Nested Hot-Water Tank Heat Exchange for Peak Heating Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hot-water supply systems face challenges in handling sudden load increases, particularly in cold areas, where the heating performance of heat pumps and heaters may be insufficient, leading to inefficiencies in energy consumption and increased costs, especially during peak demand times like morning and evening.
Innovation Solution
A hot-water supply system with a double tank configuration, where a first tank stores hot water for heating and a second tank is mounted inside the first tank, with a heater circulation path and heat transfer paths that enhance heat exchange between the two tanks, allowing the hot water from the second tank to be used as an auxiliary heat source to boost the heating performance temporarily.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the volume of the tank for storing hot water for heating is increased, then the heating performance is improved, but the energy consumption efficiency is decreased due to increased heat radiation from the tank
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested tank configuration where the second tank (for hot water supply) is placed inside the first tank (for heating). This nesting arrangement allows the hot water in the outer first tank to serve as insulation for the inner second tank, reducing heat radiation losses from the second tank while maintaining adequate storage volume for heating performance.
2Power
If the heating performance of the heat pump is improved, then the maximum heating capability is increased, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the system to serve itself by using the hot water stored in the first tank as an auxiliary heat source during high-demand periods. This self-service mechanism allows the heat pump to operate at lower capacity most of the time, reducing the need for an expensive high-capacity heat pump while still meeting peak heating demands through the stored hot water.
3Power
If an auxiliary heater is provided to enhance maximum heating performance, then the heating capability is improved, but the energy consumption efficiency is reduced due to dependence on the auxiliary heater
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the normally wasted heat from the hot water supply system into a useful resource. The hot water in the first tank, which would otherwise be merely for domestic use, is utilized as an auxiliary heating source during peak demand periods. This transforms a potentially harmful waste of energy into a beneficial contribution to space heating, reducing the need for inefficient auxiliary heaters.
4Power
If the set temperature of the hot water to be stored in the tank is adjusted higher, then the heating performance is improved, but the energy loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different temperature levels to different parts of the system. The first tank stores hot water at a higher temperature optimized for heating performance, while the second tank maintains a lower temperature suitable for hot water supply. This local quality differentiation allows each tank to operate at its optimal temperature, improving heating performance while reducing overall energy loss compared to uniformly high temperatures.
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 configuration enables the system to effectively handle sudden load increases while maintaining energy consumption efficiency and cost-effectiveness by utilizing the hot water from the second tank as an auxiliary heat source, thereby enhancing the overall heating performance.
Implementation Method 1
a second path that includes a second heat transfer portion disposed along the first heat transfer portion and that is configured to allow heat exchange between the hot water of the second tank and the hot water flowing through the first heat transfer portion
Data Source
AI summary
A hot water supply system includes a first tank for storing hot water for heating; a second tank for storing hot water to be supplied to a hot water tap; a heater circulation path for supplying the hot water of the first tank to a heater; a first path that includes a first heat transfer portion surrounding the exposed portion of the second tank to the inside of the first tank and that connects the first tank to a forward portion of the heater circulation path so that the hot water of the first tank can be supplied to the heater through the first heat transfer portion; and a second path that includes a second heat transfer portion disposed along the first heat transfer portion, and that allows heat exchange between the hot water of the second tank and the hot water flowing through the first heat transfer portion due to the flow, in the second heat transfer portion, of the hot water of the second tank.