U.S. patent application number 12/032803 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-28 for hot water and heating system operating on the basis of renewable energy carriers.
This patent application is currently assigned to KIOTO Clear Energy AG. Invention is credited to Erwin Berger, Ingram Eusch, Thomas Kreiner, Reinhard Pavicsics, Erwin Stricker.
Application Number | 20080203179 12/032803 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39591269 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080203179 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Berger; Erwin ; et
al. |
August 28, 2008 |
HOT WATER AND HEATING SYSTEM OPERATING ON THE BASIS OF RENEWABLE
ENERGY CARRIERS
Abstract
The invention relates to a hot water and heating system, which
operates on the basis of renewable energy carriers.
Inventors: |
Berger; Erwin; (Eisenstadt,
AT) ; Eusch; Ingram; (Villach, AT) ; Kreiner;
Thomas; (Loretto, AT) ; Stricker; Erwin;
(Loretto, AT) ; Pavicsics; Reinhard;
(Leithaprodersdorf, AT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KUSNER & JAFFE;HIGHLAND PLACE SUITE 310
6151 WILSON MILLS ROAD
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS
OH
44143
US
|
Assignee: |
KIOTO Clear Energy AG
|
Family ID: |
39591269 |
Appl. No.: |
12/032803 |
Filed: |
February 18, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
237/19 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24D 11/003 20130101;
F24D 11/0221 20130101; F24D 19/1078 20130101; Y02B 10/70 20130101;
F25B 6/04 20130101; F24D 19/1045 20130101; F24D 3/08 20130101; F25B
30/06 20130101; Y02B 10/40 20130101; Y02B 10/20 20130101; F28D
20/0039 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
237/19 |
International
Class: |
F24D 3/08 20060101
F24D003/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 26, 2007 |
DE |
102007009196.8 |
Claims
1. Hot water and heating system operating on the basis of renewable
energy carriers, with the following features: at least one primary
energy heat exchanger from the group: solar heat exchanger, air
heat exchanger, geothermal heat exchanger, each primary energy heat
exchanger has at least one supply line used to transport a cooled
brine and at least one return line used to transport the heated
brine, the return lines of the primary energy heat exchangers are
connectable directly or indirectly to the following heat exchangers
fluidically: an evaporator of a heat pump, which evaporator is
formed as a secondary energy heat exchanger, for transferring heat
from the brine to a refrigerant, a condenser of the heat pump,
which condenser is formed as a tertiary energy heat exchanger, for
transferring heat from the refrigerant to water, an autarkic
secondary energy heat exchanger for transferring heat from the
brine to water, wherein the water flowing through at least one
secondary or tertiary energy heat exchanger is transportable from a
buffer tank into the respective heat exchanger and from there
directly or indirectly back into the buffer tank from the buffer
tank water-conducting lines run to at least one heating circuit
and/or to at least one heat exchanger for transferring heat to a
fresh water circuit.
2. Hot water and heating system according to claim 1, in which at
least one heat exchanger is configured as a plate heat
exchanger.
3. Hot water and heating system according to claim 1, the buffer
tank of which is divided into different sections by floors running
horizontally.
4. Hot water and heating system according to claim 1, in which
different sections of the buffer tank form different temperature
zones of the water in the buffer tank.
5. Hot water and heating system according to claim 1, in which all
return lines of the primary energy heat exchangers discharge into a
multiway valve.
6. Hot water and heating system according to claim 1, in which the
return line of one primary energy heat exchanger is connectable
fluidically to the supply line of another primary energy heat
exchanger.
7. Hot water and heating system according to claims 5 and 6, in
which the connection of return line and supply line is realized in
the multiway valve.
8. Hot water and heating system according to claim 1, in which all
primary energy heat exchangers and secondary energy heat exchangers
that are located in the system and through which the brine can
flow, including related supply and return lines are connectable
fluidically.
9. Hot water and heating system according to claim 8, in which the
connection of the primary energy heat exchangers and secondary
energy heat exchangers through which the brine can flow, including
related supply and return lines, is realized in the multiway
valve.
