WO2012175961A2 - Chauffe-eau perfectionné - Google Patents

Chauffe-eau perfectionné Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2012175961A2
WO2012175961A2 PCT/GB2012/051425 GB2012051425W WO2012175961A2 WO 2012175961 A2 WO2012175961 A2 WO 2012175961A2 GB 2012051425 W GB2012051425 W GB 2012051425W WO 2012175961 A2 WO2012175961 A2 WO 2012175961A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
water
heat exchanger
tank
heat
heater
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.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/GB2012/051425
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2012175961A3 (fr
Inventor
Charles Laurence SHIVERS
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
COPPER INDUSTRIES (IRELAND) Ltd
Original Assignee
COPPER INDUSTRIES (IRELAND) Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by COPPER INDUSTRIES (IRELAND) Ltd filed Critical COPPER INDUSTRIES (IRELAND) Ltd
Publication of WO2012175961A2 publication Critical patent/WO2012175961A2/fr
Publication of WO2012175961A3 publication Critical patent/WO2012175961A3/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • F24H9/00—Details
    • F24H9/0005—Details for water heaters
    • F24H9/001—Guiding means
    • F24H9/0015—Guiding means in water channels
    • F24H9/0021—Sleeves surrounding heating elements or heating pipes, e.g. pipes filled with heat transfer fluid, for guiding heated liquid
    • 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
    • F24H1/00—Water heaters, e.g. boilers, continuous-flow heaters or water-storage heaters
    • F24H1/18—Water-storage heaters
    • F24H1/20—Water-storage heaters with immersed heating elements, e.g. electric elements or furnace tubes
    • F24H1/201—Water-storage heaters with immersed heating elements, e.g. electric elements or furnace tubes using electric energy supply
    • F24H1/202—Water-storage heaters with immersed heating elements, e.g. electric elements or furnace tubes using electric energy supply with resistances

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a water heater.
  • a water heater suitable for both domestic and larger industrial uses, which utilises heat energy more efficiently through the use of a heat exchanger.
  • combi- heater One type of water heater which is widely used, commonly known as a combi- heater, has the heat source activated only when hot water is drawn, for example to provide heat for wash water or a central heating system. Such systems have the benefit of utilising energy to heat water only when required.
  • combi-heaters are however that they tend to be of increased complexity compared to conventional tank heaters. In the latter, a tank of water is kept at a required temperature and is available when needed. The disadvantage of a tank heater is of course that if water is not drawn off then the body of water gradually cools, thus wasting the heat energy imported to the water.
  • the present invention seeks to address the disadvantages of tank heaters and to provide a heater which, although itself a tank heater, can in certain circumstances function in a similar manner to a combi-heater.
  • a water heater comprising:
  • the heat exchanger located around the heater element, the heat exchanger having an aperture in the heat exchanger's base or lower regions, allowing water to flow into the heat exchanger and to the heater element,
  • the in-use upper region of the heat exchanger being in fluid communication with a connection tube, the tube co-operating with the heat exchanger to direct heated water from the heater element to the upper regions of the tank.
  • Heated water is thus led in a smooth manner to the upper regions of the tank, drawing cooler water to the heater element to be heated and allowing the heated water to form a layer which can be used more directly by the user.
  • the tube is preferably 15-65mm in diameter to allow sufficient water to flow in a smooth manner and not introduce turbulence at the upper region of the tank.
  • the material from which the heat exchanger and/or tube is formed preferably includes a heat insulator. Further preferably a heat insulator is present in the form of a lining about or on the inside layer of the tube.
  • the heat exchanger and/or tube are formed completely from a heat insulation material such as a plastics material or a ceramics material.
  • one or more further heater elements are located within the tube to enable a higher temperature of water to be reached.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a water heater
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of a water heater.
  • Tank heaters of the type described herein are in general well known and normally share a number of features in common.
  • the tank body itself is typically made of a corrosion-resistant material such as steel or copper and tends to have a generally cylindrical shape, which eases manufacture, gives reduction of the surface area of wall to volume ratio, and also minimises the presence of any edges within the tank which would increase corrosion of the tank.
  • the tank is provided with a cold water inlet to replenish water drawn off and a hot water outlet so that water can be drawn off by the user.
  • One or more heating elements provide energy for the heating process. Often the or each heating element is located towards the base of the tank. Hot water produced by the heater rises to the top of the volume of water, with more cold water then replacing this heated water around the elements, which cold water can then be brought up to the correct temperature. In this way the temperature of the water in the tank is gradually brought to equilibrium.
  • the present invention utilises the above described lower density of hot water compared to cold water as well as a further property where flow of water within a volume is low: namely thermal stratification.
  • thermal stratification When there is relatively little flow, layers of water can develop in which each layer is at a different temperature, the lowest temperature naturally being at the bottom and the warmest at the top. Such stratification is remarkably stable and certainly over time periods required in domestic water heating installations.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a water heater according to a first embodiment of the invention.
  • the water heater comprises a tank 10 of conventional construction, having a water inlet (not illustrated) towards the base of the tank 10, and a water outlet 11.
  • the water outlet 11, may extend several inches into the body of the tank 10 to ensure that one end of the outlet 11 lies within the body of the water. The length is not however too great as the end of the water outlet 11 then lies in the cooler regions with water then being drawn from those regions.
  • a heating element 12 extends through the walls of the tank 10 and into the volume of water.
  • the heating element 12 is normally located towards the base of the tank 12 to enable heating of the coldest water.
  • the heating element 12 can be a conventional resistive element or it can also provide heat from a source such as solar hot water heater, located externally on the building, a geo-thermal hot water heater or other source.
  • the element 12 is located within a heat exchanger 13.
  • the heat exchanger 13 is generally cylindrical, open at one end 14, and is so mounted that the open end 14 opens downwardly with the edge below the level of the element 12.
  • the heat exchanger 13, although it does not have to be completely open at the lower end does have to include apertures to allow cooler water to flow to the element.
  • the upper end of the heat exchanger 13 is closed. There is however an aperture 15 in the otherwise closed end which allows heated water within the heat exchanger 13 to exit.
  • An open tube 16 is joined at its first end about the aperture 15 with a second end opening into the upper region of the tank 10. Hot water therefore produced by the element 12, which rises and exits through the aperture 15, is led by the tube 16 to the upper region of the volume of water within the tank 10.
  • the tube 16 has an internal diameter of around 15-65mm, although the value is chosen to suit the size of the tank 10.
  • the heat exchanger 13 and the tube 16 can be formed of conventional materials such as copper or steel. Alternatively, these can be formed, either partially or completely of a plastics or ceramics material. In order to decrease the thermal conductivity, a heat insulating layer can be applied to the heat exchanger 13 and/or the tube 16. This reduces heat loss from the heated water as it rises through the tank. In use therefore the system functions as follows.
  • the heating element 12 is activated by conventional means. The action may be under control of a timer or of a thermostat, combination of these or other means in the art.
  • the heated water due to its lower density rises to the top of the heat exchanger 13 and thence via the aperture 15 into the tube 16. The water then rises until it exits the tube 16 into the upper regions of the tank 10 where it is available for use. If water is not being drawn off at the time then it accumulates into a layer of heated water.
  • cooler water is drawn into the heat exchanger 13 via the open end 14 and, if heating is maintained, is itself heated and flows out of the heat exchanger 13. If hot water is drawn from the tank 10 then the cold water is admitted into the tank through the inlet.
  • a second embodiment of water heater is shown with features common to both embodiments being allocated the same number.
  • the second embodiment includes an additional heating source 22 whose element is located within the tube 16 to boost the temperature of the water produced as it rises upwards. A hotter temperature can therefore be obtained on a first pass through the heat exchanger 13 and the tube 16.
  • An important feature of the tube 16 is that no water can enter the tube along its length. The temperature of the water exiting the tube 16 can therefore be controlled more efficiently allowing a sufficient amount of energy to be provided by the heating element 12 or additional heating source 22.

