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
  • F24D17/02—Domestic hot-water supply systems using heat pumps
• • 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
  • F24D19/00—Details
  • F24D19/10—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
  • F24D19/1006—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heating systems
  • F24D19/1066—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heating systems for the combination of central heating and domestic hot water
  • F24D19/1069—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heating systems for the combination of central heating and domestic hot water regulation in function of the temperature of the domestic hot water
• • 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
  • F24D19/00—Details
  • F24D19/10—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
  • F24D19/1006—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heating systems
  • F24D19/1066—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heating systems for the combination of central heating and domestic hot water
  • F24D19/1072—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heating systems for the combination of central heating and domestic hot water the system uses a heat pump
• • 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
  • F24D3/00—Hot-water central heating systems
  • F24D3/08—Hot-water central heating systems in combination with systems for domestic hot-water supply
• • 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
  • F24D3/00—Hot-water central heating systems
  • F24D3/18—Hot-water central heating systems using heat pumps
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
  • F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
  • F24H15/20—Control of fluid heaters characterised by control inputs
  • F24H15/212—Temperature of the water
  • F24H15/223—Temperature of the water in the water storage tank
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
  • F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
  • F24H15/30—Control of fluid heaters characterised by control outputs; characterised by the components to be controlled
  • F24H15/305—Control of valves
  • F24H15/31—Control of valves of valves having only one inlet port and one outlet port, e.g. flow rate regulating valves
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
  • F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
  • F24H15/40—Control of fluid heaters characterised by the type of controllers
  • F24H15/493—Control of fluid heaters characterised by the type of controllers specially adapted for enabling recognition of parts newly installed in the fluid heating system, e.g. for retrofitting or for repairing by replacing parts