10. Hot water and heating system according to claim 1, in which all
secondary energy heat exchangers and tertiary energy heat
exchangers that are located in the system and through which the
refrigerant can flow, including related supply and return lines,
are connectable fluidically.
11. Hot water and heating system according to claim 1, in which all
secondary energy heat exchangers and tertiary energy heat
exchangers that are located in the system and through which water
can flow, including related supply and return lines, are
connectable fluidically.
12. Hot water and heating system according to claim 11, in which
the connection of the secondary energy heat exchangers and tertiary
energy heat exchanger through which water can flow, including
related supply and return lines, is realized via a common mixing
valve.
13. Hot water and heating system according to claims 3 and 12, in
which a plurality of water-conducting lines goes off from the
mixing valve to the buffer tank, which lines discharge into
different sections of the buffer tank.
14. Hot water and heating system according to claim 1, in which at
least one water line runs from a section of the buffer tank to at
least one high-temperature heating circuit and at least one water
line runs from a section lying beneath to at least one
low-temperature heating circuit.
15. Hot water and heating system according to claim 14, in which at
least one return line of the high-temperature heating circuit
discharges into a section of the buffer tank and at least one
return line of the low-temperature heating circuit discharges into
a section of the buffer tank lying beneath.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a hot water and heating system,
which operates on the basis of renewable energy carriers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] For economic and political reasons, the importance of
renewable energies is becoming ever greater. Obtaining energy from
the sun, air or geothermal heat is known in various embodiments.
This also applies to combinations of the systems with one
another.
[0003] In the field of housing construction, but also in the case
of offices or commercial buildings, it is particularly important to
produce hot water for heating circuits and/or for heating fresh
water.
[0004] The continuous provision of energy poses a substantial
problem in this context. In summer, solar energy is available
virtually limitlessly; but in summer the minimum requirement also
exists for hot water for heating purposes and/or for heating fresh
water.
[0005] In transitional periods such as autumn, and in winter, this
requirement increases. When the sky is overcast and outside
temperatures are relatively low, scarcely any energy contributions
of note can be provided via solar collectors, for example.
[0006] It is intended with the invention to provide a hot water and
heating system that permits an all-year-round supply to
residential, office and commercial buildings independently of the
weather as far as possible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] To achieve this object, the invention starts out from the
following considerations:
[0008] The system can be subdivided into various system circuits. A
so-called brine circuit takes care, for example, of the heating of
a carrier medium such as glycol by a solar collector. If sufficient
primary energy (sun) is available, the brine can be heated to
temperatures of 60.degree., 100.degree. or more degrees Celsius and
transferred directly to water via a heat exchanger.
[0009] Alternatively, the brine circuit can be routed via the
evaporator part of a heat pump, where the brine can be cooled down
for example by 5.degree.-10.degree. C. A refrigerant, which
circulates in the heat pump, is used furthermore to heat water,
which can be stored in an insulated vessel.
[0010] The brine circuit, refrigerant circuit and water circuit are
thus linked according to the invention.
[0011] The system comprises so-called primary energy heat
exchangers (PHEs). These include said solar collectors, air heat
exchangers or geothermal heat probes in any number and combination.
Using these PHEs, primary energy such as solar energy is
transferred to a heat carrier medium, termed brine below (for
example glycol).
[0012] Furthermore, the system comprises a heat pump, which
consists at least of an evaporator part, a compressor, a condenser
part and an expansion device, wherein the heat pump has a
refrigerant, such as CO.sub.2 or ammonia, flowing through it.
[0013] The evaporator part of the heat pump can be formed by a heat
exchanger. This is described as a secondary energy heat exchanger
(SHE), because in the SHE the heat is transferred from the brine
already heated in the PHE to the refrigerant or vice-versa.
[0014] A SHE can also be a heat exchanger that facilitates a heat
transfer from the brine to water.
[0015] The condenser part of the heat pump forms a tertiary energy
heat exchanger (THE) in this terminology, as in a third stage heat
is transferred from the refrigerant to water.
