Phase-Change Heat Exchange Panels for Low-Energy Building Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heating and cooling of buildings is energy-intensive and costly, relying on fossil fuels or renewable electrical energy, with existing systems inefficient in energy transfer and consumption.
Innovation Solution
A heating system comprising heat exchange panels with a sealed cavity for phase-change fluid, a heat pump, controller, and controllable valves, allowing multiple operational modes for efficient heat transfer and energy management, including active and passive heating, cooling, and snow clearing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional heating and cooling systems are used, then heating and cooling requirements can be met, but energy consumption is high and costs are expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchange panel utilizes phase change material that transitions between solid and liquid states to store and release thermal energy. When the phase change material melts, it absorbs heat; when it freezes, it releases heat. This passive thermal regulation reduces the energy required for active heating and cooling while maintaining reliable temperature control in the building.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchange panel acts as an intermediary thermal storage device between the phase change material and the building interior. It transfers heat efficiently between the phase change material and the surrounding environment, enabling passive thermal regulation and reducing dependency on high-energy conventional HVAC systems.
2Loss of energy
If heat pumps are used to transfer heat energy, then heating efficiency is improved, but system complexity and initial cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The phase change material in the heat exchange panel provides self-regulating thermal storage without requiring complex control systems. The material automatically absorbs heat when melting and releases heat when freezing, creating a passive thermal buffer that reduces the need for sophisticated pump control and system management.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase change material pre-stores thermal energy during periods when heating or cooling is not needed, preparing thermal capacity in advance. This preliminary thermal storage reduces the immediate demand on heat pumps, allowing them to operate more efficiently at lower capacities rather than continuously at high output.
3Use of energy by moving object
If insulation is used to reduce heating and cooling requirements, then energy consumption decreases, but the initial investment and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The phase change material provides high-density thermal storage in a compact form factor. By utilizing the latent heat of fusion, a small volume of phase change material can store and release significant thermal energy, achieving effective thermal insulation and regulation without requiring the large volumes of conventional insulation materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the thermal properties of the heat exchange panel by utilizing phase transitions of the enclosed material. This dynamic parameter change allows the panel to adapt its thermal characteristics, providing both thermal mass and insulation properties in a compact structure that doesn't require additional space beyond the panel itself.
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
The system achieves significant energy savings by optimizing heat transfer and management, reducing energy consumption while maintaining efficient heating and cooling capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
allowing evaporation of the liquid at one location and condensation of the liquid at a different location in the cavity
Implementation Method 2
allowing evaporation of the liquid at one location and condensation of the liquid at a different location in the cavity
Implementation Method 3
a fluid in both liquid and gas phases and being configured to communicate heat energy by allowing evaporation of the liquid
Implementation Method 4
a heat pump (222)... transfer by the heat pump of heat energy from the first fluid circuit to the second fluid circuit
Implementation Method 5
communicate heat energy between fluid flowing through the first heat exchanger part and the heat spreading part and thus the environment in which the heat spreading part is present
Data Source
AI summary
A system comprises: at least one heat exchange panel (700) comprising: a main body (100) comprising a sealed cavity in which is provided a fluid in both liquid and gas phases and being configured to communicate heat energy by allowing evaporation of the liquid at one location and condensation of the liquid at a different location in the cavity; and at least a first heat exchanger part (130, 210a, 211a) including an inlet and an outlet for allowing the passing of fluid through the heat exchanger, the first heat exchanger part being thermally coupled to the heat spreading part so as to communicate heat energy between fluid flowing through the first heat exchanger part and the heat spreading part and thus the environment in which the heat spreading part is present. A controller is configured to cause control of pumps and valves to as to cause the system to operate in a number of different modes of operation, wherein the system is operable in an active heating mode of operation in which the controller controls the heat pump, the one or more fluid pumps and the valves to provide the system with: a first fluid circuit in which fluid is pumped through the heat exchange panel and a first side of the heat pump, a second fluid circuit in which fluid is pumped through the heat tank and the second side of the heat pump, and transfer by the heat pump of heat energy from the first fluid circuit to the second fluid circuit.