Water Circulation Temperature Control Without Extra Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circulation systems for both cold and hot water networks often fail to maintain water temperatures within desired ranges, leading to inefficiencies and non-compliance with temperature regulations, particularly during phases of stagnation where water stagnation occurs.
Innovation Solution
A method that utilizes a temperature control device, such as a heat exchanger, to adjust water temperature and volume flow within the system, ensuring that water temperatures remain within target ranges by calculating temperature changes across sections of the pipe network, allowing for precise control without the need for additional sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cooling device is installed in the circulation system to maintain water temperature below +25°C, then the water temperature can be controlled within legal limits, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cooling device as an intermediary component between the hot water circulation system and the cold water network. This cooling device acts as a mediator that actively removes excess heat from the cold water circulation loop, preventing temperature buildup without requiring complete system redesign. The cooling device includes a heat exchanger and control system that intervenes in the thermal balance of the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the circulation system by introducing active cooling control. Instead of relying on passive thermal insulation alone, the system now actively adjusts the temperature parameter through the cooling device, which can modulate its cooling capacity based on measured temperature conditions to maintain water temperature below the +25°C threshold.
2Temperature
If forced flushing is performed during stagnation phases to prevent microbial growth, then water temperature can be reduced below +25°C, but energy consumption and system wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic cooling action through the cooling device, which operates during stagnation phases when temperature buildup is most likely to occur. The control system activates the cooling device based on detected temperature conditions or time-based schedules during periods of low water flow, providing intermittent cooling rather than continuous operation, thereby reducing energy consumption compared to constant forced flushing.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling device is integrated into the existing circulation system and utilizes the system's own circulation pump and control infrastructure. The cooling device activates automatically based on temperature measurements from existing sensors, making the system self-regulating without requiring external intervention or additional manual flushing operations.
3Temperature
If thermal insulation of PWC pipes is improved to prevent heat input, then water temperature control is enhanced, but installation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than relying solely on improved thermal insulation as a passive barrier, the patent introduces an active cooling device as an intermediary that directly addresses temperature control. This approach complements insulation measures by providing active heat removal capability, allowing the system to achieve temperature control goals even with standard insulation levels, thereby avoiding the need for extensive insulation upgrades.
4Reliability
If the cold water installation is designed with regular water renewal to prevent stagnation, then microbial growth is prevented, but system complexity and water consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where temperature sensors continuously monitor water temperature in the circulation system. When temperature approaches the +25°C threshold during stagnation periods, the control system activates the cooling device to remove excess heat. This closed-loop feedback control prevents microbial growth by maintaining temperature below critical levels without requiring complete water renewal, thereby achieving reliability goals with minimal additional complexity.
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 approach effectively maintains water temperatures within legal limits, enhances energy efficiency, and reduces the risk of undesirably high water temperatures, ensuring compliance with temperature regulations while optimizing system operation.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling device (12), in particular a heat exchanger, having an inlet port (12a) and an outlet port (12b) for water
Implementation Method 2
a circulation pump (10b), in particular a variable speed pump, for circulating the water through the pipe network
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a circulation system (10) comprising a heating device having an inlet port and an outlet port for controlling the temperature of water, and comprising a pipe system having a plurality of strings which include one or more sections of a given thermal coupling to the surroundings and are connected by means of nodes, one or more of the pipes of the pipe system being designed as a supply pipe (4, 5, 6), at least one individual delivery pipe (7) connected to a removal point (9) and at least one pipe designed as a circulation pipe (10a) being connected to the supply pipe(s) (4, 5, 6), said method comprising the steps: - setting a water temperature at the outlet port to a value Ta by means of the heating device; - setting a volumetric flow rate at the inlet port to a value Vz, and comprising the following steps: - determining, in particular calculating, a temperature change of the water between the start region and the end region according to a model of the axial temperature change for the first section connected to the outlet port, starting from a temperature start value TMA* and a volumetric flow rate start value Vz*; - determining, in particular calculating, a temperature change of the water between the start region and the end region for each further given section according to the model of the temperature change, subject to the boundary condition that the water temperature in the start region of the given section is the same as the water temperature in the end region of the section to which the given section is connected; and - selecting the value Ta of the water temperature and the value Vz of the volumetric flow rate at the outlet port in such a way that in the end region of each section the water temperature TME is in a specified temperature range around Tsoll, in particular at the inlet port (12a, 14b) the water temperature Tb < Tsoll is set with Tsoll - Tb < Θ, where Θ > 0 is a specified value. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a circulation system for carrying out the method.