GB2469904A

GB2469904A - Fluid heating arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2469904A
Application number: GB1006500A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Joseph Holden
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-04-28
Filing date: 2010-04-19
Publication date: 2010-11-03
Anticipated expiration: 2030-04-19
Also published as: GB201006500D0; GB2469904B; GB0907276D0

Abstract

A fluid heating arrangement 10 comprises first and second fluid transport assemblies. The first fluid transport assembly 12 includes a first fluid heater 24 and a first conduit arrangement 26. The second fluid transport assembly 14 includes a second fluid heater 32 and a second conduit arrangement 34. A heat transfer apparatus 18 is connected to the first and second conduit arrangements to effect heat transfer between the first and second fluid transport assemblies. Preferably, the fluid heating arrangement comprises a third fluid transport assembly 16 including a third conduit arrangement 48 connected to a fluid storage means, such as a hot water tank 46. The first fluid heater may be a sealed system boiler and the second fluid heater may be a solar panel, heat pump or solid fuel open vented boiler unit. In use, the fluid heating arrangement particularly relates to hot water or central heating systems. In a further aspect, a heat transfer apparatus 18 comprises a plurality of fluid flow regions 62, 64 in heat transfer relation with each other, and first 66, 68, second 72, 70 and third 74, 76 inlets and outlets in fluid communication with respective fluid flow regions.

Description

Fluid Heating Arrangement This invention relates to fluid heating arrangements. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention relates to water heating arrangements in the form of central heating arrangements for buildings. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention relates to water heating arrangements in the form of hot water supply arrangements. This invention also relates to heat transfer apparatus.

Central heating systems often require additional heat inputs to destroy any infectious growths, such as legionella. Such heat inputs can use a significant amount of fuel.

According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided a fluid heating arrangement comprising: a first fluid transport assembly comprising a first fluid heater and a first conduit arrangement; a second fluid transport assembly comprising a second fluid heater and a second conduit arrangement; and a heat transfer apparatus connected to the first and second conduit arrangements to effect heat transfer between the first and second fluid transport assemblies.

The fluid heating arrangement may include a third fluid transport assembly. The third fluid transport assembly may include a third conduit arrangement to transport fluid.

The heat transfer apparatus may be connected to the third conduit arrangement to effect heat transfer between the first and/or second fluid transport assemblies and the third fluid transport assembly.

The third fluid transport arrangement may comprise a fluid storage means to store fluid, the third conduit arrangement being connected to the fluid storage means to transport fluid to and from the fluid storage means.

The fluid storage means may be connected to pipes to supply hot fluid via one or more fluid dispensers, such as faucets. The fluid storage means may comprise a hot fluid tank.

The first fluid transport assembly may comprise a central heating assembly to heat a building. Alternatively, the first fluid transport assembly may comprise a hot fluid supply assembly to supply hot fluid via one or more fluid dispensers, such as faucets. Where the first fluid transport assembly comprises a central heating assembly, the first fluid transport assembly may be sealed.

The first fluid heater may comprise a principal fluid heater capable of heating fluid to a temperature suitable for use in fluid heating assemblies, or for the dispensing of hot fluid from faucets. The first fluid heater may comprise a boiler or a gas fired fluid heater.

The second fluid heater may comprise a subsidiary fluid heater and may be used for supplying heat to the first fluid transport assembly.

The second fluid heater may comprise a heat pump, which may be arranged to extract heat from the environment thereof. The second fluid heater may comprise an air source heat pump. Alternatively, the second fluid heater may comprise a boiler, such as an open vented boiler, which may be a solid fuel boiler. Alternatively, the second fluid heater may comprise solar heating apparatus, such as a solar panel.

The second conduit arrangement may be provided with pressure regulation means, such as an air vent, an expansion means, and a safety valve. The safety valve may be provided on a pressure gauge.

A filling loop may be connected to the second conduit arrangement to refill the second fluid transport assembly with fluid when fluid therein is lost.

