U.S. patent application number 13/079841 was filed with the patent office on 2012-10-11 for heat exchange using underground water system.
Invention is credited to David Martin, Bijan Tadayon, Saied Tadayon.
Application Number | 20120255706 13/079841 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46965192 |
Filed Date | 2012-10-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120255706 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tadayon; Saied ; et
al. |
October 11, 2012 |
Heat Exchange Using Underground Water System
Abstract
In this disclosure, we have the following examples and
teachings: A geothermal heating and or cooling system is introduced
here which is deriving cooled or heated liquid via existing
infrastructure of water pipe system in use for the houses and
buildings, e.g. from the city water system or pipe network, or from
the well water (or lake or river or sea or ocean or the like),
piped or channeled to the buildings, through pipes or conduits or
channels or closed enclosures. The system derives cooled liquid
from existing underground infrastructure, including or for example,
below-ground water pipes. The system gains a temperature advantage
from the geothermal ground temperature, which remains roughly
constant throughout the year in most regions. The system uses
(e.g.) a storage tank to contain a working fluid and store thermal
energy. In one example, multiple chambers and/or tanks are used for
water heaters or coolers, with different connection and flow
mechanisms. Other examples and designs are also discussed and shown
here.
Inventors: |
Tadayon; Saied; (Potomac,
MD) ; Tadayon; Bijan; (Potomac, MD) ; Martin;
David; (Potomac, MD) |
Family ID: |
46965192 |
Appl. No.: |
13/079841 |
Filed: |
April 5, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/47 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28D 2020/0082 20130101;
F24T 10/10 20180501; F28D 20/0052 20130101; F28D 2020/0078
20130101; Y02E 10/12 20130101; Y02B 30/56 20130101; F28D 21/0012
20130101; F28D 2020/0091 20130101; Y02B 30/52 20130101; Y02E 70/30
20130101; Y02E 60/14 20130101; F28D 20/0039 20130101; Y02E 10/10
20130101; F28D 2020/0095 20130101; Y02B 30/566 20130101; F28D
2020/0069 20130101; Y02E 60/142 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/47 |
International
Class: |
F28D 20/00 20060101
F28D020/00 |
Claims
1. A system for heat or energy exchange with an underground water
supply, said system comprising: a heat exchanger unit or section;
and a tank or container; wherein said tank or container exchanges
heat or energy with said underground water supply, through said
heat exchanger unit or section; wherein said tank or container
comprises two or more compartments or chambers; wherein said
underground water supply is a city or public water pipe
network.
2. The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground water
supply as recited in claim 1, wherein said two or more compartments
or chambers are connected serially, with a first compartment or
chamber supplying a second compartment or chamber.
3. The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground water
supply as recited in claim 1, wherein said two or more compartments
or chambers are connected in parallel, with a first compartment or
chamber supplying a second compartment or chamber and a third
compartment or chamber simultaneously.
4. The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground water
supply as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said two or more
compartments or chambers has an energy exchanging unit or
section.
5. The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground water
supply as recited in claim 1, wherein said heat exchanger unit or
section comprises one or more of following: a coiled pipe, twisted
pipe, zig-zag pipe, snake-shaped pipe, array of pipes, matrix of
pipes, pipe structure, pipes-in-parallel, plate, array of plates,
plates-in-parallel, radiator-structure, spiral-structure,
concentric structure, cylindrical structure, rectangular structure,
cubical structure, spherical structure, elliptical structure,
sinusoidal structure, corrugated structure, curved structure,
multi-layered structure, shell structure, jacket structure, or
multi-shell structure.
6. The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground water
supply as recited in claim 1, wherein said system comprises matrix
or array of holes, screen, mesh structure, or strainer
structure.
7. The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground water
supply as recited in claim 1, wherein said system is placed in or
attached to a HVAC system, water heater, heat pump, or building
water supply.
8. The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground water
supply as recited in claim 1, wherein said two or more compartments
or chambers have variable volume or size.
9. The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground water
supply as recited in claim 1, wherein said two or more compartments
or chambers are separated by a diaphragm, elastic material, plastic
material, balloon, separator, thermal plate, plate, moveable plate,
sliding plate, plate-on-rail, disc, partitioning device, shield,
floater, or slider.
10. The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground
water supply as recited in claim 1, wherein said two or more
compartments or chambers are separated by a fixed or rigid
object.
11. The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground
water supply as recited in claim 1, wherein said two or more
compartments or chambers are separated by a moveable or flexible
object.
12. The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground
water supply as recited in claim 1, wherein said system is
controlled by a server, central controller, controller, computer,
processor, microprocessor, central processor, remote processor,
automated controller, user, command unit, analyzing unit, multiple
processors, computer network, Internet, remote access, or
distributed processors.
13. The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground
water supply as recited in claim 1, wherein said two or more
compartments or chambers are separated by a multi-component
separator, thermal plate, plate, disc, floater, or slider.
14. The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground
water supply as recited in claim 13, wherein said multi-component
separator, thermal plate, plate, disc, floater, or slider has at
least a part with different or non-uniform relative density or
specific gravity, with respect to other parts of said
multi-component separator, thermal plate, plate, disc, floater, or
slider.
15. The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground
water supply as recited in claim 13, wherein said multi-component
separator, thermal plate, plate, disc, floater, or slider has its
center of gravity positioned higher than its geometrical
center.
16. The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground
water supply as recited in claim 13, wherein said multi-component
separator, thermal plate, plate, disc, floater, or slider has its
center of gravity positioned lower than its geometrical center.
17. The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground
water supply as recited in claim 13, wherein relative density or
specific gravity of said multi-component separator, thermal plate,
plate, disc, floater, or slider is higher than relative density or
specific gravity of water or fluid in said tank or container.
18. The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground
water supply as recited in claim 13, wherein relative density or
specific gravity of said multi-component separator, thermal plate,
plate, disc, floater, or slider is lower than relative density or
specific gravity of water or fluid in said tank or container.
19. The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground
water supply as recited in claim 13, wherein relative density or
specific gravity of said multi-component separator, thermal plate,
plate, disc, floater, or slider is the same as the relative density
or specific gravity of water or fluid in said tank or
container.
20. The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground
water supply as recited in claim 1, wherein said system comprises
baffle, flow diverter, flow blocker, nozzle, funnel, or pipe
reducer, for fluid flow diversion, slow-down, or reduction.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to geothermal energy. Geothermal
energy is a renewable environmental-friendly energy source, which
can be used with a low set-up cost all year around (day or night,
and all seasons). To maintain the current energy consumption on
this planet, humans have to use different renewable and
environmental-friendly energy sources.
[0002] Some prior art in this field are, as US patents or
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[0082] U.S. Pat. No. 6,772,605 Liquid air conditioner of ground
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[0084] U.S. Pat. No. 6,761,865 Method for synthesizing crystalline
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[0086] U.S. Pat. No. 6,751,974 Sub-surface and optionally
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[0088] U.S. Pat. No. 6,724,687 Characterizing oil, gasor geothermal
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[0106] U.S. Pat. No. 4,123,506 Utilization of impure steam
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[0111] U.S. Pat. No. 4,106,562 Wellhead apparatus
[0112] U.S. Pat. No. 4,102,741 Low vapor pressure organic heat
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[0113] U.S. Pat. No. 4,102,133 Multiple well dual fluid geothermal
power cycle
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sulfide from gas streams
[0117] U.S. Pat. No. 4,091,623 Geothermal actuated method of
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[0118] U.S. Pat. No. 4,090,572 Method and apparatus for laser
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energy production systems
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sulfoacetate foaming agent
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[0148] 20100301596 COUPLING FOR INTERCONNECTING AT LEAST TWO
PIPES
[0149] 20100300094 SYSTEM FOR POWER GENERATION BY MEANS OF A STEAM
POWER UNIT, AND METHOD THEREFOR
[0150] 20100300092 GEOTHERMAL ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION METHODS AND
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY COLLECTION SYSTEMS
[0151] 20100300091 GEOTHERMAL POWER GENERATION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF
MAKING POWER USING THE SYSTEM
[0152] 20100294456 GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMP SYSTEM
[0153] 20100288466 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY EXTRACTION SYSTEM AND
METHOD
[0154] 20100288465 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY SYSTEM AND METHOD OF
OPERATION
[0155] 20100278703 Method to neutralize hydrogen chloride in
superheated geothermal steam without destroying superheat
[0156] 20100276146 METHOD AND APPARATUS TO ENHANCE OIL RECOVERY IN
WELLS
[0157] 20100276115 System and method of maximizing heat transfer at
the bottom of a well using heat conductive components and a
predictive model
[0158] 20100272515 METHOD OF DEVELOPING AND PRODUCING DEEP
GEOTHERMAL RESERVOIRS
[0159] 20100269501 Control system to manage and optimize a
geothermal electric generation system from one or more wells that
individually produce heat
[0160] 20100263824 Geothermal Transfer System
[0161] 20100258449 Self-sufficient hydrogen generator
[0162] 20100258266 Modular, stackable, geothermal block heat
exchange system with solar assist
[0163] 20100258251 System integration to produce concentrated brine
and electricity from geopressured-geothermal reservoirs
[0164] 20100252229 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY SYSTEM
[0165] 20100252228 Geothermal System
[0166] 20100251710 SYSTEM FOR UTILIZING RENEWABLE GEOTHERMAL
ENERGY
[0167] 20100243017 SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE THERMAL MANAGEMENT OF
BATTERY-BASED ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS
[0168] 20100242517 Solar Photovoltaic Closed Fluid Loop Evaporative
Tower
[0169] 20100242474 MULTI-HEAT SOURCE POWER PLANT
[0170] 20100236749 Modular, stackable, geothermal block system
[0171] 20100236266 Geothermal Heating and Cooling System
[0172] 20100230072 GEOTHERMAL SYSTEM FOR HEATING A HOME OR
BUILDING
[0173] 20100230071 Geothermal Water Heater
[0174] 20100224408 EQUIPMENT FOR EXCAVATION OF DEEP BOREHOLES IN
GEOLOGICAL FORMATION AND THE MANNER OF ENERGY AND MATERIAL
TRANSPORT IN THE BOREHOLES
[0175] 20100223171 Modular Geothermal Measurement System
[0176] 20100212316 Thermodynamic power generation system
[0177] 20100200191 GEOTHERMAL HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM AND
METHOD
[0178] 20100199668 AIR POWER GENERATOR TOWER
[0179] 20100193152 Sawyer-singleton geothermal energy tank
[0180] 20100181044 Geothermal Air-Conditioner Device
[0181] However, our invention is different from all of these prior
art, as shown below.
