Expanded Graphite Panel for Concrete Thermal Storage Retrofitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature control systems for buildings, especially in old structures, face challenges such as the inability to utilize concrete mass for thermal storage without embedded pipes, high installation costs, potential damage to embedded pipes, and slow thermal response times, limiting energy efficiency and retrofitting possibilities.
Innovation Solution
A temperature control system utilizing graphite plates with embedded pipes, which are thermally conductive and can be easily attached to concrete or brick surfaces, allowing for thermal energy storage and release without the need for extensive pipe installation, enabling quick and delayed heating or cooling responses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pipelines are embedded in concrete ceilings or walls for thermal activation, then thermal energy can be stored and released with time delay, but the installation is limited to new buildings and repairs are difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the thermal storage function into two independent parts: the concrete mass (providing thermal storage capacity) and the pipeline system (providing thermal activation). The pipelines are installed in ceiling elements that attach to the concrete surface rather than being embedded in it, allowing the concrete to remain intact and usable for thermal storage while enabling easy installation and maintenance of the pipeline system.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipeline system is extracted from the concrete structure itself and placed in separate ceiling elements that attach to the concrete surface. This extraction allows the concrete mass to retain its thermal storage function without the complications of embedded pipelines, while still enabling thermal activation through the attached elements.
2Quantity of substance
If pipelines are embedded in concrete, then thermal energy storage is achieved, but the concrete mass cannot be used for storage cooling at night due to thermal separation
Solution Approach 1:
A thermally conductive plate is introduced as an intermediary between the pipeline and the concrete mass. This plate enhances thermal coupling, allowing efficient heat transfer between the cooling medium in the pipeline and the concrete storage mass, enabling the concrete to be effectively cooled at night for subsequent daytime cooling of the room.
3Ease of operation
If ceiling elements cover the ceiling surface for temperature control, then direct thermal radiation and convection occur, but the ceiling mass cannot be used for thermal storage
Solution Approach 1:
The ceiling element is designed with differentiated thermal properties in different regions: a thermally conductive plate in contact with the concrete mass for efficient heat transfer, and a thermally insulating backing layer facing the room to prevent direct thermal radiation from the ceiling surface. This local differentiation allows the concrete mass to be used for thermal storage while still providing effective temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The ceiling element uses thin, flexible thermal management layers (conductive plate and insulating backing) that can be attached to the ceiling surface without requiring structural modification. These thin layers enable thermal control while preserving the thermal storage capacity of the underlying concrete mass.
4Reliability
If pipelines are embedded in concrete ceilings, then thermal activation is achieved, but the installation is very time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the thermal activation infrastructure into modular ceiling elements with pre-installed pipelines and thermally conductive plates. These standardized modules can be quickly attached to the ceiling surface without time-consuming concrete work, significantly accelerating installation while maintaining reliable thermal activation functionality.
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 allows for efficient energy use by leveraging the concrete mass for thermal storage, providing rapid and sustained temperature adjustments, and can be retrofitted in old buildings, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing installation complexities.
Implementation Method 1
The element (10) is a plate (1) which contains expanded graphite or consists entirely of expanded graphite... The plate (1) is bonded to the surface (11) of the structural element (5)... allowing for thermal energy storage and release
Implementation Method 2
The thermal energy stored in the heating or cooling medium, which is routed through the pipes, is dissipated via a frame or paneling of the ceiling or wall elements into the room to be tempered by thermal radiation and free convection
Implementation Method 3
The thermal energy stored in the heating or cooling medium, which is routed through the pipes, is dissipated via a frame or paneling of the ceiling or wall elements into the room to be tempered by thermal radiation and free convection
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for tempering a chamber, comprising at least one component (5) which forms a thermal accumulator and has a surface (11) oriented towards the chamber, in addition to tubes (9) thermally coupled to the component (5), which can be traversed by means of a heating or cooling medium. According to the invention, said tubes (9) are integrated into a panel (1) containing expanded graphite or made of expanded graphite and said panel (1) is in flat thermal contact with the surface (11) of the component oriented towards the chamber.