Heating system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating systems that utilize the heat from compost heaps for water heating face inefficiencies, particularly with large or unpredictably sized compost heaps, as they struggle to maintain consistent temperature and efficient heat utilization, often leading to unpredictable heating outcomes and inefficient use of generated heat.
Innovation Solution
A heating system with a continuous circulation of liquid through a network of hollow bodies and a container, where the container is placed within the compost heap to enhance heat retention and distribution, allowing for controlled temperature regulation and efficient heat utilization, even when no water is being delivered to a consumer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the water is not supplied to the consumer, then the water stands still in the heating system, but this prevents the heat generated from the composting heap from being used efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a circulation pump that continuously circulates water through the heating system even when no water is being delivered to the consumer. This ensures continuous heat transfer from the compost heap to the water, preventing heat loss and maintaining efficient heat utilization. The circulation maintains dynamic heat exchange rather than allowing static water to stand still.
2Temperature
If a large number of hollow bodies are placed inside the composting heap to increase contact area, then the heating capacity increases, but the system becomes more complex and difficult to adapt to large or unpredictably sized heaps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple hollow bodies into a single integrated container structure that can be placed within the compost heap. This merging reduces the complexity of managing multiple separate components while maintaining the total heat exchange surface area. The container serves as both a structural element and a heat exchange medium, simplifying the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The container serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural support, a heat exchange surface, and a water storage reservoir. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining effective heating capability across different compost heap sizes.
3Productivity
If the water flows quickly through the heating system, then the system responds quickly to heating demands, but the residence time is insufficient to achieve desired temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a circulation pump to dynamically control water flow through the heating system. The pump can adjust flow rates to optimize both residence time for heating and response speed to demand. This dynamic control allows the system to maintain efficient heat transfer while achieving desired temperatures, balancing speed and effectiveness.
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 system ensures consistent and efficient heating of water to the desired temperature by maintaining continuous circulation and heat distribution within the compost heap, reducing heat loss and maintaining optimal decomposition conditions, thus enhancing the overall efficiency of heat utilization from the compost heap.
Implementation Method 1
a compost heap naturally generates heat as its material decomposes due to an aerobic degradation process caused by specific microorganisms
Implementation Method 2
a compost heap naturally generates heat as its material decomposes
Implementation Method 3
The heat in the compost heap heats the hose section and this heats the water flowing in it
Implementation Method 4
The at least one heating circuit... is a heating circuit in which the liquid circulates constantly
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a heating system for heating a liquid, in particular a liquid such as water, using the heat naturally generated by the decomposing material of a compost heap (1), comprising a plurality of hollow elements (2;3;4) which are arranged within the compost heap (1), are directly in contact with the decomposing material thereof (1), and through which the liquid repeatedly flows, which liquid is to be heated, and comprising a retaining element which is arranged within the compost heap (1) and is directly in contact with the decomposing material thereof (1), wherein the hollow elements (2;3;4) are retained by means of said retaining element. According to the invention, the heating system also comprises: a container (5), wherein the only opening thereof are the openings for the inlet of the liquid into same (5) and the openings for the outlet of the liquid out of same (5); a supply line (6) having one end connected to the container (5) and the other end connected to a first opening and closing valve (V1), to which (V1) the liquid coming from a source external to the heating system is supplied, which liquid is to be heated; an out-flow line (8) having one end connected to the container (5) and the other end connected to a second opening and closing valve (V2), out of which (V2) the liquid heated in the heating system flows; pipelines (12,13,14:15,16) by means of which the hollow elements (2;3;4) are connected to the container (5), wherein the hollow elements (2;3;4) form at least one heating circuit together with the container (5) and the pipelines (12,13,14;15,16), within which the liquid circulates during the heating thereof.