The heat transfer apparatus may comprise first and second fluid flow regions through which fluid from the first and second fluid transport assemblies respectively can flow. The first and second fluid flow regions may be arranged in heat transfer relation with each other, whereby heat from the first or second fluid flow region is transferred to the second or first fluid flow region respectively.

The heat transfer apparatus may have a plurality of inlets and outlets for connection to the first and second conduit assemblies.

The heat transfer apparatus may have a first inlet and a first outlet. The first inlet and the first outlet may be in fluid communication with the first fluid flow region, and the first inlet and the first outlet may provide fluid flow connection to the first conduit arrangement.

The heat transfer apparatus may have a second inlet and a second outlet. The second inlet and the second outlet may be in fluid communication with the second fluid flow region, and the second inlet and the second outlet may provide fluid flow connection to the second conduit arrangement. The second inlet and the second outlet may be provided on the body.

In one embodiment, the heat transfer apparatus may have a third inlet and a third outlet. The third inlet and the third outlet may be in fluid communication with the second fluid flow region. The third inlet and the third outlet may provide fluid flow connection to the third conduit arrangement. The third inlet and the third outlet may be provided on the body.

According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided a heat transfer apparatus comprising a plurality of fluid flow regions in heat transfer relation with each other, and first, second and third inlets and outlets, wherein the first, second and third inlets and outlets are in fluid communication with the fluid flow regions.

The heat transfer apparatus may comprise first and second fluid flow regions arranged in heat transfer relation with each other. The first inlet and the first outlet may be in fluid communication with the first fluid flow region.

The second inlet and the second outlet may be in fluid communication with the second fluid flow region. The third inlet and the third outlet may be in fluid communication with the second fluid flow region.

The heat transfer apparatus may comprise a body in which the first and second regions can be provided. The first inlet and outlet may be provided on the body.

The second inlet and outlet may be provided on the body. The third inlet and outlet may be provided on the body.

The heat transfer apparatus may include a heat transfer conduit extending through the body. The heat transfer conduit may constitute one of the first and second fluid flow regions. Preferably, the heat transfer conduit constitutes the first fluid flow region. The heat transfer conduit may comprise a coil. The heat transfer conduit may comprise a pipe, which may be a coiled pipe.

The body may define a chamber, which may constitute one of the first and second fluid flow regions. Preferably, the chamber constitutes the second fluid flow region. The heat transfer conduit may extend through the chamber.

The first inlet and the first outlet may provide fluid communication to the first fluid flow region from the first conduit arrangement. The second inlet and the second outlet may provide fluid communication to the second fluid flow region from the second conduit arrangement.

The third inlet and the third outlet may provide fluid flow communication to the second fluid flow region from the third conduit arrangement. Thus, in one embodiment, the fluid flowing in the second conduit arrangement can mix in the chamber with fluid flowing in the third conduit arrangement.

In one embodiment, the heat transfer apparatus may be provided with one or more of the following: pressure regulation means, such as an air vent means, an expansion means, a safety valve, a pressure gauge. The safety valve may be provided on the pressure gauge. The expansion means may be provided with an expansion bottle. In addition, or alternatively, the heat transfer apparatus may include one or more of priming means, such as a priming valve, a filling loop, and thermostat means.

The air vent means may comprise one or more of an automatic air vent and a manual air vent. The thermostat means may comprise a thermostat device connected to a controller to effect temperature control of fluid in the heat transfer apparatus. The thermostat device may comprise one or more thermostat pockets.

A filling loop may be connected to the heat transfer apparatus to refill the second fluid transport assembly with fluid when fluid therein is lost.

The fluid may be water.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a sectional side view of a heat transfer apparatus; Figure 2 is a sectional side view of another embodiment of a heat transfer apparatus; Figure 3 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of a fluid heating arrangement; Figure 4A is a schematic view of an alternative fluid heating arrangement; Figure 4B is a close up sectional view of a heat transfer apparatus used in the fluid heating arrangement shown in Figure 4A; Figure 5 is a schematic view of another fluid heating arrangement; Figure 6 is a schematic view of a further version of the second embodiment shown in Figure 2A; Figure 7 is a schematic view of a third embodiment of a fluid heating arrangement; and Figure 8 is a schematic view of a fourth embodiment of a fluid heating arrangement.

