Return Tee for Hot Water Recirculation to Reduce Heat Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hot water in heating lines often loses heat during periods of non-use, resulting in water being provided at a temperature below the desired temperature when the fixture is reactivated, leading to inefficient heating and energy loss.
Innovation Solution
A hot water recirculation system utilizing a return tee, which includes a water heater, recirculation pump, and integrated check valves, recirculates cooled water back to the heater to maintain the desired temperature, ensuring hot water is provided instantly upon fixture activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heated water is stored in heating lines during periods of non-use, then hot water is available for immediate use, but heat is lost through convection and other means causing water temperature to drop below desired level
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously recirculates water through the heating lines and back to the water heater, maintaining constant motion of water to prevent heat loss through convection. The recirculation loop ensures water is constantly being heated and delivered, eliminating the need for static storage that would lose heat.
Solution Approach 2:
A recirculation pump acts as an intermediary device to move water through the heating lines and back to the water heater. The pump enables the continuous circulation system by mechanically transporting water between the heating lines and the heating source.
2Loss of energy
If a recirculation system is implemented to maintain water temperature, then energy loss is reduced, but system complexity increases with additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The return line is merged with the cold water supply line at a common connection point near the water heater. This integration allows the recirculated water to be reheated along with fresh cold water, combining two functions (recirculation and fresh water heating) into a single efficient process.
Solution Approach 2:
The water heater serves multiple functions: heating fresh cold water from the supply line and reheating recirculated water from the heating lines. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate heating systems and simplifies the overall configuration.
3Use of energy by moving object
If water is heated on demand without storage, then energy efficiency is improved, but water temperature may be below desired level when fixture is reactivated after non-use
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating by continuously circulating water through the heating lines and reheating it before it cools down. This preliminary action ensures that water in the heating lines is always at the desired temperature, ready for immediate delivery when the fixture is activated.
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 effectively maintains the desired water temperature at fixtures by reheating cooled water, reducing energy loss and ensuring consistent hot water supply without the need for storage tanks, thus optimizing energy usage and reducing installation costs.
Implementation Method 1
a water heater configured to heat water to a desired temperature
Implementation Method 2
a recirculation pump configured to deliver heated water from the water heater, through the hot water supply line, to at least one fixture
Implementation Method 3
water may remain relatively confined within this heated water line. Often, the period of non-use of the fixture is such that heated water confined within the heated water line loses significant amount of heat through convection
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a hot water recirculation system with a return tee. The system includes a water heater, several supply lines, and a return tee. The hot water supply line is communicatively coupled to the water heater and at least one fixture and provides heated water from the water heater to the at least one fixture. The cold water supply line provides cold water from a cold water source to the water heater. Finally, the return line is communicatively coupled to the hot water supply line and delivers cooled water from the hot water supply line to the water heater. A return tee is communicatively coupled to the return line, the cold water supply line, and the water heater. This return tee provides cooled water from the return line and cold water from the cold water supply line to the water heater, which heats the water.