Radiant Floor Thermal Storage for Off-Peak Building Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling systems in buildings rely on electricity-intensive air conditioner condensers, leading to high energy costs during peak hours and unnecessary energy usage, while radiant heating systems primarily focus on heating without efficient cooling solutions.
Innovation Solution
A method integrating a radiant heating apparatus with an air-to-fluid heat exchanger and a thermal store in a cement floor or slab, allowing the system to switch between cooling and heating modes by using a blower, air conditioning system, and a controller to optimize energy usage based on ambient temperature and electrical rates, leveraging the thermal store to reduce energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an air conditioner condenser is used to cool air flow, then cooling effect is achieved, but electricity consumption increases during peak hours
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-cools the thermal store during off-peak hours when electricity rates are lower, storing cooling capacity in advance. This preliminary cooling action allows the building to be cooled later without running the air conditioner during peak expensive hours, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving cooling effect and reducing electricity consumption during peak periods
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal store acts as an intermediary between the air conditioner and the building. Instead of directly cooling the building during peak hours, the system uses the pre-chilled thermal store as a mediator to provide cooling, thereby reducing direct electricity consumption while maintaining the cooling effect
2Temperature
If the air conditioner runs continuously, then cooling is maintained, but energy usage becomes unnecessary during low demand periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system operates the air conditioner periodically rather than continuously - running during off-peak hours to charge the thermal store and stopping during peak hours when the stored cooling is sufficient. This periodic operation maintains building temperature comfort while avoiding unnecessary energy usage during periods when cooling demand is low or electricity rates are high
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal store serves itself by storing excess cooling capacity when available and automatically providing cooling when needed. This self-service capability allows the system to maintain building temperature without continuous external energy input, reducing unnecessary energy usage while keeping the cooling function available
3Temperature
If a radiant heating system is used, then heating efficiency is improved, but cooling capability is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The radiant heating system is designed with multi-functionality to serve both heating and cooling purposes. By integrating the thermal store and using reversible heat transfer, the same radiant floor system that provides heating can also provide cooling, thus resolving the contradiction between improving heating efficiency and adding cooling capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system inverts the traditional radiant system's function by using the thermal store to reverse the heat flow direction. During cooling mode, heat flows from the building into the thermal store through the radiant floor, whereas during heating mode, heat flows from the thermal store into the building, allowing the same system to perform both heating and cooling functions
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 integrated system efficiently cools and heats buildings by utilizing the thermal store to minimize energy consumption, particularly during peak electrical hours, and reduces the reliance on electricity for cooling, thereby lowering operational costs and energy usage.
Implementation Method 1
an air-to-fluid heat exchanger in the air duct downstream from the evaporator of the air condition system
Implementation Method 2
a radiant heating loop operatively connected to the air-to-fluid heat exchanger and provided in a thermal store in the building
Data Source
AI summary
A method for cooling or heating a building is provided. An air flow can be created in an air duct and the air flow can be cooled or heated by an air conditioning system or furnace. The cooled or heated air flow can then pass through a heat exchanger connected to a radiant heating loop running through a floor or slab with a liquid circulating through them. When the airflow is being cooled or heated by the air conditioning system or furnace, the air flow will alter the temperature of the liquid circulating through the heat exchanger herefore the temperature of the slab. When the temperature of the slab varies from the temperature of the building, liquid that has been circulated through the radiant heating loop can be used to alter the temperature of the air flow passing through the heat exchanger.