CH716117B1 - Heat accumulator and heating circuit system containing such. - Google Patents

Abstract

Shown and described is a heat accumulator (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 tank wall encloses a storage volume, and further comprising at least a first, a second, a third and a fourth connection (41, 43, 45, 47) 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 container wall being connectable to a respective pipeline. According to the invention, the first connection (41) on the inside of the storage tank is connected to the second connection (43) by means of a first storage pipe (27), the first storage pipe (27) has an opening (29) into the storage tank, and the third Connection (45) is connected to the fourth 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.

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

Heating systems including one or more heat generators, one or more customers and at least one thermal energy storage are widespread.

The published application 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 tank, with the buffer tank being integrated into the return flow via a three-way distributor. More generally, it is a heating system with generator, consumer and buffer storage. During operation, such a buffer memory undergoes quite a lot of mixing.

In the utility model DE 20 2009000 205 U1, a special distribution switch is presented, which allows all kinds of possible types of energy generating devices and consumers to be connected with the advantage that there is also a hydraulic balance on the producer and consumer side.

The assembly of heat generator heat consumer systems with heat storage is often quite expensive. In addition, such systems require a relatively large amount of space due to the often expensive and 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 the operation of the generator and consumer.

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

TASK

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an alternative solution for simplified hydraulic connection of the individual components of heating systems, in particular systems with heat storage. Such a solution should preferably 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 accumulator, are to be improved.

In particular, it is a goal to find solutions that make it possible to change the pipe system between the producer, consumer and storage facility or to provide it in such a way that installation work can be carried out easily, flawlessly and thus inexpensively and/or the pipe system between the system components is space-saving or its installation can be made space-saving. Another goal is to provide a solution that allows optimal and versatile use of the heat accumulator.

DESCRIPTION

[0009] The object is achieved with a heat accumulator and a heating circuit system according to the patent claims.

Is presented in particular a heat accumulator 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 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 one first, one second, one third and one fourth connection 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 container, with each of the connection connections on the outside of the storage container wall each or at least one pipe can be connected, the heat accumulator being characterized in that that on the inside of the storage tank the first connection is connected to the second connection by means of a first storage flow pipe, that the first storage flow pipe has an opening into the storage container, that on the inside of the storage container the third connection is connected to the fourth 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 flow pipe is arranged higher than the opening of the second storage flow pipe.

Thus, the feed level of the opening of the first storage flow pipe, i.e. the first opening, is made higher than the feeding level of the opening of the second storage flow pipe, i.e. the second opening.

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

Optionally, the at least one branching tube can be arranged as a riser essentially rising in the reservoir, 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 sink pipe essentially descending in the reservoir, preferably vertically descending, so that the opening of the second end is arranged lower than the first end.

Irrespective 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 essentially in the horizontal direction from the opening into the storage volume.

In particular, in the case of a riser or sinker tube design, the second end of the at least one riser or sinker tube can be curved towards the opening, so that the flow exits the opening essentially in a horizontal direction.

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

The first connection is expediently used as an inlet for a flow on the heat generator side, the second connection as an outlet for a flow on the heat consumer side, the third connection as an inlet for a return on the heat consumer side, and the fourth connection as an outlet for a return on the heat generator side.

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

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

In addition, a heating circuit system is disclosed comprising at least a heat generator, which generates thermal energy and transfers it to a heat transfer medium, a heat consumer, which absorbs the thermal energy via the heat transfer medium, a pipe system with flow and return for transporting 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 according to the heat accumulator described above, for the temporary storage of thermal energy, the heat accumulator comprising a storage tank which is connected to the pipe system on the outside in such a way that the flow and return flow through the storage tank, whereby in With regard to the storage tank, the flow is divided into a flow on the heat generator side and a flow on the heat consumer side, and the return is divided into a return on the heat consumer side and a return on the heat generator side, the heating circuit system being characterized in that 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 container, the return flow on the heat consumer side is connected to the return flow on the heat generator side by means of a second storage flow pipe and that the second storage flow tube has an opening to the storage volume.

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

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

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 with the heat consumer-side outlet, 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.

