Method for operating a hot water boiler
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for operating hot water storage tanks prioritize quick temperature reach over energy efficiency, resulting in high energy consumption, and fail to provide a convenient and efficient solution for users.
Innovation Solution
A two-step method where charging initially occurs with a larger temperature spread for rapid temperature achievement and then switches to a smaller spread for efficient heating once the target temperature is reached, balancing user convenience and energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If charging is performed with a large temperature spread to reach setpoint temperature quickly, then the heating speed is improved, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The charging process is segmented into two distinct phases: a first charging phase with a first temperature spread (larger spread) to rapidly reach target temperature, and a second charging phase with a second temperature spread (smaller spread) to efficiently reach setpoint temperature. This segmentation allows the system to optimize for speed during the first phase and for energy efficiency during the second phase, resolving the contradiction between heating speed and energy consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If charging is performed with a small temperature spread to improve energy efficiency, then energy consumption is reduced, but the time to reach setpoint temperature increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The charging process is divided into two phases where the first phase uses a larger temperature spread to quickly establish hot water availability (reducing time loss), and the second phase uses a smaller temperature spread to complete heating efficiently (improving energy efficiency). This temporal segmentation resolves the contradiction by addressing time sensitivity early and energy efficiency later in the charging process.
3Device complexity
If a single temperature spread is used throughout charging, then the control system is simple, but it cannot simultaneously optimize for both speed and energy efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature spread is made dynamic rather than static, automatically adjusting between a first temperature spread and a second temperature spread based on the charging progress and target temperature achievement. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to optimize overall charging efficiency by selecting appropriate spreads at different stages, while the control complexity remains manageable through automated transition logic.
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 allows for a compromise between efficiency and comfort by using a larger spread for quick temperature reach and a smaller spread for efficient heating, optimizing energy use and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The withdrawn water is then heated to a higher, second temperature
Implementation Method 2
heating the hot water storage tank to a predefined setpoint temperature
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a hot water storage tank, in which water at a first temperature is drawn from the hot water storage tank (1) when it is being charged to a predefined setpoint temperature, the drawn water is heated to a higher, second temperature, and the water heated to the second temperature is then fed back into the hot water storage tank (1), wherein the difference between the second and first temperatures is referred to as the temperature spread. According to the invention, charging below a predefined target temperature, which is lower than the setpoint temperature, is carried out with a first, larger temperature spread, and from the time the predefined target temperature is reached until the setpoint temperature is reached, with a second, smaller temperature spread.