Cold Water Circulation Cooling to Prevent Microbial Growth Below 25°C
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circulation systems fail to maintain water temperature below the desired level across all partial sections and times, particularly in cold water networks, due to factors like thermal influences and inadequate insulation, leading to potential microbial growth and non-compliance with temperature regulations.
Innovation Solution
A method that calculates and adjusts water temperature and volume flow using a model of axial temperature change, ensuring the water temperature remains below the set limit by determining the temperature change between initial and end regions of each partial section, with adjustments made to the cooling device and circulation pump to maintain optimal conditions, eliminating the need for sensors and reducing system oscillations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cooling device is installed in the circulation system to maintain water temperature below +25°C, then microbial growth is prevented and regulatory compliance is achieved, but the system complexity increases and energy consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation system uses the existing hot water circulation infrastructure to cool the cold water. The hot water acts as a cooling medium, absorbing heat from the cold water through heat exchangers, thereby preventing microbial growth without requiring external cooling systems. This self-service approach reduces device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hot water circulation system serves dual functions: it maintains hot water supply and simultaneously cools the cold water circulation. By utilizing the same circulation pump, pipes, and control systems for both hot and cold water cooling, the system reduces overall complexity while achieving the temperature control needed to prevent microbial growth.
2Reliability
If forced flushing is performed to prevent stagnation and maintain temperature compliance, then microbial growth is inhibited, but water consumption increases and energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of periodic forced flushing, the system implements continuous cooling of the circulating water through heat exchangers. This continuous action maintains water temperature below +25°C throughout the circulation system, preventing microbial growth without the need for wasteful flushing operations. The cooling operates continuously at low energy levels rather than intermittently at high energy levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter of the circulating water by using heat exchangers to transfer heat from cold water to hot water. This parameter change maintains the cold water temperature within the safe range (<+25°C) to prevent microbial growth, replacing the need for forced flushing while improving energy efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors are installed in each partial section to ensure temperature compliance, then temperature monitoring precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses temperature sensors at key locations (inlet and outlet of heat exchangers, and at tapping points) to provide feedback to the control unit. The control unit adjusts the circulation flow and cooling intensity based on this feedback to maintain temperature compliance. This targeted feedback approach achieves sufficient monitoring precision without requiring sensors in every partial section.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of installing sensors in every partial section (excessive action), the system places sensors at strategically chosen locations that provide sufficient information about the overall temperature distribution. The cooling system is designed with adequate capacity to handle the warmest sections, ensuring temperature compliance even without continuous monitoring of every location.
4Reliability
If the cold water circulation flow rate is increased to prevent stagnation, then microbial growth is prevented, but energy consumption of the circulation pump increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the temperature parameter of the circulating water through heat exchangers, allowing the water to be cooled effectively even at lower flow rates. By maintaining the water temperature below +25°C through thermal management rather than high-velocity flow, the system prevents microbial growth while minimizing pump energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation system operates continuously at an optimized flow rate that prevents stagnation without requiring excessive pumping power. The continuous operation of the circulation pump at moderate speeds, combined with continuous cooling, maintains temperature compliance and prevents microbial growth more efficiently than intermittent high-speed flushing.
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 approach effectively maintains water temperature within regulatory limits across all sections of the circulation system, ensuring compliance with temperature requirements and achieving greater energy efficiency, as demonstrated by simulations on existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling device (12) with an input port (12a) and an output port (12b) for the cooling of water
Implementation Method 2
a circulation pump (10b) for the circulation of the water in the circulation conduit (10a)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a circulation system comprising a cooling device with an input port and an output port for cooling water. The invention also relates to a circulation system for implementing said method.