CA1170522A - Heat transfer apparatus and method - Google Patents
Heat transfer apparatus and methodInfo
- Publication number
- CA1170522A CA1170522A CA000374673A CA374673A CA1170522A CA 1170522 A CA1170522 A CA 1170522A CA 000374673 A CA000374673 A CA 000374673A CA 374673 A CA374673 A CA 374673A CA 1170522 A CA1170522 A CA 1170522A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- fluid
- header tank
- heat
- transporting
- medium
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S90/00—Solar heat systems not otherwise provided for
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
- Y02B10/00—Integration of renewable energy sources in buildings
- Y02B10/20—Solar thermal
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Photovoltaic Devices (AREA)
- Central Heating Systems (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Heat transfer apparatus is described using solar energy which is collected by a solar panel and transported to a lower heat storage reservoir. The apparatus comprises a closed system and has no external power requirements, circulation of the transporting medium being accomplished by bubble piston movement.
Heat transfer apparatus is described using solar energy which is collected by a solar panel and transported to a lower heat storage reservoir. The apparatus comprises a closed system and has no external power requirements, circulation of the transporting medium being accomplished by bubble piston movement.
Description
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This invention relates to energy transfer apparatus and a method for transfexring heat energy from one location to another.
There are often difficulties in transferring heat energy from one location to another and this is particular-ly so when it is wished to transfer solar heat energy from a solar panel location to a lower heat storage location within a dwelling. The heat energy is often transferred by utilizing a fluid, a liquid or a gas, and, in order to move the heated fluid downwards to the storage location, a mechanical pump circulatory and control system has to be provided in many cases. Such a mechanical circulatory system has many disadvantages including the additional cost and complication of the whole energy transfer apparatus, the greater risk of failure due to the mechanical system which may also be dependent on the continuous supply of electrical power, and, furthermore, the serious disadvant-age that failure of the mechanical circulatory system could result in the energy transfer apparatus operating in reverse to extract heat energy from the heat storage location.
From one aspect it is an object of the present inven-tion to provide energy transfer apparatus in which the above-identified disadvantages are substantially reduced.
From this aspect there is provided a non-reversible heat transfer apparatus for transferring heat energy from a heatable unit at a first location to a heat storage reser-voir at-a second location, including a header tank inter-connected between and above said heatable unit and said heat storage reservoir, and a transporting medium for trans-porting heat energy from said heatable unit to said headertank and from said header tank to said heat storage reser-'~.~,~
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voir, at least part of said transporting fluid medium being capable of boiling to form bubbles therein which, during transfer of heat, rise and act as pistons as said heatable unit is heated, said bubbles rising to cause a part of the transporting medium thereabove to be displaced and non-reversibly discharge in fluid form into said header tank at a level above the fluid level therein, the result-ing change in the hydrostatic balance in the header tank causing heated transporting medium therein to descend to said heat storage reservoir, said storage reservoir being at a lower level than said header tank and said heatable unit whereby as said heated transporting fluid medium enters said heat storage reservoir then cooler heat trans-porting fluid medium therein is displaced by natural con-vection and discharged to said heatable unit for re-heating.
From another aspect it i9 an object of the present invention to provide a method for transferring heat energy from one location to another in which the above-identified disadvantages are substantially reduced.
From this aspect there is provided a method of non-reversibly transporting heat energy from a heatable unit at a first location to a heat Qtorage unit at a second location, including the steps of providing a header tank interconnected between and above said heatable unit and said heat storage unit, providing a transporting medium for transporting heat energy from said heatable unit to said header tank and from said header tank to said heat storage reservoir, causing at least a part of said transporting medium to boil to form bubbles therein which, during trans-fer of heat, rise and act as pistons, as said heatable unit is heated, said bubbles rising to cause a part of the trans-~- 2 -..~, 1 .~1~'(.~5~'~
porting medium thereabove to be displaced and non-reversibly discharge in fluid form into said header tank at a level above the fluid level therein, the change in the hydro-static balance in the header tank causing heated transport-ing medium therein to descend to said heat storage reser-voir, said storage reservoir being at a lower level ~han said header tank and said heatable unit whereby as said heated transporting fluid medium enters said heat storage reservoir then cooler heat transporting fluid medium therein is dis-placed by natural convection and discharged to said heatableunit for re-heating.
