Venting device, heat transfer system and method of venting heat transfer arrangement

Abstract

A venting device (1) for removing air from a brine before entering the brine into a brine circuit (10), comprising a reservoir (2) for the brine, a inlet (3) for receiving the brine into the reservoir, an outlet (4) for supplying the brine out of the reservoir, and further comprising a heater (5) for heating the brine inside the reservoir.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to venting devices and heat transfer arrangements.BACKGROUND OF THE ART

[0002] Heat transfer arrangements are used for transferring heat from a space or into the space. Typical arrangement comprises heat exchangers and a heat transfer circuit for circulating heat transfer liquid, i.e. brine, between the heat exchangers. As the temperature of the brine may vary a lot during the circulation, the brine usually includes some component that keeps the brine in flowing state at all temperatures. The brine comprises some gas, such as air, which may cause for example foaming when the brine is supplied into the brine circuit. The air inside the brine circuit may also cause galvanic corrosion to the piping.OBJECTIVE

[0003] The objective of the device, arrangement and method is to alleviate the disadvantages mentioned above.

[0004] In particular, it is an objective of the present device to have more efficient heat transfer and extend the operating life of the heat transfer system.SUMMARY

[0005] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a venting device for a heat transfer system for removing air from a brine before entering the brine into a brine circuit. The device comprises a reservoir for the brine, an inlet for receiving the brine into the reservoir, an outlet for supplying the brine out of the reservoir, and further a heater for heating the brine inside the reservoir.

[0006] The advantage of the device is that gas may be efficiently removed from the brine before entering the brine circuit.

[0007] In an embodiment of the device, a constant-flow valve is provided for controlling the supply flow of the brine from the reservoir into the brine circuit.

[0008] In an embodiment of the device, a thermostat is provided for controlling the brine temperature inside the reservoir.

[0009] In an embodiment of the device, a venting valve is provided in an upper part of the reservoir for exhausting the removed air from brine.

[0010] In an embodiment of the device, an outlet valve is provided at a bottom part of the reservoir for emptying the reservoir.

[0011] According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a heat transfer system comprising a brine circuit for circulating brine, at least one heat exchanger and a supply device for supplying brine into the system, and further a venting device having a heater for heating the brine for removing air from the brine before entering the brine circuit.

[0012] In an embodiment of the system, the venting device comprises a constant-flow valve for controlling the supply flow of the brine entering the brine circuit.

[0013] In an embodiment of the system, a thermostat is provided for controlling the brine temperature inside the reservoir.

[0014] In an embodiment of the system, the venting device comprises a venting valve in an upper part of the reservoir for exhausting the removed air from the brine.

[0015] In an embodiment of the system, the venting device comprises an outlet valve at a bottom part of the reservoir for emptying the reservoir.

[0016] In an embodiment of the system, the brine is water-glycol mixture, the brine is entered into the system via supply device which is connected to the inlet of the venting device by a connection pipe for supplying brine from the supply device into the venting device.

[0017] In an embodiment of the system, the brine circuit is connected to the inlet for receiving the brine from the brine circuit into the venting device such that the brine in the brine circuit is circulated via the venting device.

[0018] According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a method of venting brine of a heat transfer system, comprising steps of: supplying brine into a venting device, heating the brine inside the venting device for removing air from the brine, supplying the heated brine into a brine circuit of the heat transfer system.

[0019] In an embodiment of the method, the removed air from the brine is exhausted from the reservoir during the heating.

[0020] In an embodiment of the method, the heated brine is supplied into the brine circuit via constant-flow valve for controlling the brine flow into the brine circuit.

[0021] It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the invention described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the invention.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description help to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: Fig. 1 shows a venting device for heat transfer system, Fig. 2 shows the venting device and a supply device, Fig. 3 shows a run around heat transfer system comprising a venting device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Figure 1 shows a venting device for heat transfer system. The venting device 1 is arranged to remove gas, such as air, from a heat transfer liquid, i.e. brine, before entering the brine into a brine circuit. The venting device 1 comprises a reservoir 2 for the brine, an inlet 3 for receiving the brine into the reservoir, and an outlet 4 for supplying the brine out of the reservoir into the brine circuit 10. Additionally, the venting device comprised a heater 5. The heater 5 is used for heating the brine and by heating the brine, gas molecules may be dissolved from the liquid more efficiently and the brine entering the brine circuit is less gaseous. By removing gas from the brine, the brine does not foam so much when supplied into the brine circuit of the heat transfer system.

