System and method for generating heating and cooling power in a treatment plant for workpieces

EP4598688A1Pending Publication Date: 2025-08-13DUERR SYST AG
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Patent Information

Application Number
EP2023789496
Authority / Receiving Office
EP · EP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2023-04-27
Filing Date
2023-09-27
Publication Date
2025-08-13

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Current heating and cooling systems in treatment facilities, such as paint shops, face inefficiencies due to seasonal climatic variations, leading to underutilization of units and increased energy expenditure, with fossil heaters being non-CO2 neutral and electric heaters having low efficiency and high power demands.

Method used

A system comprising interconnected cold, warm, and hot water networks connected via heat pumps, allowing for heat recovery and storage to optimize energy use, with different temperature levels for each network to accommodate seasonal conditions, and incorporating heat transfer devices and storage to balance load peaks and recover heat from exhaust air.

Benefits of technology

This system enhances energy efficiency by optimizing energy use across varying seasonal conditions, reducing the energy expenditure per workpiece, and enabling CO2-neutral production of heating and cooling services, with minimal installed power and efficient heat recovery measures.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a system (100) for generating heating and cooling power in a treatment plant (102) for workpieces, in particular a vehicle body paint shop (103), wherein the system (100) comprises the following: at least one cold water network (104) for supplying consumer processes (146) with cold water, which has at least one cold water storage device (110) for compensating for process load peaks and / or at least one cold water network heat transfer device (112, 154, 158) for recovering heat from consumer processes (146); at least one hot water network (106) for supplying consumer processes (146) with hot water, which has at least one hot water storage device (120) for compensating process load peaks and / or at least one hot water network heat transfer device (122, 166) for recovering heat from consumer processes (146); and at least one heat pump device, in particular at least one first heat pump device (132), wherein the cold water network (104) is connected to the hot water network (106) by means of the at least one heat pump device (132), and wherein the networks (104, 106) have different temperature levels. The present invention also relates to a method for generating heating and cooling power in a treatment plant (102) for workpieces, in particular a vehicle body paint shop (103).
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Description

[0001] System and method for generating heating and cooling power in a treatment plant for workpieces

[0002] The present invention relates to a system and a method for generating heating and cooling power in a treatment plant for workpieces, in particular a paint shop for vehicle bodies, taking particular account of seasonal climatic conditions.

[0003] In practice, it is known that, in the context of combating global warming, more and more automobile manufacturers are considering electrifying their treatment facilities, such as their paint shops. If the electricity used for this comes from renewable energy sources, production can be considered carbon neutral. In addition to the direct electrification of processes, such as drying processes, other processes are supplied via hot and / or cold water networks.

[0004] As is well known, the provision of hot water involves the use of fossil and / or electric heaters or heating devices. With electric heaters, the supplied electrical energy is converted directly into heat energy. With fossil heaters, the supplied energy is converted into heat for the hot water network with an efficiency of almost 100% based on the calorific value.

[0005] However, fossil-fuel heaters do not allow for carbon dioxide-neutral operation and are therefore in increasingly low demand. When using H2 burners as an alternative to heat the hot water network, availability is highly location-dependent, and several safety aspects must also be considered.

[0006] When using electric heaters, providing the connected load is the greatest effort. The location of the heaters in the treatment plant plays an important role here. Furthermore, central stations may need to be provided to provide the required operating voltage for the heaters. Furthermore, the overall efficiency of a purely electrically operated heating system is, depending on the temperature level or temperature, three to five times lower than that of heat pump-based heating. Compression chillers are well known for the provision of cold water. Here, the supplied electrical energy is needed to compress the refrigerant. The heat output dissipated to the environment corresponds to the cooling output plus the electrical power absorbed. On average, three to four kilowatt hours of cooling energy can be generated from one kilowatt-hour of electrical energy.

[0007] However, with compression chillers, the installed electrical power must be designed according to the maximum cooling demand of the connected processes. For example, peak power is sometimes installed that is only needed for a few hours a year. Furthermore, heat dissipation to the environment is essential, and efficiency decreases as the outside air temperature rises.

[0008] In both generation processes, i.e., the generation of hot and cold water, the flow temperature of the hot or cold water network is used as a constant target control variable to regulate the operating output of the heaters or chillers. Therefore, when consumption is low, the corresponding units, i.e., the heaters or chillers, are shut down. The number and size of the units are defined by the maximum required output.

[0009] The required cooling or heating outputs vary considerably within a year or even within a day, as they depend on the outdoor climatic conditions. For example, some units are installed that are in operation for only a fraction of the year. Furthermore, it must always be considered that, due to fluctuations in outdoor conditions within a day, heating outputs are required at night and cooling outputs during the day.

[0010] Due to the known climatic fluctuations, the heater outputs are usually designed according to winter operation and the chillers according to summer operation, which means that generally not all units are fully utilized at any time.