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Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of energytransfer apparatus for transferring heat energ~ from a solar panel to a storage tank, and Figure 2 illustrates an alternate way of introducing the driving fluid into the ascending column of working fluid.
Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a heat collector or solar panel 2 at a first location where it is subject to incident rays (not shown~ from the sun. The solar panel 2 includes a fluid 4 for transporting heat energy from said solar panel 2 to a heat storage reservoir 6.
The fluid line of the solar panel 2 is connected through a pipe 8 having an open end 10 feeding into a header tank 12. A lower outlet 14 from the header tank 12 is connected through a pipe 16 to a continuation thereof, 18, within the heat storage reservoir 6.
It will be seen from Figure 1 that the pipe 18 is arranged in zig-zag fashion so as to ensure efficient transfer of the heat energy to the storage medium 20 within the heat storage reservoir 6. The fluid pipe continues in a portion 22 leading from the heat storage reservoir 6 to the inlet 24 of the solar panel 2.
An upper outlet 26 is provided in header tank 12 and is connected to an upper inlet 28 of a collecting tank 30 having a lower fluid outlet 32 which is connected through a smaller diameter pipe 34 to inlet 36 into the fluid pipe 22 below the solar panel inlet 24.
The choice of a suitable fluid 4 will be discussed in ~, .
, - 3 -~ 117( ~S2Z
, greater detail below but one suitable fluid is a solution of di-ethyl ether in water.
In use, the solar panel 2 is located so that rays from the sun may be incident thereon. During sunny periods the fluid 4 will be heated until a part thereof boils and bubbles, such as 38 in Figure i, are formed. Naturally, the bubbles 38 rise and, acting as pistons, push the fluid above them out through the open end 10 of pipe 8. The increased height of the heated liquid column more than compensates for the reduced density of the hot liquid.
It is therefore evident that pipe 8 through to the outlet 10 should be of a diameter compatible with the required piston action. It is also evident that the heated zone of the pipe can be of much larger dimensions and preferabl~
flattened in cross-section in order to maximize the rate of heat up take. The expelled fluid is at the temperature of the boiling component thereof and collects in the header tank 12. This volume of fluid heats up the remain-, j .
ing fluid in the tank 12 and the additional fluid upsets the hydrostatic balance therein so that a warmed column of fluid is forced to descend through the pipe 16 into the pipe 18 within the heat exchanger or heat storage reservoir I 6. This volume of fluid entering the pipe 16 is gradually cooled as heat energy passes therefrom to the storage medium 20 so that cooler fluid is pushed through the fluid pipe 22 back to the solar panel 2 where it is again heated and the process continues. In this way heat energy is transported from the solar panel 2 at a first location to the heat storage reservoir 6 at a second location.
~! 30 As will be understood, in a two fluid system, the i vapours 46 are collected in the collecting tank 30, r 117~ 2 ,_ equipped with coding fins 40 or cooling coils, etc., and condensed so that the condensate 42 is forced down the smaller diameter pipe 34, which may be regarded as the dsive fluid line, through the inlet 36, which may be conveniently located as illustrated, but may also be placed elsewhere in the ascending fluid column 22, back into the pipe 22 and thus through the inlet 24 of the solar panel. In a single fluid or azeotropic mixture system the components 28, 30, 32, 34 to the left of the broken line in Figure 1 and 36 may be omitted, the vapours are condensed immediately and refluxed into the header tank.
For the two-fluid system it is understood that the junction 36 may be furnished with a simple non-return valve or mechanism in the drive fluid line 34 to ensure the proper direction of flow.
Figure 2 shows an alternate means whereby the work fluid may be replenished with the more volatile driving ~luid. Here the junction i9 expanded so as to provide a large interface 44, between the driving fluid 42 and the ~o returning working fluid 4 that has given up part of its heat to the heat storage medium.