[0024] The heater 5 may be at least partly arranged inside the reservoir 2. The heater 5 may be for example an electric heater. Optionally, the heater 5 comprises a fluid circuit, e.g. liquid circuit, inside the reservoir wherein heated fluid, e.g. liquid, is circulated inside the reservoir for heating the brine.

[0025] The brine may be heated to at least 40 °C, 50 °C or 60 °C.

[0026] The brine may be a water-glycol mixture.

[0027] The gas removed from the brine may be air.

[0028] The brine circuit should be understood as an arrangement capable of circulating brine. For example, brine circuit may comprise piping, tubing, hoses, pump etc.

[0029] Optionally, the venting device comprises a constant-flow valve 6 for controlling the supply flow of the brine from the reservoir into the brine circuit. The constant-flow valve may be arranged at the outlet 4 of the venting device 1. Optionally, the constant-flow valve 6 is arranged at a distance from the outlet 4 but before the brine circuit 10. The constant-flow valve 6 may be used for controlling the supply flow of the heated brine into the brine circuit 10. The supply flow may be kept constant, which prevents foaming of the brine entering the brine circuit. Further, limiting the supply flow of the heated brine, the brine may be heated at the desired temperature before entering the brine circuit.

[0030] The venting device 1 may comprise a thermostat 7 for monitoring and controlling the brine temperature inside the reservoir. The brine is heated to some desired temperature and the thermostat may be used for controlling and monitoring the brine temperature, e.g. keeping the temperature as desired, inside the reservoir 1. In an embodiment, the supply of the brine into the brine circuit is controlled by a control valve and, by monitoring the brine temperature, the supply flow of the heated brine may be controlled and adjusted based on the temperature. For example, if the brine temperature inside the reservoir is less than desired, the control valve may be used for reducing the supply flow into the brine circuit so that the brine inside the reservoir has more time to be heated. Or if the brine temperature inside the reservoir is greater than desired, the control valve may be used to increase the supply flow into the brine circuit.

[0031] The venting device 1 may comprise a venting valve 8 which is arranged an upper part of the reservoir. The venting valve is used for exhausting the gas that has been removed from brine.

[0032] Figure 2 shows a part of the heat transfer system, i.e. the venting device 1 and a supply device 12. The supply device 12 is used for supplying the brine into the heat transfer system. The supply device 12 is connected to the inlet 3 of the venting device 1 by a connecting pipe 13.

[0033] Additionally or optionally, the brine circuit 10 is connected to the inlet 3 for receiving the brine from the brine circuit 10 into the venting device 1 so that the brine in the brine circuit is circulated via the venting device 1. The brine circuit 10 may be connected to the inlet 3 by the connection pipe 13, i.e. the brine circuit 10 is connected to the connection pipe 13 and the connection pipe 13 is connected to the inlet 3 of the venting device 1. A circulating valve 14 may be provided at the end of the brine circuit 10 where the brine circuit is connected to the connection pipe. The circulating valve 14 may be used for controlling the brine circulation via the venting device.

[0034] Figure 3 shows an example of a heat transfer system comprising a venting device. The brine is supplied into the system via supply device 12 which is connected to the venting device 1 by a connection pipe 13 for supplying the brine into the reservoir of the venting device. The venting device 1 comprises a heater for heating the brine before supplying it into the brine circuit 10. In this embodiment, the brine is arranged to be circulated to the first heat exchanger 11a and from there to the second heat exchanger 11b. The circulating brine may be arranged to circulate back to the venting device 1 or it may be circulated between the heat exchangers 11a, 11b.

[0035] Optionally, the system may comprise more than two heat exchangers.

[0036] Optionally or additionally, the system comprises a pump for circulating the brine. The pump may be, for example, a circulation pump.

[0037] The method of venting brine of a heat transfer system comprises steps of: supplying brine into a venting device, heating the brine inside the venting device for removing air from the brine, and supplying the heated brine into a brine circuit of the heat transfer system.

[0038] During the heating the removed air from the brine may be exhausted from the reservoir. The removed air may be exhausted via a venting valve.

[0039] The heated brine may be supplied into the brine circuit via constant-flow valve for controlling the brine flow into the brine circuit.

[0040] Optionally, the brine is circulated from the brine circuit back into the venting device for heating before supplied back into the brine circuit.

