Heat transfer station for a cold thermal network
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cold heat networks face challenges with high pressure losses and inefficient energy use due to the series connection of pumps, and standard heat pumps malfunction when the heat transfer medium temperature exceeds 20°C, leading to suboptimal operation and energy wastage.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a heat transfer station with a hydraulic switch and volume flow controller allows for quantitative separation and control of heat volume flows, ensuring optimal operation of heat pumps by decoupling them from the central network pump and adjusting temperature and volume flows based on customer-specific needs, thereby reducing power consumption and preventing pump damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If primary pumps are connected directly upstream of heat pumps as in a primary pump network, then the heat pumps can be supplied with heat transfer medium, but the pressure loss of the cold local heating network becomes too large resulting in very high power consumption of the pumps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heating network into multiple zones with separate circulation loops. Each zone has its own circulation pump that operates independently, allowing heat transfer medium to be supplied to heat pumps without creating excessive pressure losses in a single large loop. This segmentation reduces the total pressure loss and power consumption compared to a centralized primary pump network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical structure with a central network pump operating at one level and local circulation pumps operating at another level. The central pump maintains overall network pressure, while local pumps handle zone-specific circulation. This dimensional separation allows the system to overcome pressure losses without requiring excessively high power consumption from a single pump.
2Stress or pressure
If additional central network pumps are combined with primary pumps to avoid high pressure losses, then pressure losses are reduced, but this results in a series connection of pumps which can damage the central network pump
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates independent circulation loops with separate pumps for different zones or functions. This segmentation prevents series connection of pumps, as each pump operates in its own loop or parallel configuration. The central network pump and local circulation pumps are decoupled, eliminating the risk of series connection damage while still achieving low pressure losses through optimized local circulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces hydraulic separators or decoupling elements between the central network pump and local circulation pumps. These intermediaries prevent direct series connection while maintaining hydraulic coordination between different pump levels. The intermediary allows pressure management without creating damaging series connections.
3Adaptability or versatility
If standard heat pumps are used in cold heat networks with summer cooling, then heating function is provided, but the heat pump process only works reliably with high volume flow and the heat transfer medium is cooled down by only around 3 to 5 Kelvin, causing the heat pump to malfunction when heat transfer medium temperature exceeds 20°C
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements customer-specific heat transfer stations that provide localized temperature and volume flow control for each heat pump. This allows the heat transfer medium to be conditioned to match the specific requirements of each heat pump, enabling reliable operation across different temperature conditions including summer cooling. The local quality adjustment ensures each heat pump receives optimally conditioned fluid.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control systems with volume flow controllers and temperature sensors that continuously adjust operating parameters. The volume flow controllers can dynamically increase volume flow when needed, and the system can adapt to varying temperature conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows heat pumps to operate reliably across a wider temperature range, including temperatures above 20°C during summer cooling.
4Temperature
If the heat transfer medium temperature reaches above 20°C in cold heat networks, then summer cooling is achieved, but standard heat pumps designed for 0°C to 10°C temperature level malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements customer-specific heat transfer stations with localized temperature control for each heat pump. This allows the system to maintain different temperature levels in different parts of the network - cooler temperatures for heating season and higher temperatures for cooling season - tailored to each heat pump's requirements. The local quality control enables summer cooling operation without heat pump malfunction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses volume flow controllers to dynamically change the volume flow parameter of the heat transfer medium. By adjusting volume flow, the system can control the temperature level reaching each heat pump. During summer cooling, the system can increase volume flow to maintain appropriate temperature levels even when the overall network temperature rises above 20°C, thereby preserving heat pump adaptability and 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 solution enables safe and energy-efficient operation of heat pumps in cold heat networks by optimizing heat volume flows and temperatures, reducing power consumption, and preventing malfunctions, while allowing for flexible integration of different heat pumps and reducing the size of the pipe network.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic switch (13), by means of which a heat volume flow via the heat source (4) can be quantitatively separated from a heat volume flow via the consumer (3)
Implementation Method 2
a volume flow controller (14), by means of which the heat volume flow which can be made available from the heat source (4) on the primary side (11) of the hydraulic switch (13) can be quantitatively influenced
Implementation Method 3
hot water generation and building heating are not carried out directly via heat exchangers, but rather via heat pumps that obtain their thermal energy from the heating network
Implementation Method 4
The heat transfer medium is transported using pumps
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a heat transfer station (10), a heat supply system (5) for buildings (2), a cold heat network (1), and a method for operating a heat supply system (5). In order to enable, with particularly simple means, the safe and energy-saving use of any consumers (3) in a cold heat network (1), in particular in a cold district heating network, independent of the temperature of the heat transfer medium, the use of a consumer-specific heat transfer station (10) is proposed. This station is configured on the primary side for connection to a heat source (4) of a cold heat network (1), in particular a cold district heating network, and on the secondary side for connection to a consumer (3), in particular a heat pump, and comprises a hydraulic separator (13) and a controlled volume flow controller (14).