[0011] To recover heat from the exhaust air from the plant's treatment processes, among other things for reasons of sustainability and efficiency, the heat is fed into an existing hot water network. This is done via heat exchangers and is therefore only possible if the exhaust air stream has a higher temperature than the hot water network. In other words, the temperature of the hot water network limits the temperature of the heat recovery. Therefore, higher temperatures of the exhaust air streams than those of the hot water network are required for heat recovery from exhaust air to be possible at all.

[0012] In a treatment facility, such as a vehicle body paint shop, warm water is typically used for air conditioning. The temperature level for this is determined by the air conditioning in winter (dry, cold air). This level must be high enough to raise the outside air to the specific enthalpy level of the target condition. The subsequent spray humidification (adiabatic) then achieves the target condition with the required relative humidity. It must be taken into account that in winter, large temperature differences arise between the air streams leaving the treatment facility and those being drawn into the treatment facility. This leads to an enthalpy difference between the air streams flowing in and out of the facility. This enthalpy difference must be used for the air conditioning of the facility.

[0013] The hot water flow temperature, which is used as a constant target control variable, is determined by the heating of the outside air in winter. Before humidifying the dry outside air, it must be heated until it contains the enthalpy to evaporate the water to be absorbed and the desired target temperature. The required enthalpy of the dry air is thus adjusted to the appropriate temperature by heating. The higher the desired humidity, the higher the dry air temperature required. This difference is greatest in the cold winter months.

[0014] In summer, however, the outside air already has a higher humidity, which means that the required temperature level of the hot water circuit is lower, since the incoming air streams do not need to be heated to the same extent.

[0015] With a constant temperature level in the hot water network of a treatment plant, the temperature level itself is determined by the driest and coldest outside air and is therefore higher than required for long periods of the year. The present invention is based on the object of providing a system that optimizes energy consumption and sustainably supplies heating and cooling power to the consumer processes of a workpiece treatment plant.

[0016] This object is achieved according to the invention by a system having the features according to claim 1.

[0017] The system is used to generate and provide heating and cooling power in a treatment plant for workpieces, in particular a paint shop for vehicle bodies.

[0018] The system according to the invention preferably comprises the following: at least one cold water network for supplying consumer processes with cold water, which has at least one cold water storage device for compensating process load peaks and / or at least one cold water network heat transfer device for recovering heat from consumer processes; at least one hot water network for supplying consumer processes with hot water, which has at least one hot water storage device for compensating process load peaks and / or at least one hot water network heat transfer device for recovering heat from consumer processes; and at least one heat pump device, in particular at least one first heat pump device, wherein the at least one cold water network is connected to the at least one hot water network by means of the at least one heat pump device, and wherein the networks have different temperature levels.

[0019] It is advantageous if the system further comprises at least one hot water network for supplying consumer processes with hot water, wherein the at least one hot water network has at least one hot water storage device for compensating for process load peaks. Furthermore, it can be provided that the at least one hot water network has at least one hot water network heat transfer device for recovering heat from consumer processes.

[0020] Preferably, the system further comprises at least one second heat pump device, wherein a) the at least one warm water network is connected to the at least one hot water network by means of the at least one second heat pump device, or b) the at least one hot water network is connected to the at least one cold water network by means of the at least one second heat pump device.

[0021] Particularly preferably, the system according to the invention comprises the following: at least one cold water network for supplying consumer processes with cold water, which has at least one cold water storage device for compensating process load peaks and / or at least one cold water network heat transfer device for recovering heat from consumer processes; at least one hot water network for supplying consumer processes with hot water, which has at least one hot water storage device for compensating process load peaks and / or at least one hot water network heat transfer device for recovering heat from consumer processes; at least one hot water network for supplying consumer processes with hot water, which has at least one hot water storage device for compensating process load peaks and / or at least one hot water network heat transfer device for recovering heat from consumer processes;at least one first heat pump device; and at least one second heat pump device, wherein the at least one cold water network is connected to the at least one hot water network by means of the at least one first heat pump device, wherein the at least one hot water network is connected to the at least one hot water network or the at least one cold water network by means of the at least one second heat pump device, and wherein the networks have different temperature levels.;

[0022] The present invention is based on the basic idea that, in a treatment plant for workpieces, a central hot, warm, and cold water generation system is preferably provided in three corresponding networks by means of at least two heat pump devices or heat pumps, wherein the networks are connected to one another via the heat pumps. The different seasonal climatic conditions in summer (warm and humid ambient air) and winter (cold and dry ambient air) are to be taken into account, so that in summer the excess heat from the cold water generation is fed into the warm and hot water network. If additional heat is available, this is released into the exhaust air via heat transfer devices or heat exchangers or is fed into the environment of the treatment plant. In winter, however, the cold water network is used as a heat collector through the use of heat recovery measures.The heat pump devices then use this recovered heat to produce usable warm and / or hot water.

[0023] Furthermore, as mentioned above, the goal of achieving CC>2-neutral production of the required cooling, warm, and heating water in the treatment plant requires complete electrification of the units for cold, warm, and hot water production. The installed power of the units should be as low as possible to take sustainability and energy conservation into account. The energy consumption per workpiece or vehicle body should be reduced to a minimum, for which purpose, among other things, the heat recovery measures according to the invention are integrated into the system.