[0041] Although the invention has been the described in conjunction with a certain type of device, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to any certain type of device. While the present inventions have been described in connection with a number of exemplary embodiments, and implementations, the present inventions are not so limited, but rather cover various modifications, and equivalent arrangements, which fall within the purview of prospective claims.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0023]Figure 1 shows a venting device for heat transfer system. The venting device 1 is arranged to remove gas, such as air, from a heat transfer liquid, i.e. brine, before entering the brine into a brine circuit. The venting device 1 comprises a reservoir 2 for the brine, an inlet 3 for receiving the brine into the reservoir, and an outlet 4 for supplying the brine out of the reservoir into the brine circuit 10. Additionally, the venting device comprised a heater 5. The heater 5 is used for heating the brine and by heating the brine, gas molecules may be dissolved from the liquid more efficiently and the brine entering the brine circuit is less gaseous. By removing gas from the brine, the brine does not foam so much when supplied into the brine circuit of the heat transfer system.

[0024]The heater 5 may be at least partly arranged inside the reservoir 2. The heater 5 may be for example an electric heater. Optionally, the heater 5 comprises a fluid circuit, e.g. liquid circuit, insid...

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to venting devices and heat transfer arrangements.BACKGROUND OF THE ART

[0002] Heat transfer arrangements are used for transferring heat from a space or into the space. Typical arrangement comprises heat exchangers and a heat transfer circuit for circulating heat transfer liquid, i.e. brine, between the heat exchangers. As the temperature of the brine may vary a lot during the circulation, the brine usually includes some component that keeps the brine in flowing state at all temperatures. The brine comprises some gas, such as air, which may cause for example foaming when the brine is supplied into the brine circuit. The air inside the brine circuit may also cause galvanic corrosion to the piping.OBJECTIVE

[0003] The objective of the device, arrangement and method is to alleviate the disadvantages mentioned above.

[0004] In particular, it is an objective of the present device to have more efficient heat transfer and extend the operating life of the heat transfer system.SUMMARY

[0005] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a venting device for a heat transfer system for removing air from a brine before entering the brine into a brine circuit. The device comprises a reservoir for the brine, an inlet for receiving the brine into the reservoir, an outlet for supplying the brine out of the reservoir, and further a heater for heating the brine inside the reservoir.

[0006] The advantage of the device is that gas may be efficiently removed from the brine before entering the brine circuit.

[0007] In an embodiment of the device, a constant-flow valve is provided for controlling the supply flow of the brine from the reservoir into the brine circuit.

[0008] In an embodiment of the device, a thermostat is provided for controlling the brine temperature inside the reservoir.

[0009] In an embodiment of the device, a venting valve is provided in an upper part of the reservoir for exhausting the removed air from brine.

[0010] In an embodiment of the device, an outlet valve is provided at a bottom part of the reservoir for emptying the reservoir.

[0011] According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a heat transfer system comprising a brine circuit for circulating brine, at least one heat exchanger and a supply device for supplying brine into the system, and further a venting device having a heater for heating the brine for removing air from the brine before entering the brine circuit.

[0012] In an embodiment of the system, the venting device comprises a constant-flow valve for controlling the supply flow of the brine entering the brine circuit.

[0013] In an embodiment of the system, a thermostat is provided for controlling the brine temperature inside the reservoir.

[0014] In an embodiment of the system, the venting device comprises a venting valve in an upper part of the reservoir for exhausting the removed air from the brine.

[0015] In an embodiment of the system, the venting device comprises an outlet valve at a bottom part of the reservoir for emptying the reservoir.

[0016] In an embodiment of the system, the brine is water-glycol mixture, the brine is entered into the system via supply device which is connected to the inlet of the venting device by a connection pipe for supplying brine from the supply device into the venting device.

[0017] In an embodiment of the system, the brine circuit is connected to the inlet for receiving the brine from the brine circuit into the venting device such that the brine in the brine circuit is circulated via the venting device.

[0018] According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a method of venting brine of a heat transfer system, comprising steps of: supplying brine into a venting device, heating the brine inside the venting device for removing air from the brine, supplying the heated brine into a brine circuit of the heat transfer system.

[0019] In an embodiment of the method, the removed air from the brine is exhausted from the reservoir during the heating.

[0020] In an embodiment of the method, the heated brine is supplied into the brine circuit via constant-flow valve for controlling the brine flow into the brine circuit.

