CA2089217A1 - Hot water heating system - Google Patents
Hot water heating systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA2089217A1 CA2089217A1 CA002089217A CA2089217A CA2089217A1 CA 2089217 A1 CA2089217 A1 CA 2089217A1 CA 002089217 A CA002089217 A CA 002089217A CA 2089217 A CA2089217 A CA 2089217A CA 2089217 A1 CA2089217 A1 CA 2089217A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- hot water
- water tank
- tank
- cold water
- heat
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
- F24D17/00—Domestic hot-water supply systems
- F24D17/0005—Domestic hot-water supply systems using recuperation of waste heat
- F24D17/001—Domestic hot-water supply systems using recuperation of waste heat with accumulation of heated water
-
- 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
- Y02B30/00—Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC]
- Y02B30/18—Domestic hot-water supply systems using recuperated or waste heat
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Heat-Pump Type And Storage Water Heaters (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
There is provided an improvement in a system for heating hot water wherein there is provided a preheating system which is adapted to function as a heat exchanger to draw heat from the ambient atmosphere to heat the water prior to entering the hot water thank.
There is provided an improvement in a system for heating hot water wherein there is provided a preheating system which is adapted to function as a heat exchanger to draw heat from the ambient atmosphere to heat the water prior to entering the hot water thank.
Description
- 20~9217 The present invention relates to hot water systems and more particularly, relates to improvements therein.
The typical domestic hot water heating system has been well established for a number of years and comprises a cold water inlet, a reservoir or tank, means for heating the reservoir or tank, and a hot water outlet. The means for heating may be electrical, gas or oil. All of the heating means function on the same principle - i.e. the cold water at the bottom i8 heated where it will rise to the top where it can be utilized on demand. In order to prevent loss of heat, the tank is usually insulated. In many residential applications, the hot water tank is situated in the basement or some other utility space. As aforementioned, the tank is insulated in order to minimize any heat loss to the ambient atmosphere. While these systems have been known for years and function in a predictable manner, little attention has been paid to the incoming cold water which is normally at the temperature of the ground through which it is pumped. In colder climates during the winter months, this temperature is typically in the area of 4 - 5C. Thus, there is a great deal of energy which must be expended to heat the water from the inlet temperature of 4 to 5C to the outlet temperature which i8 typically in the range of 45C - 60C.
It i6 an ob~ect of the present invention to provide means for preheating the cold water prior to its entry into the hot water tank while minimizing the total energy utilized.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there i8 provided an improvement in a system for heating hot water which system includes a cold water line, a hot water tank, means for heating the hot water tank, a hot water outlet from the hot water tank, the improvement comprising pre-heating means interposed between the cold water line and the hot water tank, the preheating means being adapted to transfer heat from the ambient atmosphere to the cold water prior to entry of the cold water into the hot water tank.
Normally, as previously mentioned, hot water tanks in residential (and some industrial and commercial) locations, are located in an area of the residence which is at a temperature above the temperature of the cold water entering the hot water tank. This space frequently is an area which i5 not heated to the same temperature as the living space and frequently receives its heat by infiltration or transfer from the living space. In, many colder climates, the hot water tank is located in an area of the basement where other utilities such as the furnace and the like are located. As with any other area, there is a constant 1088 of heat to the exterior. The rate of 108s of this heat to the exterior is partially a function of the temperature differential between the area and the exterior.
Thus, a larger differential such as occurs in winter accelerates the rate of heat loss.
As mentioned above in the present invention, there is provided a preheating means interpo~ed between the cold water inlet on the hot water tank and the cold water line.
This preheating means functions as a heat exchange means to heat the cold water prior to entry into the hot water tank using heat from the ambient atmosphere. While it is :
understood that there is no increase or decrease in energy, the heat transferred to the cold water will result in a cooler area which in turn will not lose heat as rapidly to the exterior. Also, it will be understood that frequently there is excess heat present in the area due to operation of furnaces, dryers, washers, etc. This heat can now be utilized to preheat the hot water.
The heat exchange means used for preheating the cold water may be any suitable and there are a number of different types of heat exchange systems known in the art.
These sy~tems can range from a very simple ho~ding tank of metallic construction to provide maximum heat transfer to various coils or passages for the cold water to pass through prior to entering the hot water tank. It suffices to say that any of these arrangements may be utilized according to the present invention.
