Room heating device and method for operating a room heating device

Abstract

The space heating device (1) according to the invention is designed in the form of a radiant heater with a burner (10) and a radiant tube (6), wherein a heat flow generated by the burner (10) is fed into the radiant tube (6). The burner (10) is designed for operation with different gaseous fuel media. Furthermore, switching means are provided by means of which different gaseous fuel media are selectively supplied to the burner (10).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a space heating device and a method for operating a space heating device.

[0002] Such space heating systems are radiant heaters, which can be used to heat rooms in buildings.

[0003] Common space heating systems consist of a pressure and mixing chamber housing containing a burner and a fan. A radiant pipe is connected to this unit to form a heat channel. For this purpose, the pressure and mixing chamber housing has a supply pipe and a return pipe. Heat generated by the burner is fed into the radiant pipe via the supply pipe. The return flow in the radiant pipe is fed back into the pressure and mixing chamber housing via the return pipe, thus creating a closed circuit.

[0004] A generic space heating device is known from EP 0 503 489 A2. This space heating device comprises a radiant pipe connected to a pressure and mixing chamber housing, part of a piping system arranged above the room to be heated. The radiant pipe is connected on one side to a return flow chamber with a fan and on the other side to a mixing chamber with a flame tube surrounding a burner. The pressure and mixing chamber housing is designed in a double-screw shape, with two cylindrical parts forming the housing and a front and rear plate having the double-screw shape, while the connecting pipes for the radiant pipe are attached to the rear plate.

[0005] This space heating device ensures that the vortex zone in the pressure and mixing chamber housing is designed in such a way that a hot core zone in the area of ​​the burner is surrounded by a cooler layer of air from the returning gas, thereby achieving a uniform heat emission in the radiant tube over a large distance.

[0006] The invention is based on the objective of providing a space heating device with extended functionality.

[0007] The features of the independent claims are provided to solve this problem. Advantageous embodiments and expedient further developments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0008] The space heating device according to the invention is designed in the form of a radiant heater with a burner and a radiant tube, wherein a heat flow generated by the burner is fed into the radiant tube. The burner is designed for operation with different gaseous fuel media. Furthermore, switching means are provided by means of which different gaseous fuel media are selectively supplied to the burner.

[0009] The invention also relates to a corresponding method.

[0010] The space heating device according to the invention has a gas burner, i.e. generally a burner that can be operated with different gas combination blocks.

[0011] According to the invention, switching means are provided by means of which a switching operation takes place in such a way that the burner is selectively operated with different gaseous fuel media, i.e. depending on the switching process with the switching means, the burner is operated with a specific gaseous fuel medium.

[0012] The gaseous fuel media such as natural gas, propane, biogas, hydrogen gas or liquefied petroleum gas (LNG) are advantageously used.

[0013] This increases the functionality of the space heating system with minimal construction effort.

[0014] The burner, which can be switched to different gaseous fuels, significantly increases the reliability of the space heating system. The switching mechanism is particularly advantageous, as it allows the burner to be operated with whichever gaseous fuel is most readily available. For example, if a gaseous fuel is unavailable due to supply shortages or similar circumstances, the switching mechanism allows the burner to be operated with another available gaseous fuel, thus preventing unwanted downtime of the space heating system.

[0015] Since the probability that the fuel media for the burner will be unavailable at the same time is low, the probability of a failure of the space heating system is very low.

[0016] In the simplest case, the burner can be operated with two different gaseous fuel media. Generally, the burner can also be operated with more than two different gaseous fuel media.

[0017] This provides a multi-channel, diverse supply structure for the burner, which significantly increases the functional reliability, in particular the reliability, of the space heating device according to the invention.

[0018] A key advantage is that the space heating system requires only one burner, which can be operated with different gaseous fuels. Compared to an arrangement with multiple burners, each operating on a single gaseous fuel, this results in a significant simplification of the space heating system's design and thus cost savings. In particular, components of a burner assembly such as the housing, fan, flame tube, control unit, monitoring units, and ignition devices only need to be provided once, instead of multiple times.

[0019] Advantageously, each gaseous fuel medium is supplied to the burner via a separate gas supply line, whereby the supply of the gaseous fuel medium can be blocked or enabled for each gas supply line by means of the switching devices.

[0020] Advantageously, the switching devices have an arrangement of switching devices by means of which the supply of gaseous fuel media to the burner in a gas supply line can be blocked or enabled.

