also be spaced apart from the building, for example, on a carport or the like.

[0035] The exhaust air duct 10 is connected via a supply line 12 to an energy storage unit 14, which has a liquid reservoir 16 in its lower part, containing a heat exchanger 18. The energy storage unit 14, which is in Figure 2 As will be explained in detail later, it is located outside building 6 and is typically buried in the ground. Above the liquid reservoir 16, over an insulation layer 20, is an air heat exchanger 22.

[0036] The air heat exchanger 22 is arranged in several segments around a central area 24 of the energy storage unit 14. The exhaust air supplied via the supply line 12 is first passed through a non-in Figure 1 The illustrated heat exchanger, which lies below the insulation layer 20 and is located in Figure 1 marked with reference numeral 26, so that the energy contained in the exhaust air is first supplied to the liquid reservoir 16.

[0037] After passing through the heat exchanger 26, the air is guided radially from the outside through the air heat exchangers 22 and exits the system 2 in the central area 24. A fluid circuit 28 is provided for operating the heat exchanger 18, which connects the heat exchanger 18 to a heat pump 30, preferably located inside the building 6. Furthermore, the heat pump 30 can also be connected to other components, such as a hot water storage tank 40 which is connected to a heating system 42. However, these components are not part of the invention, so a detailed description of them is omitted.

[0038] In Figure 2The energy storage unit 14 is shown again in a cross-sectional view. The energy storage unit 14 has a multitude of pipes in the liquid reservoir 16, which are connected to the heat pump 30 via the fluid circuit 28. Typically, the liquid reservoir 16 is filled with water or a paraffin compound. Above the liquid is the heat exchanger 26, through which heated air from the rear ventilation of the surface element 4 flows radially outwards, so that the air now exits as exhaust air 44 in the area of ​​a gap between the insulation layer 20 and an outer shell 46. In the central area 24, there is a fan 48 which draws the exhaust air 44 together with outside air 50, which can flow radially in from the outside between the sleeve 26 and a cover 52, towards the central area 24, where the air then exits the system 2.

[0039] The air heat exchanger 22 is located above the liquid reservoir 16, above the insulation layer 20. The air supplied via the supply line 12 from the ventilation of the surface element 4 is first passed over the heat exchanger 26, so that the energy contained in the air is initially transferred to the liquid reservoir 16. After passing through the heat exchanger 26, the air is guided radially from the outside through the air heat exchanger 22 and exits the system 2 in the central area 24. In addition to the fluid circuit 28, which connects the heat exchanger 18 to a heat pump 30, preferably located inside the building 6, a further fluid circuit (not shown in the figures) is provided for operating the heat exchanger 18. This second fluid circuit connects the air heat exchanger 22 to the heat pump 30 located inside the building 6.

[0040] With reference to Figure 3The distribution of the air from the rear ventilation of the surface element 4 is shown in more detail. It can be seen that the air from the rear ventilation of the surface element 4 is fed to the heat exchanger 26 at one point, so that after passing through the heat exchanger 26 it exits radially to the outside. The heat exchanger 26 can be made of metal with a multitude of, in particular radially oriented, fins, which direct the airflow as shown in the diagram. Figure 3 depicted, guide.

[0041] In Figure 4A further embodiment of the surface element 4 is shown in a schematic sectional view. The surface element 4 consists of solar cells 60 in the form of roof tiles. The roof tiles 60 are attached to a substructure and are separated from one another by means of cross braces 64, overlapping like the conventional structure of a roof. Incoming air 66 flows through the surface element 4 on the underside of the solar cells 60, providing the desired ventilation. The outgoing air 68, which flows into the system already described in connection with Figure 1 The described supply to the exhaust air duct 10 allows air from the rear ventilation to exit the surface element 4. Instead of solar cells 60 in the form of roof tiles, a photovoltaic system can also be used as surface element 4.

[0042] In Figure 5Another embodiment of surface element 4 is shown. Surface element 4 is a facade element which is Figure 5 This is shown in a sectional view. The facade element 70 is positioned at a distance from the insulation 72 on the building, allowing air to enter behind the facade element 70 from below and be directed upwards, where it is supplied to the exhaust air duct 10 as air from the ventilation gap of the surface element 4, as indicated by the arrows 74. The insulation layer 72 is positioned directly on a masonry wall 76.

[0043] This structure is in Figure 6The facade cladding 80 is shown in more detail below. It is attached to horizontal battens 82, with a vapor barrier 84 positioned over insulation 86 behind it. The insulation 86 is embedded in a substructure of squared timbers 88, which rests directly on the masonry 90. The airflow from the ventilation gap behind the surface element 4 is again shown by arrows 74.

[0044] In system 2 for air conditioning, an air conditioning unit (not shown) is used to heat and cool the outside air using heat pump 30. This eliminates the need for space heaters, which are often present in regions with heating requirements. The heated air from the ventilation cavity behind the surface element 4 of building 6 is passed through the energy storage unit 14 and then discharged. The air from the ventilation cavity of surface element 4 can be supplied by a fan or a blower. A significant portion of the energy is recovered by heat pump 30 via the subsequent fluid circuit 28.

Claims

1. System for air conditioning a building (6), which comprises a rear-ventilated surface element that is connected to at least one exhaust air duct (10) for removing air from the rear ventilation, and which is provided with an air conditioning unit (34) that is connected to a fluid circuit of a heat pump, wherein the exhaust air duct (10) and a further fluid circuit (28) of the heat pump are connected to an energy storage device (14) located outside the building (6), wherein the energy storage device (14) is designed for energy transfer and for energy storage using a heat exchanger (18) in a liquid reservoir (16) that is connected via the heat exchanger (18) to the further fluid circuit (28) of the heat pump (30), wherein the air from the exhaust air duct (10) is guided into the liquid reservoir (16) via a heat exchange unit (26).

2. System according to claim 1, wherein the air, after leaving the heat exchanger (18) in the liquid reservoir (16), is guided to an air heat exchanger (22) which is also connected to the heat pump (30).

3. System according to claim 2, wherein the air mixes with outside air in front of the air heat exchanger (22).

4. System according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the air heat exchanger (22) is arranged above the liquid reservoir (16) such that a radially inwardly directed airflow through the air heat exchanger (22) can be generated by means of a fan (48) arranged in the interior, the airflow leaving the system (2) in a central region (24).

5. System according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein an air inlet (50) for the air is slit-shaped along an outer circumference of a cover (52) of the energy storage device (14) and an air outlet for air and outside air is preferably formed centrally on the cover (52).

6. System according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the surface element is a photovoltaic installation having rear ventilation.

7. System according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the surface element is a facade element having rear ventilation.

8. System according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the air from the rear ventilation of the surface element is guided by means of a fan or a ventilator.

9. System according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein further exhaust air is supplied to the air from the rear ventilation of the surface element.