Tankless Water Heater Bypass Valve for Zero Pressure Drop
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-rise buildings typically use tank water heating systems due to pressure issues associated with tankless systems, but these are energy inefficient and cause pressure drops or rises, which previous attempts have failed to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
A zero pressure drop tankless water heating system with a modulating bypass valve and heat exchangers that control flow to maintain zero pressure at the system outlet while ensuring desired temperatures are met efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a tankless water heating system is used to improve energy efficiency, then energy consumption is reduced, but pressure drop increases causing system malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
A bypass line with a bypass valve is introduced as an intermediary pathway between the heat exchanger inlet and outlet. This bypass allows a portion of the water to flow around the heat exchanger, thereby reducing the overall pressure drop across the heating system while maintaining energy efficiency through modulating control of the bypass valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass valve is designed to modulate dynamically based on system conditions. By adjusting the bypass valve opening, the system can optimize the balance between energy efficiency and pressure drop, allowing the water heater to adapt to varying flow rates and pressure conditions in real-time.
2Stress or pressure
If a tank water heating system is used to maintain pressure, then pressure stability is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to pre-heating water
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the bypass mechanism to self-regulate pressure stability without requiring a large storage tank. By modulating the bypass valve, the system maintains pressure stability on-demand while only heating water as needed, eliminating the energy waste associated with pre-heating and storing large volumes of water.
3Ease of operation
If a water heater with large pressure drop is used to control flow, then flow control is improved, but system compatibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass line acts as a mediator that decouples flow control from pressure drop. By using the bypass valve to regulate flow while the main line maintains pressure, the system achieves effective flow control without imposing large pressure drops that would be incompatible with building water distribution systems.
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 provides energy-efficient, on-demand hot water delivery without significant pressure drops or rises, making it suitable for high-rise buildings and replacing traditional tank systems with improved thermal efficiency and reliable hot water delivery.
Implementation Method 1
at least one heat exchanger (8) including a flow valve (32)
Implementation Method 2
a pump (12); wherein the receiving end (22) of the cold side conductor (4) is connected to a cold water supply manifold (24), the exit end (22) of the hot side conductor (6) is connected to a hot water supply manifold (26), the pump (12) generates a flow through each of the at least one heat exchanger (8)
Implementation Method 3
a bypass conductor (10) including a first end, a second end and a bypass valve (58) disposed between the first end and the second end of the bypass conductor (10), wherein the first end of the bypass conductor (10) is adapted to the receiving end of the cold side conductor (4) and the second end of the bypass conductor (10) is adapted to the exit end of the hot side conductor (6)
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A zero pressure drop water heating system comprising a cold side conductor having a receiving end and a closed end; a hot side conductor having an exit end and a closed end; a pump; a bypass conductor having a first end, a second end and a bypass valve, wherein the first end is adapted to the receiving end and the second end is adapted to the exit end; at least one heat exchanger having a flow valve; a heat exchanger inlet temperature sensor disposed on the inlet of one of the at least one heat exchanger; an outlet temperature sensor disposed at an outlet of the at least one heat exchanger closest to the exit end; a system outlet temperature sensor disposed on the exit end and a system inlet temperature sensor disposed on the receiving end.