Hot Water Priority Control for Shared Heating Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Residential heating systems face inefficiencies as they often use a binary control method, where energy is alternated between domestic hot water heating and climate control, failing to optimize energy use when both demands are present simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determine and compare non-binary priorities for sanitary water heating and space conditioning, directing energy based on compound linear functions to prioritize tasks, ensuring efficient use of energy sources like vapor compression systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If binary control is used to alternate energy between hot water heating and climate control, then system operation is simplified, but energy optimization is reduced when both demands are present simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static binary control to dynamic priority-based control. The controller continuously evaluates both hot water and climate control demands, assigning dynamic priorities based on current conditions. This allows the system to adaptively allocate energy resources in real-time, optimizing energy use while maintaining operational simplicity through automated decision-making algorithms.
2Reliability
If energy is directed to hot water heating when tank temperature drops below minimum value, then hot water availability is ensured, but climate control performance may be compromised when both loads compete for limited energy capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the control parameter from binary on/off to continuous priority values. By calculating priority levels based on temperature deviations, tank charge levels, and load demands, the controller can smoothly adjust energy allocation. This allows the system to maintain hot water availability when needed while preventing extreme temperature deviations in climate control, resolving the trade-off between reliability and performance.
3Power
If traditional binary control alternates between hot water heating and climate control, then energy source capacity constraints are managed, but overall system efficiency is reduced due to frequent switching and suboptimal energy utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of both hot water and climate control demands before making allocation decisions. By pre-calculating priority levels based on current system state and forecasted needs, the controller can make informed decisions that prevent frequent switching. This preliminary assessment allows the system to maintain stable operation at optimal efficiency points while still respecting energy source capacity constraints.
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 allows for optimized energy allocation between competing loads, ensuring that the higher priority task is operated at full capacity, enhancing efficiency in both hot water production and climate control.
Implementation Method 1
The energy source may comprise a vapor compression system and the directing may comprise operating the vapor compression system.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method controls a system that uses an energy source (32) to both heat sanitary water (domestic hot water (DHW)) and control temperature of a habitable space (28). Sanitary water priority (200) is determined (e.g., based upon a difference between a sanitary water temperature setpoint and a first measured temperature). A space conditioning priority (220, 240) is determined (e.g., based upon a difference between a space temperature setpoint and a second measured temperature). The sanitary water priority is compared to the space conditioning priority. Energy is directed from the energy source to heat the sanitary water and/or condition the space based upon the compared priorities.