System and method for maintaining air temperature within a building HVAC system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional centralized air conditioning systems in large buildings are costly and space-intensive, with high energy consumption and regulatory challenges due to the need for large vertical ducts and separate heating and cooling sources.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a hot and cold water source, heating-cooling units, a primary water storage device, and heat pumps, with a controller to manage heat transfer between these components, allowing for efficient heating and cooling within an air handling system, reducing the need for external energy and vertical ducting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional centralized air conditioning systems are used, then heating and cooling functions are provided, but large vertical ducts and machinery rooms are required occupying significant space
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the building into multiple thermal zones, each equipped with its own thermal energy storage device and heat pump unit. This segmentation eliminates the need for large centralized ducts and machinery rooms, as each zone independently manages its own heating and cooling needs through localized units connected via small-pipe networks.
Solution Approach 2:
Thermal energy storage devices filled with phase change materials serve as intermediaries between heat sources/sinks and thermal zones. These storage devices accumulate thermal energy during off-peak periods and release it during peak periods, mediating the thermal exchange and eliminating the need for large vertical ducts while maintaining heating and cooling functions.
2Ease of operation
If dedicated heating and cooling coils are installed in chilled beam systems, then heating and cooling capabilities are enhanced, but system cost and operating energy cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pump units are designed to provide both heating and cooling functions using the same equipment. The units can operate in reverse mode, extracting heat for cooling during summer and providing heat during winter, eliminating the need for separate heating and cooling coils and reducing both capital and operating costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the heat pump units, allowing them to operate at different temperature levels and modes. By adjusting the refrigerant cycle parameters, the same unit can provide heating or cooling, replacing the need for dedicated coils and reducing energy consumption through optimized heat transfer processes.
3Speed
If thermal energy is transferred immediately without storage, then responsive heating and cooling are provided, but energy costs increase during peak periods
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal energy storage devices perform preliminary action by accumulating thermal energy during off-peak periods when energy costs are lower. Phase change materials in the storage devices absorb and store thermal energy in advance, preparing it for later release during peak periods when heating or cooling is needed, thereby reducing peak energy costs while maintaining rapid thermal response.
Solution Approach 2:
The system ensures continuous useful action by maintaining thermal energy in storage devices during off-peak periods and releasing it during peak periods. This continuous cycle of charging and discharging thermal energy allows the system to provide responsive heating and cooling while optimizing energy cost by shifting thermal energy transfer to more economical time periods.
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 system minimizes installation and operating costs, optimizes space usage, and reduces energy consumption by efficiently managing heat transfer within the building, eliminating the need for large vertical ducts and central machinery rooms.
Implementation Method 1
The heat pump is connected to the primary water storage device and the chilled beam and/or fan coil unit. The controller is adapted to selectively drive the heat pump to transfer heat between the primary water storage device and the chilled beam and/or fan coil unit.
Implementation Method 2
The heating-cooling unit, which includes at least one chilled beam and/or fan coil unit, is operable to transfer heat into or out of air passing within the air handling system of the building.
Implementation Method 3
The primary water storage device is operable to store a volume of water within a predetermined temperature range. The primary water storage device is in communication with the hot water source and the cold water source.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3~5
AI summary
A system and method for conditioning air within an air handling system of a building is provided. The building has a hot water source and a cold water source. The conditioning system includes at least one heating-cooling unit connected to the air handling system, a primary water storage device, at least one heat pump, and a controller. The heating-cooling unit, which includes at least one chilled beam, is operable to transfer heat into or out of air passing within the air handling system of the building. The primary water storage device is operable to store a volume of water within a predetermined temperature range. The primary water storage device is in communication with the hot water source and the cold water source. The heat pump is connected to the primary water storage device and the chilled beam. The controller is adapted to selectively drive the heat pump to transfer heat between the primary water storage device and the chilled beam. The controller is also adapted to selectively control the system to transfer heat into or out of the primary water storage device to maintain the water within the primary storage device within the predetermined temperature range.