Figure 1 shows a heat transfer apparatus 18, which comprises a body 60, a first fluid flow region, in the form of a heat transfer conduit 62, and a second fluid flow region in the form of a chamber 64 defined by the body 60.

The heat transfer conduit 62 is in the form of a pipe which extends through the chamber 64. In the drawings, the heat transfer conduit 62 is shown having a zigzag formation, but it will be appreciated that the heat transfer conduit 62 could be any other suitable configuration, such as a coil or generally straight.

The heat transfer conduit 62 has a first inlet 66 and a first outlet 68. The body 60 defines a second outlet 70 from the chamber 64 and a second inlet 72 to the chamber 64. The body 60 defines a third inlet 74 to the chamber 64 and a third outlet 76 from the chamber 64.

The chamber 64 allows mixing of fluid in the form of water fed thereto via the second and third inlets 72, 74, so that water exiting via the second and third outlets 70, 76 is mixed, having undergone heat and mass transfer.

The water in the heat transfer conduit 62 is isolated from the water in the chamber 64. Thus, there is only heat transfer between the water in the heat transfer conduit 62 and the chamber 64.

Reference is now made to Figure 2, which shows another embodiment of the heat transfer apparatus, generally designated 118. The heat transfer apparatus 118 is the generally the same as the heat transfer apparatus 18, and has many of the same features of the heat transfer apparatus 18, and these features are designated with the same reference numerals as in Figure 5, The heat transfer apparatus 118 differs from the heat transfer apparatus 18 in that a plurality of safety features are provided on the body 60 in fluid communication with the chamber 64. As shown in Figure 2, the safety features mounted on the body 60 comprise an air vent means 310, comprising a manual air vent valve 311A and an automatic air vent valve 311B. The safety features further include a pressure gauge 312, with a safety valve 312A. The safety features also include a filling ioop 314 and a priming valve 315 mounted on the outlet 70.

The safety features may also include expansion means in the form of an expansion bottle 316 and a safety valve 318.

A drain outlet 320 is provided on a lower part of the main body 60 to drain water from the chamber 64. First and second thermostats in the form of first and second thermostat pockets 322A, 322B are mounted at upper and lower regions of the main body 60.

Referring to Figure 3 there is shown a first embodiment of a water heating arrangement 10, which comprises a first water transport assembly 12, a second water transport assembly 14, and a third water transport assembly 16.

Each of the first, second and third water transport assemblies 12, 14 and 16 is connected in fluid communication with a heat transfer apparatus 18, as described below.

The first water transport assembly 12 comprises a hot water heating portion 20 and a central heating portion 22. The first water transport assembly 12 further includes a first water heater in the form of a sealed system boiler 24.

The hot water heating portion 20 comprises a first conduit arrangement 26, in the form of a hot water pipe arrangement 28. The hot water pipe arrangement 28 extends in a circuit from the boiler 24 to the heat transfer apparatus 18 and is connected in fluid communication with a first fluid flow region of the heat transfer apparatus 18, as explained above with reference to Figure 1.

The first water pipe arrangement 28 is connected in fluid communication with the first inlet 66 and the first outlet 68, to allow water in the first water transport assembly 12 to flow through the heat transfer conduit 62.

The second water pipe arrangement 36 is connected in fluid communication with the second outlet 70 and the second inlet 72. Thus, water in the second water transport assembly 14 flows through the chamber 64 and heat therein is transferred with the water in the first water transport assembly 12.

The third water pipe arrangement 50 is connected in fluid communication with the third inlet 74 and the third outlet 76, thereby allowing water in the third water transport assembly 16 to flow through the chamber 64.

The chamber 60 allows mixing of the water in the second and third water transport assemblies 14, 16 so that there is heat and mass transfer between the water in the second and third water transport assemblies 14, 16. Water in the second water transport assembly 14 can flow through the third water transport assembly and vice versa.