[0182] The classification of the sources for geothermal are usually
done as follows:
[0183] High grade sources: above 400 degrees F., and can go as high
as 1300 F. They are usually found in Western states of US and
Hawaii (for US).
[0184] Medium grade sources: between 300-400 F, usually in
southwestern US (for US).
[0185] Low grade sources: between 212 and 300 F, found
anywhere.
[0186] To tap into deep wells, one should apply high strength
pipes, to withstand the pressure and steam or high temperatures.
The sediment coming up with water should be filtered or separated.
Other elements (some toxic) may come, as well, for example:
H.sub.2S, CO.sub.2, As, or mercury. The flow rate and pressure
should be monitored and adjusted based on the demand level.
[0187] The dry steam power plants use dry (or direct) steam
reservoirs with huge manifolds of very hot steam or water, at low
pressure, or sometimes at high pressure. One can add turbine and
generator to get electricity from the energy obtained. Flash steam
(single or dual, which has a higher thermodynamics efficiency)
power plants use liquid heat reserves. Binary cycle power plants
have liquid sources below 360 F, with 2 independent closed loop
systems, with lower efficiency, namely, injection well loop and the
generator loop. Geothermal energy can be used directly, e.g. for
heating fish farm, green houses, dried fruit, heating houses,
heating sidewalks or walls, or similar locations or applications.
The direct steam and binary hybrid can also be used.
[0188] The heat pumps can be used, as the one used in the
conventional heating or cooling units for the houses and buildings,
e.g. air-source heat pumps, as in the stand-alone HVAC systems, or
ground-source heat pumps, using the earth as the heat exchange
medium. The conventional heat pump has low efficiency for extreme
hot and cold weather. But, the ground-source heat pump has more
efficiency, because at about 6 ft depth, ground temperature stays
around 50 F for all seasons, which is much higher than air
temperature in winter, and for southern states, the ground can go
as high as 70 F for most seasons.
[0189] One should consider the air emission impacts, surface-water
impacts, and land-use impacts, as described in Proceedings of IEEE,
Vol. 81, No. 3, March 1993, page 434, by Braun et al., as a good
review paper.
[0190] Braun et al. teaches a typical direct steam plant, with
cooling tower, power house turbine generator condenser, and
wellhead equipment, with one set per well, with silencer and
in-line particulate remover. It also shows a single flash plant,
with wellhead flash tank separator (for reinjection), again having
cooling tower, power house turbine generator condenser, and
wellhead equipment, with one set per well.
[0191] It also shows a double flash plant, with HP (high pressure)
separator/flash and LP (low pressure) flasher (as the
separator-flasher unit, placed between power house and wellhead
units), plus having cooling tower, power house turbine generator
condenser, and wellhead equipment, with one set per well.
[0192] It also shows a binary plant, having cooling tower, power
house turbine generator condenser, vapor generator, and production
and reinjection wells. It also shows a geothermal preheat hybrid
fossil/geothermal power plant, with low pressure turbine, reheater,
intermediate pressure turbine, reheater, and high pressure turbine,
plus steam generator, together with feedwater heaters, deaerator,
condenser, and geothermal heat exchanger. It also shows a natural
gas combined cycle/geothermal hybrid plant.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0193] A geothermal heating and or cooling system is introduced
here which is deriving cooled or heated liquid via existing
infrastructure of water pipe system in use for the houses and
buildings, e.g. from the city water system or pipe network, or from
the well water (or lake or river or sea or ocean or the like),
piped or channeled to the buildings, through pipes or conduits or
channels or closed enclosures. The system derives cooled liquid
from existing underground infrastructure, including or for example,
below-ground water pipes. The system gains a temperature advantage
from the geothermal ground temperature, which remains roughly
constant throughout the year in most regions. The system uses
(e.g.) a storage tank to contain a working fluid and store thermal
energy. In one example, multiple chambers and/or tanks are used for
water heaters or coolers, with different connection and flow
mechanisms. Other examples and designs are also discussed and shown
here.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0194] The following figures are just some examples/embodiments, to
explain better (with some figures having multiple variations and
embodiments shown on the same drawing):
[0195] FIG. 1 shows an example of the pipe, shaped as coil,
pattern, structure, snake, array, series, zig-zag, foiled, bent, or
matrix, for heat exchange in various depths and for various
setups.
[0196] FIG. 2 shows the heat exchanger with multiple separate
chambers (N) (e.g. 3), in sequence or in parallel, or combination
of both, stacked together.
[0197] FIG. 3 is the same system as FIG. 2, in one embodiment,
showing how the chambers are connected, and how the fluid (2.sup.nd
fluid) moves from one chamber to another, around the array of pipes
in each chamber, shown in FIG. 2.
[0198] FIG. 4 shows similar system as the one in FIG. 3, except
that the chambers are connected via small holes, screen, mesh, or
strainer structure (not a regular pipe, as in FIG. 3).
[0199] FIG. 5 shows an example of the system of the invention, with
source supplying the tank, going through the HVAC system (or bypass
that), to the tap water system, for usage.
[0200] FIG. 6 shows a typical pipe with fluid in ground, with
ground conduction, with surface temperature higher, with exchange
at the surface with air through surface convection, as well,
showing an example of the thermodynamics of our system.
[0201] FIG. 7 shows a system, comprising a pipe underground for
water supply, e.g. city water system, with its velocity profile
within the pipe, connected to a cold water tank (or bypass that),
then connecting to a HVAC duct coil.
[0202] FIG. 8a-g shows a tank with a heat exchanger, with a plate
separating the tank into 2 different sections (or more sections,
using more plates, dividers, separators, sliding plate, plate on a
rail, partitioning plate, floater, floating device, thermal plate,
or the like).
[0203] FIG. 9 shows one tank design, as an example.
[0204] FIG. 10a-b shows different thermal plates.
[0205] FIG. 11a-b shows different tanks
[0206] FIG. 12a-h shows different tanks
[0207] FIG. 13a-e shows different heat exchange schemes, methods,
systems, and devices.
[0208] FIG. 14 shows the city water line connected to a house or
building through a pipe array or snake pattern.
[0209] FIG. 15 shows the city water line passing near another pipe
loop (not connected by fluid or water) to exchange heat
underground.
[0210] FIG. 16 shows a central computer or controller controlling
and getting data from various tanks (N tanks, e.g. 3 tanks) and
applications.
[0211] FIG. 17 shows a controller or server, connected to
thermocouples (TC) and flow meters (FM), in addition to pumps,
motors, valves, switches, tanks, applications, and locations within
the building or pipe system.
[0212] FIG. 18 shows a controller or server, connected to
forecasting or seasonal adjuster or real-time data from weather
stations.
[0213] FIG. 19 shows a controller or server, connected to different
exchangers at different temperatures.
[0214] FIG. 20 shows various pipes, plates, hoses, matrices,
layers, combinations, radiators, stacks, or arrays, to move the
fluid through them.
[0215] FIG. 21 shows various heat exchange schemes.
[0216] FIG. 22 shows temperature versus distance, or locations in
the tank or pipe (indicating temperature gradients, or rate of
change of temperature versus distance), for various heat exchange
schemes.
[0217] FIG. 23 shows different types of plates or barriers or
baffles in the tank.
[0218] FIG. 24 shows different mechanisms to move the plate,
separator, or diaphragm, up or down, inside a tank.
[0219] FIG. 25 shows different mechanisms to move or hold the plate
or separator in a tank.
[0220] FIG. 26 also shows another mechanism, with a motor running a
pulley (or multiple motors running multiple pulleys from multiple
sides of the plate), to drive the plate up and down, or from one
side to the other side, in the tank.
[0221] FIG. 27 is (an example) a valve for passage of liquid or
fluid or water.
[0222] FIG. 28 is (an example) a series of the flaps that are
opened by the force of the water or by a motor on its hinge, and
closes by the gravity force (or motor on the hinge, or lack of
pressure from water flowing).
[0223] FIG. 29 shows examples of floater, separator, or thermal
plate.
[0224] FIG. 30 shows examples of floater, separator, or thermal
plate.
[0225] FIG. 31 is (an example) a system with a central processor
(connected to a storage and analysis module), controlling and
connecting to different rooms, pipes, storages, tanks, and heat
exchangers.
[0226] FIG. 32 is (an example) a system with a central processor,
connected to the pipes, rooms, storages, valves, pumps, zones in a
building, tanks, sensors, and exchangers.
[0227] FIG. 33 is (an example) a system with a central processor or
controller, controlling and connected to valves at different
locations and sensors (S) at different locations.
[0228] FIG. 34 shows a system (different examples and variations)
of heat exchange between a tank or thermal reservoir and the pipe
within, passing through, inside tank.
[0229] FIG. 35 shows pipes and jacket around a pipe, as multiple
embodiments.
[0230] FIG. 36 shows a heat exchange between a middle central pipe
and two upper and lower semicircle jackets.
[0231] FIG. 37 shows a system of a pipe exchanging heat with a
reference or middle object, which in turn exchanges with a medium
outside.
[0232] FIG. 38 shows a system of a pipe exchanging heat with an air
handler, through a heat pump, as in conventional HVAC system.
[0233] FIG. 39 shows a system of a first pipe exchanging heat with
another separate pipe, coiled and submerged inside the fluid,
inside the first pipe.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0234] Here are some of the embodiments/examples of the current
invention:
[0235] The source of the energy can be from the following sources,
or through the following medium or phenomenon: dry steam
hydrothermal, hot water hydrothermal, hot dry rock, geopressurized
geothermal, magma, volcanic lava, activities, or chambers, hot
springs, springs, water fountains, undercurrent rivers in ocean,
underground water basins, rivers, or currents, high pressure steam
or gasses trapped underground or in Earth cavities, cavities caused
by oil, gas, or mineral explorations or mining, caverns or caves,
cavities under rivers, ground, or seas, natural or human-made
tunnels, gaps or structures caused by earthquakes on the surface or
depth of the planet Earth, geysers (such as that in Yellowstone
Park in US), waterfalls, rivers, wind, surface or ground water
supplies, man-made water containers or reservoirs, flood-prevention
reservoirs, agricultural reservoirs, fish or algae reservoir for
fish farms or pools, natural lakes, man-made lakes, swimming pools,
tide-related currents, or any exchange of the heat in either
directions, or heat generated through chemical reactions, involving
powder, liquid, fluid, solid, gas (e.g. pressurized gas or hot
gas), hydrogen, helium, CO2, CO, natural gas, gasoline, heating
oil, crude oil, spray, mist, humidity, or air, or combination
thereof, or compounds, mixtures, or solutions (in stable,
transitional, final, or unstable states (thermodynamically,
chemically, atomically, or physically)).
