CH716117A1 - Heat storage and heating circuit system including one. - Google Patents

Abstract

Shown and described is a heat storage (11) for storing thermal energy, in particular for a heating circuit system and / or hot water supply with at least one heat generator (13) and at least one heat consumer (15), comprising at least one storage tank for a heat transfer medium, the storage tank having a storage tank wall , wherein the storage container wall encloses a storage volume, and further comprising at least a first, a second, a third and a fourth connection connection (41, 43, 45, 47) on the storage container, which are formed in the wall of the storage container for the purpose of inlet or outlet of the heat transfer medium , so that the heat transfer medium can flow into or out of the storage tank, each connection connection on the outside of the storage tank wall being connectable to a pipe. According to the invention it is provided that on the inside of the storage container the first connection connection (41) is connected to the second connection connection (43) by means of a first storage through-flow pipe (27), that the first storage through-flow pipe (27) has an opening (29) into the storage container, that on the inside of the storage container the third Connection connection (45) is connected to the fourth connection connection (47) by means of a second storage through-flow pipe (35) and that the second storage through-flow pipe (35) has an opening (37) into the storage.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a heat accumulator according to the preamble of claim 1 and a heating circuit system which includes such a heat accumulator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Heating systems comprising one or more heat generators, one or more consumers and at least one thermal energy store are widespread.

The laid-open specification DE 10 2006 034 214 A1 shows an example of a heating system with an oil / gas boiler, a heating circuit and a solar buffer store, the buffer store being integrated into the return flow via a three-way distributor. More generally, it is a heating system with a generator, consumer and buffer storage. During operation, such a buffer store experiences quite a thorough mixing.

In the utility model DE 20 2009 000 205 U1 a special distribution switch is presented, which allows all sorts of possible types of energy generating devices and consumers to be connected with the advantage that there is also a hydraulic balance on the generator and consumer side.

The assembly of heat generator / heat consumer systems with heat storage is often quite complex. In addition, such systems require a relatively large amount of space due to the often time-consuming or complex line system that is necessary to hydraulically connect the individual components to one another. In addition, it is often disadvantageous that a storage medium contained in the buffer is mixed up to a relatively large extent during operation by the producer and consumer.

[0006] There is therefore a need for solutions that are simple and faultless to install, space-saving and yet versatile.

TASK

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an alternative solution for the simplified hydraulic connection of the individual components of heating systems, in particular of systems with heat storage. Such a solution is preferably intended to facilitate assembly. In addition, the space requirement and clarity of a heating system, in particular a system with at least one generator, one consumer and one heat store, should be improved.

In particular, it is an aim to find approaches that allow the line system between producers, consumers and storage to change or provide in an embodiment that assembly work can be carried out easily, flawlessly and thus inexpensively and / or the piping system between the system components becomes more space-saving or its relocation can be carried out in a space-saving manner. Another aim is to provide a solution that allows optimal and versatile use of the heat storage.

DESCRIPTION

The object is achieved with a heat accumulator and a heating circuit system according to the claims.

In particular, a heat storage device for storing thermal energy, in particular for a heating circuit system and / or hot water supply with at least one heat generator and at least one heat consumer, comprising at least one is presented a storage tank for a heat transfer medium, the storage tank having a storage tank wall, the storage tank wall enclosing a storage volume, at least a first, a second, a third and a fourth connection on the storage tank, which are formed in the wall of the storage tank for the purpose of inlet or outlet of the heat transfer medium so that the heat transfer medium can flow into or out of the storage tank, each connection on the outside of the storage tank wall with each or at least one pipeline can be connected, the heat accumulator being characterized by that on the inside of the storage container, the first connection connection is connected to the second connection connection by means of a first storage flow pipe, that the first storage flow pipe has an opening in the storage tank, that on the inside of the storage container, the third connection connection is connected to the fourth connection connection by means of a second storage flow pipe, and that the second storage flow pipe has an opening into the storage.

It is preferred that the opening of the first storage through-flow pipe is arranged higher than the opening of the second storage through-flow pipe.

Thus, the feed level of the opening of the first storage flow pipe, i.e. the first opening, placed higher than the feed level of the opening of the second storage flow tube, i.e. the second opening.

It is preferred that the first storage flow pipe has at least one branching pipe (e.g. horizontally aligned or designed as a rising or sinking pipe) and / or the second storage flow pipe has at least one branching pipe (e.g. horizontally oriented or designed as a rising or sinking pipe) , which rises from the pipe wall of the respective storage throughflow pipe via its first end and forms the respective opening at its second end.

[0014] Optionally, the at least one branching pipe can be arranged as a riser essentially rising in the memory, preferably rising vertically, so that the opening of the second end is arranged higher than the first end.

Alternatively, the at least one branching pipe can be arranged as a sinking pipe essentially descending in the memory, preferably vertically descending, so that the opening of the second end is arranged lower than the first end.

Regardless of whether a branching pipe is present or how the branching pipe is designed, it is preferred that the respective opening is designed such that the flow exits the opening into the storage volume in a substantially horizontal direction.