[0016] The system also includes a so-called buffer tank, which is
used for layered storage of water for at least one closed water
circuit. Since hot water is lighter than cold water, a temperature
gradient from top to bottom results in the buffer tank. Due to
intermediate floors, so-called layer or layers plates, different
sections (temperature zones) can be delimited from one another,
wherein fluidic connections between the sections are permitted.
[0017] The system is connectable to at least one high-temperature
heating circuit (in particular for radiators). To this end, water
with a flow temperature of 50.degree.-90.degree. C., for example,
can be taken from the buffer tank. A heating circuit for low
temperatures can likewise be connected, for example for floor
heating systems, which operate at flow temperatures of
20.degree.-60.degree. C., for example.
[0018] The hot water of the buffer tank can likewise be used for
heating fresh water, for example via an interconnected heat
exchanger. The buffer tank has corresponding supply and removal
lines for the circulation water for this purpose.
[0019] The water supplied to the buffer tank can be routed into the
appropriate temperature zone according to its temperature.
[0020] At least one section (one temperature zone) of the buffer
tank can have a supplementary heating system, in order if necessary
to be able to heat water in the buffer tank independently of the
PHEs. The supplementary heating can be realized for example by way
of a conventional heating system using fossil fuels. An electric
supplementary heating system is likewise possible.
[0021] All types of heat exchangers, especially plate heat
exchangers, are suitable as SHEs or THEs.
[0022] The individual system components, in particular inside the
functional system circuits (brine circuit, refrigerant circuit,
water circuit), can be connected via suitable multiway valves,
which can also be mixing valves, individually or in groups, if
applicable also all at the same time.
[0023] Accordingly the invention relates in its most general
embodiment to a hot water and heating system, which operates on the
basis of renewable energy carriers and has the following
features:
[0024] at least one primary energy heat exchanger from the
group:
[0025] solar heat exchanger, air heat exchanger, geothermal heat
exchanger,
[0026] each primary energy heat exchanger has at least one supply
line used to transport a cooled brine and at least one return line
used to transport the heated brine,
[0027] the return lines of the primary energy heat exchangers are
directly or indirectly connectable fluidically to following heat
exchangers:
[0028] an evaporator of a heat pump, which evaporator is formed as
a secondary energy heat exchanger, for transferring heat from the
brine to a refrigerant,
[0029] a condenser of the heat pump, which condenser is formed as a
tertiary energy heat exchanger, for transferring heat from the
refrigerant to water,
[0030] an autarkic secondary energy heat exchanger for transferring
heat from the brine to water, wherein
[0031] the water flowing through at least one secondary or tertiary
energy heat exchanger is transportable from a buffer tank into the
respective heat exchanger and from there directly or indirectly
back into the buffer tank,
[0032] from the buffer tank water-conducting lines run to
[0033] at least one heating circuit and/or to
[0034] at least one heat exchanger for transfer to a fresh water
circuit.
[0035] The term "autarkic secondary energy heat exchanger"
describes a heat exchanger that is not part of the heat pump and
thus not part of the refrigerant circuit.
[0036] The design of all heat exchangers is optional as far as
possible according to the invention. Thus the heat exchangers can
operate in co-current flow or in counter current flow. The heat
exchangers can be tube heat exchangers, plate heat exchangers,
spiral heat exchangers and/or rotary heat exchangers, for
example.
[0037] The buffer tank is used to store the heated water, but also
to return cooled water, for example from the heating circuit.
Different temperature zones are formed in the buffer tank. The
inflow of cold water will accordingly take place at the bottom and
the extraction of hot water for radiators at the top in the buffer
tank vessel.
[0038] To be able to adjust/control more easily the switching
states and process variants described below, an embodiment of the
invention provides for all return lines of the primary energy heat
exchangers to be routed via a multiway valve. It is then possible
to set via this valve, for example, whether the brine flow coming
from the air heat exchanger is routed exclusively to the evaporator
of the heat pump or whether this brine flow is conducted via the
solar collector beforehand, for example.