[0236] To cool down, e.g. in Summer, for room/air or water, e.g.
for living space (air) or bathing/shower (water), one can use the
ice or snow deposits naturally-happening in many parts of the
world, in a heat-exchange apparatus, medium, device, or setup.
[0237] The underground caves or underground floors (or basements)
in the buildings are usually naturally kept at a very constant
temperature range (in a small range of temperatures), throughout
the year, making it easier or more comfortable for humans or
animals survive or live in that environment or space. This makes
the energy needed for cooling or heating the air or water for usage
for humans or animals very minimal, if any at all. Thus, using
Earth's heat capacity and natural condition, we can save a lot on
energy usage for all usual living needs and applications,
throughout the year.
[0238] To facilitate the exchange of heat, one can use pressurized
or non-pressurized gas, fluid, liquid, gas mixture, oil, water,
liquid mixture, hydrogen, nitrogen, air, powder, compounds,
solutions, materials as heat sinks, a block of material with high
heat capacity, polymers, or similar materials. This can be done
using gravity, chain reactions, or chemical reactions (naturally,
by itself). For example, the oil or water would heat up and cool
down, as a cycle, to expand and contract, to change the density of
the material, going up and down by gravity or difference or
differential on density, or heated material or fluid rising to the
top, by convection or natural cycling or movement.
[0239] Another way is to use an external force or device to
facilitate the exchange of heat, for example, using a heat pump,
pump, compressor, wheel (e.g. with spoons or buckets or blades to
move the fluid(s) up or down), heat engine, pressurized device,
compressed gas tanks or cylinders, liquid nitrogen or the like, or
similar devices or methods, to speed up the heat exchange, or
increase efficiency of the heat exchange.
[0240] Hot rocks or gaps close to the surface of the Earth or
geothermal wells are some of the sources we can use. One can drill
long wells, to reach thousands of feet down, to the hot rocks, to
pump the water down and bring it back up again, through gaps and
reservoirs down there, to produce hot water or steam, to spin a
turbine or wheel to generate electricity, or generate mechanical
energy to do some function (or charge a battery or moving a heavy
flywheel or spring-loaded wheel, e.g. like winding the clock, as a
potential energy storage, for future usage), for a house, factory,
school, hospital, or the like.
[0241] This technology can be combined with the heat pumps, power
plants, and exploration and mapping for rock fracturing and
drilling. This technology can also be combined with thermoacoustic
engines and refrigerators, in which researchers have harnessed
acoustic processes in gases to make reliable inexpensive engines
and cooling devices with no moving parts and a significant fraction
of Carnot's efficiency (such as the work/overview described by
Gregory Swift, from Los Alamos National Lab, in New Mexico, e.g. in
the July 1995 issue of Physics Today). Swift describes a
thermoacoustic engine that converts some heat from a
high-temperature heat source into acoustic power, rejecting waste
heat to a low temperature heat sink. It also describes a heat
driven electrical generator in this setup.
[0242] The heat exchanger for this invention can also be combined
with a solar hot water system, to increase efficiency or
redundancies, e.g. as a backup system at home. Basically, we have a
collector or heat exchanger unit, which gets the energy or
exchanges heat in either directions, when needed, similar to a heat
pump, or similar to solar hot water collectors on the roofs (using
anti-freeze solutions in the rooftop solar collectors). We can have
this collector in common to both systems, or as 2 units exchanging
heat in a bigger system, or combined in a third exchange unit for
synergy between 2 systems (i.e. solar hot water system and system
of our current invention).
[0243] In one embodiment, the collector or collectors or
heat-exchangers are connected to a controller and/or pump(s), which
control the temperature and the flow/flow rate of the liquid
through the system. The controller and pump combination is
connected to a tank, having a lengthy pipe in it, to supply the
shower and other user units, directly or indirectly. The tank is
also connected to a backup system, such as solar system unit or
electrical or gas/conventional heating unit, for a back up or
increase the output, if needed. There is also a storage unit with
huge capacity, with good insulation for heat, to store water or
liquid for a long time at a constant temperature, connected to the
tank or backup system, or both. We can also add a pressure safety
valve at the manifold, for high pressure release, and an anti-scald
valve, for hot water supply, for safety purposes.
[0244] In one embodiment, the blackwater and greywater recycling
for water can also be added to our system here, to separate or
re-use the toilet water, toxic water, soap water, shower water, and
similar water. The used water (pipes), which is usually hotter than
the surroundings, can be used as a heat exchange, to get its
energy, before recycling or dumping the water. This can be done by
attaching or setting the pipes close to another pipe or heat sink,
for transferring the energy from high-temperature pipe to the lower
temperature item or object or pipe. The transfer can be improved
using fan or pump for air around the pipe or fluid inside the pipe
circulations, to improve the exchange efficiency.
[0245] In one embodiment, the spike and non-uniformity in water
usage can be controlled or accommodated during the day or seasons,
using the controller, which controls the speed of flow of water or
liquid/fluid, for heat exchange, in the geothermal well or inside
the house or tank, using a pump(s) and valve(s) to control the
flow/speed/rate of flow/supply of water or fluid or oil, to ramp
the rate(s) up during periods of high usage or extreme cold weather
outside, as an example. A fuzzy logic unit can be added to the
controller for smooth transitions and rate adjustments, with a
neural network controller, to train the system according to the
locality and the user's preferences, based on the past behavior or
predictions, e.g. for weather forecasts and seasons
adjustments.
[0246] In one embodiment, a storage unit can supply the needed
water during the periods of high demands, e.g. kept at a very high
temperature at one or more storage units, and mixed with a lower
temperature water supply, to provide the right temperature for
usage. In one embodiment, multiple storage units are used to keep
the storage water at different temperatures, for different periods,
with different insulation R-values, for insulating the storages
against heat exchange (e.g. using vacuum jackets or multiple walls,
for better insulations), for different purposes, in future. So, we
will have an array of heat exchangers and water/fluid storages, for
each application or temperature range, controlled by the controller
or central processor or computer/server, centrally or locally or
remotely.
[0247] In one embodiment, the fluid usage, such as oil or soap
water, is intended, instead of water usage. The systems described
here in this invention apply to any fluid other than water, as
well, including gas and liquid, or mixtures or solutions.
[0248] In one embodiment, the variable size tanks are used, with
different compartments opened during the high usage periods, with a
valve, by a controller, from a central computer. The same thing can
be done using a diaphragm or flap, e.g. made of metal, plastic,
elastic, fabric, polymers, or the like, to separate or partition
the spaces within the tank, for full or partial usages. The
diaphragm (e.g.) can be elastic, flexible, rigid on a rail inside
the tank, rigid on a spring inside a tank, flexible with a screw
adjusting the bulge and its curvature (using a motor or manual
adjustments, by a user or operator), or adjustable on a frame (and
using screws or rails or rods, adjusting the position of the
frame(s), with respect to the tank, to adjust the usable volume,
manually or computer controlled). The diaphragm can be insulating
in one embodiment, or heat conducting in another embodiment.
[0249] In one embodiment, the heat exchange is done through
diaphragm or flap. In one embodiment, the heat exchange is done
through contacting 2 surfaces, such as pipes or metal solid blocks
or metal hollow containers. In one embodiment, the heat exchange is
done through forced or free air or fluid between the two or more
discrete or continuous surfaces, by convection. In one embodiment,
the heat exchange is done through radiation through electromagnetic
radiation or photons from 2 surfaces, or any combinations of the
above, or chemical reactions caused by solutions or compounds, to
generate or exchange heat or energy. In one embodiment, the heat
exchange is done through actual direct contacts, and possible
mixing, of 2 liquids or fluids. In one embodiment, the heat
exchange is done through walled or containers containing 2 or more
liquids or fluids, not mixing any of the fluids or liquids.
[0250] In one embodiment, the heat exchange is done through
parallel or concentric pipes or elements or plates, non-parallel
plates or arrays of pipes or elements, concentric shaped cylinders,
cones, cubes, rectangles, frames, ovals, meshes, array of pipes, or
spheres, or any geometrical shapes in 2 or 3 dimensional
space/objects, with enough exposure of surfaces for exchanging heat
between 2 or more objects, with any of the methods mentioned above.
In one embodiment, the plates can be interleaved or mixed or
sandwiched together. In one embodiment, the plates have grooved
surface(s) for maximum heat exchange or efficiency.
[0251] The flow for fluid can be controlled by valve, switch,
needle valve, manifold, diaphragms, or flaps, or combination of the
above, as some examples.
[0252] Cooling costs compose a significant portion of electric
bills in most southern states. Virtually all residential and
commercial buildings use a condensing cycle to cool ambient air,
running either an air conditioner or heat pump to cool. However, a
very significant source of free geothermal cooling is readily
available and already entering homes. The water pipes supplying our
tap water are normally kept at depths of at least 3 feet to avoid
freezing, so that they may benefit from the constant ground
temperatures that geothermal heat pumps make use of. This water
enters with a temperature in the mid-50's year round, varying by
location. This innovative system can cool a building. For many
instances, the cooling capacity of the cold water is sufficient to
cover most, and often all, of a buildings cooling load. Employing
these methods additionally reduces hot water heating bills, as a
side effect, by raising cold water temperature.
[0253] Several challenges have prevented previous technology from
using this great resource. The demand for water and the demand for
household cooling vary drastically throughout the day, rarely
acting in step. So, for a large building (e.g. office building)
with many users, this averages out, and the spikes in usage will
more or less flattens during the day. For smaller buildings, one
can use a tank for storage, or multiple tanks, to store the water
or liquid at different intermediate temperatures, to be used for
various applications for different users, according to the users'
specification or preference or appliance's spec or manufacturer's
ratings.
[0254] A controller with a central computer, with local
thermocouples or thermometers, plus valves on pumps on various
lines, can redirect and adjust the flow of water and fluid in
various parts of the building, to optimize the best usage of the
resources or storage tanks and exchanger units, located throughout
the pipe network in the building.
[0255] For one application, it is strongly desirable that the cold
water temperature be raised no further. Therefore, it is desirable
to use the cold water quickly, and keep it separate from warmer
water until it has heated up. Therefore, water enters the building
when cooling demand calls for it, instead of when tap water demand
is giving. The moderately warmer cool water is then kept in a
storage tank until cold water demand is given. Several embodiments
of the design are shown here.
[0256] For one application/example, the municipal tap water
entering the house is used to also provide cooling for a building.
