System and method for providing domestic hot water and/or space heating within a building, and a removable cover of a storage vessel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for providing domestic hot water and space heating are costly and require significant installation space, as they rely on large water storage tanks and struggle with heat recovery from sewage and wastewater due to contamination risks and solid effluent issues.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a storage vessel connected to sewage or wastewater sources, integrated with a water-source heat pump and solar thermal collector, allowing heat storage and efficient operation even at lower temperatures, with a removable cover and heat exchanger for easy cleaning and reduced contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a large water storage tank is used for thermal energy storage, then thermal energy storage capacity is improved, but installation space and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the thermal storage function with the existing cesspool or septic tank, merging two separate functions (waste storage and thermal storage) into a single existing structure. This eliminates the need for a separate large water storage tank while maintaining thermal energy storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cesspool or septic tank is given dual functionality: it continues to serve its original purpose of wastewater storage while simultaneously serving as a thermal energy storage vessel. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated thermal storage infrastructure.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a heat exchanger is integrated within a cesspool or septic tank, then heat recovery from sewage is improved, but the presence of solid effluent cakes the heat exchanger surface impeding heat transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is extracted from the interior of the cesspool and relocated to the exterior surface. This removes it from the environment where solid effluent can cake its surface, while still allowing it to transfer heat from the stored waste material to the water in the tank.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the tank wall or a dedicated heat transfer surface as an intermediary between the solid effluent inside the cesspool and the heat exchanger outside. This intermediary allows heat transfer while preventing direct contact between the heat exchanger surface and caking solids.
3Quantity of substance
If periodic emptying of the cesspool is required, then waste storage capacity is maintained, but the procedure is complicated by the presence of heat exchangers in the tank
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the heat exchanger from the interior of the cesspool, the emptying procedure is simplified. The heat exchanger no longer obstructs access to the bottom of the tank or complicates the mechanical emptying process, while the tank retains its full waste storage capacity.
4Quantity of substance
If a dedicated thermal storage tank is installed, then thermal energy storage is improved, but manufacturing cost and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the thermal storage function with an existing cesspool or septic tank, eliminating the need to manufacture and install a separate dedicated thermal storage tank. This significantly reduces manufacturing costs and installation complexity while maintaining adequate thermal energy storage capacity.
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 reduces installation costs and space requirements while achieving 2-3 times higher solar collection yield, enabling efficient thermal energy storage and reuse, suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications.
Implementation Method 1
at least one solar thermal collector
Implementation Method 2
store a heat output from the at least one solar thermal collector in sewage and/or wastewater
Implementation Method 3
a water-source heat pump
Implementation Method 4
store a heat output from the at least one solar thermal collector in sewage and/or wastewater present in the internal volume of the at least one storage vessel
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method for providing domestic hot water and/or space heating within a building is provided. The system comprises at least one storage vessel comprising a removable cover, wherein an internal volume of the at least one storage vessel is fluidly connected to a source of sewage and/or wastewater from one or more buildings, a water-source heat pump, at least one solar thermal collector, at least one heat transfer circuit, wherein the at least one heat transfer circuit comprises at least one fluid line containing a heat transfer fluid, and a controller for controlling an operation of the system. The system comprises an operation mode in which the controller of the system is configured to connect the at least one solar thermal collector to the at least one storage vessel via the at least one fluid line, wherein the system is configured to store a heat output from the at least one solar thermal collector in sewage and/or wastewater present in the internal volume of the at least one storage vessel. Moreover, a removable cover of a storage vessel is provided.