In particular, in the ascending or descending pipe design, the second end of the at least one ascending or descending pipe is curved towards the opening, so that the flow emerges from the opening in a substantially horizontal direction.

It is preferred that the first connection connection is arranged closer to the fourth connection connection than to the second connection connection and that the third connection connection is arranged closer to the second connection connection than to the fourth connection connection on the outside of the storage container.

[0019] The first connection connection serves as an inlet for a heat generator-side flow, the second connection connection as an outlet for a heat consumer-side flow, the third connection connection as an inlet for a heat consumer-side return, and the fourth connection connection as an outlet for a heat generator-side return.

[0020] The connection connections on the outside of the storage container can be connected to pipelines or hydraulically connected to pipelines.

There can be further connection connections on the storage tank for the purpose of circulating the heat transfer medium in a second heat generator circuit (the second heat generator circuit including a second heat generator), in particular at least one fifth connection connection with a pipe opening, which is suitable as the inlet of the flow of the second heat generator, and a sixth connection with pipe opening, which is suitable as an outlet for the return of the second heat generator.

[0022] A heating circuit system comprising at least one is disclosed below a heat generator that generates thermal energy and transfers it to a heat transfer medium, a heat consumer, which takes the heat energy via the heat transfer medium, a pipe system with flow and return to transport the heat transfer medium via the flow from the heat generator to the heat consumer and via the return from the heat consumer to the heat generator, defining a heat accumulator with a storage volume or a storage volume, preferably in accordance with the heat accumulator described above, for the intermediate storage of the thermal energy, the heat accumulator comprising a storage container which is externally connected to the pipeline system in such a way that the flow and return flow through the storage container, whereby in With respect to the storage tank, the flow is separated into a heat generator-side flow and a heat consumer-side flow and the return is separated into a heat consumer-side return and a heat generator-side return, the heating circuit system being characterized by: that within the storage tank the flow on the heat generator side is connected to the flow on the heat consumer side by means of a first storage flow pipe, that the first storage flow pipe has an opening to the storage volume, that within the storage tank the return on the heat consumer side is connected to the return on the heat generator side by means of a second storage flow pipe, and that the second storage flow pipe has an opening to the storage volume.

It is preferred that the opening of the first storage throughflow pipe (or the opening in the flow) is arranged higher than the opening of the second storage throughflow pipe (or the opening in the return).

It is preferred that the storage tank has an inlet on the heat generator side and an outlet for the flow on the heat consumer side, with a first flow pipe being connected on the heat generator side to the inlet and a second flow pipe on the heat consumer side to the outlet outside the storage tank, and the storage tank on the heat consumer side being connected to an inlet and has an outlet for the return on the heat generator side, with a first return pipe being connected on the heat consumer side to the inlet and a second return pipe on the heat generator side being connected to the outlet outside the storage tank.

It is preferred that the first storage flow pipe on the inside of the storage tank connects the inlet for the heat generator-side flow to the outlet on the heat consumer side, and the second storage flow pipe on the inside of the storage tank connects the heat consumer-side inlet for the return with the heat generator-side outlet.

For example, the system can further comprise in addition to the aforementioned heat generator, which serves as the first heat generator of the system, a second heat generator, a second pipeline system with flow pipes and return pipes, which hydraulically connect the second heat generator with the memory for the purpose of transporting the heat transfer medium from the memory or from the memory volume to the second heat generator and back into the memory or into the memory volume, the heat accumulator, in such a way with the Second pipeline system is connected, that the flow of the second pipeline system flows into the storage volume of the storage tank and the return of the second pipeline system is drawn from the storage volume of the storage tank.

It is preferred that at least one pump is provided on the heat generator side and / or at least one pump is provided on the heat consumer side.

It is preferred that on the heat generator side a pump is provided in the return and / or in the flow.

It is preferred that a pump is provided in the return and / or in the flow on the heat consumer side.

It is preferred that the heating circuit system contains a regulation or control system by means of which the pumps are regulated.

[0031] The heat transfer medium usually contains water or consists essentially of water, in particular water in its liquid state.

The heating circuit system can in particular be operated with a control program for controlling a heating circuit system, which takes into account the particular design of the heat accumulator and is adapted to it. Such a control program is also disclosed. as well as data carriers containing such a control program.

Said optional features can be realized in any combination as long as they are not mutually exclusive.

Further advantages, features and preferred embodiments emerge from the description that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0035] In a schematic representation that is not true to scale: <tb> <SEP> Figure 1: a heating circuit device with generator, consumer and storage; <tb> <SEP> FIG. 2: a heating circuit device according to FIG. 1 in operation under operating condition A; <tb> <SEP> FIG. 3: a heating circuit device according to FIG. 1 in operation under operating condition B or D; <tb> <SEP> FIG. 4: a heating circuit device according to FIG. 1 in operation under operating condition C; <tb> <SEP> Figure 5: a heating circuit device with a first generator, a second generator, a consumer and a store.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In the following, the same reference numbers stand for the same or functionally identical elements in different figures.