[0026] 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 pipe system with flow pipes and return pipes, which hydraulically connect the second heat generator to the storage tank for the purpose of transporting the heat transfer medium from the storage tank or from the storage volume to the second heat generator and back into the storage tank or into the storage volume, the heat storage tank being connected in this way to 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 off 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 a pump is provided in the return and/or in the flow on the heat generator side.

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 includes a regulation or control, by means of which the pumps are regulated.

The heat transfer medium usually contains water or consists essentially of water, in particular water in the liquid state of aggregation.

The heating circuit system can be operated in particular 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. Also disclosed is such a control program as well as a data carrier containing such a control program.

Said optional features can be implemented in any combination, provided they are not mutually exclusive.

[0034] Further advantages, features and preferred embodiments result from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In a schematic representation that is not true to scale: FIG. 1 shows a heating circuit device with generator, consumer and storage; FIG. 2: a heating circuit device according to FIG. 1 in operation under operating condition A; FIG. 3: a heating circuit device according to FIG. 1 in operation under operating condition B or D; FIG. 4: a heating circuit device according to FIG. 1 in operation under operating condition C; FIG. 5: a heating circuit device with a first generator, a second generator, a consumer and a storage unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In the following, the same reference numbers stand for the same elements or elements with the same function in different figures.

In Fig. 1 is a heating system (also called heating circuit system) with heat generator 13, heat consumer 15 and heat saliva 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. arranged at different locations. For the purpose of heat transfer from producer 13 to customer 15, the heat transfer medium is transported from producer 13, where it absorbs thermal energy, to customer 15, where it emits thermal energy. The heat transfer medium is transported by means of a pipe system. The heat transfer medium is preferably water.

The piping system of the heating system includes a flow, which runs from the producer 13 to the customer 15 and thus connects them, and a return, which runs from the customer 15 to the producer 13 and thus connects them again. Overall, the piping 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 optionally controlled by means of these. The flow and return, i.e. the lines in which the flow and return flow, are partially routed via a storage device 11, i.e. in particular through the container of a heat storage device.

The flow is expediently composed of at least three partial pipe sections: a first section 25, which runs from the generator 13 to the storage 11 or storage container and which is also referred to below as the production-side flow or production flow; a second section 27, which runs through the store 11 or storage container and which is also referred to below as the first store run or store run in the forward run; and a third section 31, which runs from the store 11 or storage tank to the customer 15 and which is also referred to below as the customer-side flow or customer flow.

The return is expediently also composed of at least three pipe sections: a first section 33, which runs from the customer 15 to the storage 11 or storage tank and which is also referred to below as the customer-side return or customer return; a second section 35, which runs through the accumulator 11 or storage container and which is also referred to below as the second storage passage or storage passage in the return; and a third section 39, which runs from the reservoir 11 or storage tank to the generator 13 and which is also referred to below as the generator-side return or generator return.

The pipes allocated to the three sections of the flow are thus called the flow pipe 25 on the heat generator side, the storage flow pipe in the flow 27 and the flow pipe 31 on the consumer 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 it has flowed through the customer 15 due to the heat dissipation.

The heat generator 13 can be, for example, a heat pump, a boiler, e.g. for oil or gas heating, a solar thermal system or something else. The heat consumer 13 can be, for example, radiators, underfloor 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 (temporarily) storing thermal energy. The accumulator 11 essentially includes a storage tank with a certain internal volume, i.e. a volume for storing the heat transfer medium. The storage container or the food container wall has a container outside and a container inside, with the container inside enclosing the storage volume. The heat accumulator 11 is connected to the pipe 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 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 flow pipe 35. As a result, on the one hand, the flow from the generator 13 flowing in through the first storage flow pipe 27 can be conducted to the consumer 15 and, on the other hand, the return from the consumer 15 flowing in through the second storage flow pipe 35 can be conducted to the heat generator 13. The storage through-flow 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 container and thus form a passage for the heat transfer medium for the purpose of heat transfer flow through the container wall. Each of the connections 41, 43, 45, 47 is designed on the outside of the container in such a way that it can be connected to at least one pipeline each for assembly purposes. On the inside of the container, two connections each, as shown above, are connected to one another, preferably prefabricated, via a storage flow pipe. In a preferred embodiment, no automatically controllable valves are required or provided, in particular at the connections 41, 43, 45, 47.