In traditional systems, tap water is sent throughout the building
either as is or is heated up for warmer applications including
showers, dish washing, warm sink water, etc. Water pipes, situated
underground, experience an approximately constant temperature
year-round, when situated adequately underground. This placement at
depth is a municipal tap water system commonality, originally
designed to prevent winter freezing by putting pipes at similar
depth as for instance geothermal heat pump systems. For instance,
the geothermal temperature and thus approximate tap water
temperature in an area in Maryland may be near 58 degrees
Fahrenheit year-round. Most of this water in typical residences
will be heated for various applications, which is a waste of energy
as the cooling ability is not only unused, but additional energy is
used to heat the tap water up. The cooling capacity of the average
annual tap water use is comparable in magnitude to residence needed
cooling capacity, adequate to supplement or replace current cooling
systems. The system therefore significantly reduces energy spent in
cooling, with the added bonus of reduced water heating energy.
[0257] In several embodiments of the invention, the method of
cooling capacity delivery can be a single or combination of forced
air (i.e. an air blower and ductwork), radiant cooling, or
conjunction with a heat pump or other device. A heat exchanger can
take fluid from the system of our invention and transfer it to
another medium. For instance, a heat exchanger could transfer heat
from the pipes into the air in a forced air or ductwork system,
which then could be delivered to rooms of a building or another
location with cooling demand. An intermediary working fluid could
be used, taking heat from the tap water and exchanging it into
another medium, including a forced air system. Another alternative
is exchanging heat with a fluid that will treat a needed cooling or
heating load. For instance, thermal properties could be transferred
to a fluid that would use radiant heating or cooling to control the
temperature of a room or device. Radiant cooling would delivery
cooling or heating capacity typically without a forced-air system,
although airflow can be used at times to improve heat transfer.
Again, an intermediary working fluid may be used.
[0258] In a radiant system, the radiant heat energy is exchanged
with that which needs to be heated or cooled via an exposed
radiator or panels with significant pipe length to enable
radiation. In some applications where a large mass must be heated
or cooled, conduction may be used to transfer heat. In materials
with poor conduction coefficients, metal plates, metal bars, and
other shapes may be place in contact or embedded in the medium to
experience temperature change to enhance heat transfer. An
intermediary for all these variations is the inclusion of a heat
pump. A heat pump is advantageous as it uses a condensing cycle to
move heat by taking advantage of the vapor cycle of a working fluid
and how a fluid changes temperature when forced to experience
changes in pressure. A heat pump as the intermediary between the
cold or hot water source and the place it must be delivered, allows
for a larger temperature difference than without it, allowing for
more rapid heat transfer, and the ability to treat heating or
cooling loads that could otherwise not be done effectively with the
system.
[0259] Heat exchange by radiation, convection, conduction, or their
combination can be used, as taught by various prior art, and used
for tanks or heat exchangers for this purpose. An additional method
of cooling delivery would be with the conjunction of a heat pump
into the system. The heat pump could move fluid to or away from the
main working fluid.
[0260] The system must be properly controlled to ensure intelligent
use of source fluid heating or cooling capacity. The controls of
the system in one embodiment is computer controlled via software,
in another, it is controlled by a thermostat, and in another
embodiment, a single or multiple control modules dictate the
actions of the system. In some embodiments, automatic mechanical
control of the system can be actuated by mechanical devices that
change state based on pressure or flow rate, such as a floating
balloon actuating a component, or pressure-dependent valves.
Various measurements are necessary to monitor the system, although
like most heating and cooling systems, a wide variety of sensor
inputs can be set up to get circumstantially equivalent
information. Measurements to be taken include a subset of
temperature, pressure, flow rate, humidity, fluid level, fluid
demand, or fluid height level in tank. These measurements are taken
at a subset of locations which include the geothermal source
itself, the source fluid, different levels in any tanks, pipes in
the system, indoor and outdoor air, and fluid exits.
[0261] The system will have valves for shutting on and off the flow
of water. It also is necessary to have shut off valves for
emergency and maintenance, to stop flow for servicing, repair,
system modification, or component replacement. Other (optional)
components are computer controlled valves, flow meter, automatic
monitors, pressure dependent valves, temperature triggered valves,
water level dependent valves, floating switches or valves, or
devices monitoring the demand for tap water, to control the flow of
fluid(s) and heat transfer or exchange.
[0262] Embodiments of this invention are applicable to an array of
sources with advantageous thermal properties. The geothermal
temperature properties of the source fluid is generated from either
municipal or other tap water, a deep or shallow, a geyser or hot
spring, a natural or manmade body of water including a lake, pond,
river, a rain collection system, ocean sourced, an above or below
ground storage tank, tidal water, empty mine flooded, tidal, sewer,
any pipes carrying any fluid or chemical (oil pipeline, gas
pipeline), swimming pool, ice or frozen substances (e.g.
permafrost), compost pile heating, nuclear waste, power plant waste
heat, or heat exchange with a solid mass such as a buried object or
through ground itself. In another embodiment, a composite of any of
the above sources is used, which can include multiple of the same
source, i.e. multiple pipes.
[0263] To have the maximum heat exchange, we need more surface
area, with respect to a given volume of fluid. So, we need more
pipes, with small thickness, but lengthy, and snake-like, so that
they fold and fold, to have more exposure or surface for heat
exchange.
[0264] In one embodiment of the design, the system uses a tank to
store a fluid for use in heating and cooling. The fluid, referred
to as the source fluid, has advantageous geothermal temperature
properties to heat or cool. In several embodiments, the temperature
of the tank may be intentionally stratified, meaning differentiated
by temperature in different regions in the tank. A temperature
stratification may be highly advantageous in heating or cooling,
allowing for the working fluid drawn from the tank to have a larger
temperature difference from that of the device or region the
cooling is being delivered, providing superior heating or cooling
capacity. Additionally, in embodiments where the water is being
delivered back into the tank after providing heating or cooling
capacity for future use as tap water, separating the unused and
used fluid prevents temperature mixing that would cause a
disadvantageous temperature differential.
[0265] Multiple chambers or tanks may be used to further stratify
the water. In one embodiment, the fluid that has not yet been used
is stored in a separate tank from the fluid whose temperature and
humidity properties have already been taken advantage of There may
also be a tank system with tanks running in conjunction and
parallel to one another.
[0266] The system can be used to heat and cool for multiple
situations. One application or use is household heating and cooling
loads. The system, however, can be applied with a combination of
household use, refrigeration use, municipal water treatment, and
household water heating.
[0267] The system requires heat exchanges, and in multiple places,
depending on the application or use. In an application with a
forced air or ducted system, a water-to-air heat exchanger is
necessary. Such a heat exchanger must maximize surface area contact
between working fluid and air, typically by a tight coil or a
winding back and forth of a significant length of pipe. Metal or
other highly conductive material would ideally be used in the
pipes. Fins, or conductive flanges (similar to home heating
radiators), may be used to increase surface area and thus improve
heat transfer. In applications where liquids must exchange heat, a
similar heat exchanger may be used, for instance, a coil of pipe
within a tank.
[0268] Other heat exchangers include pipes coiled around one
another, alternating pipes enclosed in a conductive structure, and
parallel plates of alternating liquids. Such a system may be aided
by a pump in various applications, or designed to operate without
one. Concentric cylinders of alternating liquids may also be used
as a heat exchanger. Pads with arrays or pipes in 2 or 3
dimensional space (or objects), or as array of parallel planes, or
planes or arrays interleaved between two exchanging surfaces, at
every other plane or array, to increase the contact and exposure,
can be used, as well. This can be combined with forced air, fluid,
gel, solid, powder, or liquid, between the planes or arrays, to
improve the exchange, in parallel or perpendicular directions (or
mixed directions). Any combination of the aforementioned heat
exchanges are used in various embodiments of the invention.
[0269] Several material choices must be made, including those for
the pipes, valves, insulation, and any tanks or other components in
the system. The material choices for the pipes may be fairly
flexible, with options including plastic, metal, PVC, elastic,
hose, or ceramic materials. Copper is an especially ideal material
for pipes, as it is easy to assemble via sweating, and parts are
readily available. The tank may be made out of plastic, metal,
ceramic, or PVC, but because a tank needs to be sturdy and able to
support a significant amount of weight and pressure, metal is
recommended, with steel being of primary consideration. Other
material or design in prior art are also included here.
[0270] Various embodiments of the system may use different fluids,
which refers to any of a gas, liquid, nano-liquid, liquefied gas,
or molten salt. Gases in consideration include hydrogen, various
inert glasses, such as Helium, Argon, Nitrogen, or Carbon Dioxide,
and also steam, possibly with concentrations of other fluids.
[0271] The primary liquid in consideration for the system is water
or a water with diluted chemicals (e.g. salts or solutions). These
chemicals include antifreeze and other substances to increase the
operating range of the system by depressing the freezing point
and/or increasing the boiling point. Chemicals that decrease
viscosity or other types of internal friction are also desired, as
well as chemicals that reduce corrosion. Choice options include
ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, Polyalkylene
Glycol, or similar chemicals, which significantly increase the
operating temperature range of the system. Other diluted components
may be alumina, metal oxides including those of copper and
titanium, and silica or carbon. Various oils may be used as a fluid
in the system, as well, including Mineral Oils, Silicone Oils, and
Fluorocarbon oils. Typically, oils have the advantage of being
usable in different temperature ranges than liquid water, and may
have lower viscosity and pumping resistance, making them ideal in
some embodiments of the invention. Other chemicals including
refrigerants may be used.
[0272] In some applications of the device, liquid salts or liquid
metals may be used as a fluid, including combinations of Sodium,
Lithium, Potassium, Beryllium, Boron, Chloride, and Fluoride.
Liquid metals include combinations of mercury, the above listed
metals, as well as bismuth, lead, and other metals.
[0273] In other embodiments, liquefied gases, or molecules
typically gas at room temperature, but made to be liquid through a
combination of raised pressure and decreased temperature, may be
employed.
[0274] For some situations and conditions, one can use the
Dittus-Boelter heat transfer correlation for fluids (in turbulent
flow), for calculations for the forced convection mode of heat
transfer.
[0275] For the conduction heat transfer, one can use the
formula:
Q=.lamda.((T.sub.2-T.sub.1/L)St
[0276] Where Q is the quantity of heat transferred through a layer
of substance of thickness L, with cross sectional area S, with
temperature difference (T.sub.2-T.sub.1) and during time t, with
thermal conductivity of .lamda.. The thermal conductivity is
expressed as, e.g., (KiloCal/(mhrdegree)) or (Cal/(cmsecdegree))
unit.
