Smart multi-energy heating system
The smart heating system addresses thermal inefficiencies in conventional systems by integrating multi-fuel burners and advanced thermal management, achieving efficient and uniform heat distribution with reduced energy consumption and improved operational flexibility.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- BAREQ ABDULLAH MOHAMMED MOHAMMED
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-14
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-18
AI Technical Summary
Conventional heating systems lack advanced thermal management and smart control mechanisms, leading to high energy consumption, thermal losses, and uneven thermal distribution across large areas, with limited flexibility in switching between fuel types and integrating renewable energy sources.
A smart heating system integrating multi-fuel burners, boilers with advanced thermal management, circulation pumps, radiators, and a control unit that directs return reduced-temperature water to designated ports based on temperature measurements, ensuring efficient reheating and balanced thermal distribution.
The system achieves high energy efficiency, reduces thermal losses, ensures uniform temperature distribution, and enhances operational flexibility by minimizing energy consumption and maintaining thermal stability across large areas.
Smart Images
Figure IB2025062832_18062026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Smart Multi-Energy Heating System
[0002] Technical Field
[0003] The present invention relates to an advanced heating system designed for use in industrial, agricultural, and residential applications. Specifically, the present invention relates to a smart heating system that utilizes different types of conventional and renewable energy sources to provide a stable and efficient thermal environment in large areas. The system is characterized by an advanced thermal management mechanism for processing a return reduced-temperature water stream, wherein the said water stream is automatically directed to a designated port on a boiler according to its temperature, thereby achieving the highest levels of thermal efficiency and reducing energy losses.
[0004] Background of the Invention
[0005] Heating systems are essential for providing thermally regulated environments and ensuring continuous operation in facilities requiring large-scale heating, such as poultry farms, greenhouses, and multi-room buildings. Such systems aim to regulate the temperature across large areas to meet the diverse thermal requirements of different applications according to the needs of each facility.
[0006] Conventional heating systems often rely on limited energy sources and lack smart control technologies, which results in high energy consumption and increased thermal losses. Such systems include various approaches to generate heat, such as direct air heating by open flame, electric radiators, central boilers for pumping hot water through thermal distribution piping, and solar-based heating systems. Several prior technologies have disclosed systems of this type. For example, CN Patent No. 114508784 discloses a multi-source heat supply system. The said system comprises a wind turbine, a photovoltaic power generation unit, a storage battery, a solar thermal collector, a geothermal heat pump, an electric boiler, a heat storage water tank, a heat exchanger, and a control system. The control system includes a central unit equipped with a central computational algorithm unit that relies on sensors data and uses the results as reference values for a sub-control unit to adjust power output and automatically control an outlet valve of the boiler.
[0007] Similarly, CN Utility Model No. 215112835 discloses a multi-source complementary heating system that gradually exploits different energy sources. This system comprises a coal- fired steam boiler, a steam turbine, a heat recovery mechanism for exhausted steam, a heat recovery mechanism for flue gas from a first level and a second level, a wastewater heat recovery mechanism, and circulation mechanisms within a thermal-distribution network at near and far ends, in addition to a gas boiler serving as an auxiliary thermal energy source.
[0008] Further, EP Patent Application Publication No. 4092162 discloses a multi-fuel boiler comprising a burner configured to receive and mix a fuel with an oxidizer; a heat exchanger positioned near the burner and adapted for connection to a piping, wherein the heat exchanger receives a fluid to be heated and sends the heated fluid from and to the said piping; and an electrolysis device connected to the burner and configured to generate gaseous hydrogen to feed the burner with the produced gaseous hydrogen as a fuel.
[0009] Despite the importance of these systems, they primarily focus on integrating multiple energy sources without providing advanced thermal management mechanisms or comprehensive smart control, and fail to provide effective solutions for reducing thermal losses or ensuring uniform thermal distribution across large areas. Moreover, the conventional heating systems exhibit limited operational flexibility, hindering smooth switching between different fuel types or achieving full integration with renewable energy sources.
