Hybrid Water-Heating Control With Real-Time COP Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hybrid water heating systems, which combine heat pumps and fossil fuel generators, do not fully optimize energy usage or reduce environmental impact, especially in complex collective systems, leading to high energy bills and inefficient operation.
Innovation Solution
A method for thermal regulation that systematically activates the heat pump, determines and modulates its performance based on real-time coefficients, and adjusts the load rate to maintain optimal operation, using a hydraulic decoupling bottle with temperature sensors to manage the interaction between heat pumps and fossil fuel generators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the heat pump operates at partial load to supply intermediate temperature water, then the coefficient of performance is optimized, but the system cannot fully optimize energy bill and environmental impact
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the real coefficient of performance and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the heat pump load rate and switch between heat pump and fossil fuel generator based on actual operating conditions, thereby optimizing overall energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the load rate of the heat pump based on real-time coefficient of performance measurements and external conditions, rather than operating at fixed partial load, allowing optimal adaptation to varying temperature and demand conditions
2Ease of operation
If the heating system uses a simple on/off control, then the operation is simple, but it is poorly suited to complex collective heating systems with multiple heat pumps and generators
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the control into independent modules for each heat pump and generator, with each unit capable of autonomous operation based on its own coefficient of performance measurements, allowing scalable deployment in both single-unit and multi-unit collective heating systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as load rate and activation status based on measured coefficient of performance values and system demands, enabling flexible adaptation from simple single-unit to complex multi-unit collective heating configurations
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 optimizes energy consumption and reduces environmental impact by ensuring the heat pump operates efficiently, with the fossil fuel generator being used only when necessary, thereby minimizing energy expenditure and carbon emissions.
Implementation Method 1
a heat pump (3) of the variable speed compressor type
Implementation Method 2
an auxiliary fossil fuel generator (2)
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The subject of the invention is a method for thermal regulation of a water heating system intended to supply a room with hot water, said heating system (1) comprising a fossil fuel backup generator (2), a heat pump (3) and a hydraulic decoupling bottle (4) connected to said auxiliary generator (2) and to said heat pump (3), the regulation method comprising: - a step of determining a coefficient of performance of the heat pump at given times during a duration of operation of the heating system, called the real coefficient of performance, and - a step of modulating a load rate of the heat pump as a function of the measured value of the real coefficient of performance.