[0039] In the latter case, the return line of a primary energy heat
exchanger is connected fluidically to a supply line of another
primary heat exchanger.
[0040] This connection can take place in said multiway valve.
[0041] For charging the system in particular, for example for
filling the brine circuit with glycol, the invention provides for
all primary energy heat exchangers and secondary heat exchangers
located in the system and through which the brine can flow,
including supply and return lines, to be connected simultaneously
fluidically, for example via said multiway valve.
[0042] Similarly, all secondary energy heat exchangers and tertiary
energy heat exchangers located in the system and through which the
refrigerant can flow, including related supply and return lines,
can be connected together fluidically.
[0043] Even the water circuit, thus all secondary energy heat
exchangers and tertiary energy heat exchangers located in the
system and through which water can flow, including related supply
and return lines, can be connected fluidically in this way. This
can be achieved via a further, common mixing valve, for
example.
[0044] From this mixing valve a plurality of water-conducting lines
can go off to the buffer tank and discharge into different sections
of the buffer tank.
[0045] The buffer tank is part of a closed water circuit, from
which at least one water line can run to at least one
high-temperature heating circuit (for example to heat radiators)
and/or from a section lying below this at least one water line can
run to at least one low-temperature heating circuit (for example to
a floor heating system).
[0046] Since the temperature of the return water from the
high-temperature heating circuit is greater than the return
temperature of the water used to heat a floor heating system, the
latter is returned to the buffer tank at a point which lies below
the area into which the return line from the high-temperature
heating circuit discharges.
[0047] However, for indirect heating of the water in the buffer
tank it is also possible to deviate from this system in that the
return line of the high-temperature heating circuit, with an
assumed temperature of 35.degree. C., is conducted into a
cold-water area of the buffer tank at an assumed 20.degree. C., in
order to heat the water there.
[0048] Further features of the invention are the subject of the
features of the subordinate claims as well as the other application
documents.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0049] The invention is explained in greater detail below with
reference to various embodiments.
[0050] Here the figures show, in an extremely schematized
representation --
[0051] FIG. 1: a flow chart of a hot water and heating system
according to the invention; and
[0052] FIGS. 2a)-f): various system states.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0053] The reference sign 10 characterizes a group of solar
collectors, and the reference sign 12a group of air heat
exchangers. Glycol flows through both as a heat carrier medium,
wherein supply and removal lines 10a, 10b for the solar collectors
10 and 12a, 12b for the air heat exchangers 12 are connected to a
multiway valve 14.
[0054] From the multiway valve 14a line 16a runs to a plate heat
exchanger 18; the corresponding return line is identified as 16b.
Furthermore, a line 20a runs from the multiway valve 14 to a plate
heat exchanger 22. The corresponding return line 20b discharges
into the valve 14.
[0055] Also connected to the multiway valve 14 are a pressure and a
suction side 24a, 24b of a pump, in order to be able to pump the
glycol flow through the lines 10a, 10b, 12a, 12b, 16a, 16b, 20a,
20b, which together form the glycol circuit (=brine circuit).
[0056] The plate heat exchanger 22 is part of a heat pump, the
related compressor of which is designated 26, the two-stage
condenser of which is designated 28 and the expansion valve of
which is designated 30. The flow paths inside the heat pump are
indicated by arrows.
[0057] The first stage 28a of the condenser 28 is formed by a plate
heat exchanger, like the second stage 28b. Both have water flowing
through them in a counter current flow, the water being pumped
(pump 36) from a buffer tank 34 via a line 32. Inside the condenser
part 28a, partial flows of the heated water can be led away, which
is symbolized by the reference signs 32a, 32b, wherein these lines
discharge into a mixing valve 38. In the mixing valve 38, the water
flows entering via the lines 32a, 32b at differing temperature are
fed directly or following mixing via outlet lines 40a, 40b, 40c,
depending on temperature, into different zones of the buffer tank
34.