The water in the first heat transport assembly 12 is isolated from the water in the chamber 60, because the heat transfer conduit 62 separates the water in the first water assembly 12 from the water in the second and third water transport assemblies 14, 16 in the heat transfer apparatus 18. Thus, there is only heat transfer between the water in the first and third water transport assemblies 12, 16.The central heating portion 22 comprises a branched water pipe arrangement 28A, which extends to radiators (not shown) to provide heat to a building. The first water transport assembly 12 is sealed and pressurised. Motorised valves 30 are provided on the hot water and the branched water pipe arrangements 28, 28A.

The second water transport assembly 14 comprises a second water heater in the form of a heat pump 32, and a second conduit arrangement 34, in the form of a second water pipe arrangement 36. In the embodiment shown, the heat pump 32 is an air source heat pump, but it will be appreciated that the heat pump 32 can be any suitable heat pump, or a solar heating apparatus, such as a solar panel.

The second water pipe arrangement 36 extends in a circuit from the heat pump 32 to the heat transfer apparatus 18 and are connected in fluid communication with a second fluid flow region of the heat transfer apparatus 18, as explained below.

The second water pipe arrangement 36 is provided with an air vent 38, an expansion bottle 40, and a safety valve 42. A filling loop 44 is connected to the second water pipe arrangement 36 to refill the second water transport assembly 14 with water when water therein is lost. If desired, as described above with reference to Figure 2, the air vent, the expansion bottle, and the safety valve can be provided on the heat transfer apparatus. 18.

The third water transport assembly 16 comprises a water storage means in the form of a hot water tank 46, which stores heated mains water. The third water transport assembly 16 further includes a third conduit arrangement 48, which comprises a third water pipe arrangement 50.

The third water pipe arrangement 50 extends from the hot water tank 46 to the heat transfer apparatus 18 and are connected in fluid communication with a second fluid flow region of the heat transfer apparatus 18, as explained below.

At the hot water tank 46, the third water pipe arrangement 50 is connected to a heat exchanger 52 in the hot water tank 46 so that there is a transfer of heat from hot water in the third water transport assembly 16 to water in the hot water tank 46 to heat it.

A pump 54 is provided on the third water pipe arrangement 50 to pump water around the third water transport apparatus 16.

Figure 4A shows a water heating arrangement bA, similar to the water heating arrangement shown in Figure 3 and has many of the features of the embodiment shown in Figure 3. Those features have been designated with the same reference numerals as in Figure 3.

The water heating arrangement IOA shown in Figure 4A differs from the water heating arrangement 10 shown in Figure 3, in that the water heating arrangement 1OA includes a heat transfer apparatus I 18A, shown in more detail in Figure 4B.

The heat transfer apparatus 1 18A includes many of the features of the heat transfer apparatus 118, but also includes a third inlet 74 and a third outlet 76 for connection to the third water transport apparatus 16 to provide fluid communication for with the chamber 64.

Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of the water heating arrangement, which is generally designated lOB. The water heating arrangement lOB has many of the features of the water heating arrangement 10 and bA, and these have been designated with the same reference numerals as in Figures 3 and 4A, and operate in the same way.

The water heating arrangement lOB does not include the heat pump 32, but instead has a boiler unit 32A, such as a solid fuel open vented boiler. The boiler unit 32A is connected to a cold feed tank 134, via further water pipes 136A, 136B.

Water from the boiler unit 32A can be transported via the further water pipe I 36A to the tank 134, and water from the tank 134 can be transported via the further water pipe 136B to the boiler unit 32A.

Figure 6 shows a further version of the embodiment shown in Figure 5. In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the cold feed tank 134 is connected via the further conduits 136A, 136B to a fourth inlet 140 and to a fourth outlet 142 on the heat transfer apparatus 18.

The embodiments water heating arrangement described above operate in generally the same way as each other. The sealed system boiler 24 provides heat to the water in the first water transport assembly 12 to supply hot water for the water supply heating portion 20 and the central heating portion 22.

In normal use, the heat in the water in the first water transport assembty 12 heats the water in the chamber 64 as it passes through the heat transfer conduit 62 in the chamber 64.