In Fig. 1, a heating system (or also called heating circuit system) with heat generator 13, heat consumer 15 and heat storage 11 is shown. The heat generator 13 generates thermal energy and transfers it to a heat transfer medium. The heat consumer 15 is a consumer. Heat generator 13 and heat consumer 15 are spaced apart, i.e. in different places. For the purpose of heat transfer from the generator 13 to the consumer 15, the heat transfer medium is transported from the generator 13, where it absorbs thermal energy, to the consumer 15, where it emits thermal energy. The heat transfer medium is transported by means of a pipeline system. The heat transfer medium is preferably water.

The pipeline system of the heating system comprises a flow, which runs from the generator 13 to the consumer 15 and thus connects them, and a return which runs from the consumer 15 to the generator 13 and thus connects them again. Overall, the pipeline system forms a circuit in which the heat transfer medium can circulate. The circulation of the heat transfer medium can be set in motion by pumps 21, 23, maintained and, if necessary, controlled by means of these. Forward and reverse, i.e. the lines in which the supply and return flow are partly via a reservoir 11, i.e. in particular through the container of a heat accumulator.

The flow is expediently composed of at least three pipeline subsections: a first section 25, which runs from the generator 13 to the memory 11 or storage container and which is hereinafter also referred to as the generator-side flow or the generator flow; a second section 27, which runs through the store 11 or storage container and which is hereinafter also referred to as the first storage run or storage run in the lead; and a third section 31, which runs from the store 11 or storage container to the consumer 15 and which is hereinafter also referred to as the customer-side feed or customer feed.

The return is expediently also composed of at least three pipeline sections: a first section 33, which runs from the consumer 15 to the memory 11 or storage container and which is hereinafter also referred to as the consumer return or consumer return; a second section 35, which runs through the storage 11 or storage container and which is hereinafter also referred to as the second storage pass or storage pass in the return; and a third section 39, which runs from the store 11 or storage container to the generator 13 and which is hereinafter also referred to as the generator-side return or generator return.

The pipelines allocated to the three sections of the flow are thus called the flow pipe 25 on the heat generator side, the flow pipe in the storage tank in the flow 27 and the flow pipe 31 on the receiver side. The pipelines allocated to the three sections of the return are thus called the return pipe 33 on the receiver side, the second storage flow pipe 35 in the return and the return pipe 39 on the producer side.

The temperature of the flow is higher than the temperature of the return, since the temperature of the heat transfer medium heated in the generator decreases after flow through the consumer 15 due to the heat emission.

The heat generator 13 can be, for example, a heat pump, a boiler, e.g. trade for oil or gas heating, a solar thermal system or other. The heat consumer 13 can, for example, be radiators, floor heating or something else. The connection of several heat generators and / or several heat consumers is also conceivable.

The heat accumulator 11 is inserted into the circuit for the purpose of (temporary) storage of thermal energy. The reservoir 11 essentially comprises a storage container with a certain internal volume, i. a volume for storing the heat transfer medium. The storage container or the feed container wall has a container outside and a container inside, the container inside enclosing the storage volume. The heat accumulator 11 is connected to the pipeline system in such a way that, on the one hand, a section 27 of the flow and, on the other hand, a section 35 of the return is integrated in the heat accumulator. For this purpose, the container of the heat accumulator 11 has at least four pipe connections 41, 43, 45, 47 on the outside of the container. Two of these connections 41, 43 are preferably hydraulically connected to one another on the inside of the container via a first storage through-flow pipe 27. The two other connections 45, 47 are preferably hydraulically connected to one another on the inside of the container via a second storage through-flow pipe 35. In this way, on the one hand, the flow from the generator 13 flowing in through the first storage tank flow pipe 27 to the consumer 15 and, on the other hand, the return flow from the consumer 15 flowing in through the second storage tank flow pipe 35 to the heat generator 13. The storage throughflow pipes 27 and 35 thus in principle allow the heat transfer medium to flow through at any time.

The connections 41, 43, 45, 47 are designed as pipe connectors which are preferably integrated or permanently installed in the wall of the storage tank and thus form a passage for the heat transfer medium for the purpose of heat transfer flow through the tank wall. Each of the connections 41, 43, 45, 47 is designed on the outside of the container in such a way that they can each be connected to at least one pipeline for assembly purposes. On the inside of the container, two connections, as shown above, are connected to one another, preferably prefabricated, via a storage flow pipe. In a preferred embodiment, in particular at the connections 41, 43, 45, 47, no automatically controllable valves are necessary or provided.

The flow tubes 27, 35 hydraulically connecting the two connections 41, 43 or 45, 47 run through the storage volume and are thus integrated in the interior of the storage unit.

