Heat Exchanger Buffer Storage for On-Demand Hot Water Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchanger systems experience significant energy wastage due to continuous circulation of heated water, especially in non-permanent or low-demand scenarios, leading to thermal and hygienic issues, as well as high operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows the auxiliary liquid to flow only when needed, storing thermal energy near the heat exchanger and using thermostatic mixers to control temperature, enabling efficient and immediate heating of drinking water without continuous circulation, thus reducing energy losses and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If continuous circulation of heated water is used in heat exchanger systems, then hot water is quickly available at extraction points, but significant thermal energy losses occur in supply lines
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-heats water in storage tanks using waste heat from the cooling process before it is needed. This preliminary heating action eliminates the need for continuous circulation of hot water through supply lines, as water is already prepared and stored at the required temperature near the extraction points.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary storage tank system that decouples the heat exchanger from the hot water supply lines. Instead of directly circulating heated water through long supply lines, the system uses storage tanks as intermediaries to hold pre-heated water, eliminating thermal losses in the supply lines while maintaining quick availability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If heat exchanger stations are installed close to extraction points to reduce thermal losses, then hygienic problems are avoided, but energy is wasted due to constant circulation of heating water
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces continuous circulation with periodic action by using storage tanks that are filled and heated only when needed. The decoupling mechanism allows the heat exchanger to operate intermittently, filling storage tanks on demand rather than maintaining constant circulation, thereby eliminating energy waste while keeping water fresh and hygienic.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the water supply system into separate storage tanks for different purposes (pre-heated water, cold water mixing). This segmentation allows each tank to be independently managed and filled only when needed, eliminating the need for continuous circulation of heating water while maintaining hygienic conditions through controlled, demand-based filling.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If electric instantaneous water heaters are used to heat drinking water outside heating period, then continuous hot water supply is achieved, but operational costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the temperature parameter of water by utilizing waste heat from the cooling process to pre-heat water in storage tanks. This parameter change (from cold to pre-heated) is achieved using otherwise wasted thermal energy, eliminating the need for expensive electric heating while maintaining continuous hot water supply capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful waste heat from the cooling process into a beneficial resource for pre-heating drinking water. By capturing and utilizing this otherwise wasted thermal energy, the system eliminates the need for expensive electric instantaneous heating while providing continuous hot water supply, turning a disadvantage into an advantage.
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 system ensures continuous and efficient heating of drinking water with reduced energy consumption, minimizing thermal energy losses and maintaining hygiene by eliminating the need for continuous water circulation, thereby optimizing energy use and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
system for transferring thermal energy from an auxiliary liquid as a thermal energy emitter to a colder liquid to be heated as a thermal energy receiver with the help of at least one heat transfer device
Implementation Method 2
a quantity of thermal energy through the auxiliary liquid serving as a thermal energy emitter is made available and stored for storage, preferably in the vicinity of the heat transfer device
Data Source
AI summary
When supplying warm drinking water, heat exchangers are often used, which heat the cold drinking water with the help of warm heating water. Although warm drinking water is only needed rarely and for a short period of time, in such systems, very warm heating water, originating from the central heating system, must constantly circulate through each heat exchanger, even outside the heating period. This causes very high thermal energy losses and also puts a lot of strain on the central heating system all year round. The minimum temperature of the heating water required for this is also very high all year round and cannot be reduced accordingly even when the outside temperatures are warm, which means that the aforementioned energy losses during circulation - i.e. only for the provision - outside of the heating period account for a particularly large proportion of the total energy consumption, which usually is significantly higher than the actual energy requirement for heating the hot drinking water that is actually drawn off. Due to the advantages of the system according to the invention, it is possible that warm heating water only needs to flow into the pipe system when warm drinking water is required. In addition, this is not necessary for every small withdrawal of warm drinking water, which is made possible by providing a buffer quantity. A specifically accelerated flow of the heating water and other properties of the system according to the invention can, if necessary, also set the heating water temperature to be lower. The system according to the invention can be easily retrofitted in existing buildings. Furthermore, the system according to the invention can be used in any systems with heat exchangers that do not work permanently under full load, regardless of whether the system is used to supply or discharge thermal energy. It therefore applies to both heating and cooling systems which transport thermal energy with the help of liquid and heat exchangers.