Heating system with hot water preparation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating systems for buildings, particularly in new constructions with high thermal insulation, face challenges in providing sufficient hot water due to limited heating output from heat pumps and high pressure losses in continuous-flow heaters, restricting hot water flow and temperature.
Innovation Solution
A heating system that combines a heat accumulator with a main heat source and an additional parallel heat source, such as an electric flow heater, allowing for independent operation of both sources to achieve high hot water temperatures, with a control system to mix the hot water streams for optimal temperature and flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a heat pump is used as a heat generator to cover heating requirements, then energy efficiency is improved, but hot water preparation capability deteriorates due to limited output
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the hot water preparation function into two independent parallel paths: one through the heat accumulator (for low-temperature, high-volume needs) and another through the additional heat source (for high-temperature, high-power needs). This segmentation allows each component to operate optimally within its capability range while collectively meeting diverse hot water demands.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by allowing the additional heat source to operate independently at full power regardless of heat accumulator load status. This enables the additional heat source to provide high-temperature hot water at full capacity when needed, rather than being constrained by the heat accumulator's temperature state.
2Temperature
If an electric continuous-flow heater is arranged in series behind the drinking water storage tank, then hot water temperature is improved, but hot water flow rate deteriorates due to high pressure loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the hot water supply into two parallel independent streams: one through the heat accumulator and another through the additional heat source. This eliminates the series connection that causes pressure loss, allowing each stream to maintain adequate flow rate while providing the required temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a one-dimensional series arrangement to a two-dimensional parallel architecture. The additional heat source is connected in parallel to the heat accumulator, creating multiple independent flow paths that reduce pressure loss while maintaining temperature requirements.
3Volume of stationary object
If a compact heat pump combines heat pump and drinking water storage tank in a small space, then space utilization is improved, but drinking water volume deteriorates limiting hot water preparation
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the water storage function by separating the heat accumulator (for space-efficient thermal storage) from the additional heat source (for high-temperature instantaneous heating). This allows the bulk of hot water storage to be optimized for space while maintaining adequate volume through the parallel additional heating capability.
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 system ensures consistent and efficient hot water supply by utilizing the heat accumulator, main heat source, and additional heat source, achieving higher hot water temperatures and flow rates, even during peak demand, while maintaining energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
hot water stored in the heat accumulator heated by a main heat source
Implementation Method 2
fresh water is passed through a heat exchanger, which is heated by the main heat source, before it is heated in the instantaneous water heater
Implementation Method 3
heat pump, a hot water tank heated by the heat pump
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a heating system (1) for heating a building and for heating hot water, having a main heat source (2), a heat accumulator (20) and an additional heat source (26). To ensure a sufficient supply of hot water (26), the additional heat source (26) is connected hydraulically in parallel with the heat accumulator (20).