It will be understood that the apparatus described with reference to Figure 1 is substantially self-powered and self-regulating. Since it does not rely on the supply and availability of external power, it is substantially free from the dangers and shortcomings inherent in the externally-powered systems referred to above. The describ-ed system will not reverse and may be left unattended, but can provide a substantial amount of heat to keep a dwell-ing warm. With suitably designed and rated collecting elements and storage arrangements the need for auxiliary heating equipment may be minimized, or even eliminated.
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It is also understood that the mechanism proposed could be a component of a larger system such as a very large solar panel (VLSP) in which natural convection of a suitable fluid medium is employed to bring the heat so collected to the vicinity of the "hot zone" of the apparatus located in the upper portion of said VLSP whence the described system sends the heat to the storage loca-tion of choice and in the VLSP the now cooler circulating medium returns to the lower regions of the VLSP for reheating and so continue the cycle.
Figure 1 does not include possible ancillary devices to compensate for thermal expansion and to prevent fluid flowing from the pipe 22 into thP smaller diameter pipe 34. The design will be obvious and may include a conical non-return ~alve seated at the inlet 36.
It will also be understood that thermal insulation may be provided to prevent losses of heat in areas other than the area intended.
The fluid 4 is selected so as to have one or more components, wherein at least one of them has a boiling point which is exceeded by the temperature to which the solar panel 2 is heated when the sun's rays are incident thereon. The solar heating panel 2 and the pipes above are, of course, filled to a pre-determined level with the fluid 4~
A suitable fluid 4 may comprise, for example, a solu-tion of ether in water. The ether chosen will depend on the ambient temperature or, alternatively, the limit of pressure which the apparatus can withstand. The shorter ether homologues, unless pressurized, will yield fluids which boil at low temperatures, e.g. diethyl ether and ``` :117(~522 water form an azeotrope which boils at approximately 34C
at a pressure of 760 mm. of mercury whereas a methyl iso-propyl ether/water azeotrope boils at around 38 to 39C
under similar conditions. It is also possible to use methylene dichloride and water boiling at a convenient temperature and in such a case where the boiling component is heavier than the thermal bulk fluid, e.g. water, it may be desirable to alter the density of the bulk fluid so that it is closer to, or heavier than, the density of the boil-ing, driving fluid. This may be achieved, for example, by using brine instead of water.
Other combinations of fluids may be made, for example, water and carbon disulphide, but the choice will normally depend OQ availability and cost of each solution. The potential hazard thereof will also be important and the solution's optimum properties.
Composition of the working fluid, i.e. water, may be dified so as to increase the solubility of the driving fluid, and/or change the boiling and freezing characteristics of the solution(s). For example, acidulation with hydro chloric acid will both increase the solubility of ether in water and decrease the freezing temperature of the solution.
It is further understood that the pressure inside the sys-tem can be adjusted, eg. by addition of an inert gas at pressure or by mechanical means such as bellows or other equivalent techniques, so as to alter the boiling charact-eristics of the solution(s).
When the fluid 4 is a single component fluid, it will be understood that it acts as the component driving fluid as well as the component working fluid, i.e. the thermal "bulk" fluid. Furthermore, it is not necessary to provide ~ t~ 2 the collection tank 30 and the s~aller diameter pipe 34.
A suitable reflux condenser will assist in maintaining the overall fluid to vapour volume ratio approximately constant.
It will be understood that the header tank 12 gives the difference in height and may act as an expansion tank. In a modification of the apparatus, the header tank may be omitted but some other means should be pro-vided to accommodate the fluid's expansion.
Whilst the invention has been described with reference to use with solar energy, it will be apparent that it is applicable to other uses where it is desired to transport heat energy from a first locaticn to a second location at a lower level. It will oe also understood that when thermal energy is collected, it may be converted to other forms of energy or power.
It will be seen that the embodiment described above, provides a closed appar,atus which switches on automatically when it is hot enough to induce boiling so that energy from the solar panel 2 is automatically stored. No external pumps are required so that an appreciable saving and simpli-fication of apparatus is accomplished. The pipes, etc. can o course, be properly insulated to reduce heat loss.
.. ,
This invention relates to energy transfer apparatus and a method for transfexring heat energy from one location to another.