[0010] Accordingly, a pressing need remains to develop an innovative heating system that combines multi-source operation, renewable energy integration, and smart control, together with an advanced management mechanism for processing the return reduced-temperature water stream and directing the same into the boiler in a manner that reduces thermal losses and achieves uniform and stable heat distribution. This development represents a significant advancement over conventional systems, providing a practical and economical solution that enhances operational efficiency and ensures safer and more reliable performance across various practical applications.
[0011] Summary of the Invention
[0012] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a smart heating system utilizing multienergy sources designed to efficiently heat large areas by integrating both air and water heating within a closed heating cycle. The system comprises a multi-fuel burner equipped with an igniter and a combustion chamber in which different types of fuel are ignited to generate a flame used to heat air and water inside a boiler. The boiler comprises a large tube through which the flame passes to generate hot air streams, in addition to a set of small tubes that receive the hot air streams to heat surrounding water supplied through a filling port in the boiler, thereby producing hot water that is delivered through a piping into the areas to be heated, ensuring high energy efficiency and achieving suitable thermal distribution.
[0013] The said system further comprises a circulation pump configured to drive the water via the closed heating cycle by pumping the hot water through a supply piping extending into the areas to be heated. Within these areas, there are radiators that receive the hot water and transfer its heat to the surrounding air to increase the air temperature and produce hot air. The heated air is efficiently distributed by fans provided on the radiators. After transferring heat from the hot water to the surrounding air, the hot water loses some of its heat and becomes reduced- temperature water, which returns through a return piping to the boiler via a main pipe equipped with a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the return water before entering the boiler. The main pipe branches into five ports, each provided with a flow valve configured to control the opening and closing of the respective port. Each port corresponds to a temperature sensor disposed on the boiler at a respective port level to measure the temperature of the water inside the boiler. Based on these measurements, the return water is directed to a designated port having a temperature closest to that of the return water, ensuring efficient reheating and achieving balanced thermal distribution inside the boiler.
[0014] To ensure safe and reliable operation, the system further comprises an expansion tank designed to relieve excess pressure resulting from hot water expansion, and a safety valve to release overpressure. The system also comprises a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, and a pressure switch for continuously monitoring operating conditions, enabling early detection of any abnormal changes in pressure or temperature, and shutting down the system if predetermined threshold limits are exceeded. Further, a control unit manages the system components in an integrated manner, including controlling the flow valves and the safety valve, and activating or shutting down the heating system as needed, thereby ensuring consistent performance, safe operation, and high efficiency under various operating conditions.
[0015] Brief Description of the Drawings
[0016] The present invention will be illustrated, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0017] Figure 1: shows a schematic diagram of the smart heating system according to the present invention. Figure 2: shows a three-dimensional perspective view of the boiler equipped with five ports according to the present invention.
[0018] Figure 3: shows an exploded view of the boiler components according to the present invention.
[0019] Figure 4: shows a perspective view of the heat exchanger provided inside the boiler according to the present invention.
[0020] Detailed Description
[0021] Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0022] Numerous details relating to the components, features, and applications of the present invention are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
[0023] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of the smart heating system (100) according to the present invention. The system comprises a multi-fuel burner (101) for igniting different types of fuels and to generate a flame; a boiler (102) comprising a large tube for receiving and discharging the flame for heating air inside the boiler and generating hot air streams, and small tubes through which the hot air streams pass to heat water surrounding the small tubes, thereby producing hot water; a circulation pump (103) configured to drive the water through the closed heating cycle, via pumping the hot water through a hot water supply piping (104) extending into the areas to be heated; radiators (105) configured to receive the hot water pumped by the circulation pump and to transfer heat from the hot water to the surrounding air, thereby producing reduced-temperature water and heated surrounding air; fans (106) provided on the radiators to distribute the heated surrounding air across the large areas to be heated; a return piping (107) for the reduced-temperature water to be returned to the boiler for reheating; and a control unit (108) configured to monitor the system components and control a set of valves and sensors integrated within the system to ensure operational efficiency.
