Thermal Storage Tank Temperature Profiling from Flow and Layer Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydronic systems face inefficiencies in determining the temperature profile of thermal storage tanks due to the use of single or multiple fixed temperature sensors, which leads to inaccurate energy storage estimation and increased operational costs, emissions, and power usage.
Innovation Solution
A system with temperature sensors and flowmeters at inlets and outlets of the thermal storage tank, coupled with a control unit that monitors flow rates and temperatures to determine the current location of water layers and compute an average temperature value, generating a dynamic temperature profile over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors are installed at various points in the hot water storage tank to determine the temperature profile, then the temperature measurement accuracy is improved, but the system cost increases and the system becomes more vulnerable to technical failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temperature measurement function from multiple physical sensors inside the tank and relocates it to the control unit, which calculates temperature profile based on data from fewer sensors and flow/energy measurements. This reduces the number of temperature sensors needed while maintaining measurement accuracy through computational methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces energy measurement and flow rate data as intermediary information that enables the control unit to infer temperature profile without requiring direct temperature measurements at multiple points. The control unit acts as an intermediary that processes these measurements to generate the temperature profile.
2Device complexity
If temperature sensors are used to determine the temperature profile without accounting for inflow or outflow data, then the measurement system remains simple, but the temperature profile accuracy deteriorates due to static measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring flow rates and energy measurements, and using this information to dynamically update the temperature profile calculation in the control unit. This feedback loop ensures the temperature profile remains accurate despite changes in tank conditions due to inflow or outflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from static temperature measurement to dynamic temperature profile determination by continuously updating the profile based on real-time flow and energy data. The temperature profile becomes a dynamic parameter that adapts to changing tank conditions rather than a fixed measurement.
3Loss of information
If one or multiple temperature sensors are deployed throughout the tank for determining thermal profile, then the temperature data coverage is improved, but the operational cost increases and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temperature measurement function from multiple distributed sensors and consolidates it into computational determination by the control unit, using data from fewer sensors combined with flow and energy measurements. This reduces the number of active sensors and associated energy consumption while maintaining complete temperature data coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical sensor-based temperature measurement system with a computational system that calculates temperature profile based on energy balance and flow data. This substitution reduces the need for multiple physical sensors and their associated power requirements.
4Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors are installed in the hot water storage tank, then the temperature profile determination capability is improved, but the system becomes more vulnerable to technical failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the requirement for multiple temperature sensors inside the tank by extracting the temperature measurement function and implementing it computationally in the control unit. This reduces the number of failure-prone components while maintaining temperature profile determination capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces flow rate and energy measurement data as intermediary information that enables temperature profile calculation without requiring multiple temperature sensors. This intermediary approach reduces system complexity and improves reliability by eliminating multiple sensor failure points.
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 approach provides accurate temperature profiling, optimizing energy management, reducing operational costs, and enhancing the efficiency of hydronic heating and cooling systems.
Implementation Method 1
a set of temperature sensors mounted at the one or more inlets and the one or more outlets of the thermal storage tank
Implementation Method 2
a set of flowmeters mounted at the one or more inlets and the one or more outlets of the thermal storage tank
Implementation Method 3
The thermal storage tank is configured to store at least hot water and cold water in the form of a plurality of water layers
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for determining temperature profile associated with a thermal storage tank of a hydronic system. The method performed by a control unit includes monitoring a flow rate and a temperature of a volume of hot water and a volume of cold water entering a thermal storage tank via a set of flowmeters and a set of temperature sensors, respectively. The method includes determining a current location of plurality of water layers in the thermal storage tank. The method further includes computing an average temperature value of the at least the hot water and the cold water withdrawn from the thermal storage tank. The method includes generating a temperature profile of the thermal storage tank based at least on the current location, the flow rate and the temperature of the hot water and the cold water, and the average temperature value.