There are often difficulties in transferring heat energy from one location to another and this is particular-ly so when it is wished to transfer solar heat energy from a solar panel location to a lower heat storage location within a dwelling. The heat energy is often transferred by utilizing a fluid, a liquid or a gas, and, in order to move the heated fluid downwards to the storage location, a mechanical pump circulatory and control system has to be provided in many cases. Such a mechanical circulatory system has many disadvantages including the additional cost and complication of the whole energy transfer apparatus, the greater risk of failure due to the mechanical system which may also be dependent on the continuous supply of electrical power, and, furthermore, the serious disadvant-age that failure of the mechanical circulatory system could result in the energy transfer apparatus operating in reverse to extract heat energy from the heat storage location.
From one aspect it is an object of the present inven-tion to provide energy transfer apparatus in which the above-identified disadvantages are substantially reduced.
From this aspect there is provided a non-reversible heat transfer apparatus for transferring heat energy from a heatable unit at a first location to a heat storage reser-voir at-a second location, including a header tank inter-connected between and above said heatable unit and said heat storage reservoir, and a transporting medium for trans-porting heat energy from said heatable unit to said headertank and from said header tank to said heat storage reser-'~.~,~
~7` ~ 7~
li7~)~ Z Z
voir, at least part of said transporting fluid medium being capable of boiling to form bubbles therein which, during transfer of heat, rise and act as pistons as said heatable unit is heated, said bubbles rising to cause a part of the transporting medium thereabove to be displaced and non-reversibly discharge in fluid form into said header tank at a level above the fluid level therein, the result-ing change in the hydrostatic balance in the header tank causing heated transporting medium therein to descend to said heat storage reservoir, said storage reservoir being at a lower level than said header tank and said heatable unit whereby as said heated transporting fluid medium enters said heat storage reservoir then cooler heat trans-porting fluid medium therein is displaced by natural con-vection and discharged to said heatable unit for re-heating.
From another aspect it i9 an object of the present invention to provide a method for transferring heat energy from one location to another in which the above-identified disadvantages are substantially reduced.
From this aspect there is provided a method of non-reversibly transporting heat energy from a heatable unit at a first location to a heat Qtorage unit at a second location, including the steps of providing a header tank interconnected between and above said heatable unit and said heat storage unit, providing a transporting medium for transporting heat energy from said heatable unit to said header tank and from said header tank to said heat storage reservoir, causing at least a part of said transporting medium to boil to form bubbles therein which, during trans-fer of heat, rise and act as pistons, as said heatable unit is heated, said bubbles rising to cause a part of the trans-~- 2 -..~, 1 .~1~'(.~5~'~
porting medium thereabove to be displaced and non-reversibly discharge in fluid form into said header tank at a level above the fluid level therein, the change in the hydro-static balance in the header tank causing heated transport-ing medium therein to descend to said heat storage reser-voir, said storage reservoir being at a lower level ~han said header tank and said heatable unit whereby as said heated transporting fluid medium enters said heat storage reservoir then cooler heat transporting fluid medium therein is dis-placed by natural convection and discharged to said heatableunit for re-heating.
- 2a -h.
l i'7(iS~'~
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of energytransfer apparatus for transferring heat energ~ from a solar panel to a storage tank, and Figure 2 illustrates an alternate way of introducing the driving fluid into the ascending column of working fluid.
Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a heat collector or solar panel 2 at a first location where it is subject to incident rays (not shown~ from the sun. The solar panel 2 includes a fluid 4 for transporting heat energy from said solar panel 2 to a heat storage reservoir 6.
The fluid line of the solar panel 2 is connected through a pipe 8 having an open end 10 feeding into a header tank 12. A lower outlet 14 from the header tank 12 is connected through a pipe 16 to a continuation thereof, 18, within the heat storage reservoir 6.
It will be seen from Figure 1 that the pipe 18 is arranged in zig-zag fashion so as to ensure efficient transfer of the heat energy to the storage medium 20 within the heat storage reservoir 6. The fluid pipe continues in a portion 22 leading from the heat storage reservoir 6 to the inlet 24 of the solar panel 2.
An upper outlet 26 is provided in header tank 12 and is connected to an upper inlet 28 of a collecting tank 30 having a lower fluid outlet 32 which is connected through a smaller diameter pipe 34 to inlet 36 into the fluid pipe 22 below the solar panel inlet 24.