[0277] With some approximations, for some ranges of operations, the
wall heat transfer coefficient for a pipe, h, can (approximately)
be calculated using the following expression:
h=2k/(d.sub.i ln(d.sub.o/d.sub.i))
[0278] where d.sub.i and d.sub.o are the inner and outer diameters
of the pipe, respectively, and k is the effective thermal
conductivity of the wall material.
[0279] For combining heat transfer coefficients, for two or more
heat transfer processes acting in parallel, heat transfer
coefficients will add up:
h=h.sub.1+h.sub.2+h.sub.3+
[0280] For two or more heat transfer processes in series, heat
transfer coefficients will inversely add up:
(1/h)=(1/h.sub.1)+(1/h.sub.2)+(1/h.sub.3)+
[0281] Systems with an alternative means of heating or cooling may
be much more flexible when combined with the current invention. If
the heating or cooling load may be treated by other means, as well,
the invention can be used to increase the efficiency of the system,
or may be applied in simpler ways in combination with this
invention. For instance, if a heat pump is being used, an
alternative piping setup may allow it to transfer heat to and from
the source fluid, which in the instance of cooling a building, via
dumping heat in tap water, may also aid in heating that water for
residential hot water use. In other variation, it may divide the
cold and hot water (as separate), or actively designate the
system's water as hot water or regular tap water, via a control
system. In applications, when used in the conjunction of another
device that may supplement cooling loads, or when the water demand
(and thus, water heat capacity) greatly exceed thermal demand, a
tank may not be necessary for the system, which can then operate
solely via valves and a control system, or operate passively, by
just freely flowing through heat exchanges.
[0282] In one embodiment, a very large heat exchanger may serve as
a storage tank, in that its thermal mass is significant enough to
contain a large amount of thermal energy. For instance, a very
lengthy amount of pipe with significant fluid storage may serve as
the thermal energy storage device for the system.
[0283] In one embodiment, tank operates on natural differentiation
of temperature levels, or stratification, organized in layers,
layer over layer. In one embodiment, water is taken out of the main
municipal pipe, and then put right back into it. In one embodiment,
water can also be deliberately cooled further via a geothermal
well.
[0284] In one embodiment, a diaphragm partitions the tank. In one
embodiment, two tanks or more tanks are used to partition or
separate the water. In one embodiment, a plate or series of plates
is used to separate water of different temperatures.
[0285] In one embodiment, when the valve is open, gravity makes the
plate fall slowly to the bottom of the tank. The water displaced by
the plate's downward motion is pushed through the bypass.
[0286] In one embodiment, the specific density of diaphragm is
similar to that of the water, e.g. made of foam and metal,
sandwiched together in layers, of high density and low density
items, with an overall average of about the specific density of the
water, so that the diaphragm or floating unit stays at the same
location within the depth of the tank, in the water, without
sinking to the depth or surfacing to the top, in the tank, in a
semi-equilibrium situation. In one embodiment, layers for water
resistant or waterproof materials can be used. For example, a metal
sandwiched over foam or plastic object, or a hollow object, can be
used. See for example FIG. 8 and the corresponding
descriptions.
[0287] See also FIG. 29, with multiple layers or components, for a
thermal plate in a tank, with desired relative density or specific
gravity, with respect to the fluid or water in the tank, as
designed and fixed before (or changed in real time, with different
components of different densities, e.g. by a mechanical arm or
robot or a user, as a modular object, with sliding the fitted
components in and out of the shell, to get the desired (relative)
density), with the weighted average density of all components as
the final density of the whole object or thermal plate. The outer
layer can be waterproof or water resistant, to protect the inside
of the thermal plate or to protect the water quality.
[0288] FIG. 30 shows different variations of the plate in a tank,
e.g. using blank space or gas or air (or filled with another fluid
or liquid) within the plate (L1 structure) to move the center of
gravity above the geometrical center of the plate, as an example,
and change the average density of the plate, as a whole. In L2, we
do the same, by using a high density material within the plate,
relative to the rest of the plate, located on the upper portion of
the plate thickness or cross section, to move the center of gravity
above the geometrical center of the plate. The L3 combination
structure is the reverse of L2 structure, by using a high density
material within the plate, relative to the rest of the plate,
located on the lower portion of the plate thickness or cross
section, to move the center of gravity below the geometrical center
of the plate, e.g. to have a better rotational stability of the
plate within the tank, to guide the plate better in the tank, up
and down, without too much rotation.
[0289] In one embodiment, to avoid tilting of the diaphragm (or
floating unit or plate or shutter or flap or cap or separator or
disc or regulator or needle valve) in the water or fluid tank, one
can use rails to keep it straight, or grooves on the sides of the
tank to keep it straight (or flat or horizontal position). In one
embodiment, to avoid tilting of the diaphragm (or floating unit or
plate) in the water or fluid tank, one can use a proper weight
distribution of plate to keep it straight (or flat or horizontal
position). For example, it can be like a pendulum, with the center
of mass below the point of rotation, causing a state of equilibrium
in that position. In one embodiment, to bring the diaphragm back in
the place, one can use a motor, or pressure difference, or draw of
water from the tank (for the demand side, causing water to
drop).
[0290] In one embodiment, the tank plate moves up and down with the
aid of a motor. Small actuators open and close holes or valves in
the plate, to allow or prevent the flow of water. In one
embodiment, cold water can be taken in, based upon the cooling
demand of the house, and the cold water is stored in a
volume-changing tank. In one embodiment, the heat exchange is with
another fluid. In one embodiment, the heat exchange is with the
same type of fluid. In one embodiment, the heat exchange is with
intermixing and/or direct contact of the fluids. In one embodiment,
the heat exchange is without intermixing and/or direct contact of
the fluids. In one embodiment, the heat exchange is done with
multiple chambers or multiple tanks, e.g. to begin filling other
tanks with auxiliary tanks, in series or in parallel, e.g. with
different shapes. The tanks or chambers are selected and operated
on, using computer or remote or central controller, or
alternatively, using manual operations by a user, to monitor
parameters and control valves and other functions in the water tank
or exchanger.
[0291] In one embodiment, the water tank or exchanger is any
conventional one used in the prior art. Multiple pipes, e.g. same
or different pipes, in terms of shape or material, can be used. In
one embodiment, we can do the opposite, in a different environment,
i.e. cooling tap water.
[0292] In one embodiment, the fluid movement is done by (force of)
gravity, pressure differential, pump, motor, heat (e.g. expansion,
or lower or differential viscosity, or lower or differential
relative density or specific gravity, to move the fluid in one
direction), tidal or wave movement, mechanical sources, or the
like.
[0293] In one embodiment, the water pipe system from the city
symbolizes an open system, as it brings new supply of water in to
the system (pipes), and the water is used by the user(s),
continuously (and the new supply replaces the used portion). The
system of our invention can be placed both before or after the
water meter, installed by the water company. During the cold
months, if it goes below 0 C, to avoid freezing, the surface pipes,
if any, are drained and closed, until the weather gets warmer.
[0294] In one embodiment, we are using a diaphragm or floating unit
or flap in the tank (e.g. as a separator, in a water tank or
exchanger unit), similar to the concept used in a typical water
expansion tank for conventional water heater. An expansion tank or
expansion vessel is a small tank used in closed water heating
systems and domestic hot water systems to absorb excess water
pressure, which can be caused by thermal expansion as water is
heated, or by water hammer. The vessel itself is a small container
divided in two by a rubber diaphragm. One side is connected to the
pipe work of the heating system, and therefore, contains water. The
other, the dry side, contains air under pressure, and also,
normally a car-tire type valve stem, for checking pressure and
adding air. When the heating system is empty, or at the low end of
the normal range of working pressure, the diaphragm will be pushed
against the water inlet. As the water pressure increases, the
diaphragm moves, compressing the air on its other side. The
compressibility of the air cushions the pressure shock, and
relieves pressure in the system, that could otherwise damage the
plumbing system.
[0295] When expansion tanks are used in domestic hot water systems,
the tank and the diaphragm must conform to drinking water
regulations, and must be capable of accommodating the required
volume of water, as explained in great details in Wikipedia site,
for this technology, expansion tanks, as a good reference and
review article.
[0296] As an example, consider a system or tank with diaphragm,
with water on top enclosure and air or nitrogen cushion at the
bottom enclosure, with diaphragm separating the 2 enclosures. When
system is filled, the water does not come to the tank, when cushion
and water pressure are in equilibrium. Then, as temperature
increases, the diaphragm moves to accept expanded water. Then, when
water rises to the maximum, we get to the full expansion state. The
same diaphragm concept is used in one embodiment of our
invention.
[0297] In addition, for a multi-chamber tank, one can use multiple
diaphragms (or flaps) (e.g. solid and rigid, or flexible) to
separate each section from others. In one embodiment, we are using
a diaphragm which is air tight and solid, with no holes, and no
mixing. In one embodiment, we are using a diaphragm which has small
holes, for slight passage of the fluid or water, to be able to mix
the water slightly, but in a very limited fashion (for proper heat
exchange), and still have a gradual water flow through the
tank.
[0298] For Post-Use Heat Recovery: After use of tap water, the new
thermal properties acquired through use can be taken advantage of
in this system, prior to its disposal as wastewater. Direct reuse
of said water may be hazardous due to waste, so specialized heat
exchangers using this water may be processed differently. Namely,
greywater and blackwater heat exchangers have different
limitations, with blackwater waste causing risk of material
clogging, and thus requiring heat exchangers with minimal
bending.
[0299] Waste water that has not significantly exchanged thermal
properties with ambient temperatures can be used interchangeably
with the aforementioned systems, as a source for geothermal heating
or cooling. Such processes will be effective, if adequately small
time combined with adequate thermal resistance provides for an
adequate temperature change.
[0300] Different applications for the invention are also possible
with wastewater whose temperature has been modified, including
cooled and especially heated water. Heated waste water exiting
boilers, showers, or heating appliances (including dishwashers and
clothes washers, etc) can be recovered and exchanged with thermal
hot water tanks, to the tanks directly, or to heat up incoming
water to the hot water tanks
[0301] Heat recovery of wastewater that has achieved ambient or
near ambient temperatures can also be highly beneficial. Such waste
water can pre-treat water entering use, including that entering
thermal reservoirs, and also can be exchanged near areas with large
cooling or heating loads, to reduce those loads. Advantageous
locations include building exteriors, facades, and other high HVAC
load regions, as well as kitchens, data centers, regions with
equipment-caused heat, and regions or locations with large cooling
loads for lighting, and other applications.
[0302] For smart system, for sensing temperature and exchanging
heat: An intelligent sensory system measures and analyzes
temperature and other properties of outgoing wastewater to exchange
heat to thermal reservoirs. Sensor measurements of flow rate and
temperature can combine with a logic "brain", to decide when to use
a combination of valves, pumps, or thermal contact heat exchangers
to move heat to and from the thermal reservoirs.
