CA2612782A1

CA2612782A1 - Heat exchange system

Info

Publication number: CA2612782A1
Application number: CA002612782A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Benoit Reginster
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-11-29
Filing date: 2007-11-29
Publication date: 2009-05-29
Also published as: CA2645417A1; US20090139687A1

Description

HEAT EXCHANGE SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to heat transfer and more particularly, relates to an underground heat exchange system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of the geothermal energy to providing heating or cooling has been known in the art. The low intensity temperature maintained by the mantle of the earth may be used to provide a sump for cooling or heating absorption when the air temperature is either higher or lower than the temperature of the earth mantle.

In rural areas, there are frequently buildings which need to be heated to a certain degree, but not necessarily to the temperature that a typical residence would require. For example, barns, storage buildings and the like are outbuildings which require a source of heat, particularly in very cold climates. Also, some industrial buildings such as airport hangars have the same requirement. To date, traditional forms of heat such as furnaces have been utilized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for the heating of such buildings.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for heating a building, the system comprising a well, a plurality of pipe loops in a floor of the building, a closed loop heat exchange system connected to the pipe loops, the heat exchange system comprising an up pipe and a down pipe within the well and connected to the pipe loops, the up pipes and down pipes being connected to a heat exchange portion of a metallic material located in a lower portion of the well.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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 a portion of a system according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic side view of a circulating pump and entry into the pipes; and Figure 3 is a schematic side view of the heat exchange portion of the system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, there is illustrated in Figure 1 the floor of a building such as a garage or the like. Such buildings could include storage garages for large equipment such as snow removal equipment.

The garage floor is generally designated by reference numeral 10 and the building will typically have a garage door 12 located in one of the wall thereof.
Although the size is irrelevant, such buildings will typically have a floor area of up to 2,000 sq.
feet or even more.

As shown in Figure 1, there is provided a plurality of pipe loops 14 which are set within the concrete as the floor is poured. Again, such an arrangement is known in the art.
The system will include a well generally designated by the reference numeral which is dug to a substantial depth. Typically, the well may have a depth of 100 feet or even more. The well 16 will be filled with well water 18.

Placed within well 16 is down pipe 20 which is preferably of a plastic material and an

-2-up pipe 22 which likewise is preferably of a plastic material. At the bottom of the well, there is provided a U-shaped section 24 which functions as the heat exchanger portion of the system. U-shaped section 24 is preferably of a metallic material and most preferably is formed of a stainless steel material with a plurality of blades 18 extending between the two arms of the U-shaped section 24 to enhance the heat transfer.

A circulation pump 30 is provided at the top of the well. Circulation pump 30 is relatively small and can be rated as low as 1/6 horsepower (125 watts). A
pressure meter 32 is provided on the line after circulation pump 30.

A distribution manifold 34 is provided to distribute the liquid to pipe loops 14.
Similarly, a return manifold 36 is designed to collect the fluid after passing through pipe loops 14.

Preferably the heat exchange liquid is a water mix such as water glycol or methanol in the closed circuit loop.

Provided at the top of well 16 is a water pipe 40.

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.

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