Local heating installation and heating system comprising such a local heating installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating systems face challenges in efficiently providing tap hot-water at a temperature of at least 50 °C while minimizing heat losses and reducing the risk of Legionella bacteria growth, particularly when external heat sources are limited or expensive.
Innovation Solution
A local heating installation with a first and second heat exchanger, a local heat pump, and an electronic control system that adjusts the flow of heating liquid based on temperature thresholds, allowing efficient use of heat sources and minimizing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heating liquid temperature is increased to ensure tap hot-water reaches 50°C, then tap hot-water temperature requirement is met, but heat losses in the heating system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is divided into two independent heating paths: one for comfort heating and one for tap hot-water preparation. The tap hot-water heating path includes a dedicated heat pump and heat exchangers, allowing it to operate independently from the comfort heating circuit temperature, thus enabling low-temperature heating liquid supply while still achieving 50°C tap water through the heat pump's heat compression function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter of the heating liquid supplied to local heating installations from the conventional 60°C or higher down to 30-40°C by introducing a heat pump that compresses heat energy, raising the temperature of tap hot-water after it has been preheated by the low-temperature heating liquid, thereby meeting the 50°C requirement without requiring high-temperature supply.
2Loss of energy
If local heat pump is used for final heating of tap hot-water, then heat losses are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the tap hot-water heating function with the existing heating circuit by integrating a heat pump and heat exchangers into the local heating installation, allowing the heating liquid to serve dual purposes: providing comfort heating through radiators and preheating tap hot-water through the heat exchanger, thereby reducing overall heat losses while consolidating functions in a coordinated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger preheats the tap hot-water using the heating liquid from the heating circuit before the water enters the heat pump for final heating. This preliminary heating action reduces the energy burden on the heat pump and optimizes the overall heating efficiency, allowing the system to achieve 50°C tap water with minimal energy input.
3Loss of energy
If heating liquid temperature is reduced to 30-40°C, then heat losses are minimized, but ability to heat tap hot-water to 50°C is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pump utilizes phase transitions of the refrigerant (evaporation and condensation) to compress heat energy. The refrigerant evaporates at low temperature absorbing heat from the 30-40°C heating liquid, then is compressed and condenses at high temperature, releasing heat to raise the tap hot-water temperature to 50°C, thus bridging the temperature gap without requiring high-temperature supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pump acts as an intermediary device between the low-temperature heating liquid (30-40°C) and the tap hot-water requiring 50°C. It absorbs heat energy from the heating liquid through the heat exchanger and transfers it to the tap hot-water after preheating, effectively mediating the temperature difference and enabling the system to maintain low supply temperatures while meeting hot-water 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 heats tap water to 50 °C while reducing energy losses and operational costs, especially during low external heating demands, and prevents Legionella bacteria growth by optimizing heat exchange processes.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat exchanger, which has a first side connected to the heating circuit and a second side connected to a water supply line and which is configured to preheat tap hot-water by transferring heat from the heating liquid in the heating circuit to water in the water supply line
Implementation Method 2
a local heat pump, which has an input side connected to the feed conduit or the return conduit of the heating circuit and which is capable of generating heat for final heating of the preheated tap hot-water by absorbing heat energy from the heating liquid in the heating circuit
Implementation Method 3
a second heat exchanger for final heating of tap hot-water preheated by the first heat exchanger, wherein a first side of the second heat exchanger is connectable to said feed conduit in order to allow the first side of the second heat exchanger to receive a flow of heating liquid from the feed conduit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
A local heating installation for providing comfort heating and tap hot-water in a building, comprising: - a heating circuit (11) containing heating liquid; - a first heat exchanger (18) for preheating tap hot-water by means of heat from the heating liquid; - a second heat exchanger (19) for final heating of tap hot-water by means of heat from the heating liquid; - a local heat pump (30); and - an electronic control device (40), which in dependence on the temperature of the heating liquid in a feed conduit (13) of the heating circuit is configured to either: • keep said heat pump out of operation and direct heating liquid from said feed conduit to the second heat exchanger (19) for final heating of the preheated tap hot-water, or • prevent a flow of heating liquid from said feed conduit to the second heat exchanger (19) and direct heating liquid to an input side (30a) of said heat pump for generation of heat for final heating of the pre-heated tap hot-water.