[0303] In other embodiment, more simplistic models use fewer
sensors. Applications with consistent temperatures may remove some
or all temperature sensors, and many applications can remove use of
direct flow rate, with timers and logic controls.
[0304] Multiple heat exchangers at different points in a system can
be employed, some before the combination of different waste water
streams. For example, hot body high-use-only applications, such as
boilers, showers, dishwashers, and similar items, can have separate
heat exchanger systems, to exchange favorable thermal properties,
before rejection as wastewater.
[0305] In one embodiment of the invention, there is no tank at all,
i.e. a tankless system, with no reservoir or storage. For example,
the city water pipe system directly exchanges heat with the
application or room or apparatus, e.g. with the room, heat pump, or
cooling tower, e.g. to cool down the room in Summer or hot season.
More variations are shown below, in the following figures and
corresponding descriptions.
[0306] The figures show some examples, for better
understandings:
[0307] FIG. 1 shows an example of the pipe, shaped as coil,
pattern, structure, snake, array, series, zig-zag, foiled, bent, or
matrix, so that the heat exchange can be done more efficiently. The
structure or array can be laid on or above the surface, for which
winter or ice may cause leaking or breaking problem. Thus, for cold
areas, that must be drained for safety, during the ice and winter
season. They can be laid a few feet under ground level, in the same
level as regular city water lines. For conventional geothermal, one
can go deeper in ground, and set the array of pipes a few feet
deeper (of course, with more cost). For deep wells, one goes much
deeper, with pumps, motors, fans, and exchangers, with pressure
behind it, and circulation of water or liquid (at much higher
costs).
[0308] FIG. 2 shows the heat exchanger with multiple separate
chambers (N) (e.g. 3), in sequence or in parallel, or combination
of both, stacked together (e.g. in this figure, 3 chambers located
in series), with each chamber having its own structure or piping or
internal geometry, possibly different than others in some examples,
or the same as others in other embodiments. The fluid (first fluid)
comes in from chamber 3, and goes out from chamber 1, in this
example, through array of pipes in each chamber.
[0309] FIG. 3 is the same system as FIG. 2, in one embodiment,
showing how the chambers are connected, and how the fluid (2.sup.nd
fluid) moves from one chamber to another, around the array of pipes
in each chamber, shown in FIG. 2, exchanging heat/energy with the
pipes inside each chamber, carrying another fluid (in general). It
can also be the same fluid, in some examples, e.g. water. For
example, the supply of the first or 2.sup.nd fluid (above) can be
water from the city. Here, the 2.sup.nd fluid goes the reverse of
the first fluid, i.e. the 2.sup.nd fluid coming in from chamber 1,
and going out from chamber 3 (or N), in this example. The location
of connection of pipes between chambers are fixed, in one example,
as shown.
[0310] In another embodiment, both liquids go in the same
direction, with respect to each other, e.g. both starting or
entering chamber 1, first.
[0311] The locations of connection of pipes between chambers are
not fixed, in another example. For example, they are on a sliding
rail, with flexible or extendable pipes, e.g. elastic or plastic
(e.g. similar to those used for shower, with moveable shower head
or shower handle, used in the bath room), to be able to move up and
down, along the wall or side of the chambers, to change the pattern
of movement of the second fluid, between the chambers, for
optimization of the heat exchange, depending on delta or difference
of temperature between the 2 fluids, at the entrance and exit for
each chamber, for higher efficiency for exchange.
[0312] FIG. 4 shows similar system as the one in FIG. 3, except
that the chambers are connected via small holes, screen, mesh, or
strainer structure (not a regular pipe, as in FIG. 3). The size or
density or number of the mesh or screen affects or changes the flow
and rate of the fluid between chambers, which changes the heat
exchange rate and amount.
[0313] In one embodiment, one can close off some or parts of the
screen or holes between chambers (e.g. using a shutter, rotating
shutter around a hinge, cap, partial cap, plate, parallel plate to
the screen plane, sliding plate, rotating plate, a block on an arm,
or similar devices), so that the flow increases or decreases,
between chambers, for different exchange rate, for efficiency,
depending on the temperature of chambers and pipes recorded and
analyzed by a processor, using sensors and detectors for
temperature and flow meter, for monitoring, as some examples.
[0314] FIG. 5 shows an example of the system of the invention, with
source supplying the tank, going through the HVAC system (or bypass
that), to the tap water system, for usage, e.g. by humans, in a
building (commercial or residential). The residential buildings
usually are active in usage for most of 24 hours in a day.
[0315] For the big commercial buildings, the usage is so large that
at any given minute, there is one user using the water for some
purpose. Thus, statistically, there is always a user, and the flow
and usage or rate can be plotted and estimated for future, with a
good degree of certainty. Thus, our system can predict and adjust
the flow and temperatures more accurately and uniformly, with more
efficiency. Generally speaking, the larger the building and more
number of users and usages or applications, the better the
statistics and prediction will be (e.g. a Normal Distribution with
a Gaussian shape), for higher efficiency and uniform service
throughout the building, with proper size tanks, storages, and
exchangers for all hours of operations.
[0316] Any spike or anomalies will produce shortages or causes
overdesigning the resources, causing general inefficiencies in
either direction. Thus, to make the usage uniform and design proper
(not too much or too little), one has to have a big system of
users, e.g. big building (with a distributed usage with good
statistical accuracy), or use storages with good insulations, to
keep the liquid or water as a constant temperature at different
temperatures, separately, as a heat or energy storages (or cold
water for cold water usage or cooling living space, for summer, as
an example), at different locations in the ground or throughout the
building, for immediate or future usages, to uniformly distribute
the resources or break the spike usages.
[0317] FIG. 6 shows a typical pipe with fluid in ground, with
ground conduction, with surface temperature higher, with exchange
at the surface with air through surface convection, as well,
showing an example of the thermodynamics of our system.
[0318] FIG. 7 shows a system, comprising a pipe underground for
water supply, e.g. city water system, with its velocity profile
within the pipe, connected to a cold water tank (or bypass that),
then connecting to a HVAC duct coil (for air or room or space
temperature adjustment or comfort living) (or bypass that), then
connecting to the tap water system, followed by a water heater, to
water usage or users or applications (or bypass that), and finally,
to the sewage system (or recycling system or separation system or
septic tank or field or well).
[0319] FIG. 8 shows a tank with a heat exchanger, with a plate
separating the tank into 2 different sections (or more sections,
using more plates, dividers, separators, sliding plate, plate on a
rail, partitioning plate, floater, floating device, thermal plate,
or the like). The fluid comes in and out of the tank. In one
example, the thermal plate is heat conductive. In one example, the
thermal plate is not heat conductive, and very much insulated, to
keep the temperature of the 2 partitions or sections separate from
each other.
[0320] Thermal Plate isolates new entering cooled water in a region
with a heat exchanger that connects to the cooling load, to be
treated. The moving plate helps to reduce the intermixing of the
old water and the new incoming water, while allowing for the
continuous flow of the water through the system.
[0321] As an example, in FIG. 8a, the bottom section has a
temperature TN, similar to the top section, after it has been
sitting there for a long time, as stabilized, or exchanged heat
with the surrounding of the tank. Then, in FIG. 8b, the water goes
in from the bottom pipe, and pushes the plate up. The temperature
of the new water in the tank, e.g. coming from underground, is TC,
e.g. cool temperature, or reflecting ground temperature (a few feet
down), which is different from the top (or other) section's
temperature (TN), as in FIG. 8c. Then, the heat exchanger in the
bottom section (or first section) of the tank exchanges heat with
TC from water or fluid (new water), to (e.g.) cool down the room in
Summer season. The thermal plate gives a chance for this heat
exchange, so that the "new" and "old" water do not get mixed yet,
as they are still separated in 2 sections in the tank. The value of
TC can be higher or lower than TN, depending on the season and
environment of the tank.
[0322] Now, in FIG. 8d, as the water usage continues, and to supply
water to the second or top section of the tank, coming from the IN
pipe or first section of the tank, we need to connect the 2
sections for a while, until the water usage ceases or reduces. This
can be done by multiple methods and techniques: [0323] Technique or
Solution or Method 1: a pipe connects the 2 sections, as shown on
the left side of the tank in FIG. 8d. That pipe can have an
optional valve and an optional pump (added to the pipe), to control
the flow rate in that pipe, to connect and mix the fluids in 2
sections (flow rate control, controlled by a controller or central
or remote processor). [0324] Method 2: a cap or flap or opening
door on a hinge, connecting the 2 sections, when needed, controlled
by the controller, using a rod, cable, string, chain, belt, magnet,
or the like, to open or close the cap. [0325] Method 3: a small
connector opening, at the edge of the tank, as shown on the right
side of the tank in FIG. 8d. The opening can have a flap, door, or
cap, as well, as optional, with similar mechanism as described in
Method 2 above.
[0326] As shown in FIG. 8e, as the water usage reduces or stops,
the temperature of section 1 is at TC, and the temperature of
section 2 is somewhere between TC and TN. As the time passes with
more usage, the temperature of section 2 approaches TC. (As another
embodiment, one can add another heat exchange unit at the section
2, as well, which can operate some of the time, depending on the
temperature of section 2, with respect to the application usage
temperature.)
[0327] As the time passes, with no more usage of water (no water
flow), as shown in FIG. 8f, the 2 sections settle at temperature
TN, in equilibrium with the tank surroundings.
[0328] The IN and OUT pipes have optional valves and pumps, as
well, controlled by the controller, centrally, to close off or
control the flow rate, by a user or by a computer.
[0329] To repeat the full cycle, one has to go back to the
situation shown at FIG. 8a, at the beginning of the described
cycle, above. So, we use the step shown in FIG. 8g. The thermal
plate is pushed down, using a motor, rod, cable, string, chain,
belt, magnet, rail, lever, or the like, by user, or motor,
controlled by the controller. As one embodiment, to facilitate
this, the flow from section 1 to section 2 is performed, via one of
the 3 methods similar to those described on FIG. 8d, above (shown
on FIG. 8g, as well). At the end, the status of FIG. 8a is reached
again, for the beginning of the next cycle, as it continues like
this.
[0330] As one embodiment, thermal plate has a lower density than
the water (or fluid) in the tank, and the step of plate moving up
in the tank is automatic, as time passes (with no external drive or
forces needed, unless one wants to speed up the process). As
another embodiment, thermal plate has a higher density than the
water (or fluid) in the tank, and the step of plate moving down in
the tank is automatic, as time passes. As another embodiment,
thermal plate has a very similar density (average as a whole),
compared to the water (or fluid) in the tank, and the step of plate
moving up or down in the tank is not automatic, as time passes.