[0024] Basically, the interconnected system of the three water networks can be divided into three functional areas: The first area represents heat recovery, the second area contains the heat pump devices and storage devices, and the third area contains the consumers or consumer processes of the treatment plant.

[0025] In this description and the appended claims, the term "network" or "water network" refers to the interaction of several circuits through which water flows at the respective temperature level or temperature.

[0026] The term "circuit" in this description and the appended claims refers to a line network which can be formed from pipes, hoses or the like, forms an open or closed circuit and can be flowed through in one direction, preferably in two directions, by the water of the respective temperature level, wherein further elements such as consumer processes, heat transfer devices, storage devices or

[0027] can be heat pump devices.

[0028] The term "consumer process" or "consumer" in this description and the appended claims refers to any process or system device which requires the provision of cold, warm or hot water in the course of treating workpieces.

[0029] The term "connected" in this description and the appended claims is to be understood in particular as fluidly connected in a direct or indirect manner.

[0030] Due to the different temperature levels of the three networks, a wide variety of consumer processes and consumers are supplied, with numerous consumer processes and consumers being able to be connected to the cold and hot water networks. Such processes and consumers are predominantly ventilation systems, which must be regulated to the changing external conditions. Thus, large fluctuations in the required power are encountered throughout the course of a day, especially in the cold and hot water networks. The processes and consumers of the hot water network, such as one or more pretreatment stations and one or more intermediate dryers in the case of a vehicle body paint shop, on the other hand, have a very constant heat draw from the network or distribution network; boilers or burners are only required for start-up purposes. In other words, the hot water network is preferably connected to continuous consumer processes.Due to the different temperature levels of the networks, different storage devices can be used. The best approach is to balance the available space in the treatment plant with the complexity of the storage device.

[0031] With regard to the first heat pump device between the cold water network and the hot water network, one or more conventional industrial heat pump devices can be used due to the low temperature level of preferably a maximum of 60°C and the prevailing temperature spread of preferably 30°C to 40°C.

[0032] Heat recovery using heat transfer devices enables the energy recovery of the consumer process streams leaving the treatment plant. Heat pump devices can raise these streams to a usable temperature level for the respective network. The waste heat from the various consumer processes can be fed into the cold water network for optimal energy utilization. However, it is important to note that the first heat pump device only has a certain installed capacity. This is generally based on the maximum cooling capacity. As soon as this cooling capacity (including consumer processes in the cold water network) is exceeded, heat recovery measures must be implemented in the hot water network. Process streams where the temperature falls below the dew point are particularly important for heat recovery from an energy perspective.Examples of process streams for heat recovery in a paint shop for vehicle bodies are cooling zone exhaust, dryer exhaust, spray booth exhaust, waste heat from compressed air generation, exhaust from pretreatment (VBH) or from cathodic dip painting (KTL), dryer waste heat, etc.

[0033] It is advantageous to install separate heat transfer devices for heat recovery for a large number of process streams, whereby the piping effort must be weighed against the benefit.

[0034] The case where the heating water network is directly connected to the cold water network via the second heat pump device, i.e., bypassing the hot water network and the first heat pump device, offers the advantage that the power in the hot water network can be used to generate cooling capacity. Furthermore, transmission losses are minimized by bypassing the hot water network, thereby increasing the efficiency of generating cooling capacity.

[0035] By bypassing the first heat pump device between the cold water network and the hot water network, efficiency can actually be increased. This is particularly advantageous in hot ambient / climatic conditions (due to the climate zone and / or the time of year), where a high level of cooling capacity is known to be required. This allows the waste heat required for cooling to be utilized by consumers in the hot water network.

[0036] It may be advantageous if the at least one cold water storage device and / or the at least one warm water storage device and / or the at least one hot water storage device are connected to a flow and a return of the respective network.

[0037] The storage devices, which preferably act as buffer storage in the respective network, can be used to balance process load peaks, i.e., both maximum and minimum loads, of the consumer processes connected to the respective network. To ensure that the size of the respective storage device remains economically attractive, the size or capacity is designed to smooth or level out the load profile of a day. The resulting advantage is that, on the one hand, the heat pump devices can be made smaller, and, on the other hand, continuous operation of the heat pump devices is possible. In addition, fluctuations in heat recovery due to changes in consumer process conditions can be absorbed and passed on to the consumer processes in a controlled manner.

[0038] It can further be provided that each of the networks comprises at least one consumer process circuit and / or at least one heat pump circuit, wherein the at least one storage device of the respective network is directly or indirectly integrated into each of the circuits. In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that at least one of the networks comprises at least one heat recovery circuit, in which the respective storage device is directly or indirectly integrated.

[0039] It is particularly advantageous if the at least one first heat pump device can be controlled according to at least one variable from the group of cooling capacity, heat demand, temperature, storage energy loading and storage capacity.