Conveniently, on the outside of the storage tank, the connection connection 41, which serves as an inlet for a heat generator-side flow, and the connection connection 47, which serves as an outlet for a heat generator-side return, are arranged in a first group, while the connection connection 43, which serves as an outlet for a heat consumer side Flow serves, and the connection 45, which serves as an inlet for a heat consumer-side return, are arranged in a second group, the two groups being further apart than the two connection connections of a group are spaced apart.

Each of the storage throughflow tubes 27, 35 has an opening 29, 37 which opens into the storage volume of the container. The opening 29, 37 can be arranged directly in the wall of the respective storage flow pipe 27, 25. However, if the position of the respective opening (for example in height) is to be different from that of the flow pipe itself and / or if an outflow direction for an emerging storage medium is to be better defined, the opening is preferably not directly in the wall of the respective storage flow pipe 27 , 35, but is formed by a respective tube 28, 36 branching off from the flow tube, which branches off from the respective storage flow tube 27, 35 on the wall side and opens into the storage volume. In FIG. 1, such a branching pipe is designed as a riser pipe 28, 36, for example. Riser pipes 28, 36 are preferably designed in such a way that they are arranged in an essentially rising manner starting from the respective storage through-flow pipe 27, 35. The branching tubes 28, 36 also have a bend - advantageously shortly before the respective opening 29, 37 - so that any heat transfer medium that may pour out of the opening into the storage volume exits the respective opening 29, 37 essentially in a horizontal direction.

The opening 29 of the first flow pipe 27 or first riser 28 is placed higher than the opening 37 of the second flow pipe 35 or second riser 37. Due to the height difference between the two openings 29 and 37, the memory 11 has two feed levels, one first, higher feed level for the incoming flow and a second, lower feed level for the incoming return. The difference in height between the two openings is at least 5 cm, preferably at least 15 cm, more preferably at least 25 cm. The term “higher than” refers to a height comparison in the operational position of the tank.

Instead of the ascending riser pipes 28, 37 described and shown in the figures, the pipes branching off from the flow pipes could be designed, for example, as descending sink pipes. Vertically oriented branching pipes are also conceivable, for example when the flow pipes themselves are arranged at different height levels.

The heat accumulator 11 is preferably a water heat accumulator. Essentially, water is used as the heat transfer medium.

In the heating circuit, at least one pump 21 is provided on the heat generator side with respect to the memory 11 and at least one pump 23 is provided on the heat consumer side.

As shown in FIG. 1, on the heat consumer side 19, the at least one pump 23 can be provided, for example, in the flow (i.e. along the pipe 31).

On the heat generator side, the at least one pump 21 is provided in the return (i.e. along the pipeline 39).

The heating circuit presented here is expediently regulated via the pumps 21, 23. One or more regulating devices thus essentially control the pumps by controlling the volume flow of the various pumps to regulate operation, preferably depending on user requirements and / or operator specifications.

Due to the arrangement of the connections on the heat accumulator 11 and the pipes in the heat accumulator 11 presented in FIG. 1, the heating circuit shown in FIG. 1 has, inter alia, the following properties: When the first pump 21 is operating, the flow from the generator 13 to the first one Flow pipe 27. Depending on the volume flow of the second pump 23 flows <tb> <SEP> a) with the same volume flow rate of the first pump 21 and second pump 23, the entire flow directly and unmixed (i.e. without mixing with the storage volume) on to the consumer 15 and back to the generator. <tb> <SEP> b) if the volume flow rate of the first pump 21 is greater than that of the second pump 23, part of the flow through the first opening 29 into the reservoir; only part of the flow flows directly and unmixed on to the consumer due to the volume flow of the second pump 23. Due to the larger volume flow of the first pump 21, the customer return flow in the storage throughflow pipe is also mixed with the heat transfer medium additionally sucked in through the second opening 37 from the storage volume. Consumers and storage are therefore supplied directly with thermal energy from the producer. If the second pump 23 does not work at all, the entire flow flows into the storage volume and the entire return flow comes from the storage volume - with the consequence that thermal energy is then only entered into the storage volume or the storage is topped up with thermal energy. <tb> <SEP> c) if the volume flow of the second pump 23 is greater than that of the first pump 21, the entire flow directly to the consumer 15, but additional heat transfer medium, which is sucked in through the first opening 29 from the reservoir, is mixed in . Due to the larger volume flow of the second pump 23, part of the customer return flow will also pour through the second opening 37 into the reservoir. In this situation, the customer uses a mix of thermal energy directly from the generator and a proportion of thermal energy from the storage. If the first pump 21 does not work at all, then the consumer is only supplied with thermal energy from the store or the heating is operated with the stored energy.

From the above it follows that the heating circuit system can be operated in different operating modes. Different operating modes are described below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 in Examples 1 to 4 below.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the same reference numbers are used for the same components as in the heating circuit according to FIG. 1 described above.

EXAMPLE 1

Operation without significant memory usage, shown below with reference to FIG. 2.

Both pumps 21 and 23 move essentially the same amounts of heat transfer medium (i.e. in particular the same amounts of water) in the same time. This means that the pumps work in such a way that the same flow rates result in the generator circuit 17 and in the consumer circuit 19 per unit of time.