The choice of a suitable fluid 4 will be discussed in ~, .
, - 3 -~ 117( ~S2Z
, greater detail below but one suitable fluid is a solution of di-ethyl ether in water.
In use, the solar panel 2 is located so that rays from the sun may be incident thereon. During sunny periods the fluid 4 will be heated until a part thereof boils and bubbles, such as 38 in Figure i, are formed. Naturally, the bubbles 38 rise and, acting as pistons, push the fluid above them out through the open end 10 of pipe 8. The increased height of the heated liquid column more than compensates for the reduced density of the hot liquid.
It is therefore evident that pipe 8 through to the outlet 10 should be of a diameter compatible with the required piston action. It is also evident that the heated zone of the pipe can be of much larger dimensions and preferabl~
flattened in cross-section in order to maximize the rate of heat up take. The expelled fluid is at the temperature of the boiling component thereof and collects in the header tank 12. This volume of fluid heats up the remain-, j .
ing fluid in the tank 12 and the additional fluid upsets the hydrostatic balance therein so that a warmed column of fluid is forced to descend through the pipe 16 into the pipe 18 within the heat exchanger or heat storage reservoir I 6. This volume of fluid entering the pipe 16 is gradually cooled as heat energy passes therefrom to the storage medium 20 so that cooler fluid is pushed through the fluid pipe 22 back to the solar panel 2 where it is again heated and the process continues. In this way heat energy is transported from the solar panel 2 at a first location to the heat storage reservoir 6 at a second location.
~! 30 As will be understood, in a two fluid system, the i vapours 46 are collected in the collecting tank 30, r 117~ 2 ,_ equipped with coding fins 40 or cooling coils, etc., and condensed so that the condensate 42 is forced down the smaller diameter pipe 34, which may be regarded as the dsive fluid line, through the inlet 36, which may be conveniently located as illustrated, but may also be placed elsewhere in the ascending fluid column 22, back into the pipe 22 and thus through the inlet 24 of the solar panel. In a single fluid or azeotropic mixture system the components 28, 30, 32, 34 to the left of the broken line in Figure 1 and 36 may be omitted, the vapours are condensed immediately and refluxed into the header tank.
For the two-fluid system it is understood that the junction 36 may be furnished with a simple non-return valve or mechanism in the drive fluid line 34 to ensure the proper direction of flow.
Figure 2 shows an alternate means whereby the work fluid may be replenished with the more volatile driving ~luid. Here the junction i9 expanded so as to provide a large interface 44, between the driving fluid 42 and the ~o returning working fluid 4 that has given up part of its heat to the heat storage medium.
It will be understood that the apparatus described with reference to Figure 1 is substantially self-powered and self-regulating. Since it does not rely on the supply and availability of external power, it is substantially free from the dangers and shortcomings inherent in the externally-powered systems referred to above. The describ-ed system will not reverse and may be left unattended, but can provide a substantial amount of heat to keep a dwell-ing warm. With suitably designed and rated collecting elements and storage arrangements the need for auxiliary heating equipment may be minimized, or even eliminated.
7()5~Z
It is also understood that the mechanism proposed could be a component of a larger system such as a very large solar panel (VLSP) in which natural convection of a suitable fluid medium is employed to bring the heat so collected to the vicinity of the "hot zone" of the apparatus located in the upper portion of said VLSP whence the described system sends the heat to the storage loca-tion of choice and in the VLSP the now cooler circulating medium returns to the lower regions of the VLSP for reheating and so continue the cycle.
Figure 1 does not include possible ancillary devices to compensate for thermal expansion and to prevent fluid flowing from the pipe 22 into thP smaller diameter pipe 34. The design will be obvious and may include a conical non-return ~alve seated at the inlet 36.
It will also be understood that thermal insulation may be provided to prevent losses of heat in areas other than the area intended.
