Tap Water Storage Tank Return Control for Heat Stratification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard tap water heating devices face issues with the consumption of warm water buffer by the heat exchanger, leading to a lack of warm tap water, which affects user comfort, and take a long time to notice the reduction in warm water supply, resulting in inadequate hot water provision.
Innovation Solution
The tap water device incorporates an additional heat exchanger return connected to the storage tank, allowing for the controlled return of tap water to either the warm or cold part of the tank, using regulators like a three-way valve to split the return flow, maintaining temperature stratification and reducing warm water loss, and includes additional heating elements for enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If the heat exchanger uses warm water from the storage tank for central heating, then the central heating system can be supplied with heat, but the warm water buffer in the storage tank is consumed and reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The storage tank is divided into two distinct zones: an upper warm water zone and a lower cold water zone. The heat exchanger is positioned to draw water specifically from the upper warm zone, while the return connection introduces cooled water to the lower cold zone. This segmentation prevents mixing of temperature zones and ensures the heat exchanger only consumes warm water that is already available, rather than depleting the overall warm water buffer.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the storage tank are maintained with different temperature qualities. The upper portion maintains high temperature for hot water supply, while the lower portion maintains lower temperature. The heat exchanger operates locally within the upper zone, and the return connection locally replenishes the lower zone, preserving the overall temperature stratification and warm water buffer capacity.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the heat exchanger operates continuously for central heating, then heat supply is maintained, but the system takes a long time to notice the reduction in warm water supply, leading to inadequate hot water provision
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a temperature sensor that continuously monitors the temperature in the storage tank. When the warm water buffer reaches a critical level or temperature drops below a threshold, the sensor triggers an alarm signal to notify the user. This feedback mechanism provides immediate awareness of warm water buffer status, allowing users to take action before hot water supply becomes inadequate.
3Temperature
If the return water from the heat exchanger is stored in the lower part of the storage device, then the cold water is heated by the warm return water, but this consumes the warm water buffer and reduces hot water capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The storage tank is segmented into upper and lower zones with distinct temperature characteristics. The return connection is positioned to introduce cooled heat exchanger water specifically to the lower cold zone, where it can be gradually heated by the temperature gradient without disrupting the warm water buffer in the upper zone. This spatial segmentation allows simultaneous cold water heating and warm water buffer preservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower cold water zone acts as an intermediary medium. Instead of directly mixing warm and cold water, the system uses the temperature gradient across the stratified zones to transfer heat indirectly. The return connection introduces cooled water to the lower zone, which then absorbs heat from the upper warm zone through thermal conduction and convection at the interface, maintaining temperature stratification while achieving cold water heating.
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 solution maintains a stable energy level in the storage tank, increases the capacity for warm tap water, and ensures a sharp division between high and low temperature water, improving the performance and efficiency of the heat exchanger by regulating the temperature and reducing the need to draw more warm water than required.
Implementation Method 1
The tap water device is connected to a heat exchanger, which is connected to a Central Heating installation
Implementation Method 2
These devices are usually equipped with a coil-shaped heating element that uses flue gases to increase the temperature of the tap water
Implementation Method 3
The regulators may include for example a valve, such as a three-way valve
Data Source
AI summary
The invention involves a tap water structure for storing and heating tap water. The tap water structure contains storage devices, such as a tap water storage tank, for storing a certain amount of tap water. The storage devices are equipped with a tap water input for adding tap water to the storage devices, as well as a tap water output for removing water from the storage devices. The tap water structure is equipped with heating elements that will warm the tap water stored in the storage devices. The storage devices also include a heat exchanger supply and a heat exchanger return, as well as an additional heat exchanger return; these can all be connected to an external heat exchanger unit. The tap water device includes regulators to return the tap water to the storage devices either via the heat exchanger return and/or via the additional heat exchanger return.