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)
  • Instantaneous Water Boilers, Portable Hot-Water Supply Apparatuses, And Control Of Portable Hot-Water Supply Apparatuses (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention se rapporte à un chauffe-eau, comportant un réservoir doté d'une entrée et d'une sortie d'eau, et un élément chauffant pour chauffer l'eau contenue dans le réservoir. L'élément chauffant est entouré d'un échangeur de chaleur comportant une entrée vers son extrémité inférieure et un tube s'étendant depuis son extrémité supérieure afin d'orienter l'eau chauffée vers le haut du réservoir.
PCT/GB2012/051425 2011-06-24 2012-06-20 Chauffe-eau perfectionné Ceased WO2012175961A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1110840.4 2011-06-24
GB201110840A GB201110840D0 (en) 2011-06-24 2011-06-24 An improved water heater

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2012175961A2 true WO2012175961A2 (fr) 2012-12-27
WO2012175961A3 WO2012175961A3 (fr) 2013-08-01

Family

ID=44485188

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2012/051425 Ceased WO2012175961A2 (fr) 2011-06-24 2012-06-20 Chauffe-eau perfectionné

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB201110840D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO2012175961A2 (fr)

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2804534A (en) * 1956-11-26 1957-08-27 Sydney N Coates Hot water heater
DE1903774A1 (de) * 1969-01-25 1970-08-13 Erwin Egenberger Vorrichtung zum Erhitzen fluessiger Medien
US3614386A (en) * 1970-01-09 1971-10-19 Gordon H Hepplewhite Electric water heater
FR2305695A1 (fr) * 1975-03-26 1976-10-22 Bennavail Francis Appareil pour la production d'eau chaude par accumulation de l'energie solaire
DE3519842A1 (de) * 1985-06-03 1986-12-04 Stiebel Eltron Gmbh & Co Kg, 3450 Holzminden Elektrischer warmwasserbereiter
DE4301723C2 (de) * 1992-01-24 1995-03-16 Solar Diamant Syst Warmwasserspeicher

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201110840D0 (en) 2011-08-10
WO2012175961A3 (fr) 2013-08-01

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