Heating system with sensor accelerator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
District heating systems face challenges with slow temperature sensor response times and energy losses during standby, leading to delayed hot water delivery and increased energy consumption, which can result in overheating and calcium scaling in heat exchangers.
Innovation Solution
A sensor accelerator setup is introduced, where a temperature sensor is positioned in thermal contact with both the extraction water and the heat transfer medium, ensuring a minimum flow through the supply line to maintain a higher sensor temperature, reducing response time and energy losses. This setup includes a first sensor section integrated into the secondary side of the heat exchanger and a second sensor section within the supply line, with an optional bypass line for flow regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a temperature sensor is positioned in thermal contact with extraction water in the secondary side of the heat exchanger, then the sensor can detect temperature for flow regulation, but the sensor response time is slow and energy losses increase during standby
Solution Approach 1:
A thermal conductor element is introduced as an intermediary between the extraction water and the temperature sensor. This element has high thermal conductivity and low thermal mass, allowing it to rapidly transfer temperature changes from the extraction water to the sensor, significantly reducing response time while maintaining accurate temperature detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal properties of the sensor assembly are modified by introducing a material with specific thermal conductivity and thermal mass characteristics. The conductor element is designed with parameters (material composition, geometry, mass) that optimize thermal response speed, transforming the sensor's thermal response characteristics from slow to rapid.
2Speed
If a permanent flow is maintained to the primary side of the heat exchanger during standby, then the temperature sensor responds quicker, but energy losses increase due to constant heating
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal conductor element is pre-positioned in thermal contact with the extraction water line during standby periods. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when hot water demand occurs, the temperature sensor is already warmed and responsive, eliminating the need for continuous heating maintenance and reducing standby energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the extraction water flow itself to maintain sensor temperature during standby, rather than requiring separate heating. The thermal conductor passively transfers heat from the extraction water to the sensor, allowing the system to self-maintain sensor responsiveness without additional energy input.
3Ease of operation
If the temperature sensor is positioned in thermal contact with extraction water, then flow regulation can be implemented, but energy is wasted heating the secondary side water and the sensor rod during standby
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensing function is extracted from the bulk secondary side water and concentrated at a specific detection point using the thermal conductor element. This allows flow regulation to be based on localized temperature measurement rather than heating and measuring the entire water volume, significantly reducing energy waste while maintaining regulation capability.
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 provides quicker temperature regulation, reducing energy waste and maintaining comfort by ensuring rapid hot water delivery while minimizing heat losses, even during standby periods, and is cost-effective by reducing unnecessary heating of the heat exchanger.
Implementation Method 1
The temperature sensor is positioned in thermal contact with the hot extraction water in the secondary side of the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger with a primary side and a secondary side, where the primary side is in fluid communication with a supply line
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a set up especially suited for district heating systems connected to a heat exchanger for the supply of hot domestic water. The set-up introduces an accelerator positioned and adapted to ensure a quick response of the temperature sensor, and to at least reduce heat losses in the heat exchanger during stand by of the tapping of hot domestic water.