[0021] It is advisable to have at least one switching device in each gas supply line.

[0022] By appropriately controlling these switching devices, a selection of the gaseous fuel media with which the burner is supplied is chosen.

[0023] The actuation, i.e., control of the switching or switching devices, can take place continuously throughout the entire operation of the space heating system. This allows for switching at any time to supply the burner with a different gaseous fuel medium.

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment, at least one switching element is formed by a solenoid valve.

[0025] Furthermore, it is possible that at least one switching device is formed by a gas combination block which has a solenoid valve and a nozzle.

[0026] The gas combination block forms a unit in which, in addition to a solenoid valve, a nozzle for metering the gas flow and typically a sieve for filtering out impurities in the gas flow are present.

[0027] According to one variant, the switching devices form a parallel circuit.

[0028] According to a second variant, the switching devices form a series circuit.

[0029] In general, the switching devices can be switched using electronic control devices.

[0030] In particular, electronic control devices have electrical or electronic switches.

[0031] The switches can be in the form of semiconductor switches. Alternatively, the switches can be relays.

[0032] Advantageously, the switching devices are assigned a control unit for controlling switching processes.

[0033] The control unit can be a computer unit that takes over the entire process control of the space heating system.

[0034] The control unit controls or specifies switching processes in order to supply the burner with a specified gaseous fuel medium; i.e., the control unit controls burner changes.

[0035] Manual or automatic burner adjustment is particularly advantageous.

[0036] A manual burner changeover can be performed by a user who operates a corresponding control device. An automatic burner changeover occurs automatically, particularly via program control.

[0037] The control unit may include adjusting means for actuating the switching means.

[0038] The control unit can include an operating unit, a control panel, or similar device as a means of adjustment. The user can change the burner setting by entering information on the control panel. The operating unit can also be a separate, independent unit.

[0039] Alternatively or additionally, a sequence program is implemented in the control unit, by means of which switching operations of the switching devices are carried out automatically.

[0040] The program can be used to evaluate control variables, sensor signals and the like, which provide information about the availability of fuel media, and the burner switching can then be carried out automatically depending on this information.

[0041] According to a first embodiment of the space heating device according to the invention, a heating element is formed such that a radiant tube with a supply and return line is connected to a pressure and mixing chamber housing, thereby creating a closed circuit. A warm air stream heated by the burner is fed into the radiant tube via the supply line, guided within it, and returned to the pressure and mixing chamber housing via the return line. A fan in the pressure and mixing chamber housing ensures air circulation between the supply and return lines and simultaneously stabilizes the flame of the burner assembly.

[0042] In this arrangement, the pressure inside the radiant tube is advantageously lower than atmospheric pressure; a higher pressure prevails only within the pressure and mixing chamber housing, advantageously in the area of ​​a chimney through which pollutants are vented to the outside in a controlled manner. The space heating system thus designed forms a self-regulating system, in which, in particular, the uncontrolled escape of flue gases is prevented.

[0043] According to a second variant, the burner is connected to a supply line of the radiant tube and a return line of the radiant tube is led to a chimney.

[0044] In this case, no pressure and mixing chamber housing is required, as the flame of the burner is fed directly into the flow of the radiation tube.

[0045] The invention will be explained below with reference to the drawings. The drawings show: Figure 1: Installation of a first embodiment of the space heating device according to the invention in a building. Figure 2: Sectional view of the arrangement according to the invention. Figure 1 Figure 3: Installation of a second embodiment of the space heating device according to the invention in a building. Figure 4a, b: First example of an arrangement of switching means for the burner of the space heating device according to the Figures 1 to 3 Figure 5: Second example of an arrangement of switching devices for the burner of the space heating system according to the Figures 1 to 3 Figure 6: Circuit arrangement for controlling the burner of the space heating system according to the Figures 1 to 3 Figure 7: Installation of a third embodiment of the space heating device according to the invention in a building. Figure 8: Sectional view of the arrangement according to Figure 7 .

[0046] The Figures 1 and 2Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the space heating device 1 according to the invention. The space heating device 1 is mounted below the roof 2 of a building 3, in particular a hall. The components of the space heating device 1 are suspended from fastening means 4, which are attached to the roof 2 of the building 3. The space heating device 1 heats the interior space 5 of the building 3.

[0047] The space heating unit 1 comprises a radiant tube 6 which is connected to a pressure and mixing chamber housing 9 via both a supply line 7 and a return line 8. A burner 10 and a fan (not shown) are located on the pressure and mixing chamber housing 9. The burner 10 generates a flame that heats an airflow fed into the supply line 7 of the radiant tube 6. The airflow passes through the radiant tube 6 and is returned to the pressure and mixing chamber housing 9 via the return line 8.

[0048] The airflow in the radiation tube 6 generates heat radiation that heats the interior 5 of the building 3. Figure 2 Figure 11 shows the radiative heat distribution of the thermal radiation.

[0049] Figure 3 shows a variant of the embodiment according to Figure 1 The embodiment according to Figure 3 differs from the embodiment according to Figure 1 This is achieved by the fact that no pressure and mixing chamber housing 9 is provided. Instead, the burner 10 (to which a fan, not shown, is assigned) is directly connected to the supply 7 of the radiation tube 6. The return 8 of the radiation tube 6 is led to a chimney 12, through which the airflow is discharged to the outside.

[0050] The burner 10 of the space heating unit 1 is a gas burner, the burner 10 being designed for operation with various gaseous fuel media. Advantageously, the gaseous fuel media are natural gas, propane, biogas, hydrogen gas or liquefied petroleum gas (LNG).

[0051] According to the invention, switching means are provided by means of which different gaseous fuel media are selectively supplied to the burner 10.

[0052] The Figure 4a , 4b This shows a first embodiment.

[0053] In general, each gaseous fuel medium is supplied to the burner 10 via a separate gas supply line 13a, 13b, whereby the supply of the gaseous fuel medium can be blocked or enabled for each gas supply line 13a, 13b by means of the switching means.

[0054] The burner 10 has a burner flame head 10a.

[0055] In the embodiment according to the Figure 4a , 4b Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is supplied to burner 10 via a first gas supply line 13a. Natural gas is supplied to burner 10 via a second gas supply line 13b.

[0056] The Figure 4a , 4b show the burner 10 and the burner flame head 10a which generates a burner flame 14 running in the direction of the feed 7 of the radiation tube 6.

[0057] The burner 10 is arranged in a burner housing 15. The first switching device 16a of the switching devices is a gas combination block, i.e. a unit in which a solenoid valve, a filter and a nozzle 17a are present.

[0058] In the liquefied gas supply line 13a, a further gas combination block is present as an additional switching device 16b, which has an identical design to the first gas combination block and thus also has a nozzle 17b. The nozzle 17b is smaller than the nozzle 17a.

[0059] A solenoid valve 16c is provided as a further switching device in the natural gas supply line 13b.

[0060] Figure 4a This shows the situation when burner 10 is supplied with and operated with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). In this case, the switching device 16c, i.e., the solenoid valve, is closed and blocks the supply of natural gas to burner 10. The switching device 16b is open, so that LPG flows in the gas supply line 13a to the switching device 16a, whose nozzle 17a controls the metering of the LPG supply to burner 10.

[0061] Figure 4bThis shows the situation when burner 10 is supplied with natural gas and is in operation. In this case, switching device 16b is closed, so the supply of liquefied gas to the burner is blocked. Switching device 16c is open, so that natural gas flows to switching device 16a, whose nozzle 17a controls the metering of the supply of liquefied gas to burner 10.

[0062] The arrangement of the Figure 4a , 4b This essentially corresponds to a series circuit.

[0063] Figure 5 Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a parallel connection of two switching devices 16a, 16c, each located in a gas supply line 13a, 13b. Furthermore, a switching device 16a is again assigned to the burner 10.

[0064] The operation of this arrangement is such that one of the switching devices 16b, 16c is always closed and the other is open. Accordingly, either the gaseous fuel medium carried in the gas supply line 13a or the gaseous fuel medium carried in the gas supply line 13b is supplied to the burner 10.

[0065] The arrangements in Figure 4a , 4b , 5 They can also be extended to include more than two gas supply lines 13a, 13b,... in which different gaseous fuel media are carried. Accordingly, the switching devices are then extended to include several switching devices 16b, 16c, ...

[0066] How Figure 5 As shown, the switching devices 16a - c are actuated and switched by electronic control devices 18. These electronic control devices 18 can be electronic or electrical switches such as relays or semiconductor switches.

[0067] The tax revenue 18 in turn is controlled by a control unit 19.

[0068] In the simplest case, a user can perform a manual burner changeover by entering a command at the input / output unit 20 of the control unit 19.

[0069] Alternatively or additionally, a sequence program is implemented in a processor 21 in the control unit 19, by means of which a burner changeover is carried out automatically.

[0070] The Figures 7, 8 show an extension of the space heating system 1 according to Figure 3 in that there are several burners (10 in total).

[0071] The burners 10 are connected to a radiation tube 6 that runs around the ceiling of building 3. The radiation tube 6 can, as Figure 8Figure 1 shows the formation of a beam shaping element by means of which the radiant heat distribution 11 is obtained. An exhaust gas collection line 6a is provided in combination with the radiation tube 6. The exhaust gas collection line 6a forms a single unit with the radiation tube 6.

[0072] The exhaust gas collection line 6a is led via a fan 22 to the chimney 12.

[0073] Such a combination of a radiation tube 6 and an exhaust gas collection pipe 6a can of course also be used in the embodiments of the Figures 1 to 3 be planned. Reference symbol list

[0074] (1) Space heating unit (2) Roof (3) Building (4) Fastening device (5) Interior (6) Radiant pipe (6a) Exhaust manifold (7) Flow (8) Return (9) Pressure and mixing chamber housing (10) Burner (10a) Burner flame head (11) Radiant heat distribution (12) Chimney (13a) First gas supply line (13b) Second gas supply line (14) Burner flame (15) Burner housing (16a - c) Switching device (17a, b) Nozzle (18) Control device (19) Control unit (20) Input / output unit (21) Processor (22) Fan

Claims

1. Space heating device (1) in the form of a radiant heater with a burner (10) and a radiant tube (6), wherein a heat flow generated by the burner (10) is fed into the radiant tube (6), characterized by the fact that the burner (10) is designed for operation with different gaseous fuel media, and that switching means are provided by means of which different gaseous fuel media are selectively supplied to the burner (10).

2. Space heating device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that Each gaseous fuel medium is supplied to the burner (10) via a separate gas supply line (13a, 13b), whereby the supply of the gaseous fuel medium can be blocked or enabled for each gas supply line (13a, 13b) by means of the switching means.

3. Space heating device (1) according to claim 2, characterized by the fact thatthe switching means comprise an arrangement of switching means (16 a - c) by means of which the supply of gaseous fuel media to the burner (10) in a gas supply line (13a, 13b) can be blocked or enabled.

4. Space heating device (1) according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that at least one switching device (16a - c) is present in each gas supply line (13a, 13b).

5. Space heating device (1) according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized by the fact that at least one switching means (16 c) is formed by a solenoid valve, or that at least one switching means (16a, b) is formed by a gas combination block comprising a solenoid valve and a nozzle (17a, b).

6. Space heating device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized by the fact that that the switching devices (16a - c) form a parallel circuit, or that the switching devices (16a - c) form a series circuit.

7. Space heating device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized by the fact that the switching devices (16a - c) are switchable with electronic control devices (18).

8. Space heating device (1) according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that the electronic control means (18) shall have electrical or electronic switches, in particular an electrical switch being formed by a relay.

9. Space heating device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by the fact that The switching means are assigned a control unit (19) for controlling switching operations.

10. Space heating device (1) according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that The control unit (19) contains a sequence program by means of which switching operations are carried out automatically.

11. Space heating device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by the fact that The switching devices have a control unit for manual initiation of switching operations.

12. Space heating device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by the fact that the radiation pipe (6) is connected to a pressure and mixing chamber housing (9) with a supply (7) and return (8), or that the burner (10) is connected to a supply (7) of the radiation pipe (6) and a return (8) of the radiation pipe (6) is led to a chimney (12).

13. Space heating device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by the fact that the gaseous fuel media are formed from natural gas, propane, biogas, hydrogen gas or liquefied petroleum gas (LNG).

14. Space heating device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the fact that this has a multiple arrangement of burners (10).

15. Method for operating a space heating device (1) in the form of a radiant heater with a burner (10) and a radiant tube (6), wherein a heat flow generated by the burner (10) is fed into the radiant tube (6), characterized by the fact thatthe burner (10) is designed for operation with different gaseous fuel media, and that switching means are provided by means of which different gaseous fuel media are selectively supplied to the burner (10).

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