The heat pump 32 or the boiler unit 32A heats the water in the second water transport assembly 14, which passes into the chamber 64 in the heat transfer apparatus 18. Thus, the water in the third water transport assembly 16 is heated by the water from the second water transfer assembly 14, and by the water in the first water transport assembly 12.

Periodically, it is necessary to raise the temperature of the water in the hot water tank 46 to above 60°C to kill any organisms, such as legionella. This is carried out by operating the boiler 24 to supply heat to the water in the heat transfer apparatus 18 to heat itto a suitably high temperature. This heats the water in the third water transport assembly 16 which, in turn heats the water in the hot water tank.

By the selection of suitable operating conditions of the boiler 24 or the boiler unit 32A, the temperature of the water in the hot water tank 46 can be raised to a temperature above 60°C for a suitable length of time.

Alternatively, the heat pump or solar panel 32 or the boiler unit 32A can be used to heat not only the water in the hot water tank 46, but also the water in the first water transport assembly 12, thereby reducing the amount of fuel used to operate the sealed system boiler 24.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8, there are shown further embodiments. In Figure 7, a water heating arrangement 110 comprises a first water transport assembly 112 and a second water transport assembly 114. The first and second water transport assemblies 112 and 114 are connected in fluid communication with a heat transfer apparatus 18.

The first water transport assembly 112 comprises a first water heater, for example, in the form of a gas fired water heater 124, and a first conduit arrangement 126 comprising two water pipe arrangements, namely a hot water delivery pipe arrangement 128 and a secondary return water pipe arrangement 128A.

The hot water delivery pipe arrangement 128 delivers hot water to the hot water faucets in the building. The secondary return water pipe arrangement 128A returns water from the hot water delivery pipe arrangement 128 to the water heater 124. This ensures that water in the hot water delivery pipe arrangement 128 is maintained at a constant suitably high temperature even if the faucets are a large distance from the water heater 124. This embodiment can be used in large buildings such as hotels and hospitals.

The second water transport assembly 114 comprises a second water heater in the form of a heat pump 132. The heat pump 132 can be any suitable heat pump, such as an air source heat pump.

The second water transport assembly 114 further includes a second conduit arrangement 138 comprising a plurality of second water pipe arrangements 139.

Water in the second water transport assembly 114 is heated by the heat pump.

The heat transfer conduit 62 of the heat transfer apparatus 18 is connected within the secondary return water pipe arrangement 128A, as shown. Thus, water from the secondary return water pipe arrangement flows into the heat transfer conduit 62 via the first inlet 66 and flows out of the heat transfer conduit 62 via the first outlet 68, having been heated in the heat transfer apparatus 18.

The second conduit arrangement 138 is connected to the second outlet 70 and the second inlet 72 in fluid communication with the second fluid flow region, i.e. the chamber 64.

Moreover, the gas fired water heater 124 is only actuated to heat the water therein when water flows therethrough, i.e. when the faucets are turned on. In such circumstances, when one of the faucets is turned on, there can be a long delay, and a large volume of water can be wasted before the water flowing out of the faucet reaches the desired temperature.

The secondary return water pipe arrangement 128A is provided to return water from the hot water delivery pipe arrangement 128 to the gas fired water heater 124. The water in the return pipe 128A is heated in the heat transfer apparatus 18 by heat from the second water transport assembly 114.

This has the advantage in the embodiment shown that water in the gas fired water heater 124 is maintained at an elevated temperature even when it is not actuated, thereby reducing the time taken for the water flowing out of the faucets reaches the desired temperature, and also reducing the volume of water wasted.

Thus, the heat pump 132 and the heat transfer apparatus 18 provide heat to the water in the water heater 124, thereby reducing the amount of heat needed to be produced by the water heater 124. However, it is still necessary for the water heater 124 to heat the water therein periodically to at least 60°C to destroy any legionella bacteria therein.

In another embodiment, shown in Figure 8, a water heating arrangement 210 comprises a first water transport assembly 212 and a second water transport assembly 214. The first and second water transport assemblies 212 and 214 are connected in fluid communication with one of the heat transfer apparatus 18.