[0058] The volume of the buffer tank 34 is divided by intermediate
floors 42, 44 into zones, which are connected fluidically (at the
edge). Accordingly the water with the highest temperature, for
example 60.degree.-90.degree., is at the top, in chamber 46, below
this (between 42 and 44) is a storage chamber for water of medium
temperature of 30.degree.-60.degree. for example (chamber 48) and
finally below the intermediate floor 44 is a cold water chamber
50.
[0059] From the chamber 46a hot water line 52a runs to a spiral
heat exchanger 54 working in counter current flow. The return line
into the chamber 50 of the plate storage device 34 bears the FIG.
52b. The fresh water flows carried through in the heat exchanger 54
are identified by 56a, 56b.
[0060] From the upper part of the chamber 48a line 58a runs to a
first heating circuit 60, to which radiators (not shown) are
connected. The return line has the reference sign 58b.
[0061] A second heating circuit 62 for a low-temperature floor
heating system is coupled to a supply line 64a and a return line
64b. The supply line runs from the middle part of the chamber 48 in
the buffer tank 34, the return line 46b discharges into the lower
section of chamber 48.
[0062] FIG. 2a shows a possible set-up of the system according to
FIG. 1 in winter, when outside temperatures are low and there is no
sunshine.
[0063] The flow path of the heat carrier medium (glycol) is
indicated by arrows. At the inlets and outlets of the related
system components, temperatures are indicated by way of example for
the glycol. In this mode of operation, the solar collectors 10
remain unused, as does the autarkic heat exchanger 18. The glycol
flow is routed with the aid of the pump 24 exclusively between air
heat exchanger 12 and evaporator 22.
[0064] On the other side of the evaporator 22 the refrigerant
evaporates; vapour is then routed through the compressor 26 and
heated in the process. It then passes into the condenser 28, is
cooled there still at high pressure and finally condensed before
being routed through the expansion valve 30. In parallel, water is
heated in the condenser 28 (the plate heat exchangers 28a, 28b) in
counter current flow and routed via the lines 32a and/or 32b and
40a, b, c respectively into the buffer tank 34.
[0065] FIG. 2b shows a possible system setting in winter when there
is solar radiation. The terminology for FIG. 2a applies. The solar
collector 10 takes the place of the air heat exchanger 12, which
now remains unused.
[0066] In winter it can happen that the air heat exchanger 12 ices
up. For this eventuality the system offers the option of the
reverse operating mode. Water is conducted from the buffer tank 34
via the heat exchanger 18 in order to heat the brine (glycol),
which is then routed through the air heat exchanger 12 and thaws
this out. The multiway valve 14 is used once more to set the
desired flow path (FIG. 2c).
[0067] FIG. 2d shows the system management in summer at high
temperatures and with direct solar radiation. The heat pump, which
requires external energy, now remains unused, as does the air heat
exchanger 12. The solar collectors 10 are connected directly to the
autarkic heat exchanger 18, so that a direct heat transfer takes
place from the brine (glycol) to the water. The connection of the
collectors to the heat exchanger 18 is again controlled/adjusted
via the multiway valve 14.
[0068] FIG. 2e shows an alternative mode of operation in winter.
Here the brine flow taken from the air heat exchanger 12 is
conducted via the valve 14 into the solar collector 10, before the
brine, by analogy with FIG. 2b, is routed via the valve 14 and then
the evaporator 22 of the heat pump.
[0069] This circuit can be used similarly in summer to avoid
overheating of the solar collector 10 if no further energy supply
to the water storage device is required, for example. In this
operating mode, the brine flow is cooled by means of the air heat
exchanger 12.
[0070] The brine flow can also be circulated past the evaporator 22
directly from the solar collector 10 to the air heat exchanger 12
and back to this end. To do this, a separate pump is activated.
[0071] In FIG. 2f the entire glycol circuit is shown, wherein all
supply and removal lines are connected to one another with the aid
of the multiway valve 14. This connection state is used for example
to fill the glycol circuit.
[0072] The features described in the application can be used singly
or in different combinations, even excluding individual features,
for the invention.
* * * * *