Thus, either motor, magnet, rod, chain, or similar actions are
needed, as external forces, as explained elsewhere in this
disclosure, as well, or water motion pushing in or out of the pipes
(IN or OUT) provides the force needed for such a motion (the step
of plate moving up or down in the tank).
[0331] Note that the cycle described above can be done while the
consumption of the water is small, and the thermal plate does not
fully swing up and down, as its full range of movement in the tank
being limited. However, the concept and steps are exactly the same
as above.
[0332] FIG. 9 shows one tank design, as an example. Thermal Plate
isolates new entering cooled water in region with a heat exchanger
that connects to the cooling load to be treated. Entry port and
exit port may have an optional flow switch, valve, or flow meter
(FM). Exit funnel or bypass is an example of Method 3 mentioned
above for FIG. 8d. Thermal plate moves up and down, within some
height range, using one or more mechanical stops or limiters or
magnets or tongues or bars or blocks, to stop the plate at some
height (the stopper, e.g. located at top and bottom). However, in
another embodiment, for horizontal configuration, the plate is
positioned vertically, and moves left to right, and vice versa.
Different switches, valves, motors, and mechanical functions are
controlled and coordinated by the controller or processor
unit(s).
[0333] The temperatures of different locations (e.g. at locations:
exit, entry, up, down, in, out (for exchanger), mid, different
pipes, and plate), TC, are measured and sent to the controller and
database, for comparison, storage, analysis, neural network
trainings, predictions, and decisions. The holder can be a
mechanical (such as a pin or bar or stopper) or magnetic holder
(e.g. permanent or electrically activated magnet), to hold the
plate at the specific height(s) (e.g. at the top, for example, when
the thermal plate is heavier than the water in the tank, and thus,
normally will sink in the tank, toward bottom, if there is no force
or object holding that up, at a specific location(s)).
[0334] The valve and the pipe on the left side of FIG. 9 is an
example of Method 1 mentioned above for FIG. 8d, as an option or
solution for connecting the 2 sections of the tank, presented
alone, or in combination of other Methods, mentioned above, for
FIG. 8d. Heat exchanger(s) at the bottom, section 1 of the tank,
has IN and OUT connections, with optional corresponding valves,
thermocouples, sensors, detectors, measurement equipment,
manifolds, switches, flow meters, and similar devices. The general
function of the system in FIG. 9 was described above in FIG. 8.
[0335] Thermal plate can be of homogenous material, e.g. of the
same material. Or, it can be of different materials as combination
or mixture. For example, FIG. 10a shows a thermal plate, with
multiple components. It can be any shape that fits and matches the
cross section of the tank. In FIG. 10a example, the inner core is
dense and heavy, and outer one is light, with some waterproof or
water-resistant or rust-resistant cover, floating in the tank. The
density and volume of the components can be changed or designed, to
produce a desired density of the thermal plate, with respect to the
water density in the tank, for optimal operation, such as sinking,
going up or down, or rising in the tank, as explained in FIG. 8
operational cycle.
[0336] In addition, if the center of gravity is below the
geometrical center of the thermal plate, then the plate has the
tendency to swing back to its middle position, for better stability
in the tank, while floating or going up or down, as shown in FIG.
10b.
[0337] To show the self-stratifying tank, as an example, we can
compare FIGS. 11a and 11b, with FIG. 11b having layers or baffles
positioned in the tank, as layers in front of the direct or
straight water flow.
[0338] To show a Semi-closed system, we refer to FIG. 12. The
incoming water in the tank provides a longer term reservoir
exchange with the exchanger, with an optional circulation pump,
which is normally open to allow forced water flow through the heat
exchanger, as in FIG. 12a.
[0339] Several example cases or variations: One can use a
perforated pipe to bring the incoming (portion of) water to the
exchanger, if the exchanger allows the flow, as in FIG. 12b. One
can use aligned pipes (similar concept as perforated), as in FIG.
12c. One can use Y or T connection pipes, as in FIG. 12d. One can
use baffles, as in FIG. 12e. The heat exchanger can be positioned
90 degree, or perpendicular, of the position shown in previous
figures, with respect to the tank or baffles, as in FIG. 12f. In
other embodiments, in general, the pipes for FIGS. 12d and 12c are
not aligned (facing in front of each other), and can be staggered
or shifted, to make it harder for the flow to go directly from one
pipe to the other one.
[0340] FIG. 12g shows a tank with a bypass pipe and a valve
(optional), with exchanger at the bottom, with pump or valve, with
its own loop (pipe forming a loop).
[0341] FIG. 12h shows a tank with 2 exchangers, with their own
loops, with their valves and pumps connected electrically (and both
controlled by the controller). It has a test or re-fill station or
port or valve or manifold, for testing the quality of the water,
for contaminants or heavy metals detection (e.g. toxicity
measurement). A toxic detection unit can be added at this point,
connected to the controller. If some level of contamination or
bacteria is detected, the water may still be good for bathing, but
not drinking. The controller sounds a siren or light, or other
methods, to warn the users or operator. The drain or filter at the
bottom is a place for cleaning up the system or pipes,
periodically, or during repairs.
[0342] FIGS. 13(a-b-c) show other variations, e.g. shell and tube
heat exchanger, with or without baffles in shell, running parallel
or crossing the tubes. For example:
[0343] FIG. 13 (a & c): one-pass tube-side.
[0344] FIG. 13 (b): two-pass tube side.
[0345] Note the direction of the fluids or water for shell and tube
in each configuration.
[0346] FIG. 13(d) shows a Plate heat exchanger. FIG. 13(e) shows a
Spiral heat exchangers (in cylindrical or spherical shapes). Other
types of heat exchangers (not shown): Adiabatic wheel heat
exchanger, Plate fin heat exchanger, Pillow plate heat exchanger,
and Phase-change heat exchangers (with steam and condensate). Other
varieties are: Straight-tube heat exchanger and Bent or U-tube heat
exchanger. Each of these examples can be incorporated into our
system or subsystem, e.g. in each tank or exchanger unit, shown in
our other embodiments or figures or examples.
[0347] FIG. 14 shows the city water line connected to a house or
building through a pipe array or snake pattern, for better exchange
with ground and soil, with array positioned vertically or
horizontally, or somewhere in between, at an angle.
[0348] FIG. 15 shows the city water line passing near another pipe
loop (not connected by fluid or water) to exchange heat
underground, with the loop having a pipe array for better exchange,
with array positioned vertically or horizontally, or somewhere in
between, at an angle, at same level or higher or lower than (depth
of) the city water line, for different embodiments.
[0349] FIG. 16 shows a central computer or controller controlling
and getting data from various tanks (N tanks, e.g. 3 tanks),
applications (users or appliances, e.g. shower or water heater),
thermocouples (TC), and valves, e.g. temperatures T1, T2, and
T3.
[0350] FIG. 17 shows a controller or server, connected to
thermocouples (TC) and flow meters (FM), in addition to pumps,
motors, valves, switches, tanks, applications, and locations within
the building or pipe system. The clock or seasonal adjuster
database or module adjusts for seasonal temperature variations for
optimum performance and higher comfort level in the building. Tank
1 supports multiple applications or usages, e.g. shower, bathroom,
and kitchen sink. Tank 1 and Tank 2 are in series, which means that
Tank 1 is supporting Tank 2, e.g. as an intermediate temperature
for a final temperature at Tank 2, to supply the final temperature
to application 3 or location 3 in the building. All the valves and
pumps are adjusted by the controller(s) throughout the building
(e.g. one main controller controls all local controllers), based on
the temperatures and other parameters measured throughout the
system or building, or outside, e.g. in ground measurements.
[0351] FIG. 18 shows a controller or server, connected to
forecasting or seasonal adjuster or real-time data from weather
stations, to adjust or estimate the temperatures and other
parameters, e.g. related to weather and pressure and humidity and
the like, for optimum system performance and efficient heat
exchangers. Tanks may have safety valves to release extra pressure.
Another energy system, such as grid or solar panels on the roof,
may supplement or complement or back up our system here. The solar
panel can supply a tank, e.g. as intermediate or long-term storage,
e.g. with good insulation, which can supply or support other
applications and tank 1, in our system.
[0352] FIG. 19 shows a controller or server, connected to different
exchangers at different temperatures (T1, T2, T3), connected to
different tanks at different temperatures (T11, T22, T33), with
different insulation R values or degrees, to keep water for
different time periods at different temperatures, all located in
one big unit or distributed around the building, connected by
pumps, switches, and valves, and controlled by the central
controller, for all supplies throughout the building.
[0353] FIG. 20 shows various pipes, plates, hoses, matrices,
layers, combinations, radiators, stacks, or arrays, to move the
fluid through them, for heat exchange, through radiation,
convection, and conduction, with surroundings and other objects,
e.g. in ground or in a heat exchanger.
[0354] FIG. 21 top figure shows a fluid or liquid going through a
pipe or twisted or multiple curved pipe, surrounded by a flowing
water container, which has an optional large heat sink or block,
e.g. a metal block, to store energy or bring an object to a
specific temperature or equalize the temperature between 2 objects.
FIG. 21 bottom figure shows water going through a pipe or twisted
or multiple curved pipe, surrounded by a flowing fluid or liquid
container, for heat exchange. In one embodiment, the fluid or
liquid is water. However, in that case, water in the pipe and water
in the container are not connected as one source of water. For
example, one of them can be for drinking water, and the other one
for other purposes, i.e. not as clean as the other one.
[0355] Referring to FIG. 21, the directions of the flow for water
and fluid can be the same ("SAME" directions) (as shown in top and
bottom figures, both going from left side to right side, for both
water and fluid), or in other embodiment, reverse of each other
(only one of fluid or water going from right side to left side of
the figure, i.e. reverse of what shown in FIG. 21) ("REVERSE"
directions). Then, for heat exchange between fluid and water, the
temperature gradients within pipe and container, from left to right
of the FIG. 21 (corresponding to the C1, to C2, to C3 direction, in
FIG. 22), are reverse of each other, for the 2 cases mentioned
above (i.e. "SAME" direction situation and "REVERSE" direction
situation). In one case ("SAME" directions), the gradients are
represented by the curves L2 and L3 (in FIG. 22), for temperature
variations in the pipe and container, and in the second situation
("REVERSE" directions), the gradients are represented by the curves
L1 and L3. Depending on the applications or usages, and depending
on the relative positions of the curves L1 and L2, with respect to
L3, one may choose "SAME" direction situation or "REVERSE"
direction situation. However, in one example, for the "REVERSE"
direction situation, we have a better efficiency of the heat
exchange.