[0040] By connecting to the cold and hot water networks, the first heat pump generates cooling on the one hand and heat or thermal energy for the consumer processes on the other. This achieves maximum efficiency and utilization of this heat pump. The installed electrical power for this heat pump is based on the maximum cooling capacity to be provided, as this is usually greater than the maximum heating capacity. The maximum heating and cooling capacity of the first heat pump is reduced to the average power requirement on an extreme day by the storage devices of the two networks.

[0041] In summer, the operation of the first heat pump device is primarily determined by the required cooling capacity of the consumer processes. The resulting heat output is transferred to the hot water storage device. If consumption values ​​(including the consumption values ​​of the second heat pump device) exceed generation, any heat recovery is initially stopped. If there is a further surplus (increase in the flow temperature of the hot water network), the generated heat must first be transferred from the hot water network via exhaust air heat transfer devices and, if this is insufficient, via a free cooling device or a free cooler.

[0042] If the hot water temperature is lowered in summer, the temperature lift of the first heat pump device is reduced. This increases efficiency. This leads to lower heat generation in the hot water network. However, the release of excess heat energy from the hot water network to the environment, to the free cooling device, or to the exhaust air is made more difficult. An additional hydraulic connection of the hot water network to the heat exchanger of the exhaust air to be heated is then required, since this exhaust air (at a low temperature level) feeds its heat energy into the cold water network during winter operation. This cost should preferably be weighed against the benefit.

[0043] In winter, the first heat pump device is preferably dimensioned according to the heat demand of the hot water network. However, since the cooling demand is insufficient to generate the heat energy for the hot water network alone, the cooling demand must be increased. This means that heat must be introduced into the cold water network via heat recovery measures, i.e., via the heat transfer device in the process exhaust air. This allows all process streams leaving the treatment plant to be brought down to almost the temperature level of the cold water network, thus maximizing the energy utilization of the streams leaving the treatment plant.

[0044] The installed capacity of the first heat pump device is preferably designed according to the average daily cooling demand on an extreme day, as experience has shown that this represents the greater heat flow for the first heat pump device during operation. Thus, the heat recovery measures for generating heat energy in winter represent a utilization of already existing installed capacity. If the temperature level of the cold water network is lowered, more heat can be recovered through processes, while the temperature difference of the first heat pump device increases. Thus, more electrical energy, but less thermal energy, is required from the cold water network to supply the same amount of thermal energy to the hot water network.

[0045] During the transitional periods between summer and winter, the first heat pump unit is preferably controlled according to the larger consumers, i.e., either the hot or cold water network. Consequently, either the summer or winter operating modes are used to keep the temperature levels, especially the flow temperatures, of both networks constant. The first heat pump unit operates most effectively here, as heating and cooling are the primary priorities. Ideally, these two factors should be balanced in terms of the heat pump's coefficient of performance (COP) and energy efficiency ratio (EER).

[0046] It may be advantageous if the at least one further, second heat pump device is a high-temperature heat pump.

[0047] To connect the warm or cold water network with the hot water network, a high-temperature heat pump is required, whose primary purpose is to generate heat energy for the hot water network. It uses heat energy from the warm or cold water network. Since such a high-temperature heat pump is connected to continuous consumers, heat supply from the network with the lower temperature level must be guaranteed.

[0048] In the case of a connection of the first and the second heat pump device via the hot water network, heat energy from the cold water network can thus be indirectly used in the hot water network, whereby the efficiency is considered to be higher than that of direct generation by means of an electric boiler.

[0049] In the case of linking the cold and hot water networks with the second heat pump device, heat energy from the cold water network can be directly used in the hot water network, whereby the transmission losses into the hot water network and from this to the second heat pump device are avoided compared to the previously mentioned case.

[0050] In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the system has at least one latent heat storage device which is arranged in the at least one cooling water network and / or in the at least one hot water network.

[0051] By adding a latent heat storage device, the system according to the invention makes it possible to store the excess thermal energy from the hot water network in summer and feed this thermal energy into the cold water network in winter. This thermal energy from the cold water network is thus raised to the level of the hot water network with the help of the first heat pump device. In a further embodiment of the invention, the system can be provided with at least one heat wheel for moisture and heat transfer in the hot water network.

[0052] A rotary heat exchanger, also called a heat wheel, is preferably a heat exchanger that enables moisture and heat recovery in two air streams. Moisture and heat are transferred from one air stream to another by a rotating storage mass that is alternately heated by one air stream and cooled by the other.

[0053] Due to the moisture and heat transfer of a heat wheel, preconditioning of fresh air is possible, and the temperature level of the air before entering the humidifier can be reduced due to the recovered heat. Heat wheels are preferably integrated between the supply and exhaust air of all processes that require humidified supply air.

[0054] It may be advantageous if the at least one hot water network has at least one free cooling device, preferably a free cooling device for summer operation of the treatment plant.

[0055] By means of a free cooling device, the heat generated can be taken from the hot water network in the event of a heat energy surplus which exceeds heat recovery, i.e. can no longer be transferred by means of a heat transfer device.

[0056] In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the at least one cold water network has a temperature level of 0°C to 30°C, preferably 0°C to 25°C, that the at least one warm water network has a temperature level of 20°C to 65°C, preferably 25°C to 60°C, and that the at least one hot water network has a temperature level of 55°C to 100°C, preferably 60°C to 100°C.