The first water transport assembly 212 comprises a first water heater, in the form of a gas fired water heater 224, and a first conduit arrangement 226 comprising two water pipe arrangements 228, 228A, namely an oufflow first water pipe arrangement 228 and a return water pipe arrangement 228A.

The second water transport assembly 214 comprises a second water heater in the form of a heat pump 232. The heat pump 232 can be any suitable heat pump, such as an air source heat pump.

The second water transport assembly 214 further includes a second conduit arrangement 236 comprising a second water pipe arrangement 238.

The water heating arrangement 210 is suitable for use in large buildings, such as factories or hotels. The first conduit arrangement 226 delivers hot water via the outflow first water pipe arrangement 228 to faucets (not shown).

With the configuration shown in Figure 8, a problem that occurs with prior art gas-fired water heaters is that the water in the heater can become stratified, with hot water at the top and cold water at the bottom.

This problem can be overcome by the provision of a cross flow water pipe arrangement 230, which is connected in fluid communication with the outflow first water pipe arrangement 228 and the return first water pipe arrangement 228A.

A heat transfer apparatus 18 is interposed in the cross flow water pipe arrangement 230, whereby heat in the second water transport assembly 214 can be transferred to the water in the cross flow water pipe arrangement 230 via the heat transfer apparatus 18.

As can be seen from Figure 8, the cross flow water pipe arrangement 230 is connected in fluid communication with the heat transfer conduit 62 of the heat transfer apparatus 18.

A water pump 234, known as a shunt pump, is provided on the cross flow water pipe arrangement 230 to pump water from the oufflow first water pipe arrangement 228 through the heat transfer apparatus 18 to 30 return first water pipe arrangement 228A.

Thus, water pumped, or shunted, through the heat transfer apparatus 18 by the water pump 234 is heated in the heat transfer apparatus 18 and then returned to the water heater 224 via the return water pipe arrangement 228A.

The water flowing into the return first water pipe arrangement 228 is prevented from flowing in the wrong direction of their along by a non-return valve 237. This results in the water in the water heater at 224 being at substantially the same temperature throughout.

There are thus described several embodiments of a water heating assembly and heat transfer a apparatus which can be used to provide heat to central heating and/or mains hot water supply systems in domestic water installations. The heat can be derived from the atmosphere thereby, being environmentally friendly.

Moreover, in the case of the water heating arrangement utilising solar panels, it is an advantage of the embodiments described above that they will allow solar panels installed in buildings to comply with the appropriate building regulations.

