Heating system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fossil fuel-free domestic water heating systems using heat pumps and thermal storage tanks face challenges with Legionella proliferation due to stagnant water exposure and inefficient energy storage, leading to increased risks and energy losses.
Innovation Solution
A heating system incorporating a thermal battery loop with phase change materials and heat exchangers, which stores thermal energy in a fluidly isolated circuit, allowing for efficient heat transfer and reduced water volume, thereby minimizing Legionella risks and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a large thermal storage tank is used to accommodate hot water demands, then the system can meet varying hot water demands, but the water volume increases and stagnant water remains in the tank for extended periods creating Legionella proliferation risks
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the thermal storage function into two separate components: a large thermal storage tank for energy storage and a small delivery tank for water supply. This segmentation allows the storage tank to hold large volumes of water without creating Legionella risks, as the delivery tank continuously circulates or heats its small volume of water, preventing stagnation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary thermal storage tank that decouples the hot water storage function from the delivery function. The thermal storage tank stores thermal energy in water that is not directly delivered to users, while a separate delivery tank provides the actual hot water supply, acting as a mediator between the storage system and the delivery system.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a tanked solution is used to meet heating demands, then the system can store thermal energy, but the water volume increases leading to higher standby losses
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments thermal energy storage from water storage by using a large thermal storage tank that stores energy in a working fluid (not necessarily potable water) and a separate small delivery tank that holds only the water needed for immediate delivery, minimizing the volume of water subject to standby losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of stored fluid from potable water to a working fluid in the thermal storage tank, allowing thermal energy to be stored without the constraint of maintaining potable water quality standards, thereby reducing the volume of water that would otherwise be subject to standby heat losses.
3Ease of operation
If heat pumps and thermal storage tanks are fluidly connected to the hot water delivery system, then the system can directly supply heated water, but the complexity of the fluid system increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the fluid systems into three independent circuits: a thermal storage circuit with the large tank, a delivery circuit with the small tank, and a connection through heat exchangers. This segmentation simplifies each individual circuit while achieving the combined function of large-scale thermal storage with efficient hot water delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses heat exchangers as intermediaries to transfer thermal energy between the thermal storage tank and the delivery tank without requiring direct fluid connection. This intermediary approach simplifies the fluid system by eliminating the need for complex piping, valves, and controls that would be required to manage a single integrated fluid system.
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 effectively stores and delivers thermal energy with reduced water volume, minimizing Legionella risks and energy losses, while maintaining efficient hot water supply without pre-heated water storage, achieving an 80% smaller storage volume for equivalent hot water capacity and lower standby losses.
Implementation Method 1
a second heat exchanger configured to thermally couple the thermal battery loop and the heating device
Implementation Method 2
A heating system incorporating a thermal battery loop with phase change materials
Implementation Method 3
a first heat exchanger configured to thermally couple the heating device and the fluid conductor
Implementation Method 4
a thermal battery loop including a thermal battery and a pump configured to circulate a working fluid through the thermal battery
Data Source
AI summary
A heating system including a heating device; a thermal battery loop including a thermal battery and a pump configured to circulate a working fluid through the thermal battery; a fluid conductor for receiving the first fluid at an inlet at a first temperature and delivering the first fluid at a second temperature; a first heat exchanger configured to thermally couple the heating device and the fluid conductor at a first location of the fluid conductor; a second heat exchanger configured to thermally couple the thermal battery loop and the heating device; and a third heat exchanger configured to thermally couple the thermal battery and the fluid conductor at a second location of the fluid conductor, wherein the second location of the fluid conductor is a location downstream from the first location of the fluid conductor between the inlet and the outlet of the fluid conductor.