In one preferred aspect of the present invention, the heating means comprises a preheating tank which surrounds the conventional hot water tank. In other words, when they utilize a conventional arrangement of a hot water tank having a suitable insulation extending there around. Normally, any heat escaping therefrom is lost to the ambient atmosphere.
According to this aspect of the present invention, there would be provided a preheating tank extending about at least a portion of the conventional tank and which preheating tank would be adapted to recover any heat lost from the hot water tank. Insulation may or may not be provided about this preheating tank as desired.
20~921 7 Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic view of one arrangement of a preheating system; and Figure 2 is a schematic view of a further arrangement of a preheating system.
Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, Figure 1 illustrates a system wherein there is a conventional hot water tank designated by reference numeral 10. Hot water tank 10 has an inlet 12 and an outlet 14. Hot water tank 10 is of any conventional construction and will include heating means to heat the cold water brought through inlet 12. Conventional thermostatic controls are provided.
The source of cold water is brought by conduit or pipe 16 to a heat exchange apparatus 18. Heat exchange apparatus 18, as previously mentioned, may function in any number of different known ways. Thus, there may be provided -~
a plurality of tubes to maximize the surface area exposed to the ambient atmosphere and this may be accompanied by means to force the air over the tubes such as suitable fan means.
From heat exchanger 18, a conduit or pipe 20 extends to inlet 12 of hot water tank 10.
Re~erring to Figure 2, there i~ illustrated a conventional hot water tank 30 having insulation 32 extending thereabout. A preheat tank 34 extends about hot water tank 30 and insulation 32. A cold water inlet 36 permits the entry of the normal cold water into the preheat tank 34 while -208g217 a pipe 38 communicates between an upper portion of preheat tank 34 and a lower portion of hot water tank 30. A hot water outlet 40 from hot water tank 30 is connected to the plumbing in conventional fashion.
In this embodiment, most~of the heat loss from hot water tank 30 will be absorbed by the water in preheat tank 34. Preheat tank 34 may, in turn, be insulated.
Naturally, suitable valve and controls will be provided as is conventional in the art.
It will be understood that the above described embodiment is for purposes of illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
'' '
The typical domestic hot water heating system has been well established for a number of years and comprises a cold water inlet, a reservoir or tank, means for heating the reservoir or tank, and a hot water outlet. The means for heating may be electrical, gas or oil. All of the heating means function on the same principle - i.e. the cold water at the bottom i8 heated where it will rise to the top where it can be utilized on demand. In order to prevent loss of heat, the tank is usually insulated. In many residential applications, the hot water tank is situated in the basement or some other utility space. As aforementioned, the tank is insulated in order to minimize any heat loss to the ambient atmosphere. While these systems have been known for years and function in a predictable manner, little attention has been paid to the incoming cold water which is normally at the temperature of the ground through which it is pumped. In colder climates during the winter months, this temperature is typically in the area of 4 - 5C. Thus, there is a great deal of energy which must be expended to heat the water from the inlet temperature of 4 to 5C to the outlet temperature which i8 typically in the range of 45C - 60C.
It i6 an ob~ect of the present invention to provide means for preheating the cold water prior to its entry into the hot water tank while minimizing the total energy utilized.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there i8 provided an improvement in a system for heating hot water which system includes a cold water line, a hot water tank, means for heating the hot water tank, a hot water outlet from the hot water tank, the improvement comprising pre-heating means interposed between the cold water line and the hot water tank, the preheating means being adapted to transfer heat from the ambient atmosphere to the cold water prior to entry of the cold water into the hot water tank.
Normally, as previously mentioned, hot water tanks in residential (and some industrial and commercial) locations, are located in an area of the residence which is at a temperature above the temperature of the cold water entering the hot water tank. This space frequently is an area which i5 not heated to the same temperature as the living space and frequently receives its heat by infiltration or transfer from the living space. In, many colder climates, the hot water tank is located in an area of the basement where other utilities such as the furnace and the like are located. As with any other area, there is a constant 1088 of heat to the exterior. The rate of 108s of this heat to the exterior is partially a function of the temperature differential between the area and the exterior.
Thus, a larger differential such as occurs in winter accelerates the rate of heat loss.
As mentioned above in the present invention, there is provided a preheating means interpo~ed between the cold water inlet on the hot water tank and the cold water line.
This preheating means functions as a heat exchange means to heat the cold water prior to entry into the hot water tank using heat from the ambient atmosphere. While it is :
understood that there is no increase or decrease in energy, the heat transferred to the cold water will result in a cooler area which in turn will not lose heat as rapidly to the exterior. Also, it will be understood that frequently there is excess heat present in the area due to operation of furnaces, dryers, washers, etc. This heat can now be utilized to preheat the hot water.