[0021] It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the invention described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the invention.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description help to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: Fig. 1 shows a venting device for heat transfer system, Fig. 2 shows the venting device and a supply device, Fig. 3 shows a run around heat transfer system comprising a venting device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Figure 1 shows a venting device for heat transfer system. The venting device 1 is arranged to remove gas, such as air, from a heat transfer liquid, i.e. brine, before entering the brine into a brine circuit. The venting device 1 comprises a reservoir 2 for the brine, an inlet 3 for receiving the brine into the reservoir, and an outlet 4 for supplying the brine out of the reservoir into the brine circuit 10. Additionally, the venting device comprised a heater 5. The heater 5 is used for heating the brine and by heating the brine, gas molecules may be dissolved from the liquid more efficiently and the brine entering the brine circuit is less gaseous. By removing gas from the brine, the brine does not foam so much when supplied into the brine circuit of the heat transfer system.

[0024] The heater 5 may be at least partly arranged inside the reservoir 2. The heater 5 may be for example an electric heater. Optionally, the heater 5 comprises a fluid circuit, e.g. liquid circuit, inside the reservoir wherein heated fluid, e.g. liquid, is circulated inside the reservoir for heating the brine.

[0025] The brine may be heated to at least 40 °C, 50 °C or 60 °C.

[0026] The brine may be a water-glycol mixture.

[0027] The gas removed from the brine may be air.

[0028] The brine circuit should be understood as an arrangement capable of circulating brine. For example, brine circuit may comprise piping, tubing, hoses, pump etc.

[0029] Optionally, the venting device comprises a constant-flow valve 6 for controlling the supply flow of the brine from the reservoir into the brine circuit. The constant-flow valve may be arranged at the outlet 4 of the venting device 1. Optionally, the constant-flow valve 6 is arranged at a distance from the outlet 4 but before the brine circuit 10. The constant-flow valve 6 may be used for controlling the supply flow of the heated brine into the brine circuit 10. The supply flow may be kept constant, which prevents foaming of the brine entering the brine circuit. Further, limiting the supply flow of the heated brine, the brine may be heated at the desired temperature before entering the brine circuit.

[0030] The venting device 1 may comprise a thermostat 7 for monitoring and controlling the brine temperature inside the reservoir. The brine is heated to some desired temperature and the thermostat may be used for controlling and monitoring the brine temperature, e.g. keeping the temperature as desired, inside the reservoir 1. In an embodiment, the supply of the brine into the brine circuit is controlled by a control valve and, by monitoring the brine temperature, the supply flow of the heated brine may be controlled and adjusted based on the temperature. For example, if the brine temperature inside the reservoir is less than desired, the control valve may be used for reducing the supply flow into the brine circuit so that the brine inside the reservoir has more time to be heated. Or if the brine temperature inside the reservoir is greater than desired, the control valve may be used to increase the supply flow into the brine circuit.

[0031] The venting device 1 may comprise a venting valve 8 which is arranged an upper part of the reservoir. The venting valve is used for exhausting the gas that has been removed from brine.

[0032] Figure 2 shows a part of the heat transfer system, i.e. the venting device 1 and a supply device 12. The supply device 12 is used for supplying the brine into the heat transfer system. The supply device 12 is connected to the inlet 3 of the venting device 1 by a connecting pipe 13.

[0033] Additionally or optionally, the brine circuit 10 is connected to the inlet 3 for receiving the brine from the brine circuit 10 into the venting device 1 so that the brine in the brine circuit is circulated via the venting device 1. The brine circuit 10 may be connected to the inlet 3 by the connection pipe 13, i.e. the brine circuit 10 is connected to the connection pipe 13 and the connection pipe 13 is connected to the inlet 3 of the venting device 1. A circulating valve 14 may be provided at the end of the brine circuit 10 where the brine circuit is connected to the connection pipe. The circulating valve 14 may be used for controlling the brine circulation via the venting device.

[0034] Figure 3 shows an example of a heat transfer system comprising a venting device. The brine is supplied into the system via supply device 12 which is connected to the venting device 1 by a connection pipe 13 for supplying the brine into the reservoir of the venting device. The venting device 1 comprises a heater for heating the brine before supplying it into the brine circuit 10. In this embodiment, the brine is arranged to be circulated to the first heat exchanger 11a and from there to the second heat exchanger 11b. The circulating brine may be arranged to circulate back to the venting device 1 or it may be circulated between the heat exchangers 11a, 11b.