Definitions

• the invention relates to a method for converting an old heating system, a method for operating a heat pump system, a heat pump system and a computer program product.
• the present invention relates in particular to heating systems for residential units in multi-family dwellings, which include separate existing heating systems assigned to the residential unit, in particular with a gas heating appliance, for example a wall-mounted gas boiler for heating and domestic hot water preparation. These are to be improved with regard to CO2 emissions.
• a gas heating appliance for example a wall-mounted gas boiler for heating and domestic hot water preparation.
• the existing gas boiler produces CO2 emissions when burning gas to heat the house and, if applicable, also to supply hot water via an existing water heater.
• CO2 emissions When burning gas to heat the house and, if applicable, also to supply hot water via an existing water heater.
• the central heating system includes a domestic hot water storage tank.
• the retrofit kit includes a heat pump, a heat pump control and/or regulation unit, a heat exchanger, a temperature sensor to be installed in the domestic hot water storage tank, and several valves.
• the heat pump is installed in series with the existing primary heat source. As mentioned above, the necessary installation space is often not available in residential units.
• the invention aims to enable the continued use of the existing heating system's pipes to a large extent. This applies to pipes of a heating circuit as well as pipes for the existing domestic hot water supply. Furthermore, it is desirable that the heat pump system can operate for the user without significant loss of comfort but with reduced CO2 emissions compared to the existing heating system.
• Steps a), b), and c) can be performed once in any order.
• the procedure serves a particularly simple purpose. Conversion of an old heating system for heating and hot water supply to a heat pump system.
• the existing heating system can be installed in a building, particularly in a residential unit of an apartment building. This system is designed to heat the building's fixtures and fittings, ensuring a desired room temperature. These fixtures can be radiators, underfloor heating systems, or similar devices. They are characterized by their ability to transfer heat to the room or room surfaces, which is supplied via a heat transfer fluid circulating in a heating circuit. After the heat is released from the radiators, the heat transfer fluid is fed to a heat exchanger in the existing heating unit. There, a fuel gas-air mixture is combusted, and the heat from this combustion is transferred back to the heat transfer fluid.
• the existing heating system may also include pipes for domestic hot water supply, which deliver hot water (heated by the existing heating unit) to points of use such as faucets, showers, or bathtubs.
• a fossil, gaseous fuel is typically burned with air to generate the desired heat.
• the exhaust gases possibly after aftertreatment, are released into the environment via a flue system.
• Gas-fired heating appliances in residential units are often wall-mounted. The procedure proposed here can be implemented with both wall-mounted and floor-standing conventional heating appliances.
• This method is particularly applicable to older heating systems where the heat transfer fluid is currently heated solely by a single gas-fired boiler.
• the gas-fired boiler is the only device in the heating system that (in a controlled manner) raises the temperature of the heat transfer fluid in the heating circuit.
• the older boiler is also equipped to provide hot water and is connected to a...
• the old heating unit is connected to a cold water inlet and a hot water outlet.
• the cold water inlet can be connected to a supply network, a well, or a well pump, for example, and the hot water outlet can supply the hot water heated by the old heating unit to fixtures such as a shower, bathtub, or sink.
• the old heating unit is installed in a location that is usually in close proximity to the building's exhaust system and where a fuel gas supply is located.
• This installation location is generally not on or in close proximity to an exterior wall.
• an exterior wall refers to a wall of the dwelling unit that separates it from the outside environment.
• the following lines may be connected to the old heating unit's installation location: the flow and return lines of the heating circuit, the cold water inlet, and the hot water outlet.
• An electrical power supply or wiring for this purpose is also usually present.
• converting such an old heating system is a viable option, as reduced use/operation of the gas boiler results in lower CO2 emissions.
• a heat pump is installed or integrated to heat the heat transfer fluid in the heating circuit, and the old boiler is removed.
• a (new) hot water storage tank i.e., a storage container for heated domestic hot water
• a (new) hot water storage tank i.e., a storage container for heated domestic hot water
• heated domestic hot water should be stored for later use. For example, a user can then draw hot water for a shower or a bath without having to interrupt the heating operation of the heat pump.
• the hot water storage tank can have a storage volume in the range of 50 liters to 100 liters, especially from 70 liters to 80 liters, and serves the Heat pump systems are particularly useful for hot water supply.
• a residential unit only has one shower or bathtub, making the use of large quantities of hot water unlikely.
• the storage volume of the hot water tank can be adjusted.
• the hot water tank, or the new hot water system can be designed as a wall-mounted unit, allowing it to be connected to the existing connections of the old heating system without any modifications.
• the hot water tank can be a floor-standing unit, which is advantageous if the old heating system was also floor-standing.
• a wirelessly controlled valve or charge valve is a valve where an opening or closing process can be initiated by means of a (wirelessly transmitted) radio signal.
• the valve can include an electrically operated actuator, such as a stepper motor.
• the use of wirelessly controlled valves or wirelessly controlled control elements for valves or charge valves advantageously enables a particularly simple conversion of a heating circuit for a heat pump as the heat generator, as it eliminates the need for complex work involving the installation of electrical cables to each consumer.
• a control element here refers to the actuation of the valve, specifically a device for regulating the motorized operation or drive of the valve, which can be addressed wirelessly and thus activated, adjusted, and/or deactivated. In other words, a predetermined opening width of the valve can be specified wirelessly and adjusted by a motor.