[0057] It may be advantageous if the temperature level of the at least one cold water network and / or the at least one hot water network is adaptable to the air humidity and / or the temperature of the environment of the treatment plant. Preferably, it can further be provided that a storage capacity of the cold water storage device is 25% to 400%, in particular 50% to 300%, greater than a storage capacity of the hot water storage device.

[0058] In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that a storage capacity of the hot water storage device is smaller than a storage capacity of the cold water storage device and / or the warm water storage device, preferably 10% to 75% smaller, more preferably 25% to 50% smaller.

[0059] In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the at least one hot water network is indirectly and / or directly connected to the at least one cold water network.

[0060] The object of the present invention can further be achieved by a method for generating heating and cooling power in a treatment plant for workpieces, in particular in a paint shop for vehicle bodies.

[0061] The method according to the invention is carried out with the system described above and comprises the following steps:

[0062] Providing cold and / or hot water to the consumer processes of the treatment plant;

[0063] Intermediate storage of thermal energy in the cold water storage device and / or the hot water storage device;

[0064] Recovery of heat energy from the exhaust air of one or more consumer processes; and

[0065] Generating cooling capacity and / or heating capacity by means of the first heat pump device.

[0066] In particular, the method may comprise one or more of the features and / or advantages described in connection with the system.

[0067] Preferably, it can further be provided that the method further comprises the following steps: providing hot water to the consumer processes of the treatment plant; and

[0068] Temporary storage of thermal energy in the hot water storage device.

[0069] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the method can further comprise the following step:

[0070] Generating heating power by means of the second heat pump device.

[0071] It can also be advantageous if heat is pumped directly and / or indirectly from the cold water network into the hot water network.

[0072] Further features and / or advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description and the drawings of exemplary embodiments.

[0073] The figures show:

[0074] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a system according to the invention;

[0075] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a system according to the invention;

[0076] Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a third embodiment of a system according to the invention;

[0077] Fig. 4 is a further schematic representation of the third embodiment from Fig. 3;

[0078] Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of a fourth embodiment of a system according to the invention;

[0079] Fig. 6 is a further schematic representation of the fourth embodiment of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of a fifth embodiment of a system according to the invention; and

[0080] Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of a sixth embodiment of a system according to the invention.

[0081] Identical or functionally equivalent elements are given the same reference symbols in all figures.

[0082] A first embodiment of a system 100, designated as a whole by 100, shown in Fig. 1, serves to generate heating and cooling power in a treatment plant 102 for workpieces.

[0083] The treatment plant 102 is in particular a paint shop 103 for vehicle bodies.

[0084] The system 100 according to the invention comprises at least one cold water network 104, at least one warm water network 106 and at least one hot water network 108.

[0085] The networks 104, 106, 108 preferably have different temperature levels or different temperatures, ie in particular the temperature of the water carried in the respective network differs from the temperature of the water carried in the two other networks.

[0086] The cold water network 104 preferably has a temperature level of 0°C to 25°C, the warm water network 106 preferably 25°C to 60°C and the hot water network 108 preferably 60°C to 100°C.

[0087] The cold water network 104 has at least one cold water storage device 110 and at least one cold water network heat transfer device 112.

[0088] Furthermore, the cold water network 104 comprises at least one consumer process circuit 114, at least one heat pump circuit 116, and at least one heat recovery circuit 118, in which the cold water network heat transfer device 112 is arranged. The hot water network 106 has at least one hot water storage device 120 and at least one hot water network heat transfer device 122.

[0089] Furthermore, the hot water network 106 comprises at least one consumer process circuit 124, at least one first heat pump circuit 126, at least one second heat pump circuit 128 and at least one heat recovery circuit 130 in which the hot water network heat transfer device 122 is arranged.

[0090] The cold water network 104 and the hot water network 106 are connected to each other by means of a first heat pump device 132, in particular the heat pump circuit 116 of the cold water network 104 and the first

[0091] Heat pump circuit 126 of the hot water network 106 to the first

[0092] Heat pump device 132 connected.

[0093] The first heat pump storage device 132 is preferably a conventional industrial heat pump.

[0094] The hot water network 108 has at least one hot water storage device 134 and at least one hot water network heat transfer device 136.

[0095] Furthermore, the hot water network 108 also comprises at least one consumer process circuit 138, at least one heat pump circuit 140 and at least one heat recovery circuit 142 in which the hot water network heat transfer device 136 is arranged.

[0096] The warm water network 106 and the hot water network 108 are connected to each other by means of a second heat pump device 144, in particular the second heat pump circuit 128 of the warm water network 106 and the heat pump circuit 140 of the hot water network 108 are connected to the second heat pump device 144.

[0097] The second heat pump device 144 is preferably a high-temperature heat pump. The first and second heat pump devices 132, 144 are electrically operated pump devices with a defined installed power, wherein the defined power is preferably based on the maximum power to be provided for the necessary cooling or heating in the system 100 during periods of peak climatic values.