[0356] Note that the above variations correspond to parallel flows
and counter flows for pipe and container (or tank). One can mix
them up, with multiple pipes and containers, having both "REVERSE"
direction situation and "SAME" direction situation, in the system,
as a mixed solution or system.
[0357] Referring to FIG. 23, one can add different types of plates
or barriers or baffles to the tank for exchange or flow slow down
(or a flow-directing vane or panel in a vessel, such as for shell
and tube heat exchangers). Examples are: L1 with staggered
positions, L2 configuration or setup with mesh or strainer or
matrix or filter positioning or arrangements, and L3 with partially
or fully blocking plates, for partitioning or redirecting the fluid
flow in the tank, with plates covering some or almost all of the
cross section of the tank in one direction, as shown in FIG. 23, as
perpendicular plates, also perpendicular to the fluid flow.
[0358] Referring to FIG. 24, one can use different mechanisms to
move the plate, separator, or diaphragm, up or down, inside a tank.
For example, one can use a side rail or track(s) to guide the
separator (or see thermal plate in FIG. 8), as shown on the top
figure. For example, one can use a motor to rotate a pulley, to
pull or push a cable or chain up and down, connected to the
separator plate, to guide and move the separator, as shown on the
middle figure. For example, one can use multiple motors to rotate
pulleys, to pull or push a cable or chain up and down, connected to
the separator plate, to guide and move the separator, as shown on
the bottom figure, in FIG. 24.
[0359] Note that, instead of rail, one can use corrugated metal,
lip, tongue, niche, slot, recess, groove, hook, loop, or the like,
to attach one object to the other, to hold the plate in a position
in the tank. One can also use a step motor and/or a latch to make
the direction of the movement of the plate in only one specific
direction, or keep or move the plate in/to a fixed position.
[0360] FIG. 25 shows different mechanisms to move or hold the plate
or separator in a tank. For example, pin and hold, in which pin is
pushed into a hole or one of the holes, to hold the separator in a
specific position or height in the tank. The action can be done by
the user, or computer, automatically, e.g. using magnetic mechanism
or coupling (e.g. 2 permanent magnets coupled, one driving the
other, in and out of the hole, with one connected to the pin, or
being the same as the pin), electrical mechanism (e.g. pin driven
by an inductor or coil, located inside in the center of the coil,
with electrical current determining the signal, or the force to
drive the pin), and/or by a motor, pushing or pulling the pin in
place, directly connected to the pin, or through a bar, cable,
chain, or the like (indirectly). Note that each of the pin and hole
are located at one of the plate and tank (or rail on a tank), to
hold the plate in a specific position or height in the tank.
[0361] FIG. 25 also shows the similar mechanism using hook and bar,
where bar is pushed into the hook or loop, and holds the plate in
place, as each of the hook and bar are connected to one of the
plate and tank (or rail on a tank). The driving mechanism is
described elsewhere in this disclosure.
[0362] FIG. 25 also shows the gear to gear or gearbox combination
mechanism, as an embodiment, optionally connected to a rail or
chain or bar or shaft, or directly engaging each other, to move or
hold the plate in place in the tank, as each of the gears (or
connecting devices to the gears, e.g. bar or tongue or groove
connected to a gear) are connected to one of the plate and tank (or
rail on a tank). The driving mechanism is described elsewhere in
this disclosure.
[0363] FIG. 25 also shows the gear and rail (or grooves or holes or
niches or recess) combination mechanism, as an embodiment, to move
or hold the plate in place in the tank, as each of the gear and
rail are connected to one of the plate and tank. The driving
mechanism is described elsewhere (similar) in this disclosure.
[0364] FIG. 26 also shows another mechanism, with a motor running a
pulley (or multiple motors running multiple pulleys from multiple
sides of the plate), with a cable or chain connected to a magnet
(all installed on the tank), coupled with another magnet connected
or inside the plate (or thermal plate), to drive the plate up and
down, or from one side to the other side, in the tank, optionally
on a rail on a tank, to guide the plate, to partition the 2 sides
of the tank, with different variable volumes, as described before.
The other driving mechanisms are described elsewhere (similar) in
this disclosure.
[0365] FIG. 27 is (an example) a valve for passage of liquid or
fluid or water, with a ball or cylinder or cone acting as the
barrier to partially or fully close the valve and stop the flow of
the water. The ball can be pushed in or out using a rod from one
side or both sides of the valve (left and right on the figure), or
using chain, or rail, or cable, or motor, or magnetic coupling (by
moving one magnet to drive another magnet), or combinations of the
above, to block or open the flow or opening. The other driving
mechanisms are described elsewhere (similar) in this
disclosure.
[0366] FIG. 28 is (an example) a series of the flaps that are
opened by the force of the water or by a motor on its hinge, and
closes by the gravity force (or motor on the hinge, or lack of
pressure from water flowing). In one embodiment, the hinge goes or
rotates in one direction, and optionally, has a spring action, with
spring located on the hinge, to go back to the original position.
But, in another embodiment, the hinge can rotate in either
directions, e.g. up and down, or left and right, e.g. with the
rotating action coming from the motor or a shaft attached to a
motor or chain or cable or the like. The whole assembly can be on
the tank's wall, or on a rail or rack attached to the wall. In
another embodiment, one uses multiple one-way valves, instead of
the flaps. The flaps act as a barrier or flow directing
apparatus.
[0367] In another embodiment, one uses flaps with different shapes
and cross sections, e.g. circular, curved, airplane wing curved,
flaps with strainer or holes, or the like, to redirect the flow
direction in the tank, and change the speed or flow rate, for
liquid or water in the tank, for better and more efficient or more
time for heat exchange.
[0368] FIG. 31 is (an example) a system with a central processor
(connected to a storage and analysis module), controlling and
connecting (and getting data from, e.g. temperature readings, or
sending commands to do an action, e.g. opening the valves or
changing temperature settings) to different rooms, pipes, storages,
tanks, and heat exchangers, including pumps, sensors, motors,
alarms, computers, memory, thermocouples (TC), pressure sensors
(P), flow meters for flow rates, or recording devices, e.g. to
measure outside ground or air temperatures or other environmental
parameters, such as wind speed or wind chill factor, to adjust e.g.
the fluid position or the floater position in the tank, using the
historical or estimation data and analyzer component or module
(connected to the central processor or distributed processors),
based on the demand or usage of water in different parts of the
building, e.g. distributing more or less water to a part of the
building, or storing for high-demand period of the day, later on,
e.g. using real time data, e.g. using a flow meter in each part of
the building or piping section.
[0369] FIG. 32 is (an example) a system with a central processor,
connected to the pipes, rooms, storages, valves, pumps, zones in a
building, tanks, sensors, and exchangers, with databases, memory
units, command modules, and analysis modules, within or connected
to the processor(s), sending commands and causing actions, e.g.
opening valves, or receiving data or readings from the sensors or
tracking devices, from or to various locations within the building
system.
[0370] FIG. 33 is (an example) a system with a central processor or
controller, controlling and connected to valves at different
locations and sensors (S) at different locations, with feedback to
the controller, having options L1 and L2 as entry ports, or both L1
and L2, with a diaphragm or a flexible material as separator in the
tank, fixed at the two or all sides, and variable position in the
middle of diaphragm, as ballooning effect, going up and down, for
variable volume in the tank, partitioning the tank in 2 sections.
The balloon can have an optional sensor, with wireless connection
or battery or RFID embedded, as optional, on the diaphragm, to
monitor the position of the balloon at any given time, to analyze
at the controller, for optimum heat exchange in the tank, based on
the tank partitioning scheme described elsewhere in this
disclosure, for optimum or efficient operation.
[0371] FIG. 34 shows (top figure) a system of heat exchange between
a tank or thermal reservoir and the pipe within, passing through,
inside tank, but no liquid connection to the tank, with tank full
of another liquid or fluid or solid material, for conduction, with
optional fins or wings on the pipe for better exchange. Middle
figure shows a pipe within another bigger diameter pipe, or 2
concentric cylinders, one as the jacket, outer skin, or shell for
another one, with each carrying different and separate materials or
fluid, for exchange of heat, with the cross section shown at the
bottom figure, for both pipes.
[0372] FIG. 35 shows (top figure) with 2 concentric pipes, or one
jacket around a pipe at center, in the cross section, similar to
FIG. 34, with an added thermal conductor or material or paste or
glue or liquid for better conduction and exchange between the 2
pipes. FIG. 35 shows (middle figure) (an example) cross section of
2 pipes in parallel, with conducting paste around, in the box
around both of them, covered altogether by an optional insulating
skin or cover, for exchange of heat. FIG. 35 shows (bottom figure)
(an example) cross section of 2 pipes, one twisted around the other
one, like a snake, for more area, for better exchange. The whole
thing can be enclosed by heat conducting paste, and then by an
insulating skin, as well, as described above, as an example.
[0373] FIG. 36 shows a heat exchange between a middle central pipe
and two upper and lower semicircle jackets, covering the middle
pipe from both sides. The jackets can have their own structures,
e.g. internal piping and twisted piping network within each
jacket.
[0374] FIG. 37 shows a system of a pipe exchanging heat with a
reference or middle object, which in turn exchanges with a medium
outside.
[0375] FIG. 38 shows a system of a pipe exchanging heat with an air
handler, through a heat pump, as in conventional HVAC system.
[0376] FIG. 39 shows a system of a first pipe exchanging heat with
another separate pipe, coiled and submerged inside the fluid,
inside the first pipe.
[0377] Note that each chamber, tank, storage, reservoir, or
exchanger, described here, can have its own internal structure,
such as twisted pipe or snake-like pipe, as described elsewhere in
this disclosure. One can use an array of plates, pipes, tubes,
wings, extensions, or fins, for better exchange and larger area of
exposure.
[0378] In one embodiment, one uses one or more controllers,
processors, chambers, tanks, storages, reservoirs, or exchangers,
as modularized units, that can be stacked or connected or
synchronized together, as a large system. The modular tanks or
exchangers can increase the capacity of the system in a building,
very easily and fast, with minimal disruption and delay in
installation and integration. The integration can be parallel or in
series or mixed combination, for the individual chambers, tanks,
storages, reservoirs, or exchangers, shown above. For example, in
series, for tanks, one tank feeds anther tank. And, in parallel,
one tank feeds multiple tanks at the same time, connecting the
output of the first tank to the input of the next multiple
tanks
[0379] Any variations of the above teaching are also intended to be
covered by this patent application.
* * * * *