Drain Water Heat Recovery With Copper-PVC Composite Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drain water heat recovery devices have low thermal efficiency and high copper usage, leading to increased cost and weight, while being prone to theft and not meeting efficiency standards.
Innovation Solution
A drain water heat recovery device with a copper inner layer and PVC jacket housing, featuring a helical cut pathway for counterflow potable water, enhancing thermal transfer efficiency and reducing copper usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional copper pipe designs are used for drain water heat recovery devices, then thermal energy recovery is achieved, but the device becomes heavy, costly, and prone to theft
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining copper inner pipe with PVC outer pipe and insulating layer. The copper inner pipe maintains thermal conductivity for heat recovery, while the PVC outer pipe reduces weight and prevents theft. The insulating layer prevents heat loss to the external environment, achieving efficient thermal energy recovery with reduced weight and theft prevention.
2Loss of energy
If conventional copper pipe designs are used for drain water heat recovery devices, then thermal energy recovery is achieved, but the device becomes costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials to reduce cost while maintaining functionality. The PVC outer pipe is less expensive than copper and provides theft prevention. The insulating layer is cost-effective and prevents heat loss. This composite structure achieves thermal energy recovery at lower cost compared to all-copper designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs cheaper materials (PVC instead of copper for the outer pipe) that are sufficient for the application requirements. The PVC material is less expensive and provides additional benefits like theft prevention, making the overall device more cost-effective while maintaining adequate thermal recovery performance.
3Loss of energy
If conventional copper pipe designs are used for drain water heat recovery devices, then thermal energy recovery is achieved, but the device is prone to theft
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the outer copper pipe with PVC material that is less valuable and harder to steal. This material substitution maintains the functional requirements for thermal recovery while significantly reducing the device's attractiveness to thieves and lowering replacement costs if damage occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure with PVC outer pipe and insulating layer provides theft prevention while maintaining thermal recovery functionality. The insulating layer also prevents heat loss to the environment, ensuring that the thermal energy recovery system remains efficient and secure.
4Loss of energy
If conventional heat recovery devices are used, then basic thermal recovery is achieved, but thermal efficiency remains below 40%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials (copper inner pipe with PVC outer pipe and insulating layer) to achieve thermal efficiency above 40%. The copper inner pipe provides excellent thermal conductivity for heat transfer, while the insulating layer prevents heat loss to the external environment, maximizing the thermal energy recovery rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent improves thermal efficiency by changing the thermal parameters of the system through the insulating layer and optimized pipe configuration. The insulating layer reduces heat loss to the environment, and the copper-PVC composite structure optimizes thermal conductivity, achieving heat recovery efficiency above 40%.
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
The device achieves a thermal efficiency of up to 50% with reduced copper content, meeting CSA B55.1:20 standards and deterring theft, while maintaining effective thermal energy transfer.
Implementation Method 1
There is a need for significant improvement in thermal energy recovery by applying methods for improved thermal conduction between two opposed flowing fluids
Implementation Method 2
a third insulating layer surrounding the second outer layer
Data Source
AI summary
Various devices, systems and methods affiliated with thermal recovery using heat transfer are disclosed. More specifically, the device and systems are directed to heat recovery device and systems for enhancing thermal energy transmission between two fluids. More particularly, the recovery of energy from heated fluid including drain water from appliances. The heat recovery device includes a plurality of layers: a first layer configured as an internal conduit for a first fluid flow; a second layer on the internal conduit; and an insulating jacket housing with a helical cut pathway for a second fluid flow. The device includes a thermal 10 exchange surface, couplings/caps, attachments and support elements. The device and systems include the thermal exchange surface including copper and copper/graphene mixtures for enhanced thermal exchange and recovery.