[0024] The multi-fuel burner (101) is equipped with an igniter and a combustion chamber designed to ignite multiple types of fuels, including liquid and gaseous fuels such as diesel, heavy fuel oil, gasoline, waste oil, or natural gas. The burner produces a continuous high-temperature flame, which is directed into the boiler (102) to maximize the utilization of the generated heat, minimize thermal losses, and improve fuel combustion efficiency.
[0025] Figure 2 shows a three-dimensional perspective view of the boiler equipped with five ports according to the present invention. The boiler (102) comprises a heat exchanger (306) (shown in Figure 3) including a large tube (401) (shown in Figure 4) through which the flame passes to generate hot air streams, in addition to a set of small tubes (402) (shown in Figure 4) through which the hot air streams pass to transfer heat to the surrounding water, thereby producing hot water for distribution in the system. After the hot air streams lose a significant portion of their heat, they continue to pass along their path toward a chimney (211) dedicated to discharging these streams and exhaust gases resulting from the combustion process. In this way, the system maintains a high level of operational safety and reduces the accumulation of harmful gases. The heat exchanger is made of corrosion-resistant materials with high thermal conductivity to ensure efficient heat transfer between the heating medium and the water inside the boiler. Water is supplied through a filling port (209) configured to feed the boiler (102) with water, and the boiler is cleaned through a cleaning port (210) provided also on the boiler.
[0026] The boiler (102) is typically made of heat and pressure resistant steel with predetermined thicknesses to withstand high operating temperatures and pressures, in accordance with technical standards for pressure vessels to ensure high durability and operational safety under various working conditions. As shown in Figure 3, the boiler has an upper outer shell (301) and a lower outer shell (302), in addition to a front cover (303) and a rear cover (304) designed to facilitate opening and routine maintenance operations. The boiler is also provided with lifting rings (305) mounted in a manner that allows safe transportation using industrial lifting equipment without affecting the body of the boiler or its components.
[0027] The system further comprises a circulation pump (103) designed to provide stable and constant pressure, ensuring the continuous flow of water via the closed heating cycle. The circulation pump efficiently drives the hot water to feed the hot water supply piping (104) extending into the areas to be heated. These pipes are manufactured from heat and pressure resistant materials, which reduce heat loss during transportation and extend the lifespan of the piping. The flexible design of the said pipes allows expansion and adaptation to different spaces without affecting the efficiency of hot water flow.
[0028] Further, the system comprises radiators (105) configured to receive the hot water and efficiently transfer heat to the surrounding air, resulting in reduced-temperature water and heated surrounding air. To enhance uniform distribution of the heated air, the radiators are equipped with fans (106) capable of pushing and evenly distributing the air, with an ability to dynamically adjust fan speed according to the requirements of the facility and operating conditions. This smart control system ensures balanced thermal distribution, reduces the occurrence of hot or cold spots within the facility, improves energy consumption efficiency, enhances thermal adequacy of the surrounding environment, shortens the time required to reach target temperatures, and reduces stress on the heating system and its components.
[0029] After transferring the heat from the hot water to the surrounding air, the hot water loses a portion of its heat, resulting in reduced-temperature water which returns to the boiler (102) through a return piping (107) that converges into a main pipe to return the reduced-temperature water to the boiler (102). The main pipe is equipped with a temperature sensor (212) to measure the temperature of the reduced-temperature water before entering the boiler, and branches into five ports (205a, 205b, 205c, 205d, 205e) arranged at specific heights on the boiler (102), the said ports are connected to five flow valves (206a, 206b, 206c, 206d, 206e), respectively, configured to open or close the ports, and five temperature sensors (207a, 207b, 207c, 207d, 207e) disposed on the boiler (102) opposite the said ports to measure the temperature of water inside the boiler at the corresponding port, wherein the reduced-temperature water is directed to a designated port having a temperature closest to that of the reduced-temperature water for being reheated.
[0030] The system further comprises an expansion tank (201) mounted on the boiler (102) and configured to accommodate volume changes of the water resulting from thermal expansion, thereby reducing pressure on the piping and other components and extending the system’s lifespan. The system also comprises a safety valve (204) that automatically releases excess pressure to ensure safe operation and prevent damage to the components, in addition to a pressure switch (213) that shuts down the system when the pressure exceeds a predetermined operating pressure value. The system also includes pressure sensors (203) and temperature sensors (202) for monitoring system pressure and temperature.
