Methods and systems and apparatus to support reduced energy and water usage
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a suitable technology to replace gas combi boilers, particularly in smaller domestic dwellings, due to the inefficiencies and environmental impacts of current solutions like heat pumps.
Innovation Solution
An in-building hot water supply system that incorporates a heat pump, an energy storage arrangement using phase change materials (PCMs), and a processor to manage the system, allowing for instantaneous hot water production without the need for hot water storage tanks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If heat pumps are used to replace gas combi boilers, then environmental friendliness and energy efficiency are improved, but device size, installation complexity, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional modules: an external heat pump unit and an in-building hot water supply system with PCM energy storage. This segmentation allows the complex heat pump to be located externally while providing a simpler, compact solution within the building.
Solution Approach 2:
The PCM energy storage arrangement pre-stores thermal energy from the heat pump before it is needed. The processor activates the heat pump in advance to charge the PCM, so that hot water is immediately available when demanded, eliminating the delay associated with heat pump startup.
2Use of energy by moving object
If heat pumps are used to provide hot water, then renewable energy usage is improved, but response time to demand decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating by activating the heat pump in advance to charge the PCM energy storage arrangement. The processor monitors demand patterns and activates the heat pump proactively, so that thermal energy is already stored and immediately available when hot water is demanded, eliminating the 1-minute or more delay typical of heat pumps.
Solution Approach 2:
The PCM energy storage arrangement acts as an intermediary between the heat pump and the hot water demand. It decouples the slow response of the heat pump from the immediate demand for hot water, allowing the heat pump to operate on its own timescale while providing instantaneous hot water when needed.
3Loss of energy
If heat pumps with hot water storage tanks are used, then energy efficiency is improved, but space requirements and legionella risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses phase change materials (PCM) that transition between solid and liquid phases at controlled temperatures. The PCM is maintained below 45°C during its phase transition, which is insufficient for legionella growth, thereby eliminating the legionella risk associated with traditional hot water storage tanks while maintaining energy efficiency through thermal energy storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter of the energy storage medium. Instead of storing hot water at temperatures above 45°C (which creates legionella risk), the system uses PCM that stores thermal energy at controlled temperatures below 45°C, fundamentally changing the safety profile while maintaining energy storage capability.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If gas combi boilers are replaced with alternative heat sources, then carbon emissions are reduced, but instantaneous hot water delivery capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The processor activates the heat pump in advance to charge the PCM energy storage arrangement with thermal energy. This preliminary action ensures that when hot water is demanded, the PCM can immediately deliver the stored thermal energy, providing instantaneous hot water delivery comparable to gas combi boilers while using renewable energy instead of fossil fuels.
Solution Approach 2:
The PCM energy storage arrangement serves as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the renewable heat pump and the immediate demand for hot water. It enables the system to match the instantaneous response capability of gas combi boilers while eliminating carbon emissions, as the PCM delivers stored thermal energy immediately when demanded regardless of the heat pump's current operational state.
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 provides a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to gas combi boilers by utilizing PCM energy storage to bridge the gap between demand and heat pump operation, reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions.
Implementation Method 1
an energy storage arrangement containing a mass of phase change material having enough latent heat capacity to heat to a predetermined temperature a predetermined quantity of water
Implementation Method 2
the mass of phase change material has enough latent heat capacity to heat to a predetermined temperature a predetermined quantity of water
Implementation Method 3
a heat pump arranged to heat water in the hot water supply system
Data Source
AI summary
An installation includes an in-building hot water supply system, a hot water heat pump, an energy storage arrangement containing a mass of phase change material and a heat exchanger coupled between the hot water system and the heat pump, and a processor to provide a signal to the heat pump based on the opening of an outlet of the hot water supply system. The mass of phase change material has enough latent heat capacity to heat to a predetermined temperature a predetermined quantity of water in the interval from the opening of an outlet of the hot water supply system until at least the heat pump begins to heat water in the hot water supply system. Also provided is a method of controlling a heat pump in such an installation.