Heat Interface Unit with Integrated Ventilation Heat Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating systems, such as Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) and Heat Interface Units (HIU), suffer from inefficiencies and limitations in heat transfer and recovery, leading to wasted energy and reduced comfort in enclosed spaces.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an air to air heat exchanger and a water to water heat exchanger within a sealed housing, where the heat conduit harvests thermal energy from the water to water heat exchanger and distributes it to the air to air heat exchanger, enhancing the efficiency of both systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a water to water heat exchanger is used to extract heat from heated fluid in a district heating system, then heat can be transferred to local heating circulation, but heat loss occurs during distribution and at the heat interface unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the MVHR system and HIU system into a single integrated unit. The housing contains both the air to air heat exchanger and the water to water heat exchanger, allowing heat recovery from extracted air to directly preheat the heating water without separate distribution systems. This merging eliminates heat loss during distribution and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining energy efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If fresh air is supplied to an enclosed area, then ventilation and heat dispersion are improved, but significant heating power is required in cold climates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of the incoming fresh air by using heat recovered from the extracted indoor air through the air to air heat exchanger. This preheating action occurs before the air is supplied to the enclosed area, reducing the heating power required to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures while ensuring effective ventilation.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If traditional ventilation grilles and openings are used for air circulation, then natural ventilation is achieved, but outdoor particles and noise enter the enclosed area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an air to air heat exchanger as an intermediary between the indoor and outdoor environments. This heat exchanger allows heat transfer between extracted indoor air and incoming fresh air without direct mixing, preventing outdoor particles and noise from entering while maintaining effective ventilation. The heat exchanger acts as a mediator that enables thermal energy transfer while blocking harmful contaminants.
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 configuration improves the overall efficiency of the heating system by repurposing wasted heat from the water to water heat exchanger into the ventilation system, reducing energy consumption, and maintaining a comfortable indoor environment.
Implementation Method 1
an air to air heat exchanger for use in a ventilation system (MVHR) of an enclosed habitable space
Implementation Method 2
a water to water heat exchanger (HIU) for extracting heat from the heated fluid
Implementation Method 3
a heat conduit for conveying thermal energy in the form of air from the water to water heat exchanger to the air to air heat exchanger
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a recovery system for use with an external heating system. Wherein the system uses a ventilation channel to collect heat from around a heat exchanger (HIU) of a water heating system within an enclosed area, releasing this heat into a chamber of the ventilation system to pre-heat or post-heat the air flowing through the system. It is noted that the system may also release the collected heat into the external air within the ventilation system's heat exchanger to remove heat from the enclosed area. Utilizing this system allows heat from the water heating system that would have otherwise been wasted, to be repurposed to improve the heating of the ventilation system.