Decentralized Heat Network with Thermal Storage for Low-Demand Loss Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat distribution networks face inefficiencies due to high losses during low heat consumption periods, as the heat transfer medium must be circulated continuously, leading to increased energy expenditure and potential supply security risks.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a decentralized heat distribution system that allows heat transfer between consumers, reducing the reliance on a central heating station by using bypass valves and pumps to redirect heat, and incorporating phase change materials for storage, thereby minimizing heat losses and maintaining supply security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the heat distribution network is completely switched off during low heat consumption periods, then heat losses are reduced, but supply security is endangered because the network must be quickly restarted when heat demand arises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having consumers store heat in advance during periods of low heat demand or excess heat production. This stored heat serves as a buffer that can be quickly utilized when heat demand arises, eliminating the need for immediate network restart while maintaining supply security. The storage devices are pre-charged with thermal energy that can be rapidly deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling consumers to supply heat to each other through peer-to-peer heat transfer. When one consumer has excess heat in their storage device, they can automatically transfer it to neighboring consumers who need heat, without requiring central network intervention. This decentralized self-service mechanism maintains supply security while allowing the network to remain switched off during low-demand periods.
2Loss of energy
If the heat distribution network is temporarily switched off to reduce losses, then energy efficiency improves, but the time required to restore heat supply increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing thermal energy in consumer storage devices before the network is switched off. This advance preparation ensures that when the network restarts or when heat demand arises, the stored heat is immediately available, eliminating both heat losses during off-peak periods and delays in restoring heat supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by ensuring heat supply never completely stops. Even when the central network is switched off, heat continues to be available through consumer storage devices and peer-to-peer transfers. This continuous availability eliminates restart delays while minimizing heat losses during low-demand periods.
3Loss of energy
If heat is transferred between consumers in a decentralized manner, then heat losses are reduced by eliminating unnecessary circulation, but system complexity increases due to peer-to-peer heat transfer coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the heat distribution system into independent consumer units with individual storage devices. Each consumer operates semi-autonomously, managing their own heat storage and transfer. This segmentation reduces overall system complexity by creating modular, manageable units while enabling efficient peer-to-peer heat transfer that minimizes heat losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling each consumer to autonomously manage heat transfer decisions based on their own storage status and neighboring consumers' needs. This decentralized self-service approach simplifies coordination by eliminating the need for centralized control of every heat transfer decision, reducing system complexity while achieving efficient heat distribution.
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 reduces heat losses during off-peak times by enabling efficient heat sharing between consumers, allowing for longer downtimes of the central heating station without compromising supply security and optimizing energy usage.
Implementation Method 1
the heat carrier can undergo a phase change at the user's location in order in this way to supply or remove latent heat. For example, the heat carrier can be steam, which condenses at the consumer's site and in this way releases the heat of vaporization
Implementation Method 2
the heat carrier can undergo a phase change at the user's location in order in this way to supply or remove latent heat
Implementation Method 3
A liquid heat carrier circulates in the pipes, mostly water, which is heated in a heating station and transported to the consumers. Heat is extracted from the heat transfer medium in the consumers
Implementation Method 4
the prior art proposes, for example, thermal insulation of the pipes of the heat distribution network in order to reduce heat losses in this way
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a heat distribution network (5) with at least one supply line (51) and at least one return line (52) and with at least one first consumer (1) and at least one second consumer (2), each of which has an associated storage device (11, 21) included, which are set up to transfer heat via the heat distribution network (5) from one consumer (1, 2) to the other consumer (2, 1). The invention also relates to a method for distributing heat within a heat distribution network (5).