Various modifications can be described without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A fluid heating arrangement comprising: a first fluid transport assembly comprising a first fluid heater and a first conduit arrangement; a second fluid transport assembly comprising a second fluid heater and a second conduit arrangement; and a heat transfer apparatus connected to the first and second conduit arrangements to effect heat transfer between the first and second fluid transport assemblies.
2. A fluid heating arrangement according to Claim 1, including a third fluid transport assembly, the third fluid transport assembly comprising a third conduit arrangement to transport fluid, the heat transfer apparatus being connected to the third conduit arrangement to effect heat transfer between the first and/or second fluid transport assemblies and the third fluid transport assembly.
3. A fluid heating arrangement according to Claim 2, wherein the third fluid transport arrangement comprises fluid storage means to store fluid, the third conduit arrangement being connected to the fluid storage means to transport fluid to and from the fluid storage means.
4. A fluid heating arrangement according to Claim 3, wherein the fluid storage means comprises a hot fluid tank connected to pipes to supply hot fluid via one or more fluid dispensers, such as faucets.
5. A fluid heating arrangement according to any preceding Claim, wherein the first fluid heater comprises a principal fluid heater capable of heating fluid to a temperature suitable for use in fluid heating assemblies, or for the dispensing of hot fluid from faucets, and the second fluid heater comprises a subsidiary fluid heater capable of supplying heat to the first fluid transport assembly.
6. A fluid heating arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the second fluid heater may comprise one or more of: a heat pump, a boiler, and solar heating apparatus.
7. A fluid heating arrangement according to Claim 6, wherein the heat pump is arranged to extract heat from its environment, the boiler comprises an open vented boiler, solar heating apparatus comprises a solar panel.
8. A fluid heating arrangement according to any preceding Claim, wherein the heat transfer apparatus comprises first and second fluid flow regions through which fluid from the first and second fluid transport assemblies respectively can flow, the first and second fluid flow regions being arranged in heat transfer relation with each other, whereby heat from the first or second fluid flow region is transferred to the second or first fluid flow region respectively.
9. A fluid heating arrangement according to Claim 8, wherein the heat transfer apparatus has a first inlet and a first outlet, the first inlet and the first outlet being in fluid communication with the first fluid flow region, and the first inlet and the first outlet providing fluid flow connection to the first conduit arrangement.
10. A fluid heating arrangement according to Claim 9, wherein the heat transfer apparatus has a second inlet and a second outlet, the second inlet and the second outlet being in fluid communication with the second fluid flow region, and the second inlet and the second outlet providing fluid flow connection to the second conduit arrangement.
11. A fluid heating arrangement according to Claim 10, wherein the heat transfer apparatus has a third inlet and a third outlet, the third inlet and the third outlet being in fluid communication with the second fluid flow region, and the third inlet and the first outlet providing fluid flow connection to the third conduit arrangement.
12. A heat transfer apparatus comprising a plurality of fluid flow regions in heat transfer relation with each other, and first, second and third inlets and outlets, wherein the first, second and third inlets and outlets are in fluid communication with the fluid flow regions.
13. A heat transfer apparatus according to Claim 12, comprising first and second fluid flow regions arranged in heat transfer relation with each other, the first inlet and the first outlet being in fluid communication with the first fluid flow region.
14. A heat transfer apparatus according to Claim 12 or 13, wherein the second inlet and the second outlet are in fluid communication with the second fluid flow region.
15. A heat transfer apparatus according to Claim 12, 13 or 14, wherein the third inlet and the third outlet are in fluid communication with the second fluid flow region.
16. A heat transfer apparatus according to any of Claims 12 to 15, wherein the heat transfer apparatus may comprises a body in which the first and second fluid flow regions are provided.
17. A heat transfer apparatus according to any of Claims 12 to 16, wherein the first fluid flow region comprises a heat transfer conduit extending through the body.
18. A heat transfer apparatus according to any of Claims 12 to 18, wherein the body defines a chamber, said chamber constituting the second fluid flow region.
19. A heat transfer apparatus according to Claim 18, wherein the first fluid flow region extends through the chamber.
20. A heat transfer apparatus according to any of Claims 12 to 19, wherein the first inlet and the first outlet may provide fluid communication to the first fluid flow region from a first conduit arrangement.
21. A heat transfer apparatus according to any of Claims 12 to 20, wherein the second inlet and the second outlet provide fluid communication to the second fluid flow region from a second conduit arrangement.
22. A heat transfer apparatus according to any of Claims 12 to 21, wherein the third inlet and the third outlet may provide fluid flow communication to the second fluid flow region from the third conduit arrangement.
23. A heat transfer apparatus according to any of Claims 12 to 22, wherein the heat transfer apparatus includes one or more of: an air vent, an expansion means, a safety valve, a pressure gauge.
24. A heat transfer apparatus according to Claim 24, wherein the safety valve is provided on the pressure gauge.
25. A heat transfer apparatus according to Claim 23 or 24, wherein a filling loop is connected to the heat transfer apparatus to refill the second fluid transport assembly with fluid when fluid therein is lost.
26. A fluid heating arrangement substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.
27. A fluid heating arrangement substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 4A of the accompanying drawings.
28. A fluid heating arrangement substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.
29. A fluid heating arrangement substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings.
30. A fluid heating arrangement substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.
31. A fluid heating arrangement substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings.
32. A heat transfer apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.
33. A heat transfer apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.
34. A heat transfer apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 4B of the accompanying drawings.