Storage Hot Water Tank Outlet Selection for Stratified Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional storage hot water supplying apparatuses operate inefficiently due to wasteful heating and excessive heating of medium-temperature water, leading to a significant reduction in usable heat in the water storage tank, as they fail to effectively manage temperature stratification and energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A storage hot water supplying apparatus with a water storage tank having multiple outlets at different levels, an outlet selecting unit that chooses the outlet based on the provision temperature for the load, and a heating unit that heats and returns water to the tank, optimizing the selection to minimize unusable water and maximize available heat by selecting the outlet with a temperature closest to the provision temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If medium-temperature water is heated by the heating unit, then the water temperature in the storage tank is raised, but the energy efficiency (COP) of the heat pump deteriorates due to excessive heating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the water storage tank into multiple temperature zones (upper, middle, lower parts) with separate temperature sensors. This allows selective heating of specific zones based on actual temperature needs, preventing unnecessary heating of medium-temperature water and maintaining heat pump efficiency while still raising water temperature when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit dynamically changes the heating parameters by selecting different water outlets based on real-time temperature measurements from multiple sensors. By adjusting which outlet receives heated water based on current tank conditions, the system optimizes energy efficiency while achieving the required temperature increase.
2Ease of operation
If high-temperature water is stored in the upper part of the tank, then hot water supply demand is met, but heat loss increases over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system with temperature sensors in the upper, middle, and lower parts of the tank. The control unit continuously monitors temperatures and adjusts heating operations accordingly, activating heating only when specific temperature thresholds are not met, thereby reducing unnecessary heat loss while maintaining hot water supply capability.
3Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors are installed at different levels, then temperature distribution is monitored accurately, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the monitoring system into three distinct segments with sensors placed in the upper, middle, and lower parts of the tank. Each sensor monitors a specific zone, and the control unit processes readings from all three to make heating decisions. This segmented approach achieves accurate temperature distribution monitoring while keeping the control logic relatively simple and modular.
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 enhances the operational efficiency of the storage hot water supplying apparatus by reducing the amount of unusable water and increasing the available heat in the tank, thereby improving energy efficiency and reducing wasteful heating.
Implementation Method 1
a heating unit, such as a heat pump, heats the low-temperature water to a high temperature using the heating unit
Implementation Method 2
the heat of the high-temperature water stored in the water storage tank is absorbed by a radiator or a heat exchanger and used for space heating
Data Source
AI summary
A storage hot water supplying apparatus provides heated water to a load circuit through which users uses water, and includes a water storage tank which stores water and has outlets for water to be heated at different heights, and an outlet selecting unit to select, from among the outlets, an outlet to take out the water, based on a provision temperature which is a temperature of water to be provided from the water storage tank to the load circuit and temperatures of the water to be taken out through the outlets. A heating unit heats the water taken out through the selected outlet and to be returned to the water storage tank.