The fluid 4 is selected so as to have one or more components, wherein at least one of them has a boiling point which is exceeded by the temperature to which the solar panel 2 is heated when the sun's rays are incident thereon. The solar heating panel 2 and the pipes above are, of course, filled to a pre-determined level with the fluid 4~
A suitable fluid 4 may comprise, for example, a solu-tion of ether in water. The ether chosen will depend on the ambient temperature or, alternatively, the limit of pressure which the apparatus can withstand. The shorter ether homologues, unless pressurized, will yield fluids which boil at low temperatures, e.g. diethyl ether and ``` :117(~522 water form an azeotrope which boils at approximately 34C
at a pressure of 760 mm. of mercury whereas a methyl iso-propyl ether/water azeotrope boils at around 38 to 39C
under similar conditions. It is also possible to use methylene dichloride and water boiling at a convenient temperature and in such a case where the boiling component is heavier than the thermal bulk fluid, e.g. water, it may be desirable to alter the density of the bulk fluid so that it is closer to, or heavier than, the density of the boil-ing, driving fluid. This may be achieved, for example, by using brine instead of water.
Other combinations of fluids may be made, for example, water and carbon disulphide, but the choice will normally depend OQ availability and cost of each solution. The potential hazard thereof will also be important and the solution's optimum properties.
Composition of the working fluid, i.e. water, may be dified so as to increase the solubility of the driving fluid, and/or change the boiling and freezing characteristics of the solution(s). For example, acidulation with hydro chloric acid will both increase the solubility of ether in water and decrease the freezing temperature of the solution.
It is further understood that the pressure inside the sys-tem can be adjusted, eg. by addition of an inert gas at pressure or by mechanical means such as bellows or other equivalent techniques, so as to alter the boiling charact-eristics of the solution(s).
When the fluid 4 is a single component fluid, it will be understood that it acts as the component driving fluid as well as the component working fluid, i.e. the thermal "bulk" fluid. Furthermore, it is not necessary to provide ~ t~ 2 the collection tank 30 and the s~aller diameter pipe 34.
A suitable reflux condenser will assist in maintaining the overall fluid to vapour volume ratio approximately constant.
It will be understood that the header tank 12 gives the difference in height and may act as an expansion tank. In a modification of the apparatus, the header tank may be omitted but some other means should be pro-vided to accommodate the fluid's expansion.
Whilst the invention has been described with reference to use with solar energy, it will be apparent that it is applicable to other uses where it is desired to transport heat energy from a first locaticn to a second location at a lower level. It will oe also understood that when thermal energy is collected, it may be converted to other forms of energy or power.
It will be seen that the embodiment described above, provides a closed appar,atus which switches on automatically when it is hot enough to induce boiling so that energy from the solar panel 2 is automatically stored. No external pumps are required so that an appreciable saving and simpli-fication of apparatus is accomplished. The pipes, etc. can o course, be properly insulated to reduce heat loss.
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Claims (7)
1. A non-reversible heat transfer apparatus for transferring heat energy from a heatable unit at a first location to a heat storage reservoir at a second location, including a header tank interconnected between and above said heatable unit and said heat storage reservoir, and a transporting medium for transporting heat energy from said heatable unit to said header tank and from said header tank to said heat storage reservoir, at least part of said transporting fluid medium being capable of boiling to form bubbles therein which, during transfer of heat, rise and act as pistons as said heatable unit is heated, said bubbles rising to cause a part of the transporting medium thereabove to be displaced and non-reversibly discharge in fluid form into said header tank at a level above the fluid level therein, the resulting change in the hydrostatic balance in the header tank causing heated transporting medium there-in to descend to said heat storage reservoir, said storage reservoir being at a lower level than said header tank and said heatable unit whereby as said heated transporting fluid medium enters said heat storage reservoir then cooler heat transporting fluid medium therein is displaced by natural convection and discharged to said heatable unit for re-heating.