[0031] To centrally manage all system components, a control unit (108) is provided to manage all the system units and control the activation or shutdown of the system. The control unit can be operated manually or wirelessly via computer applications or programs, providing high operational flexibility and temperature control according to user requirements.
[0032] Additionally, the system comprises electric heaters (208) powered by direct current generated from solar energy or turbines, to support operation in emergency situations or provide additional heating when needed, thereby reducing reliance on conventional fuels and improving the overall energy efficiency of the system.
[0033] Working Examples The present invention is characterized in that the smart heating system is designed to work in accordance with precise thermodynamic principles, ensuring that water remains in a liquid state even at elevated temperatures of up to 150 °C within the closed heating cycle. This is achieved by implementing rigorous pressure management, based on an innovative engineering design of the expansion tank and the boiler.
[0034] Upon filling the boiler with water, nitrogen gas is injected into the expansion tank at an initial pressure of 300 kPa (3 bar). Subsequently, when the burner is turned on, the water temperature gradually increases, causing a corresponding increase in pressure within the boiler due to its fixed volume. Before the water temperature reaches 100 °C (the boiling point at an atmospheric pressure of 100 kPa (1 bar)), the pressure inside the boiler has already increased to approximately 200 kPa (2 bar). As a result, the boiling point of the water increases, preventing it from vaporizing. This effect relies on the well-established scientific principle that the boiling point of water increases as the pressure increases. For example, at a pressure of 100 kPa (1 bar), the boiling point of water is approximately 100 °C; at 200 kPa (2 bar), the boiling point is about 120 °C; at 300 kPa (3 bar), the boiling point is approximately 133.5 °C; and at 500 kPa (5 bar), the boiling point is around 152 °C. Therefore, as the pressure increases, the boiling point of the water increases, ensuring that it does not vaporize. When the pressure reaches approximately 300 kPa (3 bar), the water begins to expand. This expansion is gradually accommodated by the expansion tank without causing sudden changes in pressure, thereby maintaining a relatively stable pressure and allowing the water to absorb additional heat without vaporizing.
[0035] Accordingly, the system’s operating pressure is set within a range of 300 to 500 kPa (3 to 5 bar), ensuring that the water remains in the liquid state even when its temperature increases above 100 °C within the closed heating cycle. The expansion tank, filled with nitrogen gas treated as an approximately ideal gas, regulates its pressure according to the ideal gas law, as follows:
[0036] PixVi = P2xV2 where:
[0037] Pi: the initial pressure of the gas within the expansion tank,
[0038] Vi: the initial volume of the gas,
[0039] P2: the final pressure, after the water has been expanded and a portion of it has been transferred into the expansion tank,
[0040] V2: the final volume of the gas after being compressed due to the inflow of water.
[0041] As the volume of nitrogen gas in the expansion tank is reduced by half, the pressure increases gradually to approximately 600 kPa (6 bar), thereby preventing the water from vaporizing as its temperature increases. Consequently, this design enables high-temperature operation within a closed heating cycle without boiling, avoiding sudden vaporization and the resulting steam impacts that may threaten system safety. The design also ensures that the quantity of water within the heating cycle is maintained without loss or wastage, thereby enhancing the overall thermal efficiency of the system, reducing fuel consumption, and significantly improving operational performance.
[0042] According to the present invention, the boiler is further characterized by inclusion of five ports for return reduced-temperature water, wherein the said ports are arranged vertically to establish a temperature gradient within the boiler. In the stable operating condition, the hottest water accumulates at the upper part while the cooler water settles at the lower part, forming five semi-stable thermal layers that gradually descend from top to bottom. Despite the temperature differences at these ports, the pressure remains constant across all of them, since they belong to the same closed cycle and are subjected to the same nominal operating pressure.
