System for heat exchange between a building and the earth's sub-soil comprising the circulation of phase change materials in a closed circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing geothermal systems for building cooling and heating suffer from suboptimal heat recovery, require significant floor space, and high energy consumption due to continuous fluid circulation and thermal resistance in heat exchangers, necessitating tanks and multiple components.

Innovation Solution

A closed-loop system with encapsulated phase change materials (PCMs) for heat exchange between a building and the subsurface, eliminating the need for PCM tanks and direct heat exchangers, allowing discontinuous fluid flow and reducing energy consumption by leveraging latent heat and heat capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If heat exchangers are used between PCMs and circulating fluid, then heat transfer can occur, but thermal resistance increases and heat recovery efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat recovery efficiencyVSAvoidheat exchanger components

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the PCM storage function and heat transfer function into a single integrated component. The PCM is placed directly in contact with the circulating fluid, eliminating the need for separate heat exchanger components. This direct contact arrangement removes the thermal resistance barrier that would otherwise exist between the PCM and fluid, thereby improving heat recovery efficiency while reducing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the heat exchanger component from the system by allowing the circulating fluid to directly contact the PCM. This eliminates the intermediate heat transfer barrier and the associated thermal resistance, enabling more efficient heat recovery without requiring complex heat exchanger equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If tanks are used to store PCMs, then PCM circulation can be controlled, but system floor space increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePCM circulation controlVSAvoidsystem floor space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the PCM storage function and heat transfer function into a single integrated component located within the building footprint. The PCM is positioned directly in the heat exchange location where it contacts the circulating fluid, eliminating the need for separate storage tanks and reducing the system's floor space requirement while maintaining operational control over PCM circulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of energy

If fluid circulates continuously, then heat transfer is maintained, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer continuityVSAvoidpump energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic or on-demand fluid circulation instead of continuous circulation. The system circulates the fluid only when heating or cooling is required, allowing the PCM to maintain thermal energy during periods when circulation is stopped. This periodic action maintains heat transfer effectiveness while significantly reducing pump energy consumption compared to continuous circulation systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

Enhances heat recovery and reduces system size and energy use by utilizing PCM latent heat, improving thermal efficiency and flexibility in heating and cooling operations.

Implementation Method 1

circulation of the encapsulated PCMs allows to significantly improve heat exchanges by means of the latent heat of melting

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLatent heat: Latent Heat

Implementation Method 2

phase change materials (PCMs) have been used to improve exchanges with the Earth's surface and/or the building

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 3

The closed loop comprises a circulation pump for circulating a fluid comprising capsules containing phase change materials

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPump: Pump

Implementation Method 4

at least one device installed in said building for heat exchange with the building

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 5

at least one device installed in the subsurface for heat exchange with the subsurface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS12449162B2System for heat exchange between a building and the earth's sub-soil comprising the circulation of phase change materials in a closed circuit

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES

AI summary

The present invention relates to a system of heat exchange between a building (1) and the Earth's subsurface (5), comprising a closed loop with at least one pipe (9) installed in said subsurface (5) for heat exchange with subsurface (5), and connected by connecting pipes (4, 7) to at least one pipe (6) installed in said building (1) for heat exchange with building (1), the closed loop comprising a circulation pump (P) for circulating a fluid through said closed loop, and the fluid comprising capsules containing phase change materials.The invention also relates to a method for cooling or heating a building (1) from the heat exchange system between a building (1) and the Earth's subsurface (5).