Domotic Plumbing Control System for Water and Energy Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water control systems for plumbing installations are inefficient in reducing water and energy consumption, detecting leaks, controlling Legionella bacteria, and optimizing hot water usage, and lack user interaction and adaptive functionality.
Innovation Solution
A modular water control system comprising power, joining, initiator, IoT communication, and control modules that manage water flow, detect leaks, optimize hot water recirculation, and modify water properties, integrated with gray water utilization and user interaction for improved efficiency and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If hot water is heated on demand at consumption points, then water efficiency is improved by avoiding cold water waste, but energy consumption increases due to continuous heating operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-heats water in advance at strategic locations (such as at the water heater outlet or at intermediate points in the distribution network) so that hot water is already available when needed at consumption points. This eliminates the need for continuous on-demand heating while still providing hot water when required, thus reducing both cold water waste and unnecessary energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces intermediate storage vessels or buffers in the water distribution network that act as mediators between the water heater and consumption points. These intermediaries store pre-heated water and release it when needed, allowing the heater to operate more efficiently in batches rather than continuously, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining water efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If recirculation systems are implemented to deliver hot water quickly, then user convenience is improved, but energy consumption increases due to continuous water circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The recirculation system is made dynamic and demand-responsive rather than operating continuously. Sensors detect when hot water is needed at consumption points and trigger recirculation only at those moments. The system adjusts recirculation flow rates and activation timing based on actual user demand, weather conditions, and water temperature, thereby maintaining fast hot water delivery while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption during periods of low demand.
3Reliability
If multiple heaters are used in parallel, then hot water availability is improved, but system complexity and energy waste from idle heaters increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements intelligent feedback control that monitors water temperature, flow rates, and demand patterns at multiple points in the network. Based on this real-time data, the system automatically determines which heater(s) should be active and adjusts their operation accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that only the necessary number of heaters operate at any given time, maintaining reliable hot water availability while avoiding the complexity and energy waste of having multiple heaters always on standby.
Data Source
AI summary
A water control system for the cold and hot water plumbing installations, for consumption or heating and gray water in a home, premises or building increases water and/or energy efficiency of the installation by means of a method of operation which reduces the water consumption or energy used in its consumption and treatment. The method includes detecting and controlling water leaks, avoiding consumption of cold water which is produced while waiting for hot water to come out, reducing the energy required for consuming hot water, reducing consumption of water when it is used for the toilet together with a soap, foam or similar, measuring and controlling the proliferation of Legionella bacteria and other microorganisms, cleaning pipes and in general monitoring the control variables of a plumbing installation and its visualization and interaction by a user or a smart and autonomous IT system.