Hot Water Tank Bypass Cooling to Prevent Scale Buildup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional installations for producing sanitary hot water face issues with scale formation and energy loss due to stagnation of hot water, which leads to limestone deposition and inefficiency when water is not being drawn, especially when the water is loaded with lime.
Innovation Solution
The installation incorporates a second 'T' connector upstream of the sanitary cold water intake conduit with a small storage tank and a three-way valve to rapidly cool the tubing by circulating cold water when drawing stops, maintaining the temperature below 40°C and reducing heat loss, while a control and regulation circuit manages the boiler and pump operations based on temperature sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hot water is stored in the tank at temperatures above 40°C, then the water is ready for immediate use and provides convenient service, but scale formation occurs on the tubing walls and heat loss increases when water is not being drawn
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the water storage system into two distinct tanks: a first tank for storing hot water at higher temperatures (above 40°C) and a second tank for storing cold water at lower temperatures (below 40°C). This segmentation allows the system to maintain hot water ready for use while preventing scale formation by keeping the temperature below the critical threshold in the second tank, thereby resolving the contradiction between convenience and scale prevention.
2Device complexity
If a single exchanger is used in the boiler to heat both central heating water and sanitary water, then the device complexity is reduced and cost is lowered, but scale formation occurs when sanitary water passes directly through the boiler exchanger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a segmentation approach by adding a second tank and associated piping to separate the hot water storage function from the cold water supply function. This allows sanitary water to be heated in the boiler exchanger and stored in the first tank at temperatures that prevent scale formation, while the second tank maintains a temperature below the scale formation threshold, thus resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and scale prevention.
3Productivity
If the water temperature in the tubing is maintained above 40°C, then hot water is readily available for use, but energy is lost through heat dissipation to the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the water storage into two tanks with different temperature regimes. The first tank stores hot water at temperatures sufficient for immediate use, while the second tank stores water at temperatures below 40°C to minimize heat dissipation losses. This segmentation allows the system to maintain productivity by having hot water ready in the first tank while reducing energy loss through the cooler second tank.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the water temperature is reduced below 40°C to prevent scale formation, then scale deposition is prevented, but hot water is not readily available for immediate use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by segmenting the water storage system into two tanks: the first tank maintains hot water at temperatures above 40°C for immediate use, ensuring productivity, while the second tank maintains water below 40°C to prevent scale formation. The system can draw from the first tank for hot water needs while the second tank prevents scale deposition, thus satisfying both requirements simultaneously.
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 effectively prevents scale formation and minimizes energy losses by rapidly cooling the tubing and maintaining optimal temperatures, ensuring the system's efficiency and longevity between water-drawing operations.
Implementation Method 1
the portion of the sanitary cold water intake conduit which connects the second and first 'T' connectors is equipped with a small storage tank... this solution effectively prevents scale formation and minimizes energy losses by rapidly cooling the tubing
Implementation Method 2
The boiler which for example operates with gas or fuel oil is used for heating a first liquid
Implementation Method 3
the primary exchanger, which has the function of transmitting a portion of the heat generated by the burning gases from the combustion of the burner
Implementation Method 4
The secondary exchanger has the function of transmitting heat from the first thereby heated liquid to the second liquid, in this case sanitary water
Data Source
AI summary
The equipment of the invention includes a boiler, a hot water storage tank, a duct for supplying domestic cold water, and a duct for tapping domestic hot water, wherein said equipment is characterized in that the duct for supplying cold water comprises a T-shaped connector connected by a duct provided with a storage vessel to a re-circulation duct connecting the tank to the inlet duct, provided with a pump, of the boiler, and in that the outlet duct of the boiler is provided with a three-way valve connected by a by pass duct to said T-shaped connector, wherein said valve can selectively assume a position in which it ensures communication between the boiler outlet and the central portion of the tank, or a position in which it ensures communication between the boiler outlet and said bypass duct.