[0098] The consumer process circuits 114, 124, 138 of the networks 104, 106, 108 provide cold, warm and / or hot water to one or more consumer processes 146.

[0099] Consumer processes 146, whose exhaust air 148 is essentially fed to the one or more cold water network heat transfer devices 112, are, for example, cooling zones or pretreatment stations in a paint shop 103. Consumer processes 146, whose exhaust air 148 is essentially fed to the one or more hot water network heat transfer devices 122, are, for example, dryers in a paint shop 103.

[0100] Exhaust air 148 discharged from the one or more consumer processes 146 is discharged from the treatment plant 102 via an exhaust air duct 150 to an exhaust air outlet via roof 152.

[0101] The exhaust air line leads through the heat transfer devices 112, 122, 136 of the networks 104, 106, 108, whereby the exhaust air or discharged process media 148 flow through them and thereby transfer at least part of the thermal energy contained in the exhaust air back into the heat recovery circuits 118, 130, 142.

[0102] The exhaust air 148 of the consumer processes 146 is cooled with cold water in the cold water network heat transfer device 112 before reaching the exhaust air outlet via roof 152, whereby the exhaust air temperature via roof is reduced to a minimum.

[0103] The storage devices 110, 120, 134 are connected to the supply and return lines of the respective networks 104, 106, 108 and dampen the fluctuations in the respective networks 104, 106, 108 when providing water to the consumer processes 146. The capacity of the storage devices 110, 120, 134 is preferably designed to smooth the load profile of the consumer processes 146 within a day. As a result, the heat pump devices 132, 144, among others, can be designed to a minimum.

[0104] In particular, in a paint shop 103, all consumer processes 146, which depend on the external conditions, ie the climatic conditions outside the paint shop, are supplied almost exclusively by the cold water network 104 and the hot water network 106, which is why the storage capacity of the cold water storage device 110 and the hot water storage device 120 must be dimensioned larger than the capacity of the hot water storage device 134.

[0105] By coupling the cold water network 104 with the hot water network 106 via the first heat pump device 132, the heat energy fed into the cold water network 104 can be raised by means of the first heat pump device 132 to a temperature level that is usable for the consumer processes 146, which are supplied by the hot water network 106.

[0106] By connecting the first heat pump device 132 to the cold water network 104 and the hot water network 106, this device generates both cooling and heating, thereby achieving maximum efficiency and utilization. Furthermore, simultaneous generation of cooling and heating is possible outside of the extreme winter and summer months. The installed electrical output is preferably based on the maximum cooling capacity to be achieved.

[0107] By means of the second heat pump device 144, consumer processes 146 of the hot water network 108, which require a higher temperature level, ie in particular a water temperature level of over 60°C, can be supplied with the necessary heat energy.

[0108] If sufficient heat energy is present or remaining in the cold water network 104 and / or in the hot water network 106, this can be raised to the temperature level of the hot water network 108 by means of the second heat pump device 144 or by means of the first and second heat pump devices 132, 144.

[0109] Thus, advantageously, apart from the heat pump devices 132, 144, no additional units are required to generate the heating and cooling outputs during normal operation of a treatment plant 102, such as a paint shop 103. Exceptions to this are consumer processes 146 that require temperatures above 100°C, such as drying processes, in accordance with the previously mentioned temperature levels of the networks 104, 106, 108.

[0110] Furthermore, to reduce the temperature level of the hot water network 106, heat wheels (not shown) can be integrated between the supply and exhaust air of all consumer processes 146 that require humidified supply air. Due to the moisture transfer of a heat wheel, preconditioning of supplied fresh air is possible, and the temperature level of the fresh air before entering the humidifier can be reduced accordingly. Conditioning of fresh air up to a relative humidity of 65% is thus possible even in winter under dry and cold outdoor conditions.

[0111] In summer, the temperature level of the hot water network 106 is preferably lowered, thus increasing the efficiency of the first heat pump device for cold water generation. However, if excess heat energy from the hot water network 106 is to be fed into the outside air outside the treatment system 102 or into the exhaust air 148 of the consumer processes 146, consideration should be given to raising the temperature level of the hot water network.

[0112] In winter, the temperature level of the cold water network 104 is lowered, allowing for more efficient heat recovery. Due to the resulting reduction in COP, the first heat pump device 132 can supply a higher amount of heat to the hot water network 106 using the same amount of heat energy from the cold water network 104.

[0113] The differences between the further embodiments of the system 100 according to the invention shown in Figs. 2 to 7 will be discussed below, it being understood that all advantages and technical effects previously described in connection with the first embodiment can also be achieved with the following embodiments.

[0114] Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of the system 100 according to the invention, in which several parallel heat transfer devices are integrated in the heat recovery circuit 118 of the cold water network 104. For example, in a separate heat transfer device 154, the thermal energy contained in exhaust air 156 from a separate consumer process 146 is transferred to the cold water of the heat recovery circuit 118, and in another separate heat transfer device 158, the thermal energy contained in exhaust air 160 from another separate consumer process 146 is transferred. In addition, in the heat transfer device 112, the thermal energy contained in the exhaust air 148 guided through the exhaust air line 150 is transferred to the cold water.

