Method and device for saving heat energy and water in a sanitary facility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for delivering domestic hot water (DHW) to supply points result in significant waste due to unnecessary heating and energy consumption, as pipes are often filled with hot water before use, leading to heat loss and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method and device utilizing a motorized pump controlled by detection means to instantaneously transfer hot water through a small-diameter pipe, ensuring hot water is delivered at the desired temperature with minimal recirculation and energy loss, by detecting user demand and maintaining standard pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If hot water is continuously circulated through supply pipes to ensure immediate availability, then hot water delivery speed is improved, but energy loss increases due to constant heat dissipation
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-fills the supply pipes with hot water during periods of low demand or off-peak hours, so that when hot water is needed, it is already available in the pipes. This eliminates the need for continuous circulation while ensuring immediate availability, thereby reducing energy loss from constant heat dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous circulation, the system uses periodic or on-demand circulation cycles. The hot water circulation pump operates intermittently based on detected demand patterns, temperature sensors, or timing schedules, maintaining hot water availability while significantly reducing the total operation time and associated energy losses.
2Productivity
If pipe diameter is increased to reduce flow resistance and improve hot water delivery, then water flow rate is improved, but heat loss increases due to larger surface area
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of pipe diameter to be small (reducing surface area and heat loss) while compensating for the reduced flow capacity through other means such as increasing water temperature, using pumping power, or optimizing pipe length and layout. This maintains adequate flow rate while minimizing heat loss through the pipe surface.
3Loss of time
If hot water is stored in large tanks to ensure immediate supply, then hot water availability is improved, but space requirement and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts or removes the need for large hot water storage tanks by using on-demand water heating technology. Instead of storing large volumes of pre-heated water, the system heats water only when needed, eliminating the bulky storage infrastructure while maintaining immediate hot water availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service hot water production at the point of use through instantaneous or on-demand heating. Rather than relying on pre-stored hot water from large tanks, the system automatically heats water as needed, eliminating the need for large storage volumes while ensuring immediate supply.
4Speed
If recirculation pump operates continuously to maintain hot water in pipes, then hot water delivery speed is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The recirculation pump operates periodically rather than continuously, based on detected hot water demand, temperature sensor readings, or predetermined schedules. This maintains hot water availability in the pipes while significantly reducing the total operation time and associated energy consumption of the pump.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses temperature sensors and demand detection mechanisms to provide feedback to the recirculation pump control. When hot water is detected as needed or when temperature drops below a threshold, the pump activates to restore hot water circulation. When demand is low and temperature is adequate, the pump stops, optimizing energy consumption while maintaining service quality.
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 energy and water waste by quickly delivering hot water while minimizing heat loss and recirculation, making it environmentally friendly and cost-effective for various building types.
Implementation Method 1
instantaneous transfer of a flow of hot water from the source to the supply point through the small diameter pipe using a motorised pump
Data Source
AI summary
A device for a sanitary facility, intended for rapidly delivering Domestic Hot Water (DHW) to the supply points without wasting energy. The device according to the invention transfers the DHW rapidly from the source to the user as soon as there is a need for it. The method, which prevents any recirculation, makes it possible, in particular, to save the large amount of energy that is systematically wasted each time the DHW is distributed between its source and the supply points. The device essentially consists of a motorised, relatively powerful pump (2) which channels the DHW from the source (1) and injects it into a pipe with a very small cross-section (3) that conveys the entire flow rate required by the user at a high velocity to the supply point (41). An adapted sensor (5) controls the switching on and off of the motor pump (2) upon each use and controls its flow rate on the basis of the requirements. A single device can be used for supplying multiple supply points. It can be fitted to all new or existing facilities.