System for producing and distributing heat and cold and method for managing same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heating and cooling networks require separate circuits, leading to increased costs and logistical challenges when expanding cooling networks into existing heating networks, as it necessitates new trenching and pipe installations.
Innovation Solution
A system that integrates heat, cold, and domestic hot water production using a single primary fluidic circuit with a storage device, allowing for alternating modes of operation while minimizing energy losses and reducing the number of pipes and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heating and cooling networks are laid out in parallel with separate circuits, then each network can operate independently, but the number of pipes increases and construction costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines heating and cooling networks into a single integrated system that shares a common primary distribution circuit. The heat pump system can operate in heating mode during cold periods and cooling mode during warm periods, eliminating the need for separate parallel circuits and reducing overall pipe infrastructure while maintaining independent operational capability through mode switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The primary distribution circuit is designed to serve dual functions: distributing heated fluid during heating mode and chilled fluid during cooling mode. The system uses a single multi-functional circuit instead of separate dedicated circuits, reducing infrastructure complexity while maintaining the ability to independently provide either heating or cooling as needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a cooling network is added to an existing heating network, then cooling capability is provided, but new trenches and pipes must be installed increasing construction costs
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding a separate cooling network with new trenches and pipes, the patent integrates cooling capability into the existing heating network by installing heat pumps at consumer units. These heat pumps can switch between heating and cooling modes, allowing the existing primary distribution circuit to serve both functions without requiring additional infrastructure installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between heating and cooling modes based on environmental conditions and demand. Heat pumps installed at consumer units can reverse their operation to provide cooling when needed, allowing the network to adapt its function without physical infrastructure changes or additional construction.
3Device complexity
If a single primary fluid circuit is used for both heating and cooling, then the number of pipes is reduced, but transitions between modes may cause energy losses
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling or heating of the heat transfer fluid in the storage tank before mode transitions occur. By pre-conditioning the fluid during periods when the opposite function is not needed, the system minimizes the energy required during actual mode transitions, reducing overall energy losses while maintaining a single pipe circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action by utilizing the thermal energy in the heat transfer fluid during transitions. The storage tank preserves thermal energy, and the heat pumps efficiently transfer heat between the primary circuit and secondary circuits, ensuring that energy is continuously utilized rather than lost during mode changes.
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
Enables efficient production and distribution of heat, cold, and domestic hot water with reduced energy consumption and infrastructure requirements, allowing for seamless transitions between operating modes without losing refrigeration or heating capacity.
Implementation Method 1
a primary fluid circuit suitable for receiving a heat transfer fluid... configured to fluidly connect the cooling production device, the heating production device
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger ensuring heat transfer between an emitter and the heat transfer fluid
Implementation Method 3
a heat transfer fluid storage device for the primary fluid circuit arranged in parallel with the primary fluid circuit and configured to store the heat transfer fluid, advantageously either hot or cold
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a heating and cooling system configured to alternately provide cooling, heating and domestic hot water production, comprising a primary network including: a cooling unit (1), a heating unit (2), a primary fluid circuit suitable for receiving a heat transfer fluid, advantageously water, a domestic hot water (DHW) module (3), a heat exchange module (6) comprising at least one heat exchanger ensuring heat transfer between an emitter and the heat transfer fluid suitable for circulating in the primary network, characterized in that the primary fluid circuit is configured to fluidly connect the cooling unit (1), the heating unit (2), the domestic hot water module (3) and the heat exchange module (6),and the primary network includes a storage device (7) for the heat transfer fluid of the primary fluid circuit, arranged in a bypass on the primary fluid circuit and configured to store the hot or cold heat transfer fluid of the primary fluid circuit during a transition between domestic hot water production and the production of cooling or heating. The present invention relates to a system for the production and distribution of heat and cooling. It is particularly advantageous for the installation of heating and cooling networks.