This operating mode can generally be described in that if the heat transfer medium flow in the generator circuit 17 is defined as essentially 100% heat transfer medium flow, in comparison to this the heat transfer medium flow in the consumer circuit 19 is also essentially 100%, while consequently the heat transfer medium flow in the or from the memory 11 is essentially 0%.

This means in particular: 100% heat transfer medium flow in generator circuit 17, 100% heat transfer medium flow in consumer circuit 19, 0% heat transfer medium flow into or out of the storage tank 11.

As a result, the heat generated in the heat generator 13 is transported directly to the consumer by means of the heat transfer medium. Directly means here that the heat transfer medium flows through the first storage flow pipe 27 without a flow taking place in the first riser pipe 28, i.e. without the heat transfer medium coming from the generator exchanging or mixing with the stationary heat transfer medium in the storage tank. There is thus essentially no flow through the first riser pipe 28. If one disregards losses due to waste heat in the installation (especially via pipe walls), ideally 100% of the heat energy generated in the heat generator is transported from the generator to the customer or offered to the customer.

The heat transfer medium returning from the consumer 15 is also returned directly to the heat generator. Directly means here that the heat transfer medium flows through the second storage flow pipe 35 without a flow taking place in the second riser pipe 36, i.e. without the heat transfer medium coming from the consumer exchanging or mixing with the stationary heat transfer medium in the storage tank. There is therefore also essentially no flow through the second riser pipe 36.

In the operation described here, there is essentially no intermediate storage in the memory. In particular, the heat transfer medium flows through the flow tubes 27, 35, but not through the respective outlet 29, 37 of the flow tubes 27, 35, directly from the generator 13 to the consumer 15.

In this context, direct means that the heat medium flows through the storage through-flow pipes 27 and 35 without flowing through the riser pipes. In so far as no heat medium flows from the storage area into the generator flow, there is also no mixing with the stationary heat transfer medium in the storage tank.

This operating mode described here is selected or used in particular when the consumer needs or is to use the entire generated thermal energy.

EXAMPLE 2

Operation with storage utilization with consumption in the consumer that is reduced compared to generator production (i.e. operation with thermal energy input into the storage unit or exclusive heat input into the storage unit), shown below with reference to FIG. 3.

The pump 21 in the heat generator circuit 17 moves a larger amount of heat transfer medium (i.e. in particular a larger amount of water) than the pump 23 in the heat consumer circuit 19 in the same time. This means that the pumps work in such a way that there is a greater flow rate per unit of time in the generator circuit 17 than in the consumer circuit 19. This results in a certain flow through the first riser pipe 28 or the first opening 29 into the reservoir and into The result is a corresponding backflow through the second opening 37 or the second riser pipe 36 from the reservoir 11 into the generator circuit and thus back to the generator 13.

This operating mode can generally be described in that if the heat transfer medium flow in the generator circuit 17 is defined as 100% heat transfer medium flow, in comparison to this the heat transfer medium flow in the consumer circuit 19 is less than 100%, while consequently the heat transfer medium flow into and out of the Storage 11 is more than 0%, that is to say there is a certain flow into the storage or out of the storage. Overall, the sum of the heat transfer medium flow rate in the consumer circuit 19 and the heat transfer medium flow rate into the reservoir 11 preferably corresponds to the heat transfer medium flow rate in the generator circuit 17.

For example: 100% heat transfer medium flow in generator circuit 17, 30% heat transfer medium flow in consumer circuit 19, 70% heat transfer medium flow into or out of the storage tank 11.

As a result, the heat transfer medium heated in the heat generator 13 is partly (directly) transported to the consumer and partly into the storage tank. For this purpose, the flow coming from the heat generator 13 is divided in the pipe fork of the storage flow pipe 27 and the riser pipe 28. Depending on the volume flow difference in the generator circuit 17 and in the consumer circuit 19, a certain flow of heat transfer medium takes place through the first riser pipe 28 into the reservoir 11. In this way, at least part of the heat transfer medium heated in the heat generator 13 (and thus a certain amount of thermal energy) is carried into the store, while at the same time the heat transfer medium, preferably a cooler heat transfer medium from a lower level in the store 11, is returned from the storage tank to the heat generator.

The heat transfer medium returning from the consumer 15 is returned directly to the heat generator 13, the heat transfer medium returning from the consumer 15 mixing with the heat medium returning from the memory 11 through the opening 37.

During the operation described here, thermal energy is introduced into the memory 11. Depending on the ratio of the heat transfer medium portions conducted from the flow to the store and from the flow to the consumer, more or less of the energy generated in the generator 13 is transported into the store.

This operating mode described here is selected or used in particular when heat is to be carried into the store which is to be available to the consumer at a later point in time.

EXAMPLE 3

Operation with exclusive use of storage energy for consumption in the customer (i.e. with the heat generator switched off or ineffective heat generation in the generator), shown below with reference to FIG. 4.