[0043] To ensure the selection of the most suitable port for receiving the return water, the boiler is equipped with five temperature sensors at different heights to continuously measure the temperature at different thermal layers corresponding to the level of the ports. Thereby, the control unit compares the return water temperature with the temperatures measured at the five ports, then opens the port whose temperature most closely matches the return water temperature, enabling gradual thermal mixing that minimizes heat loss and enhances efficiency.
[0044] The nature of the temperature gradient inside the boiler can be illustrated as follows:
[0045] Lower port: represents the coldest water layer in the boiler, typically with a temperature close to that of the return water at the beginning of operation.
[0046] Upper port: represents the highest thermal layer in the boiler, having a temperature near to the target heating temperature.
[0047] Intermediate ports: reflect the layers with transitional temperatures, which separate the cold water at the bottom and the hot water at the top, allowing precise monitoring of the thermal stratification and supporting the control unit in selecting the most appropriate port.
[0048] This temperature gradient results from thermal stratification phenomenon in the boiler, as illustrated below:
[0049] A. hot region (upper part)
[0050] As the water in contact with the small tubes is heated, its density decreases and the water rises due to natural convection, causing the lighter, hotter water to accumulate at the upper part of the boiler, forming the hottest region within the boiler.
[0051] B. thermal-jump region (at the level of the small tubes) The highest heat transfer rates occur as water contacts the small tubes within the boiler, creating a transitional region characterized by a steep and rapid temperature increase. This region represents the boundary between the hotter water at the top and the cooler water at the bottom.
[0052] C. cold region (lower part)
[0053] The denser and relatively cooler water accumulates beneath the small tubes. Due to the upward direction of the convective currents, heat transfer to the boiler’s bottom is limited. As a result, the water in this region remains the coldest within the boiler, its temperature rising primarily through the slow conduction of heat from the warmer layers above.
[0054] To select the optimal port through which the return water enters, the smart control unit employs a thermal matching principle. The return water temperature (TRetum) is measured and compared with the temperatures, (Ti, T2, T3, T4, T5), at the five port levels. The port exhibiting the minimal temperature difference between (TRetum) and (Ti, T2, T3, T4, T5) is selected. This ensures that the return water enters a layer already at approximately the same temperature, thereby preventing any disturbance or disruption to the boiler’s thermal layer.
[0055] The significance of the five ports in the boiler lies in their ability to preserve thermal stratification, thereby minimizing the energy required to reheat the water. The main benefit lies in reducing the necessary heating differential, as the return water entering the boiler only needs to be heated to the target temperature. By contrast, in the conventional system with a single bottom port, the return water, typically at a low temperature (e.g., 30 °C), is introduced into the boiler’s bottom, which is extremely cold. As a result, the boiler must heat this water up to the target temperature (e.g., 80 °C), creating a heating differential of up to 50 °C and leading to substantial energy consumption.
[0056] In the boiler of the present invention, return water at a temperature of 55 °C is introduced through a port corresponding approximately to a thermal layer at 56 °C. Under these conditions, the water only requires to be heated from 56 °C to 80 °C, i.e. a temperature increase of approximately 24 °C, which significantly reduces energy consumption.
[0057] Minimizing the required heating differential yields direct advantages for the system, enabling instant energy savings since the boiler operates for a shorter duration and at reduced power. It also preserves the efficiency of thermal storage, as the upper hot layer remains intact and unmixed with the return reduced-temperature water, making the stored energy immediately available for use without additional heating.
[0058] The presence of five ports further enhances the preservation of thermal stratification and minimizes destructive mixing between the layers. When only two ports are available, the return water is introduced into a layer with a temperature differing by more than 10 °C from the water, causing disruption of the layers and cooling of the upper hot water. In contrast, when five ports are provided, the return water is introduced into a layer at a temperature close to its own, thus reducing thermal losses. Furthermore, the multiple-port design enhances the availability of thermal energy, as the hot upper layer remains confined and unmixed with cold water, thereby improving thermal storage efficiency and ensuring that the energy is immediately available for use. The design also allows significant flexibility under fluctuating thermal loads. For instance, the return water temperature may be 50 °C in the morning and 35 °C at night, while the control unit remains capable to direct the water into the appropriate layer, without affecting the thermal stratification or system efficiency.
