Tankless Water Heating Layout for Low Pressure Drop
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-rise buildings typically use tank water heating systems due to pressure drop issues associated with tankless systems, which are energy inefficient and cause pressure imbalances, leading to ineffective water distribution.
Innovation Solution
A low pressure drop tankless water heating system incorporating a cold side and hot side conductor, a pump, bypass conductor, heat exchangers, and temperature sensors to manage water flow and temperature dynamically, reducing pressure drop while maintaining on-demand heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If tankless water heating system is used, then energy efficiency is improved, but pressure drop increases causing water distribution problems
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides water flow into two separate conductors: a cold side conductor for incoming water and a hot side conductor for outgoing water. This segmentation allows independent pressure management in each conductor, enabling the hot side to maintain higher pressure for water distribution while the cold side handles lower pressure intake, thus resolving the pressure drop issue while maintaining energy efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
A bypass conductor acts as an intermediary element connecting the cold side conductor to the hot side conductor. This bypass allows a portion of cold water to mix with heated water, tempering the output temperature and reducing the thermal stress on the system. The bypass conductor serves as a mediator that balances pressure and temperature without requiring a traditional storage tank
2Stress or pressure
If tank water heating system is used, then pressure drop is reduced for water distribution, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to continuous heating and thermal loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system activates the pump and heat exchanger only when hot water is demanded, rather than continuously heating water as in traditional tank systems. The pump circulates water through the heat exchanger on-demand, and the bypass conductor provides immediate tempering capability, enabling the system to respond periodically to demand signals without continuous energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the thermal storage mechanism of traditional tanks with a mechanical pump-driven circulation system. Instead of relying on stored thermal energy in a tank, the pump actively delivers heated water directly to points of use, substituting mechanical work for thermal storage and eliminating the associated thermal losses
3Power
If pump pressure is increased to service high rise buildings, then water delivery capability is improved, but pressure imbalance between hot and cold sides increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the pressure management function by providing separate conductors for cold and hot water paths. The pump can be positioned to provide pressure specifically on the hot side conductor where it is needed for high-rise delivery, while the cold side conductor maintains its own pressure profile from the municipal supply, thus achieving pressure balance through spatial segmentation of pressure zones
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass conductor introduces a third dimensional path that connects the cold and hot sides laterally, creating a pressure relief and balancing pathway. This additional dimension in the flow path allows pressure to equalize between hot and cold sides without compromising the vertical delivery capability needed for high-rise buildings
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 achieves energy efficiency and effective water distribution by only heating water when needed, minimizing pressure drop and avoiding negative pressure effects, making it suitable for high-rise buildings.
Implementation Method 1
at least one heat exchanger having a flow valve
Implementation Method 2
a pump configured to generate a flow through each of the at least one heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
the flow valve of the at least one heat exchanger is configured to be restricted to enable an increased flow
Data Source
AI summary
A low 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 and a second end, 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.