2. Non-reversible solar heat transfer apparatus comprising a closed system having a solar panel for exposure to solar heat energy, the solar panel being connected through a header tank to a heat storage reservoir for storing heat energy received by said solar panel and a transporting medium for transferring heat energy from said solar panel to said heat storage reservoir, at least a part of said transporting medium being capable of boiling as sun rays are incident on said solar panel to form bubbles there-in which, during transfer of heat, rise and act as pistons, said bubbles rising to cause a part of the heated transport-ing medium thereabove to be displaced and non-reversibly discharge in fluid form into said header tank at a level above the fluid level therein, the resulting change in the hydrostatic balance in the header tank causing heated transporting medium therein to descend to said heat storage reservoir, said storage reservoir being at a lower level than said header tank and said heatable unit whereby as said heated transporting fluid medium enters said heat storage reservoir then cooler heat transporting fluid medium therein is displaced by natural convection and discharged to said heatable unit for re-heating.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein a main fluid pipe is provided through said solar panel and from an outlet of said solar panel to an inlet of said header tank, the upper end of the fluid pipe being within the header tank above the level of the fluid therein.
4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein an upper outlet is provided from said header tank into a collecting tank having a lower outlet connected through a further fluid pipe to said main fluid pipe before it passes through said solar panel whereby vapour in said header tank can collect in said collecting tank, condense and pass through said further fluid pipe into said main fluid pipe.
5. A method of non-reversibly transporting heat energy from a heatable unit at a first location to a heat storage unit at a second location, including the steps of:
(a) providing a header tank interconnected between and above said heatable unit and said heat storage unit, (b) providing a transporting medium for transporting heat energy from said heatable unit to said header tank and from said header tank to said heat storage reservoir, (c) causing at least a part of said transporting medium to boil to form bubbles therein which, during transfer of heat, rise and act as pistons, as said heatable unit is heated, (d) said bubbles rising to cause a part of the transport-ing medium thereabove to be displaced and non-reversibly discharge in fluid form into said header tank at a level above the fluid level therein, (e) the change in the hydrostatic balance in the head-er tank causing heated transporting medium therein to des-cend to said heat storage reservoir, said storage reservoir being at a lower level than said header tank and said heat-able unit whereby as said heated transporting fluid medium enters said heat storage reservoir then cooler heat trans-porting fluid medium therein is displaced by natural convec-tion and discharged to said heatable unit for re-heating.
(a) providing a header tank interconnected between and above said heatable unit and said heat storage unit, (b) providing a transporting medium for transporting heat energy from said heatable unit to said header tank and from said header tank to said heat storage reservoir, (c) causing at least a part of said transporting medium to boil to form bubbles therein which, during transfer of heat, rise and act as pistons, as said heatable unit is heated, (d) said bubbles rising to cause a part of the transport-ing medium thereabove to be displaced and non-reversibly discharge in fluid form into said header tank at a level above the fluid level therein, (e) the change in the hydrostatic balance in the head-er tank causing heated transporting medium therein to des-cend to said heat storage reservoir, said storage reservoir being at a lower level than said header tank and said heat-able unit whereby as said heated transporting fluid medium enters said heat storage reservoir then cooler heat trans-porting fluid medium therein is displaced by natural convec-tion and discharged to said heatable unit for re-heating.
6. A method according to claim 5 wherein said part of the transporting medium passes into said header tank above the fluid level therein and including the further steps of:
(f) collecting vapour formed in said header tank, (g) permitting said vapour to condense as condensed fluid, (h) passing said condensed fluid back to said trans-porting medium prior to entry into said heatable unit.
(f) collecting vapour formed in said header tank, (g) permitting said vapour to condense as condensed fluid, (h) passing said condensed fluid back to said trans-porting medium prior to entry into said heatable unit.
7. A method according to claim 5 or 6 wherein said heatable unit is a solar panel.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000374673A CA1170522A (en) | 1981-04-03 | 1981-04-03 | Heat transfer apparatus and method |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000374673A CA1170522A (en) | 1981-04-03 | 1981-04-03 | Heat transfer apparatus and method |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1170522A true CA1170522A (en) | 1984-07-10 |
Family
ID=4119640
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000374673A Expired CA1170522A (en) | 1981-04-03 | 1981-04-03 | Heat transfer apparatus and method |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1170522A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1995020744A1 (en) * | 1994-01-31 | 1995-08-03 | Sorensen Wilfred B | Solar energy generator |
-
1981
- 1981-04-03 CA CA000374673A patent/CA1170522A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1995020744A1 (en) * | 1994-01-31 | 1995-08-03 | Sorensen Wilfred B | Solar energy generator |
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