Heat exchanger module and methods of using thereof
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Geothermal heat exchangers face issues with maintainability, replaceability, complex pipe installation, and time-consuming construction, limiting their application in various built environments.
Innovation Solution
A modular, flexible, and recyclable heat exchanger module designed as a coating or covering that can be easily installed, maintained, and replaced, utilizing geothermal energy or waste heat, with a flexible structure and efficient thermal conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional geothermal heat exchangers are installed using rigid piping circuits embedded in grouting material or concrete, then heat exchange functionality is achieved, but maintainability and replaceability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is divided into modular segments that can be independently installed, maintained, and replaced. Each module contains integrated piping circuits within flexible support structures, allowing individual modules to be accessed and serviced without disrupting the entire system, thus improving maintainability while preserving heat exchange functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from rigid embedded piping to flexible support structures that allow the heat exchanger to be dynamically assembled, disassembled, and reconfigured. This dynamic approach enables easy maintenance and replacement of individual components while maintaining effective heat exchange through the flexible thermal contact surfaces.
2Stability of the object's composition
If pipes are fixed or embedded in rigid and non-modular elements during construction, then structural stability is achieved, but installation complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses flexible support structures with integrated piping circuits instead of rigid embedded pipes. These flexible structures provide sufficient structural stability for heat exchange applications while being modular and easy to install, significantly reducing installation complexity and time compared to traditional rigid embedding methods.
3Reliability
If piping circuits are installed during construction of geothermal heat exchangers, then heat exchange capability is established, but construction time increases and critical path is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger modules are pre-assembled with integrated piping circuits in a modular format before installation. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid deployment during construction without requiring time-consuming on-site pipe embedding and grouting operations, thus establishing heat exchange capability quickly while minimizing impact on construction critical path.
4Ease of operation
If modular and mechanical rigidity are increased in heat exchange devices, then ease of installation and maintenance improve, but thermal conductivity and heat exchange efficiency may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs composite structures combining flexible support materials with high thermal conductivity elements. The flexible support provides ease of installation and maintenance, while integrated thermally conductive materials ensure efficient heat transfer, thus achieving both modular ease of operation and reliable thermal conductivity simultaneously.
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
Enables efficient, continuous, and environmentally friendly heat exchange in built environments with minimal installation time and cost, suitable for various surfaces and temperatures, providing renewable energy solutions.
Implementation Method 1
Underground temperature is nearly constant throughout the year, being lower in the summer compared to the outside temperature, and higher in the winter than the outside temperature. In shallow geothermal systems, advantage is taken of this approximately constant temperature to achieve a favourable heat exchange between the ground (i.e. the primary circuit) and any type of built environment (i.e. the secondary circuit) via the circulation of the heat carrier fluid
Implementation Method 2
a heat carrier fluid circulates in a closed piping circuit embedded in the heat exchanger to transfer the ground heat to any built environment via the use of pumps and/or heat pumps
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention provides in one embodiment a heat exchanger module (1) comprising a) a flexible support (100); b) at least one tubular member (200) having its main axis substantially parallel with the plane of the flexible support (100); c) a conductive flexible matrix (300) embedding the at least one tubular member (200); and d) a flexible case (400) enwrapping the flexible support (100), the at least one tubular member (200) and the conductive flexible matrix (300). A coating for a built environment comprising a plurality of heat exchanger modules (1) can be implemented, as well as a system further including pumping means (600). The invention also foresees a method for providing heat exchange processes between the heat exchanger module (1), the coating or the system of the invention and a built environment.