Thermo-hydraulic station
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermo-hydraulic networks lack efficiency in managing multiple heat sources and cold spots, particularly in urban networks and solar energy recovery systems, leading to suboptimal energy distribution and reinjection.
Innovation Solution
A bidirectional thermo-hydraulic station with a reinjection controller that adjusts the temperature of surplus thermal energy from a second source into a first source based on adaptive and learning models, using variables like outside temperature, sunshine, and calendar information to optimize energy distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If surplus thermal energy from a second source is reinjected into a first thermal energy source, then energy efficiency is improved, but temperature control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reinjection controller dynamically adjusts the temperature parameter of reinjected thermal energy based on real-time monitoring of the first source's temperature and operational status. By changing the temperature parameter adaptively rather than using a fixed temperature, the system maximizes energy recovery while preventing overheating or thermal shock to the first source.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the reinjection controller continuously monitors the temperature and status of the first thermal energy source, then adjusts the reinjection parameters accordingly. This closed-loop control enables automatic adaptation to varying conditions, resolving the contradiction between maximizing energy efficiency and maintaining simple temperature control.
2Productivity
If adaptive and learning models are used to optimize energy distribution, then energy utilization is improved, but computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The learning model is trained in advance using historical operational data to capture patterns in thermal energy production and consumption. This preliminary training phase allows the model to make rapid predictions during operation without requiring complex real-time computations, thus improving energy utilization while keeping operational computational requirements manageable.
3Loss of energy
If thermal energy is reinjected when the second source provides greater power than requested, then energy waste is reduced, but temperature matching difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than attempting to match a single target temperature, the system dynamically adjusts the reinjection temperature as a variable parameter based on the actual state of the first thermal energy source. The controller monitors the first source's temperature and adjusts the reinjected energy's temperature parameter in real-time, transforming a static temperature matching problem into a dynamic adaptation process that reduces energy waste while managing temperature compatibility.
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
Enhances energy efficiency by dynamically managing thermal energy flow between sources, improving energy utilization and reducing waste, especially during varying demand and energy production levels.
Implementation Method 1
a reinjection unit adapted to reinject a surplus of thermal energy coming from the second thermal energy source into the first thermal energy source
Implementation Method 2
a first unit adapted to exchange thermal energy with a consumer
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
This description relates to a thermo-hydraulic station (200) comprising: - a first unit (201) adapted to exchange thermal energy with a consumer, in which the thermal energy can come from a first thermal energy source and/or a second thermal energy source; and - a reinjection controller (204) adapted to reinject a surplus of thermal energy from the second thermal energy source into the first thermal energy source when the second thermal energy source provides a first thermal power greater than a second thermal power demanded by said consumer, said reinjection controller (204) providing a setpoint temperature (Treinj,sp) to a reinjection unit (203), the setpoint temperature being equal to: - a first temperature when the first power is greater than a third power;- a second temperature when the first power is less than a fourth power.;