• a heat pump can be installed on or in the immediate vicinity of an exterior wall of the residential unit and connected to an (existing) flow and a (existing) return of the heating circuit of the old heating system.
• a heat pump can be a monobloc unit.
• This typically includes a refrigeration circuit in which a refrigerant circulates, an evaporator connected to the refrigeration circuit in which the refrigerant evaporates and extracts heat from the surrounding medium (in this case, ambient air), and a condenser within the refrigeration circuit.
• This condenser converts the gaseous refrigerant into a liquid phase and transfers the resulting heat flow to the heating circuit's heat exchanger.
• An expansion valve and a compressor can also be positioned opposite each other between the evaporator and condenser to establish the pressures suitable for the refrigerant's phase change.
• the heat pump may also include a control unit for regulating and controlling its operation.
• the heat pump can circulate a refrigerant with a low GWP (global warming potential), such as R290 (propane).
• Heat pumps often also allow for a reverse cycle, in which the evaporator and condenser exchange functions, thus enabling heat removal and consequently cooling of the heat transfer fluid and therefore the living space. Such a reverse cycle can be advantageously implemented with the heat pump system after carrying out the conversion procedure proposed here.
• the heat pump can be installed on or near an exterior wall of the dwelling unit. This allows the heat pump access to ambient air as the exchange medium.
• the heat pump can have an inlet and an outlet for ambient air, between which the evaporator or the condenser can be located.
• a wall opening can be made through the outer wall at or in the immediate vicinity of the The heat pump is installed.
• a wall penetration in this context, refers to creating at least one opening in the exterior wall through which an air supply and exhaust duct are routed to supply the heat pump with ambient air.
• the wall penetration allows the heat pump to access ambient air as its primary energy source. It is advantageous if the heat pump is located directly on an exterior wall of the dwelling. The penetration can then be conveniently concealed by the heat pump's casing.
• the heat pump can be installed in a location near an exterior wall. In this case, an air supply and exhaust duct can run from the wall penetration to the heat pump.
• installing a new hot water system can involve installing a hot water storage tank at or in the immediate vicinity of the old boiler of the existing heating system and connecting the new hot water system to a cold water inlet and a hot water outlet, as well as to the flow and return of the heating circuit of the existing heating system.
• the cold water inlet and hot water outlet, as well as the flow and return of the heating circuit are connections of the old boiler to the existing heating system, so these are advantageously already present.
• the new hot water system includes a heat exchanger, which can be located, in particular, inside the hot water storage tank and enables the transfer of heat from the heat transfer medium of the heating circuit to the hot water contained in the hot water storage tank.
• the new hot water preparation system can include a wirelessly controlled charging valve that can fully or partially open or close the supply of heat transfer fluid to the new hot water preparation system, i.e., the supply of heat transfer fluid to the heat exchanger in the hot water storage tank.
• the wirelessly controlled charging valve can be located in a supply line of the new hot water preparation system.
• the valves and/or the control elements of the valves in the existing heating system can be replaced with wirelessly controlled valves and/or wirelessly controlled valve control elements.
• This can particularly involve (manually operated) thermostatic valves being replaced by wirelessly controlled thermostatic valves.
• the replacement enables control of the heat transfer fluid flow rates in the heating circuit. It is particularly possible that only the control element or the valve itself is replaced, while the valve itself continues to be used. It is preferred, however, that all valves in the existing heating system, or their control elements, are replaced.
• a control and regulating device in particular the control and regulating device of the heat pump, can be configured to communicate with the wirelessly controllable valves of the consumers and the charging valve of the new hot water preparation and in particular to initiate an opening or closing process.
• This process results in a heat pump system in which a heat pump is connected to the heating circuit and can heat the heat transfer fluid of that circuit.
• the domestic hot water system can then transfer the heated heat transfer fluid from the heating circuit to the domestic hot water or drinking water, thus providing heated domestic hot water or drinking water for use.
• the heat pump system can include one or more temperature sensors used for regulation and control. These temperature sensors can also be wirelessly connected to the control unit. For example, a temperature sensor can measure the temperature of the potable or domestic hot water contained in the hot water storage tank and transmit this information to the control unit. Alternatively, a temperature sensor can be provided to detect the outside temperature. In particular, a temperature sensor for detecting the outside temperature in a The air intake of the heat pump can be located there. This significantly reduces the effort required to install the temperature sensor, while simultaneously increasing measurement accuracy, since the actual temperature of the supplied air is determined in the air intake and is not influenced by solar radiation or other factors.
• a further aspect is addressed in the proposed method for operating a heat pump system that has been retrofitted using the procedure suggested here.
• This method proposes that, when initiating a charging cycle of the hot water storage tank, the wirelessly controlled valves of the consumers should be largely or completely closed, and the charging valve in the supply line of the new hot water preparation should be opened.
• This method can be implemented permanently or continuously, particularly during the operation of a heat pump system. It enables the efficient charging of a hot water storage tank in a heat pump system that has been retrofitted from an older heating system using the conversion method proposed here.
• the consumer can ensure that virtually all of the heat flow provided by the heat pump, or all of the heat transfer fluid circulating in the heating circuit and heated by the heat pump, is directed to the hot water storage tank and used to heat the domestic hot water or drinking water contained within.
