Low-Temperature Thermal Energy Network for Bidirectional Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional district heating and cooling networks face high capital and running costs due to the need for thermal insulation and suffer from low thermal efficiency and utilization rates, especially in mild climate regions, where the demand for heating is not intensive throughout the year.
Innovation Solution
A thermal energy network with a primary circuit loop and user circuit loops connected via switchable valves, allowing the network to function as both a heat source and a heat sink, with a control system to manage temperature within a target range, enabling efficient energy redistribution between thermal loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If high-temperature fluid is used in district heating networks, then heating capability is improved, but capital costs and running costs increase due to thermal insulation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the working fluid from high temperature (70-90°C) to low temperature (close to ambient), which eliminates the need for expensive thermal insulation while maintaining heating capability through heat pump technology
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical combustion-based heating system with a heat pump system that uses electrical energy to transfer heat, enabling low-temperature operation and eliminating insulation requirements
2Temperature
If high-temperature fluid is used in district heating networks, then heating capability is improved, but thermal efficiency decreases due to high residual thermal losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating temperature parameter to low temperature, which dramatically reduces thermal losses to the environment and improves overall system efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the previously harmful thermal losses into a beneficial feature by operating at low temperatures where thermal losses are minimal, and uses the ambient environment as a heat source rather than a heat sink
3Productivity
If district heating networks are implemented in mild climate regions, then heating demand is met during intensive heating seasons, but utilization rate remains low due to seasonal variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the district heating network universal by enabling it to function in both heating mode (winter) and cooling mode (summer) through reversible heat pumps, achieving year-round utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic operation where the system can switch between different modes (heating, cooling, heat storage) based on seasonal and daily demands, optimizing utilization throughout the year
4Area of stationary object
If extensive district heating networks are built, then heating coverage is improved, but ongoing maintenance costs increase due to low utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the extensive network to serve multiple functions year-round (heating, cooling, heat storage), justifying the infrastructure investment and reducing maintenance costs through high utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local heat storage systems that allow buildings to store thermal energy during off-peak times and use it during peak times, reducing the burden on the central network and lowering maintenance 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
This solution reduces capital and running costs while enhancing thermal efficiency by allowing the network to adapt to varying energy demands, effectively functioning as both a heating and cooling system, and maintaining efficiency across different seasons.
Implementation Method 1
a primary pump for pumping the working fluid around the primary circuit loop successively from an outlet of the energy unit along the upstream outflow line, along the downstream return line and back to an inlet of the energy unit
Implementation Method 2
a switchable valve system coupled to each user circuit loop for selectively connecting the user circuit loop to the primary circuit loop in a selected working fluid flow direction within the respective connection so that the primary circuit loop can selectively function as a heat source or a heat sink
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal energy network interconnecting a plurality of thermal loads and methods of providing thermal energy therebetween, the network and methods including: a primary circuit loop for working fluid, at least two thermal loads thermally connected to the primary circuit loop, at least one of the thermal loads being capable of taking heat from the primary circuit loop and at least one of the thermal loads being capable of rejecting heat into the primary circuit loop, an energy centre connected to the loop and capable of acting as a heat source or a heat sink, and a control system adapted to provide to the primary circuit loop a positive or negative thermal input from the energy centre as a balancing thermal input to compensate for net thermal energy lost to or gained from the at least two thermal loads by the primary circuit loop.