Combined Boiler Heat Exchanger Layout for Faster Hot Water

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hot water and heating combination boilers take a long time to supply hot water at the desired temperature and consume excessive energy, especially when hot water usage varies, due to indirect heating of cold water in a separate heat exchanger.

Innovation Solution

A hot water-centered boiler design where cold water is directly heated by combustion gas in a main heat exchanger for quick hot water supply and indirectly heated returning water in an auxiliary heat exchanger for heating mode, with a control system to manage burner combustion and temperature control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If cold water is indirectly heated in a hot-water supply heat exchanger by using heating water heated in the main heat exchanger, then the heating water can be supplied to heating consumption places, but it takes a long time to increase the temperature of hot water to the desired temperature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehot water temperatureVSAvoidtime to heat cold water

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the heating system into two independent paths: a direct heating path for hot water supply (cold water directly heated by burner in main heat exchanger) and an indirect heating path for space heating (heating water heated by combustion heat). This segmentation allows hot water to be heated directly and quickly without waiting for heating water to be generated first.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent eliminates the intermediary heating water as the heat source for hot water heating. Instead, cold water is directly heated by combustion heat through the main heat exchanger, removing the intermediate step of heating heating water first, thereby reducing heating time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by moving object

If cold water is indirectly heated in the hot-water supply heat exchanger by using heating water heated in the main heat exchanger, then the system can supply hot water, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidhot water supply efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the hot water heating function from the heating water circulation system. By providing a direct heating path where cold water is heated by combustion heat in the main heat exchanger, the system eliminates the energy waste associated with heating heating water that would then be used to heat cold water indirectly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If the system uses a single heat exchanger for both heating and hot water supply, then the device structure is simplified, but the hot water supply speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat exchanger structureVSAvoidhot water supply speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the heat exchanger into two distinct components: a main heat exchanger for direct hot water heating and an auxiliary heat exchanger for heating water supply to heating consumption places. This structural segmentation enables simultaneous independent operation of hot water supply and space heating functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The main heat exchanger serves dual purposes: it directly heats cold water for hot water supply and also heats heating water for space heating. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain simplified structure while achieving fast hot water supply through direct heating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design allows for rapid supply of hot water at desired temperatures with reduced energy consumption, even during varying usage, by direct heating in the main heat exchanger and indirect heating in the auxiliary heat exchanger, ensuring efficient energy use and precise temperature control.

Implementation Method 1

cold water is directly heated in a main heat exchanger by combustion heat of a burner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 2

cold water is directly heated in a main heat exchanger by combustion heat of a burner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 3

water returning from a heating consumption place is indirectly heated in an auxiliary heat exchanger by using the water heated in the main heat exchanger

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentUS9945566B2Hot water-centered combined hot water and heating boiler

Publication Date: 2018.04.17 KYUNGDONG NAVIEN CO LTD

AI summary

A hot water-centered hot water and heating combination boiler includes: a cold water inflow tube through which cold water flows in; a main heat exchanger which heats the cold water flowing in through the cold water inflow tube by using the combustion heat of a burner; a hot water discharge tube which discharges the hot water heated in the main heat exchanger; an auxiliary heat exchanger which supplies heating water during a heating mode, in which heating consumption place, and causes heat exchange to occur between the heated water in the main heat exchanger and the lowered temperature returning water, in which the heating consumption place; and a control part which controls the combustion of the burner during a hot water mode and heating mode.