[0115] The system 100 further comprises an air compressor device 162, the waste heat of which is transferred to the hot water in a first circuit 164 by means of a further heat transfer device 166 in the heat recovery circuit 130 of the hot water network 106 and is transferred to the hot water in a second circuit 168 by means of a hot water network heat transfer device 136 in the heat recovery circuit 142 of the hot water network 108.

[0116] In the second embodiment of the system shown in Fig. 2, the exhaust air line 150 preferably does not pass through the hot water network heat transfer device 136.

[0117] In the third embodiment of the system 100 shown in Figs. 3 and 4, a latent heat storage device 170 is provided as a supplement, which is connected to the cold water network 104 and the hot water network 106 via a latent heat storage circuit 172. The excess thermal energy of the hot water network 106 is stored in the latent heat storage device 170 in summer, as shown in Fig. 3. This thermal energy stored in the latent heat storage device 170 can then be made available in the cold water network 104 in winter, as shown in Fig. 4, and then raised from the cold water network 104 to the temperature level of the hot water network 106 with the aid of the first heat pump device 132.

[0118] Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate a fourth embodiment of the system 100 according to the invention, showing the summer operation of the system 100 in the treatment plant 102. In summer operation, the first heat pump device is determined by the required cooling capacity of the consumer processes 146. The resulting heat output is transferred to the hot water storage device 120. If the consumption values, including the second heat pump device 144, are greater than the generation, any heat recovery via the heat recovery circuit 130 is first no longer carried out, as shown in Fig. 6.

[0119] In the event of a further surplus, such as due to an increase in the flow temperature of the hot water network 106, the heat generated must first be removed from the treatment plant 102 via an exhaust air heat transfer device 174 via the exhaust air outlet above the roof 152.

[0120] If this is not sufficient, a free cooling device 176 must be provided, which is integrated into the hot water network 106 via a free cooling circuit 178. The free cooling device 176 can be used to extract the excess heat energy from the hot water network 106.

[0121] Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment shown in Figs. 5 and 6, it can be seen that the cooled exhaust air 148 of one or more consumer processes 146 downstream of the hot water network heat transfer device 136 can be fed back to one or more consumer processes 146, which can use the temperature-reduced exhaust air as supply air, whereby the heat recovery circuit 130 is not additionally subjected to the heat energy from the heat recovery of the hot water network 108.

[0122] Fig. 7 illustrates winter operation in a fifth embodiment of the system 100. In this fifth embodiment, as in the case of the second embodiment in Fig. 2, the three heat transfer devices 112, 154, 158 are provided in the heat recovery circuit 118 of the cold water network 104, which in parallel recover heat energy from the consumer processes 156, 160 and the exhaust air line 150 into the cold water network 104. Furthermore, the heat transfer circuit 130 of the hot water network 166 also includes the further heat transfer device 166, via which—after transferring the heat energy or at least part of the heat energy from the exhaust air 148 of one or more consumer processes 146—the temperature-reduced exhaust air 148 is supplied to one or more consumer processes 146 and thus initially remains in the treatment plant 102.

[0123] The same applies to the hot water network 108, in whose heat recovery circuit 142 the temperature-reduced exhaust air 148 is also fed back to one or more consumer processes 146 downstream of the hot water network heat transfer device.

[0124] In Fig. 8, a sixth embodiment of the system 100 is shown, which, compared to the first embodiment of Fig. 1, alternatively to generating cooling capacity in the cold water network 104, can directly utilize the available power from the hot water network 108. As a result, the hot water network 106 and the first heat pump device 132 are bypassed.

[0125] For this purpose, the second heat pump device 144 is connected, on the one hand, to the cold water storage device 110 via the second heat pump circuit 128 of the cold water network 104 and, on the other hand, to the hot water storage device 134 via the heat pump circuit 140 of the hot water network 108, whereby heat can be pumped directly from the cold water network 104 into the hot water network 108. Thus, the consumer processes in the hot water network 146 can be supplied using waste heat from the cold water network 104.

[0126] List of reference symbols

[0127] system

[0128] Treatment plant

[0129] paint shop

[0130] cold water network

[0131] Hot water network

[0132] Hot water network

[0133] Cold water storage device

[0134] Cold water network heat transfer device

[0135] Consumer process cycle

[0136] Heat pump circuit

[0137] Heat recovery circuit

[0138] Hot water storage device

[0139] Hot water network heat transfer device

[0140] Consumer process circuit first heat pump circuit second heat pump circuit

[0141] Heat recovery circuit first heat pump device

[0142] Hot water storage device

[0143] Hot water network heat transfer device

[0144] Consumer process cycle

[0145] Heat pump circuit

[0146] Heat recovery circuit second heat pump device

[0147] Consumer process

[0148] exhaust air

[0149] Exhaust air duct

[0150] Exhaust air outlet via roof

[0151] Heat transfer device

[0152] exhaust air

[0153] Heat transfer device

[0154] Exhaust air Compressed air compressor device First circuit Heat transfer device Second circuit Latent heat storage device Latent heat storage circuit Exhaust air heat transfer device Free cooling device Free cooling circuit