The heat exchange means used for preheating the cold water may be any suitable and there are a number of different types of heat exchange systems known in the art.
These sy~tems can range from a very simple ho~ding tank of metallic construction to provide maximum heat transfer to various coils or passages for the cold water to pass through prior to entering the hot water tank. It suffices to say that any of these arrangements may be utilized according to the present invention.
In one preferred aspect of the present invention, the heating means comprises a preheating tank which surrounds the conventional hot water tank. In other words, when they utilize a conventional arrangement of a hot water tank having a suitable insulation extending there around. Normally, any heat escaping therefrom is lost to the ambient atmosphere.
According to this aspect of the present invention, there would be provided a preheating tank extending about at least a portion of the conventional tank and which preheating tank would be adapted to recover any heat lost from the hot water tank. Insulation may or may not be provided about this preheating tank as desired.
20~921 7 Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic view of one arrangement of a preheating system; and Figure 2 is a schematic view of a further arrangement of a preheating system.
Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, Figure 1 illustrates a system wherein there is a conventional hot water tank designated by reference numeral 10. Hot water tank 10 has an inlet 12 and an outlet 14. Hot water tank 10 is of any conventional construction and will include heating means to heat the cold water brought through inlet 12. Conventional thermostatic controls are provided.
The source of cold water is brought by conduit or pipe 16 to a heat exchange apparatus 18. Heat exchange apparatus 18, as previously mentioned, may function in any number of different known ways. Thus, there may be provided -~
a plurality of tubes to maximize the surface area exposed to the ambient atmosphere and this may be accompanied by means to force the air over the tubes such as suitable fan means.
From heat exchanger 18, a conduit or pipe 20 extends to inlet 12 of hot water tank 10.
Re~erring to Figure 2, there i~ illustrated a conventional hot water tank 30 having insulation 32 extending thereabout. A preheat tank 34 extends about hot water tank 30 and insulation 32. A cold water inlet 36 permits the entry of the normal cold water into the preheat tank 34 while -208g217 a pipe 38 communicates between an upper portion of preheat tank 34 and a lower portion of hot water tank 30. A hot water outlet 40 from hot water tank 30 is connected to the plumbing in conventional fashion.
In this embodiment, most~of the heat loss from hot water tank 30 will be absorbed by the water in preheat tank 34. Preheat tank 34 may, in turn, be insulated.
Naturally, suitable valve and controls will be provided as is conventional in the art.
It will be understood that the above described embodiment is for purposes of illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
'' '
Claims (4)
1. In a system for heating hot water which system includes a hot water tank, a cold water inlet thereto, means for heating the water in said hot water tank, and a hot water outlet therefrom, the improvement comprising preheating means interposed between the cold water line and the hot water tank, said preheating means being adapted to transfer heat from the ambient atmosphere to the cold water prior to entry of the cold water into the hot water tank.
2. The improvement of Claim 1 wherein said preheating means comprises a heat exchanger.
3. The improvement of Claim 1 wherein said heat exchange means includes a plurality of tubes through which said cold water runs to maximize exposure to the ambient atmosphere.
4. In a system for heating hot water and which system includes a cold water line, a hot water tank, means for heating the hot water tank, and a hot water outlet from the hot water tank, the improvement comprising a preheat tank extending about at least a portion of said hot water tank, said preheating tank having an inlet communicating with said cold water line and an outlet communicating with said hot water tank, the preheating means being adapted to absorb heat lost from said hot water tank.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002089217A CA2089217A1 (en) | 1993-02-10 | 1993-02-10 | Hot water heating system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002089217A CA2089217A1 (en) | 1993-02-10 | 1993-02-10 | Hot water heating system |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2089217A1 true CA2089217A1 (en) | 1994-08-11 |
Family
ID=4151138
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002089217A Abandoned CA2089217A1 (en) | 1993-02-10 | 1993-02-10 | Hot water heating system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2089217A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6688261B2 (en) | 2002-02-18 | 2004-02-10 | Conematic Heating Systems Inc. | Heating system for liquids |
-
1993
- 1993-02-10 CA CA002089217A patent/CA2089217A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6688261B2 (en) | 2002-02-18 | 2004-02-10 | Conematic Heating Systems Inc. | Heating system for liquids |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |