Single-Pump Heat Storage Circuit With Reversible Flow Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat supply systems face challenges in efficiently managing heat imbalances and requiring complex, costly arrangements with multiple pumps and valves to charge and discharge heat accumulators, leading to increased installation and control efforts, as well as potential pump damage from high temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A pump arrangement using a single pump with a 4/2 valve and non-return valve, controlled via pulse width modulation, allows for efficient charging and discharging of heat accumulators with minimal energy consumption and reduced complexity, enabling hydraulic compensation and adaptive operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single pump is used for charging and discharging heat accumulators, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but the pump must handle bidirectional flow which traditional centrifugal pumps cannot do
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system transitions from static single-direction operation to dynamic bidirectional operation. The centrifugal pump, traditionally limited to one flow direction, is made adaptable through the 4/2 valve switching mechanism that reverses the flow path, allowing the same pump to charge and discharge the heat accumulator in different operational phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The 4/2 valve acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the single pump and the heat accumulator. By switching the valve positions, the flow direction through the pump is reversed without requiring a second pump, thus the valve serves as the mediating element that enables bidirectional functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two pumps connected in parallel are used to enable bidirectional flow, then flow direction versatility is improved, but device complexity, installation cost, and control effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using two separate pumps to achieve bidirectional flow, the invention merges the charging and discharging functions into a single pump system. The same pump handles both operations by alternating flow directions controlled by the 4/2 valve, thereby combining multiple functions into one component.
Solution Approach 2:
The single centrifugal pump is made multi-functional by enabling it to perform both charging and discharging operations. Through the valve switching mechanism, the pump's functionality is extended to cover bidirectional flow requirements that would traditionally necessitate two dedicated pumps.
3Productivity
If the pump is installed in the high-temperature line section to enable direct charging, then charging efficiency is improved, but pump service life is reduced due to thermal degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The pump's operational temperature exposure is made dynamic rather than static. The pump alternates between high-temperature periods during charging and lower-temperature periods during discharging, reducing cumulative thermal stress and extending service life while maintaining charging efficiency when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump operates in periodic cycles, alternating between charging mode (exposed to high temperature) and discharging mode (exposed to lower temperature). This periodic alternation prevents continuous thermal exposure, thereby protecting the pump from thermal degradation while ensuring charging efficiency when required.
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 installation and maintenance costs, minimizes energy usage, and prevents pump damage, while enabling efficient heat management and balancing in heat supply systems, particularly with renewable energy sources.
Implementation Method 1
controlled via pulse width modulation
Implementation Method 2
non-return valve
Implementation Method 3
4/2 valve
Implementation Method 4
pump conveys a flow of media
Implementation Method 5
enabling hydraulic compensation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a pump arrangement for operating a storage element in a heat supply system. The pump arrangement according to the invention consists of a controllable pump, a 4/2 valve, and a non-return valve in the pressure conduit of the pump. The components of the pump arrangement cooperate in such a way that the pumped stream can flow in different directions in the associated conduit loop while the direction of flow in the pump is always the same, and the pump output can be simultaneously adjusted to existing requirements.