• the wirelessly controlled valves of the consumers when the wirelessly controlled valves of the consumers are closed almost completely, the wirelessly controlled valves of specific rooms may not be fully closed. This advantageously prevents the living unit, and in particular specific rooms within the unit, from cooling down during the charging of the hot water storage tank. For example, the... For fresh hot water preparation, a predetermined heat flow is supplied for charging, and any additional heat flow provided by the heat pump could be supplied to consumers in predetermined rooms, such as a bathroom or living room, of the residential unit.
• a heat pump system that has been retrofitted from an existing heating system using a method suggested here.
• This system includes, in particular, a heat pump and a new domestic hot water system with a hot water storage tank, both connected to a heating circuit.
• the heat pump system also includes one or more consumers, such as radiators and/or underfloor heating, equipped with wirelessly controlled valves. These wirelessly controlled valves can be operated via a radio signal, thus eliminating the need for wiring.
• the new domestic hot water system also includes a charging valve, which can likewise be wirelessly controlled.
• the heat pump also includes a control unit, which can be configured to operate the heat pump system using a method suggested here.
• control unit for a heat pump is proposed, designed to carry out a procedure proposed here.
• This control unit may, for example, include a processor.
• the processor can execute the procedure stored in the control unit's memory.
• the control unit can wirelessly transmit signals to the wirelessly controlled valves of the consumers and/or to a charging valve for the domestic hot water system.
• data acquired or required during the execution of this proposed procedure can be stored in the control unit's memory.
• a computer program comprising commands that cause a computer, for example a control and monitoring device, to execute a procedure proposed here for operating a heat pump system.
• Another aspect is the use of wirelessly controllable valves (e.g. via their wirelessly operating control elements) of the consumers of a heating circuit connected to a heat pump system to reduce the flow rate of the heating circuit during a storage charging of a hot water storage tank of the heat pump system.
• Fig. 1 This diagram illustrates, schematically, the process of a proposed procedure for converting an existing heating system to a heat pump system.
• the procedure is designed for a particularly simple conversion, requiring little to no rerouting of fluid transport pipes or electrical wiring.
• the proposed procedure including blocks 110, 120, and 130, can be performed once during the conversion of the existing heating system.
• the sequence of steps a), b), and c) shown in blocks 110, 120, and 130 can occur during normal operation, and the order in which the steps are performed is arbitrary and can even be carried out simultaneously.
• FIG. 2 This shows, by way of example and schematically, a heat pump system 1 in a residential unit 2, which, according to a design proposed here and in Fig. 1
• the described procedure involved the conversion of an existing heating system.
• Apartment unit 2 is part of an apartment building and, prior to the implementation of the proposed procedure, was equipped with an (old) gas boiler located at installation position 9, supplying only apartment unit 2.
• the existing heating system also included a heating circuit 7 with a flow 14 and a return 15, which is to be advantageously used by the heat pump system 1.
• Heating circuit 7 can contain consumers 5, such as radiators or underfloor heating.
• a heat pump 4 can be installed on an exterior wall 3 of residential unit 2 and connected to the flow 14 and return 15 of the heating circuit 7 of the existing heating system.
• a wall penetration can be created through the exterior wall 3, through which the heat pump 4 can draw in outside air as a heat source.
• a new hot water preparation unit 8 can be installed at or in the immediate vicinity of a position 9 of the gas heating appliance of the old heating system. and a connection of the new hot water preparation unit 8 to a cold water inlet 11 and a hot water outlet 10 (of the existing heating system) and to the flow 14 and return 15 of the heating circuit 7 of the existing heating system.
• the new hot water preparation unit 8 can include a hot water storage tank 13 in which a heat exchanger 17 is arranged, which is connected to the flow 14 and the return 15.
• the new hot water preparation unit 8 can have a wirelessly controllable charging valve 12, which is arranged in the flow 14 and can open and close the supply of heat transfer fluid to the new hot water preparation unit 8.
• step c the valves of consumers 5 of the old heating system (and their control elements, if applicable) can be replaced with wirelessly controlled valves 6 (or their wirelessly operating control elements).
• This step is easy to carry out, as the old valves simply need to be removed from the designated valve mounting points on consumers 5 and wirelessly controlled valves 6 installed.
• the heat pump 4 includes a control unit 16, which is configured to execute a method proposed here for operating the heat pump system 1.
• the control unit 16 can have a radio unit that can send radio signals to the wirelessly controllable valves 6 and the wirelessly controllable charging valve 12 and thus control them.
• the wirelessly controllable valves 6 of the consumers 5 can be largely or completely closed and the charging valve 12 opened for charging the hot water storage tank 13.
• Charging the hot water storage tank 13 can be achieved, for example, by a [missing information - likely a specific device or component] in the Fig. 2 not shown
• a temperature sensor which detects the temperature of the hot water contained in the hot water storage tank 13, is triggered.
• the method for operating the heat pump system 1 can be executed by the control unit 16 in the form of a computer program product 18, which is stored on a memory of the control unit 16.

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)
• Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
• Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
• Heat-Pump Type And Storage Water Heaters (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=95482285

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (2)

Citations (5)

• 2024
  • 2024-05-07 DE DE102024112757.0A patent/DE102024112757A1/de active Pending
• 2025
  • 2025-04-30 EP EP25173571.8A patent/EP4647673A1/fr active Pending

Patent Citations (5)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events