Thermal integrated multi-source plant
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated thermal plants fail to optimize the exploitation of available thermal sources, leading to inefficient consumption and pollutant emissions, and inadequate heating and air-conditioning of domestic environments throughout various seasons.
Innovation Solution
A thermal integrated multi-source plant is designed with a dual-tank system for sanitary and technical water, utilizing a solar plant, biomass boiler, heat pump, and electric thermal source, along with a control device to optimize heat exchange and source utilization, ensuring efficient heating and cooling of both water and air-conditioning systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a single tank system is used for heating sanitary water, then the device complexity is reduced, but the optimization of thermal sources is insufficient leading to higher consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the water storage into two separate tanks: a first tank for technical water and a second tank for sanitary water. This segmentation allows independent thermal management of each tank, enabling optimized heat exchange operations for each specific purpose and improving overall energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The first tank is positioned inside the second tank, creating a nested configuration. This allows heat exchange between the two tanks through their common wall, enabling the technical water in the first tank to preheat the sanitary water in the second tank, thereby reducing energy consumption.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If thermal sources are not optimized, then the system operation is simple, but pollutant emissions increase and energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device continuously monitors the temperatures in both tanks and the operational status of thermal sources, automatically adjusting the heat exchange operations. This feedback mechanism ensures optimal exploitation of thermal sources, minimizing pollutant emissions from boilers while maintaining energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts operational parameters such as heat exchange rates, thermal source activation, and water flow distribution based on real-time temperature conditions and seasonal variations, optimizing energy usage and reducing harmful emissions.
3Use of energy by moving object
If pre-heating of sanitary water is insufficient, then the system is simpler, but additional heating energy is required increasing consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of sanitary water in the second tank using heat exchanged from the technical water in the first tank before the water is distributed to users. This pre-heating action reduces the additional energy required for final heating at point-of-use.
Solution Approach 2:
The technical water in the first tank acts as an intermediary heat source, transferring thermal energy to the sanitary water in the second tank through the common wall, thereby reducing the direct energy consumption required for sanitary water heating.
4Use of energy by stationary object
If thermal sources are not fully exploited, then the system operation is straightforward, but energy costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system integrates multiple thermal sources (solar panels, heat pump, biomass boiler, electric heater) that can serve both the first tank for technical water and the second tank for sanitary water. This multi-functionality allows full exploitation of available thermal sources, optimizing energy costs by utilizing the most efficient source available at any given time.
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 configuration minimizes consumption and pollutant emissions while providing effective heating and cooling for domestic environments in winter, summer, and intermediate seasons, optimizing the use of thermal sources and reducing energy costs.
Implementation Method 1
a solar plant configured to heat the technical water
Implementation Method 2
a biomass boiler configured to heat the technical water
Implementation Method 3
a heat pump configured to heat the technical water in the first tank or to cool the technical water in the first tank when the heat pump is in a cooling mode
Implementation Method 4
a first heat exchanger arranged in the first tank and configured to preheat the sanitary water in the second tank by heat exchange with the technical water in the first tank
Implementation Method 5
The first tank and the second tank have a common wall, along which heat exchange takes place
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A thermal integrated multi-source plant is provided with a first tank (25) configured to store technical water and connected to at least one air-conditioning plant (3); at least a first thermal source (28; 29; 30; 31; 131) associated to the first tank (25) and configured to heat the technical water; at least a second tank (26) configured to store sanitary water and coupled to a sanitary water supplying circuit (4b); the second tank (26) being coupled to the first tank (25); and a first heat exchanger (70) arranged in the first tank (25) and provided with an inlet (71) coupled to a water network (5) for receiving sanitary water, and with an outlet (74) selectively couplable to the second tank (26) or to the sanitary water supplying circuit (4b).