In-Building Water Supply Flow Mapping to Reduce Energy and Water Usage
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a technology to replace gas combi boilers in smaller domestic dwellings due to the unsuitability of heat pumps, which are large, expensive, and complex to install, and cannot easily be retrofitted, while also reducing water and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method and system involving a processor-controlled in-building water supply installation with flow measurement and regulation devices to optimize water flow rates, potentially integrated with a heat pump and phase change material energy storage, to reduce hot water usage and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If heat pumps are used to replace gas combi boilers, then energy consumption is reduced, but device size, cost, and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple controllable water outlets, each independently mapped and regulated. This segmentation allows the heat pump to serve multiple functions (space heating, domestic hot water, process heating) separately, reducing the peak demand and complexity of any single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary mapping of all water outlets during installation, creating a database of flow characteristics before actual use. This preliminary action allows the control system to optimize heat pump operation in advance, reducing the complexity of real-time decision-making.
2Loss of energy
If flow measurement and regulation devices are installed in all water outlets, then water and energy usage are reduced, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each water outlet is equipped with flow measurement and regulation devices that automatically adjust based on the mapped flow characteristics. The system serves itself by using the stored mapping data to control flow without requiring continuous manual intervention or complex real-time analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors actual flow at each outlet and compares it with the mapped characteristics, automatically adjusting flow regulators to maintain optimal conditions. This feedback loop reduces energy and water waste while keeping the control logic relatively simple.
3Productivity
If the system maps and controls each water outlet individually, then water and energy efficiency improve, but measurement and control complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system maps flow characteristics for all water outlets during installation (excessive action), creating a comprehensive database that covers all possible scenarios. This allows the system to handle individual outlet control with simple lookup-based logic rather than complex real-time measurement and decision-making.
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 solution effectively reduces water and energy usage by optimizing water flow rates and integrating with heat pumps and phase change material energy storage, making it a practical alternative to gas combi boilers, especially in smaller homes.
Implementation Method 1
an energy store containing a phase change material having a phase transition temperature within the range 40 to 60 Celsius
Implementation Method 2
a heat pump arranged to heat the phase change material and the water in the hot water supply system to above the phase transition temperature
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method of mapping an in-building water supply installation having multiple controllable water outlets, the installation including a supply of water; in a water flow path between the supply of water and the controllable water outlets, a flow measurement device and a flow regulator; a processor being operatively connected to the flow measurement device and the at least one flow regulator. The method comprises opening a first of the water outlets and processing signals from the flow measurement device with the processor at least until a first flow characteristic is determined; closing the first of the water outlets; repeating the opening, processing and closing operations for each of the other water outlets to determine for each controllable water outlet a respective flow characteristic. Subsequently the processor is configured to; identify the opening of a particular one of the plurality of controllable water outlets based on the similarity of a detected flow characteristic to a respective flow characteristic; and control said at least one flow regulator, based on the identification, to control a supply of water to the identified controllable water outlet.