Point-of-Use Heat Pump Layout for Low-Loss Hot and Cold Water
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for generating cold and hot water at a point of consumption suffer from high heat losses and water wastage due to long water lines and inefficient energy use, as they require separate lines for cold and hot water and have high energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A device that heats the inlet water to a temperature between 20 to 30 degrees Celsius before a heat pump, which is connected to a single inlet line, uses waste water heat to preheat the inlet water, and positions the heat pump near the consumption point to minimize line length and energy losses, with optional decentralized heat pumps and water reservoirs for increased efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If separate cold and hot water lines are used to supply water at specified temperatures, then the desired temperature can be provided at the consumption point, but high heat losses occur during transport and considerable hot water is wasted in long lines
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet water is preheated to 20-30°C before entering the heat pump, which reduces the temperature difference between the water and the heat pump components. This preliminary heating action reduces heat losses during transport and improves the overall energy efficiency of the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The waste heat from the drain pipe is recovered and used to preheat the inlet water. This converts the harmful waste heat that would otherwise be lost into a useful resource, reducing the energy demand on the heat pump and minimizing heat losses in the water lines.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a heat pump is used to heat and cool water in the inlet line, then cold and hot water can be generated, but the energy consumption is comparatively high
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet water is preheated to 20-30°C before entering the heat pump, which reduces the temperature lift required by the heat pump. This preliminary action makes the heat pump operation more efficient and reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining the ability to generate both cold and hot water.
Solution Approach 2:
The waste heat from the drain pipe is recovered and used to preheat the inlet water. This converts waste energy into a useful resource, reducing the energy burden on the heat pump and lowering overall energy consumption while maintaining versatile cold and hot water generation.
3Loss of energy
If inlet water is heated to room temperature (22°C) before the heat pump, then heat radiation losses are reduced during transport, but additional heating energy is required
Solution Approach 1:
The waste heat from the drain pipe is recovered and used to preheat the inlet water to 20-30°C. This converts the harmful waste heat into a useful resource, achieving the benefit of reduced heat radiation losses during transport without requiring additional external heating energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own waste heat to preheat the inlet water, making the system self-sufficient for this heating requirement. The drain water heat exchanger enables the system to service its own heating needs without external energy input.
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 reduces heat losses, conserves water, and enhances energy efficiency by maintaining a stable temperature during transport and allowing for reduced heat pump output, enabling efficient generation of both cold and hot water with lower energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a heat pump connected to the inlet line, which heats part of the inlet water of the inlet line with its warm side to generate the hot water and with its cold side cools another part of the inlet water of the inlet line to generate the cold water
Implementation Method 2
a device for heating the inlet water of the inlet line, which preferably heats the inlet water to 20 to 30 degrees Celsius before the heat pump
Implementation Method 3
the inlet water of the device is heated with the help of the heat of the waste water from the drain pipe from the point of consumption
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The device has a heat pump (4) connected to a supply line (5). The heat pump heats a portion of supply water using a warm side for producing hot water, and cools another portion of the supply water using a cold side for producing cold water. A heating device (8) e.g. boiler (14), heats the supply water to 20 to 30 degree Celsius before the heat pump. The heat pump is arranged in an area of a consumption point (3) and the heating device is placed at a distance from the heat pump. An openable return line (9) is connected with a cold water line (1) and the heating device.