Water heating system with smart boiler and method thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Home water heating systems face inefficiencies due to the distance between the heating source and point of use, leading to significant water and energy waste, as well as the need for further heating to reach the desired temperature after initial partial heating using waste water heat.
Innovation Solution
A smart boiler system with two chambers separated by a flexible barrier, where water is preheated using waste water in a heat exchanger and then further heated to the desired temperature in a multi-chamber boiler located near the point of use, utilizing recirculating pumps and temperature control to optimize heating efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If water is heated at a location remote from the point of use, then the heating system can be centrally located and easier to maintain, but significant water and energy are wasted due to pipe warming and residual water disposal
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the water heating function into two separate locations: a remote heat exchanger that recovers waste heat from greywater to preheat incoming cold water, and a local multi-chamber boiler that completes the heating process near the point of use. This segmentation allows centralized waste heat recovery while enabling local hot water delivery without excessive pipe losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a heat exchanger as an intermediary device that transfers thermal energy from waste greywater to incoming cold water supplies. This intermediary enables remote heat recovery without directly transporting hot water through long pipes, thereby eliminating the energy waste associated with heating and maintaining hot water in distribution pipes.
2Loss of energy
If water is preheated using waste water heat in a heat exchanger, then energy consumption is reduced, but the water temperature is insufficient and requires further heating
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of incoming cold water using waste heat from greywater through a heat exchanger. This preheating action reduces the temperature gap that the main boiler must bridge, thereby lowering overall energy consumption while ensuring the water reaches the required final temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a two-stage continuous heating process: first, the heat exchanger continuously preheats incoming cold water using available waste heat; second, the local multi-chamber boiler continuously completes the heating process. This continuous action ensures water is always available at the correct temperature without energy-intensive reheating cycles.
3Loss of energy
If a local water heater is used to elevate water temperature near the point of use, then water and energy waste is minimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The local heating device is segmented into multiple independent chambers, each capable of heating water separately. This modular segmentation reduces the power requirements and thermal mass of each individual chamber, making the overall system more manageable and easier to control while minimizing water and energy waste through localized operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic control mechanisms including recirculating pumps with flow sensors, temperature sensors, and microprocessor-based control logic that continuously monitor and adjust heating operations. This dynamic control optimizes energy usage by activating heating only when and where needed, managing the complexity through intelligent automation rather than simple mechanical means.
4Productivity
If recirculating pumps are used to maintain continuous hot water supply, then hot water availability is improved, but energy consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The recirculating pump system incorporates flow sensors and temperature sensors that provide feedback to a microprocessor controller. The controller monitors water flow and temperature conditions, activating the pump only when hot water is actually needed at the point of use. This feedback-based control eliminates continuous pump operation, thereby maintaining hot water availability while significantly reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous recirculation, the system employs periodic pump activation based on detected water flow or temperature requirements. The pump operates in intermittent cycles, circulating water only during periods when hot water demand is detected, thereby maintaining supply continuity while minimizing energy waste associated with unnecessary circulation.
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
The smart boiler system reduces water and energy waste by efficiently heating water to the desired temperature near the point of use, providing a continuous supply of hot water while minimizing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
passing the waste water (greywater or blackwater) and the incoming mains water through a heat exchanger, thereby warming the incoming mains water
Implementation Method 2
a heater configured to heat water to a desired temperature
Implementation Method 3
a recirculating pump configured to recirculate water through the multi-chamber boiler
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
A system and method for providing hot water to a point of use such as a shower. Waste warm water from said point of use passes through a heat exchanger, where it initially warms incoming mains water, typically to about 34 °C. The initially warmed water is heated to its final temperature, typically about 42° C, in a smart boiler. The smart boiler, which typically has a volume of about 40 liters, comprises two chambers with a flexible barrier therebetween. Each chamber is separately heated as needed. Hot water is drawn from one of the two chambers; simultaneously, the other chamber fills with initially warmed water and is heated to its final temperature. When the volume of water in the chamber from which water is being drawn reaches a minimum, the system begins to fill that chamber and to draw water from the other one.