Only the pump 23 in the heat consumer circuit 19 is operated. This means that the heat transfer medium essentially only flows in the consumer circuit 19. This leads to the heat transfer medium being sucked through the first opening 29 from the reservoir 11 into the consumer circuit 19, flowing through the consumer 15 and via the second opening 37, which preferably opens a lower feed level is applied than the first opening 29, flows back into the memory 11.

This operating mode can generally be described in that if the heat transfer medium flow in the consumer circuit 19 is 100% and at the same time the heat transfer medium flow in the generator circuit 17 is 0%, consequently the heat transfer medium flow into and out of the memory 11 is also 100%.

This means in particular: 0% heat transfer medium flow in generator circuit 17, 100% heat transfer medium flow in consumer circuit 19, 100% heat transfer medium flow into or out of the storage tank 11.

The consumer 15 is thus essentially 100% supplied with heat transfer medium from the storage 11 or from the storage volume. By removing the warmer heat transfer medium from higher areas in the container and returning it to a lower area of the container after it has passed through the consumer 15, the supply of the consumer 15 with thermal energy can be maintained for a certain time (in particular without the simultaneous supply of energy from the energy generator 13 in the memory 11).

In the operation described here, the thermal energy of the heat transfer medium in the memory 11 is essentially used or consumed.

This operating mode described here is selected or used in particular when the generator 13 does not generate any heat. This is particularly the case when there is sufficient thermal energy in the storage device 11 so that the consumer 15 can be temporarily supplied with thermal energy without the generation of heat by the generator 13.

EXAMPLE 4

Operation with storage utilization with increased flow in the consumer circuit compared to the generator circuit, shown below with reference to FIG. 3.

The pump 23 in the heat consumer circuit 19 moves a larger amount of heat transfer medium (i.e. in particular a larger amount of water) than the pump 21 in the heat generator circuit 17 in the same time. This means that the pumps work in such a way that there is a greater flow rate per unit of time in the consumer circuit 19 than in the generator circuit 17. This leads to the flow from the generator circuit with an additional amount of heat transfer medium flowing through the first opening 29 or the first riser 28 is sucked from the memory 11, mixes, which leads to the fact that the temperature of the flow drops (insofar as it is assumed that the memory is a lower temperature than the flow coming from the generator). In addition, there is a certain backflow from the consumer circuit 19 through the second riser pipe 36 or the second opening 37 into the reservoir 11.

This operating mode can generally be described in that if the heat transfer medium flow in the consumer circuit 19 is defined as 100% heat transfer medium flow, in comparison to this the heat transfer medium flow in the generator circuit 17 is less than 100%, while consequently the heat transfer medium flow into and out of the Memory 11 is more than 0%. Overall, the sum of the heat transfer medium flow rate in the generator circuit 17 and the heat transfer medium flow rate into the reservoir 11 preferably corresponds to the heat transfer medium flow rate in the consumer circuit 19.

For example: 100% heat transfer medium flow in consumer circuit 19, 30% heat transfer medium flow in generator circuit 17, 70% heat transfer medium flow into or out of the storage tank 11.

As a result, the heat transfer medium heated in the heat generator 13 is mixed with an inflow from the memory. The flow coming from the heat generator 13 and the inflow coming from the storage tank are mixed in the pipe fork of the storage flow pipe 27 and the riser pipe 28, which leads to a lower flow temperature on the customer side.

The heat transfer medium returning from the consumer 15 is partly returned to the heat generator 13, an excess pouring through the opening 37 into the memory 11.

EXAMPLE 5

The different operating conditions shown in Examples 1-4 enable the heat accumulator according to the invention presented here to be used in a variety of ways. In the following, an exemplary practical application possibility in a heating circuit system is shown with reference to FIG. 5, in which, in contrast to the previous examples, a second heat generator is present. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the same reference numerals are used for components which correspond to those in FIG. 1; however, additional components are marked with new reference numbers.

In FIG. 5, the heating circuit system, as it is described with reference to FIG. 1, is expanded by a second heat generator 51. The second heat generator 51 can, in addition to the first heat generator 13, also bring heat into the storage device 11. For this purpose, the second heat generator 51 draws heat transfer medium directly from the storage volume of the storage device 11, heats it and transports it back into the storage volume. The second heat generator 51 is thus integrated into a second heat generator circuit 53. The second heat generator circuit thus contains return pipes 57 and flow pipes 55 which hydraulically connect the second heat generator 51 to the storage volume or to the storage 11 in a return and a flow. The flow pours directly into the storage volume via the pipe opening 61. The return is drawn off directly from the storage volume via the pipe opening 63.

Preferably, a pump 59 is provided in the circuit 53, which regulates the flow of the heat transfer medium.

As the first heat generator 13, a continuously operable energy source is preferably selected, such as a heating boiler operated with gas or oil or a heat pump. Alternatively, the first heat generator could be a system that only supplies thermal energy sporadically, e.g. a solar thermal system. As the second heat generator 51, a generation system similar to the first heat generator 13 or another generation system is selected. If a continuously operable energy generator is selected as the first heat generator 13, a system that supplies thermal energy sporadically, such as a solar thermal system, is often chosen as the second heat generator 51.

