Method for controlling a hot water boiler
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hot water storage tank control systems fail to optimize energy efficiency and minimize heat losses, as they often lead to unnecessary heating and inefficient energy usage due to constant re-heating after water withdrawal.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves determining user withdrawal behavior to activate two operating modes: a first mode that increases the charge level before a peak withdrawal and a second mode that lowers it afterwards, using sensors and a control unit to manage the hot water tank's charge levels based on detected withdrawal patterns, thereby optimizing energy usage and reducing heat losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hot water tank is continuously reheated after water withdrawal to maintain temperature, then hot water availability is ensured, but energy consumption increases and heat losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit predicts future hot water demand based on learned user withdrawal patterns and activates the heating element in advance before the actual water withdrawal occurs. This preliminary heating action ensures hot water is available when needed while avoiding continuous reheating, thereby reducing energy consumption and heat losses.
2Reliability
If the hot water tank is heated to high charge levels continuously, then sufficient hot water is available for peak consumption, but energy efficiency decreases and heat losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The charge level of the hot water tank is dynamically adjusted based on predicted demand. The control unit learns user withdrawal patterns and adaptively sets the charge level - maintaining high charge levels only when peak consumption is predicted, and reducing charge levels during low-demand periods. This dynamic adjustment ensures hot water sufficiency during peaks while minimizing energy consumption and heat losses during off-peak periods.
3Temperature
If immediate re-heating is performed after every water withdrawal, then hot water temperature is maintained, but energy efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors actual water withdrawal through sensors and compares it with predicted demand patterns. This feedback mechanism allows the system to learn and adapt to user behavior, adjusting heating operations accordingly. By using feedback from actual withdrawal data, the system maintains hot water temperature only when and where needed, avoiding unnecessary heating energy consumption.
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 approach ensures sufficient hot water availability during peak consumption while minimizing energy consumption and heat losses between peaks, enhancing overall energy efficiency of the hot water storage tank.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element (HE) for heating the water in the storage tank (110)
Implementation Method 2
a sensor (TS) for determining a charge level of the hot water tank
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The method involves detecting water extraction removal behavior of user and determining a sampling system including a peak demand value which exceeds predetermined threshold value, by a sampling unit (SBE). The hot water tank (100) is operated in an initial mode with a preset charging efficiency before the peak demand value and the hot water tank is operated in successive mode with charging efficiency lower than the preset charging efficiency after the peak demand value. An independent claim is included for hot water tank.