Circulating Hot Water Loop With Pressure-Activated Bypass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circulating hot water systems face challenges in maintaining adequate pressure and temperature during high water flow demand, leading to decreased hot water pressure and potential temperature drops at user outlets.
Innovation Solution
A water heating system with a supplemental path and pressure-activated device that allows flow from the system inlet to the delivery outlet when the pressure differential exceeds a predetermined value, incorporating a storage tank to maintain pressure and temperature by blending unheated water with heated water from the tank during peak demand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If water flow rate through water heaters is increased to meet high demand, then productivity is improved, but pressure at delivery outlet decreases
Solution Approach 1:
A supplemental path with a flow control device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the system inlet and delivery outlet. This device allows additional unheated water to flow directly to the delivery outlet when pressure differential exceeds a predetermined value, thereby supplementing the heated water flow and maintaining adequate delivery pressure during high demand periods.
2Productivity
If multiple water heaters are used in parallel to increase capacity, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into multiple parallel water heater units, each capable of independent operation. This segmentation allows the system to scale capacity by adding or activating individual units based on demand, while the common supplemental path and control mechanism provide centralized management, balancing increased capacity with controlled complexity.
3Temperature
If pump circulates water continuously to maintain temperature, then temperature is maintained, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous pump operation, the system uses periodic or demand-driven circulation. The pump operates intermittently to maintain temperature in the storage tank and recirculation loop, while the supplemental path with pressure-activated flow control provides on-demand supplementation during high flow periods, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining temperature requirements.
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 maintains sufficient pressure and temperature at user outlets during high demand by allowing unheated water to enter the delivery pipe, preventing excessive pressure loss and ensuring consistent hot water supply.
Implementation Method 1
a flow control device adapted to permit flow from the system inlet to the delivery outlet when the pressure at the delivery outlet is lower than the pressure at the system inlet by a predetermined pressure differential
Implementation Method 2
The water heaters can have a controllable gas valve and ignition means. The ignition means can be any suitable ignition means such as a pilot flame.
Implementation Method 3
A pump 1.005 is adapted to circulate water through the water heaters 1.001a . . . 1.001n, the hot water delivery pipe 1.003, building hot water distribution network 1.024 and the hot water return pipe 1.006
Data Source
AI summary
A water heating system having a system inlet pipe (1.002), a hot water delivery pipe (1.003) and a hot water return pipe (1.006) connected to a building hot water distribution network (1.024); the water heating system including one or more water heaters (1.001), the or each water heater having a heater inlet (1.022) and a heater outlet (1.023), a hot water return pipe (1.006) connected between the system inlet and delivery outlet via the building hot water distribution network to form a close loop hot water supply-return circuit; a pump (1.005) connected to circulate water through the hot water supply-return circuit whereby the pump can circulate water through one or more of the water heaters; a valve means (1.007) a first non-return valve adapted to prevent inlet water (water delivered to the system inlet) from flowing into the hot water return pipe or the building hot water distribution network.