[0059] Tables 1, 2, and 3 illustrate the distribution of the ports and the estimated temperatures at their respective levels when heating to 80 °C, 100 °C, and 120 °C, respectively. Table 1 (target heating temperature is 80 °C) Table 2 (target heating temperature is 100 °C) Table 3 (target heating temperature is 120 °C) The heating system of the present invention exhibits significant improvements in operational efficiency over conventional systems, reducing heat losses, enhancing the distribution of thermal energy, stabilizing temperatures, and lowering fuel and electricity consumption, rendering it particularly suitable for use in industrial plants and agricultural facilities, such as nurseries and poultry farms.
Claims
CLAIMS1- A smart heating system (100) designed for heating large areas via a closed water heating cycle, comprising: a) a multi-fuel burner (101) comprising an igniter configured to ignite liquid or gaseous fuel and a combustion chamber where the liquid or gaseous fuel is combusted to generate a flame; b) a boiler (102) comprising a large tube (401) adapted to receive and discharge the flame for heating air inside the boiler and generating hot air streams, and small tubes (402) through which the hot air streams pass to heat water surrounding the small tubes, the water being supplied to the boiler through a filling port (209) for producing hot water; c) a circulation pump (103) configured to drive the water through the closed water heating cycle via pumping the hot water through a hot water supply piping (104) extending into the large areas to be heated; d) radiators (105) configured to receive the hot water pumped by the circulation pump (103) and to transfer heat from the hot water to the surrounding air, thereby producing reduced- temperature water and heated surrounding air; e) fans (106) provided on the radiators (105) to distribute the heated surrounding air across the large areas to be heated; f) a return piping (107) for reduced-temperature water, converging into a main pipe to return the reduced-temperature water to the boiler (102), wherein the main pipe is equipped with a temperature sensor (212) to measure the temperature of the reduced-temperature water before entering the boiler and branches into five ports (205a, 205b, 205c, 205d, 205e) arranged at specific heights on the boiler (102), the said ports are connected to five flow valves (206a, 206b, 206c, 206d, 206e), respectively, configured to open or close the ports, and five temperature sensors (207a, 207b, 207c, 207d, 207e) disposed on the boiler (102) opposite the said ports to measure thetemperature of water inside the boiler at the corresponding port, wherein the reduced-temperature water is directed to a designated port having a temperature closest to that of the reduced- temperature water for being reheated; g) an expansion tank (201) adapted to relieve overpressure resulting from hot water expansion; h) a safety valve (204) configured to release overpressure; i) a pressure sensor (203) and a temperature sensor (202) for measuring system pressure and temperature; j) a pressure switch (213) configured to shut down the system when the pressure exceeds a predetermined operating pressure value; and k) a control unit (108) configured to activate or shut down the smart heating system (100) by control and monitoring the system components (a-j).2- The smart heating system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the boiler (102) is designed with a total height of 1 meter.3- The smart heating system (100) according to claim 2, wherein the five ports (205a, 205b, 205c, 205d, 205e) are arranged on the boiler (102) at specific heights from the bottom of the boiler at 0.75 m, 0.60 m, 0.45 m, 0.30 m, and 0.15 m, respectively.4- The smart heating system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the system is operated at a nominal pressure from 300 to 500 kilopascals (3 to 5 bar).5- The smart heating system (100) according to claim 1 further comprising a chimney (211) to discharge exhaust gases.6- The smart heating system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the liquid or gaseous fuel includes waste oil, diesel, heavy fuel oil, gasoline, or gas.7- The smart heating system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the boiler (102) is manufactured from heat and pressure resistant steel. 8- The smart heating system (100) according to claim 1 further comprising electric heaters(208) powered by direct current generated from solar energy or turbines.9- The smart heating system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (108) is operable manually or wirelessly through computer applications or programs.10- The smart heating system (100) according to claim 1 for use in poultry farms and agricultural nurseries.