District Thermal Energy Assembly With Pressure-Difference Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional building heating and cooling systems rely on primary high-grade energy sources like electricity and fossil fuels, converting them into low-grade waste heat that is often returned to the environment, necessitating improvements in energy efficiency and utilization within urban environments.
Innovation Solution
A local thermal energy consumer and generator assembly connected to a thermal energy circuit with hot and cold conduits, utilizing valves and pumps controlled by pressure difference determining devices to manage heat transfer efficiently, allowing for selective connection to either conduit based on pressure differences, thereby optimizing energy use and distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional building heating and cooling systems use primary high-grade energy sources such as electricity and fossil fuels, then space heating and cooling can be provided, but energy efficiency is low and waste heat is returned to the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts waste heat that would otherwise be returned to the environment into a useful resource by connecting buildings to a thermal energy circuit. Buildings with excess heat can transfer it to the district thermal energy system, which can then utilize this heat for space heating or hot water preparation in other buildings, thereby converting harmful waste heat into beneficial thermal energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal energy circuit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides space heating, space cooling, and hot tap water preparation for multiple buildings. The system can operate in different modes depending on thermal demand, acting as both a heat distribution network and a cooling network, thereby eliminating the need for separate systems.
2Loss of energy
If a district heating grid is used for space heating and hot tap water preparation, then fossil fuel consumption is reduced, but the system requires complex infrastructure with hot and cold conduits
Solution Approach 1:
The dual conduit system serves multiple purposes: the hot conduit transports thermal energy for heating and hot water preparation, while the cold conduit transports waste heat for cooling applications. This multi-functional infrastructure replaces the need for separate heating and cooling grids, reducing overall system complexity despite the presence of two conduits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges heating and cooling functions into a single integrated district thermal energy system. By combining the heat distribution function and waste heat recovery function into one system, the infrastructure is optimized to serve multiple buildings with both heating and cooling needs, reducing the total infrastructure required compared to separate systems.
3Productivity
If buildings act as thermal sinks or sources within a district thermal energy distribution system, then energy efficiency is enhanced, but selective connection control based on pressure differences is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses automatic pressure difference-based control mechanisms that self-regulate the thermal energy flow between buildings. When a building has excess heat, the pressure difference automatically directs heat flow to buildings needing heating, eliminating the need for complex manual control systems while maintaining high energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure difference control system provides continuous feedback on thermal energy flow conditions. Pressure sensors monitor the thermal energy circuit and automatically adjust valve positions or pump operations to maintain optimal flow conditions, ensuring efficient heat transfer while adapting to changing thermal demands of connected 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
This solution enhances energy efficiency by allowing buildings to act as thermal sinks or sources within a district thermal energy distribution system, minimizing the need for primary energy sources and reducing waste heat return to the environment, thus promoting a smart dual-use of thermal energy within cities.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal energy consumer heat exchanger connectable to a hot conduit via the thermal energy consumer valve for allowing heat transfer liquid from the hot conduit to flow into the thermal energy consumer heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
a thermal energy generator heat exchanger connectable to the cold conduit via a thermal energy generator valve for allowing heat transfer liquid from the cold conduit to flow into the thermal energy generator heat exchanger
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a thermal energy consumer controller (28) arranged to selectively control the use of either a thermal energy consumer valve (23) or a thermal energy consumer pump (24) based on differential pressure. The present invention relates to a thermal energy generator controller (38) arranged to selectively control the use of either a thermal energy generator valve (33) or a thermal energy generator pump (34) based on differential pressure.