Claims

Claims System (100) for generating heating and cooling outputs in a treatment plant (102) for workpieces, in particular a paint shop (103) for vehicle bodies, wherein the system (100) comprises the following: at least one cold water network (104) for supplying consumer processes (146) with cold water, which has at least one cold water storage device (110) for compensating process load peaks and / or at least one cold water network heat transfer device (112, 154, 158) for recovering heat from consumer processes (146); at least one hot water network (106) for supplying consumer processes (146) with hot water, which has at least one hot water storage device (120) for compensating process load peaks and / or at least one hot water network heat transfer device (122, 166) for recovering heat from consumer processes (146);and at least one heat pump device, in particular at least one first heat pump device (132), wherein the at least one cold water network (104) is connected to the at least one hot water network (106) by means of the at least one heat pump device (132), and wherein the networks (104, 106) have different temperature levels. System (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the system (100) comprises at least one hot water network (108) for supplying consumer processes (146) with hot water, wherein the at least one hot water network (108) has at least one hot water storage device (134) for compensating for process load peaks. System (100) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the system (100) comprises at least one hot water network (108) for supplying consumer processes (146) with hot water, wherein the at least one hot water network (108) has at least one hot water network; Heat transfer device (136) for heat recovery from consumer processes (146). System (100) according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the system (100) comprises at least one second heat pump device (144), wherein a) the at least one warm water network (106) is connected to the at least one hot water network (108) by means of the at least one second heat pump device (144), or b) the at least one hot water network (108) is connected to the at least one cold water network (104) by means of the at least one second heat pump device (144). System (100) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the at least one cold water storage device (110) and / or the at least one warm water storage device (120) and / or the at least one hot water storage device (134) are connected to a flow and a return of the respective network (104, 106, 108).System (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each of the networks (104, 106, 108) comprises at least one consumer process circuit (114, 124, 138) and / or at least one heat pump circuit (116, 126, 128, 140), wherein the at least one storage device (110, 120, 134) of the respective network (104, 106, 108) is directly or indirectly integrated into each of the circuits. System (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least one of the networks (104, 106, 108) comprises at least one heat recovery circuit (118, 130, 142), in which the respective storage device (110, 120, 134) is directly or indirectly integrated. System (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the at least one first heat pump device (132) is controllable according to at least one variable from the group of cooling capacity, heat requirement, temperature, storage energy loading and storage capacity. System (100) according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the at least one second heat pump device (144) is a high-temperature heat pump. System (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the system (100) has at least one latent heat storage device (170) which is arranged in the at least one cooling water network (104) and / or in the at least one hot water network (106). System (100) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the system (100) has at least one heat wheel for moisture and heat transfer in the hot water network (106). System (100) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the at least one hot water network (106) has at least one free cooling device (176), preferably a free cooling device for summer operation of the treatment plant.System (100) according to one of claims 2 to 12, characterized in that the at least one cold water network (104) has a temperature level of 0°C to 30°C, preferably 0°C to 25°C, that the at least one warm water network (106) has a temperature level of 20°C to 65°C, preferably 25°C to 60°C, and that the at least one hot water network (108) has a temperature level of 55°C to 100°C, preferably 60°C to 100°C. System (100) according to claim 13, characterized in that the temperature level of the at least one cold water network (104) and / or the at least one warm water network (106) is adaptable to the air humidity and / or the temperature of an environment of the treatment plant (102). System (100) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that a storage capacity of the cold water storage device (110) is 25% to 400%, in particular 50% to 300%, greater than a storage capacity of the hot water storage device (120). System (100) according to one of claims 2 to 15, characterized in that a storage capacity of the hot water storage device (134) is smaller than a storage capacity of the cold water storage device (110) and / or the warm water storage device (120), preferably 10% to 75% smaller, more preferably 25% to 50% smaller. System (100) according to one of claims 2 to 16, characterized in that the at least one hot water network (108) is directly and / or indirectly connected to the at least one cold water network (104). Method for generating heating and cooling power in a treatment system (102) for workpieces, preferably in a paint shop (103) for vehicle bodies, wherein the method is carried out with a system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 17 and comprises the following steps: Providing cold and / or hot water to the consumer processes (146) of the treatment plant (102); Intermediate storage of thermal energy in the cold water storage device (110) and / or the hot water storage device (120); recovering heat energy from the exhaust air (148, 156, 160) of one or more consumer processes (146); and Generating cooling capacity and / or heating capacity by means of the heat pump device (132), in particular the first heat pump device (132). Method according to claim 18, characterized in that the method further comprises the following steps: Providing hot water to the consumer processes (146) of the treatment plant (102); and Intermediate storage of thermal energy in the hot water storage device (134). Method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the method further comprises the following step: Generating heating power by means of a further heat pump device (144), in particular a second heat pump device (144). Method according to one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that heat is pumped directly and / or indirectly from the cold water network (104) into the hot water network (108).