Cold Water Pipe Thermal Coupling to Building Thermal Mass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water pipe systems with insulation struggle to efficiently reduce the temperature of cold water to a non-critical level for drinking water hygiene, as per regulations, without additional energy expenditure, due to limited thermal energy dissipation into load-bearing components.
Innovation Solution
A water pipe system where the peripheral wall of the cold water pipe is in thermal contact with a solid component of high heat capacity, via a thermally conductive inner shell surrounded by insulation, allowing heat transfer from the water to the solid component, which is typically at a lower temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the cold water pipe is completely encased in thermal insulation to minimize heat exchange with the environment, then heat loss to surroundings is reduced, but the ability to transfer heat to the load-bearing component is also reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The insulation is designed with a thermal window or reduced insulation section at the location where the pipe contacts the load-bearing component. This creates a local variation in thermal properties, allowing heat transfer to the component while maintaining insulation elsewhere. The insulation thickness or conductivity is specifically reduced only at the thermal contact point, not throughout the entire pipe length.
Solution Approach 2:
A thermally conductive element or medium is introduced between the pipe and the load-bearing component to facilitate heat transfer. This intermediary substance or structure acts as a thermal bridge, enabling efficient heat exchange with the component while the surrounding insulation continues to prevent heat loss to the general environment.
2Reliability
If additional cooling systems are installed to reduce water temperature to hygiene standards, then drinking water safety is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The load-bearing component itself is utilized as the cooling medium, eliminating the need for external cooling systems. The natural thermal mass and lower temperature of the building structure (walls, floors, ceilings) are harnessed to cool the water passively through thermal contact, making the system self-sufficient and energy-free.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal mass of the load-bearing component, which normally would be considered merely a structural element, is converted into a useful cooling resource. The component's natural lower temperature and high heat capacity, which are inherent properties of building structures, are exploited to achieve water cooling without additional energy input.
3Temperature
If the pipe is attached directly to the load-bearing component for heat transfer, then cooling efficiency is improved, but thermal insulation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe insulation is segmented into different sections: a first section with full insulation thickness for thermal protection, and a second section with reduced insulation or thermal window for heat transfer to the load-bearing component. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of insulation and cooling functions in different locations along the pipe.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of providing full insulation along the entire pipe length, insulation is applied partially - specifically reduced or removed only at the portion where thermal contact with the load-bearing component occurs. This partial action approach maintains overall insulation effectiveness while enabling localized heat transfer for cooling.
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 cools the cold water to a safer temperature for drinking water hygiene standards, achieving energy savings by dissipating thermal energy into the load-bearing component without additional energy expenditure.
Implementation Method 1
at least a section of the circumferential wall of the cold water pipe is in thermal contact with a solid component with high heat capacity... heat flows from the water flowing in the cold water pipe to the massive component with high heat capacity
Implementation Method 2
The insulation is designed to minimize the exchange of heat energy between the water flowing in the pipe and the surrounding environment
Implementation Method 3
Due to the high thermal mass of the component with high heat capacity, heat flows from the water flowing in the cold water pipe to the massive component with high heat capacity. A massive component can be defined as any element that is in thermal contact... and possesses a certain thermal mass
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
The water supply system comprises a cold water pipe (1) which is surrounded by insulation for thermal decoupling. The present invention aims to reduce the temperature of the cold water flowing in the water supply system to a temperature level that is not critical from a drinking water hygiene perspective. Therefore, the water supply system is characterized by the fact that a circumferential wall of the cold water pipe (1) is in thermal contact, at least partially, with a solid component of high thermal capacity. Furthermore, a composite component for enclosing a water pipe is provided, comprising an insulating shell (13) made of a thermally insulating material and a thermally conductive element (8), wherein the thermally conductive element (8) is configured to be in thermal contact with a circumferential wall section of the water pipe and forms an outer circumferential section of the composite component.