The second heat generator 51 can now be used primarily to build up and maintain a hot water reserve in the memory, which is accumulated in the upper part of the memory volume. Depending on the generator system selected in the second generator circuit, the heat input can be continuous or sporadic. At the same time, as presented in Example 1 above, the operating conditions of the first heat generator circuit can be set, for example, in such a way that the heat transfer medium heated in the first heat generator 13 is mainly delivered directly to the heat consumer by passing through the storage tank by means of the flow pipe 27 without interfering with the storage volume to mix already existing, stationary heat transfer medium. The same applies to the return from the consumer 15 to the first producer 13. The temperature gradient of the heat transfer medium in the storage tank is therefore essentially retained. A hot water reserve (e.g. usable for the hot water supply), which has already accumulated in the upper area of the storage volume or is currently being built up via the second heat generator circuit, is not disturbed. This results in a simple and effective use of thermal energy which comes from different producers.

In Fig. 5, the connections of the second heat generator circuit are shown above the connections of the first heat generator circuit. Of course, the connections of the second heat generator circuit could alternatively be provided below the connections of the first heat generator circuit or in a different arrangement.

ADVANTAGES ACHIEVED

A part of the line system is integrated in the heat accumulator, in particular also branches of the line system. Heat accumulators with an integrated pipe system component can be prefabricated by the manufacturer at the factory. This simplifies assembly at the installation site. In particular, due to the fact that the heat accumulator has essentially only two pipe connections to the outside for connection to the supply and return pipe on the consumer side and the supply and return pipe on the generator side, assembly is relatively simple. The more complex connections between the respective producer-side or consumer-side pipelines and their openings to the storage volume, however, are provided in or on the heat storage device, in particular within the heat storage tank, whereby the heat storage device including pipe connections can be prefabricated in production, preferably in a production line. This reduces the assembly time at the installation site and also significantly reduces errors that can occur when connecting conventional pipeline systems.

Due to the direct flow possibility of the heat transfer medium coming from the heat generator to the heat consumer, the store can be passed through without mixing the stationary heat transfer medium already present in the storage volume. The temperature gradient of the heat transfer medium in the storage tank is therefore essentially retained. A hot water reserve that has already accumulated in the upper area of the storage volume (e.g. usable for hot water supply) is not disturbed or does not mix with deeper layers. This has the further advantage, for example, that thermal energy, which is used in secondary heat generators, e.g. Solar thermal systems (which e.g. only supply thermal energy sporadically) can also be effectively entered into the heat storage when the primary generator is in operation.

This results in a surprisingly wide range of possible uses for the heat accumulator according to the invention presented here with, nevertheless, at the same time quite simple line and connection structures of a heating system, and in particular without complex valves and their complex need for regulation.

While specific embodiments have been described above, it is obvious that different combinations of the embodiments shown can be used, provided that the embodiments are not mutually exclusive. While the invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments, it is apparent that changes, modifications, variations and combinations can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

REFERENCE CHARACTERISTICS LIST:

11 Storage 13 heat generator 15 heat consumer 17 heat generator circuit or heat generator circuit 19 heat consumer circuit or heat consumer circuit 21 pump (in heat generator circuit) 23 pump (in heat consumer circuit) 25 flow pipe, heat generator side 27 storage flow pipe in flow 28 riser pipe 29 riser pipe opening in flow, or first opening 31 Flow pipe, consumer side 33 Return pipe, consumer side 35 Storage flow pipe in return 36 Riser pipe 37 Riser pipe opening in return or second opening 39 Return pipe, heat generator side 41 Hydraulic connection, especially heat generator-side inlet into the storage tank (inlet for water flow from the generator side) 43 Hydraulic connection , in particular outlet on the customer side from the storage tank (outlet for water flow towards the recipient side) 45 Hydraulic connection, in particular inlet on the recipient side in the storage tank (inlet for water flow from the recipient side) 47 Hydraulic connection, in particular heat generator Side outlet from the storage tank (outlet for water flow towards the generator side) 51 Second heat generator or, if applicable, secondary generator 53 Second heat generator circuit or circuit or, if applicable, secondary circuit 55 Flow pipe of the second generator 57 Return pipe of the second generator 59 Pump (in the second generator circuit) 61 Pipe opening or inlet (inlet of the flow of the second generator) 63 Pipe opening or outlet (outlet to the return of the second generator))

Claims (12)