[0035] Optionally, the system may comprise more than two heat exchangers.

[0036] Optionally or additionally, the system comprises a pump for circulating the brine. The pump may be, for example, a circulation pump.

[0037] The method of venting brine of a heat transfer system comprises steps of: supplying brine into a venting device, heating the brine inside the venting device for removing air from the brine, and supplying the heated brine into a brine circuit of the heat transfer system.

[0038] During the heating the removed air from the brine may be exhausted from the reservoir. The removed air may be exhausted via a venting valve.

[0039] The heated brine may be supplied into the brine circuit via constant-flow valve for controlling the brine flow into the brine circuit.

[0040] Optionally, the brine is circulated from the brine circuit back into the venting device for heating before supplied back into the brine circuit.

[0041] Although the invention has been the described in conjunction with a certain type of device, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to any certain type of device. While the present inventions have been described in connection with a number of exemplary embodiments, and implementations, the present inventions are not so limited, but rather cover various modifications, and equivalent arrangements, which fall within the purview of prospective claims.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0023]Figure 1 shows a venting device for heat transfer system. The venting device 1 is arranged to remove gas, such as air, from a heat transfer liquid, i.e. brine, before entering the brine into a brine circuit. The venting device 1 comprises a reservoir 2 for the brine, an inlet 3 for receiving the brine into the reservoir, and an outlet 4 for supplying the brine out of the reservoir into the brine circuit 10. Additionally, the venting device comprised a heater 5. The heater 5 is used for heating the brine and by heating the brine, gas molecules may be dissolved from the liquid more efficiently and the brine entering the brine circuit is less gaseous. By removing gas from the brine, the brine does not foam so much when supplied into the brine circuit of the heat transfer system.

[0024]The heater 5 may be at least partly arranged inside the reservoir 2. The heater 5 may be for example an electric heater. Optionally, the heater 5 comprises a fluid circuit, e.g. liquid circuit, insid...

Claims

1. A venting device (1) for removing air from a brine before entering the brine into a brine circuit (10), comprising a reservoir (2) for the brine, an inlet (3) for receiving the brine into the reservoir, an outlet (4) for supplying the brine out of the reservoir, char act e r i zed in that comprising a heater (5) for heating the brine inside the reservoir.

2. The venting device according to claim 1, wherein a constant-flow valve (6) is provided for controlling the supply flow of the brine from the reservoir (2) into the brine circuit (10).

3. The venting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a thermostat (7) is provided for controlling the brine temperature inside the reservoir (2).

4. The venting device according to any one of preceding claims, wherein a venting valve (8) is provided in an upper part of the reservoir for exhausting the removed air from brine.

5. The venting device according to any one of preceding claims, wherein an outlet valve (9) is provided at a bottom part of the reservoir for emptying the reservoir (2) .

6. A heat transfer system comprising a brine circuit (10) for circulating the brine, at least one heat exchanger (11a, 11b,...) and a supply device (12) for supplying brine into the system char act e r i zed in that the system comprises a venting device (2) having a heater (5) for heating the brine for removing air from the brine before entering the brine circuit.

7. The heat transfer system according to claim 6, wherein the venting device comprises a constant-flow valve (6) for controlling the supply flow of the brine entering the brine circuit (10).

8. The heat transfer system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein a thermostat (7) is provided for controlling the brine temperature inside the reservoir.

9. The heat transfer system according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the venting device comprises a venting valve (8) in an upper part of the reservoir for exhausting the removed air from the brine.

10. The heat transfer system according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the venting device comprises an outlet valve (9) at a bottom part of the reservoir for emptying the reservoir.

11. The heat transfer system according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the brine is water-glycol mixture, the brine is entered into the system via supply device (12), which is connected to the inlet (3) of the venting device (1) by a connection pipe (13) for supplying brine from the supply device (12) into the venting device (1).

12. The heat transfer system according to any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein the brine circuit (10) is connected to the inlet (3) for receiving the brine from the brine circuit into the venting device (1) such that the brine in the brine circuit is circulated via the venting device (1).

13. A method of venting brine of a heat transfer system, comprising steps of: - supplying brine into a venting device, - heating the brine inside the venting device for removing air from the brine, - supplying the heated brine into a brine circuit of the heat transfer system.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the removed air from the brine is exhausted from the reservoir during the heating.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the heated brine is supplied into the brine circuit via constant-flow valve for controlling the brine flow into the brine circuit.

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