1. Heat accumulator for storing heat energy, in particular for a heating circuit system and / or hot water supply with at least one heat generator and at least one heat consumer, comprising at least - A storage tank for a heat transfer medium, the storage tank having a storage tank wall, the storage tank wall enclosing a storage volume, - At least a first, a second, a third and a fourth connection connection (41, 43, 45, 47) on the storage container, which are formed in the wall of the storage container for the purpose of inlet or outlet of the heat transfer medium, so that the heat transfer medium flows into or out of the storage container each connection on the outside of the storage tank wall can be connected to a pipe, characterized, - that on the inside of the storage container, the first connection connection (41) is connected to the second connection connection (43) by means of a first storage flow pipe (27), - That the first storage throughflow pipe (27) has an opening (29) into the storage container, - that on the inside of the storage container, the third connection connection (45) is connected to the fourth connection connection (47) by means of a second storage flow pipe (35) and - That the second storage flow pipe (35) has an opening (37) into the storage. 2. Heat accumulator according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening (29) of the first storage through-flow pipe (27) is arranged higher than the opening (37) of the second storage through-flow pipe (35). 3. Heat accumulator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective opening (29, 37) is designed such that the flow emerges from the opening (29, 37) in a substantially horizontal direction. 4. Heat accumulator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - That the storage container outside the first connection connection (41) is arranged closer to the fourth connection connection (47) than to the second connection connection (43) and - That the third connection connection (45) on the outside of the storage container is arranged closer to the second connection connection (43) than to the fourth connection connection (47). 5. Heat accumulator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - That the first connection connection (41) serves as an inlet for a heat generator-side flow, - That the second connection connection (43) serves as an outlet for a heat consumer-side flow, - That the third connection connection (45) serves as an inlet for a return on the heat consumer side, and - That the fourth connection connection (47) serves as an outlet for a return on the heat generator side. 6. Heat accumulator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that further connection connections are provided on the storage container for the purpose of circulating the heat transfer medium in a second heat generator circuit (53), in particular at least - A fifth connection with a pipe opening (61), which is suitable as the inlet of the flow of the second heat generator, and - A sixth connection with a pipe opening (63) which is suitable as an outlet for the return of the second heat generator. 7. Heating circuit system comprising at least - A heat generator (13) which generates thermal energy and transfers it to a heat transfer medium, - A heat consumer (15), which takes the heat energy via the heat transfer medium, - A pipeline system with flow (25, 31) and return (33, 39) for transporting the heat transfer medium via the flow (25, 31) from the heat generator (13) to the heat consumer (15) and via the return (33, 39) from the heat consumer (15) to the heat generator, - A heat accumulator (11) with a storage volume, preferably according to one of the preceding claims, for the intermediate storage of the thermal energy, the heat accumulator comprising a storage container which is externally connected to the pipeline system in such a way that the flow (25, 31) and return (33, 39) flow through the storage tank, whereby the flow is separated into a heat generator-side flow (25) and a heat consumer-side flow (31) with respect to the memory (11) and the return (33, 39) into a heat consumer-side return (33) and a heat generator-side return (39) is opened, characterized, - that within the storage tank the heat generator-side flow (25) is connected to the heat consumer-side flow (31) by means of a first storage flow pipe (27), - That the first storage through-flow pipe (27) has an opening (29) to the storage volume, - That within the storage tank the heat consumer-side return (33) is connected to the heat generator-side return (39) by means of a second storage flow pipe (35) and - That the second storage throughflow pipe (35) has an opening (37) to the storage volume. 8. Plant according to claim 7, characterized in that the opening (29) of the first storage through-flow pipe (27) is arranged higher than the opening (37) of the second storage through-flow pipe (35). 9. Installation according to one of the preceding claims 7 or 8, designed such that - The storage container has an inlet (41) on the heat generator side and an outlet (43) for the flow (25, 31) on the heat consumer side, with a first flow pipe (25) on the heat generator side to the inlet (41) and a second flow pipe (31) outside the storage container is connected on the heat consumer side to the outlet (43), and - The storage tank has an inlet (45) on the heat consumer side and an outlet (47) on the heat generator side for the return (33, 39), with a first return pipe (33) on the heat consumer side to the inlet (45) and a second return pipe (39) outside the storage tank the heat generator side is connected to the outlet (47). 10. System according to claim 9, characterized in that the first storage tank flow pipe (27) on the inside of the storage tank connects the inlet (41) for the heat generator-side flow with the heat consumer-side outlet (43), and the second storage tank flow-through pipe (35) on the inside of the storage tank the heat consumer-side inlet (45) for the return with the outlet (47) on the heat generator side. 11. System according to one of the preceding claims 7-10, characterized in that at least one pump (21) is provided on the heat generator side and / or at least one pump (23) is provided on the heat consumer side. 12. Plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plant further comprises - In addition to the aforementioned heat generator (13), which serves as the first heat generator of the system, a second heat generator (51), - A second pipeline system with flow pipes (55) and return pipes (57), which for the purpose of transporting the heat transfer medium from the memory 11 to the second heat generator (51) and back into the memory (11) the second heat generator (51) with the memory (11) connect hydraulically, and wherein the heat accumulator (11), which is preferably designed according to claim 6, is connected to the second pipeline system in such a way that the flow (55) of the second pipeline system flows into the storage volume of the storage container and the return (57) of the second pipeline system flows out of the storage volume the storage tank is removed.