The flow pipes 27, 35 hydraulically connecting the two connections 41, 43 or 45, 47 to one another run through the storage volume and are thus integrated in the storage interior.

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

Each of the storage flow tubes 27, 35 has an opening 29, 37 which opens into the storage volume of the vessel. 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 (e.g. in terms of height) is to be different from that of the through-flow pipe itself and/or if an outflow direction for an exiting storage medium is to be better defined, the opening is preferably not directly in the wall of the respective storage through-flow pipe 27 , 35, but is formed by a respective pipe 28, 36 branching off from the flow pipe, which branches off on the wall side from the respective storage flow pipe 27, 35 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 essentially rising from the respective storage flow pipe 27, 35. The branching pipes 28, 36 also have a bend—advantageously just before the respective opening 29, 37—so that any heat transfer medium pouring out of the opening into the storage volume essentially exits in the horizontal direction from the respective opening 29, 37.

The opening 29 of the first flow pipe 27 or first riser pipe 28 is higher than the opening 37 of the second flow pipe 35 or second riser pipe 37. Due to the difference in height of 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 height difference 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 accumulator.

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 aligned branching pipes are also conceivable, for example when the flow pipes themselves are arranged at different levels.

The heat accumulator 11 is preferably a water heat accumulator. Water is mainly used as the heat transfer medium.

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

As shown in FIG. 1, the at least one pump 23 can be provided on the heat consumer side 19, for example in the flow (i.e. along the pipeline 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 controlled via the pumps 21, 23. One or more controllers thus essentially control the pumps by controlling the volume flow of the various pumps to regulate operation, preferably as a function of user requirements and/or operator specifications.

Due to the arrangement of the connections on the heat accumulator 11 and the pipelines in the heat accumulator 11 presented in FIG. 1, the heating circuit shown in FIG Flow pipe 27. Depending on the volume flow of the second pump 23, a) with the same volume flow of the first pump 21 and second pump 23, the entire flow flows directly and unmixed (i.e. without mixing with the storage volume) on to the consumer 15 and back to the producer. b) if the volumetric flow of the first pump 21 is greater than that of the second pump 23, part of the feed through the first opening 29 into the reservoir; due to the volume flow of the second pump 23, only part of the flow flows directly and unmixed on to the consumer. Due to the larger volume flow of the first pump 21, the consumer return flow in the storage flow 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 is not working at all, then 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 fed into the storage volume or the storage is topped up with thermal energy c) in the case of larger Volumetric flow of the second pump 23 as the first pump 21, the entire flow directly on to the customer 15, however, mixes additional heat transfer medium that is sucked through the first opening 29 from the memory, with a. In addition, due to the greater volume flow of the second pump 23, part of the customer return flow will flow through the second opening 37 into the reservoir. In this situation, the consumer uses a mix of thermal energy directly from the generator and a proportion of thermal energy from storage. If the first pump 21 is not working at all, then the consumer is only supplied with heat energy from the store or the heater is operated with the store energy.

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

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

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 flow rates in the generator circuit 17 and in the consumer circuit 19 are the same per unit time.

This mode of operation can be described in general by the fact 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 as a consequence the heat transfer medium flow in to or from the store 11 is essentially 0%.

That 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 storage tank 11.

As a result, the heat generated in the heat generator 13 is transported directly to the customer by means of a heat transfer medium. Directly here means 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 being exchanged or mixed with the stationary heat transfer medium in the storage tank. There is thus essentially no flow through the first riser pipe 28 . Leaving aside 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 customer 15 is also returned directly to the heat generator. In this case, directly means that the heat transfer medium flows through the second storage flow pipe 35 without a flow in the second steep. grohr 36 takes place, i.e. without the heat transfer medium coming from the consumer being exchanged or mixed with the stationary heat transfer medium in the storage tank. There is therefore essentially no flow through the second riser pipe 36 either.

In the operation described here, essentially no intermediate storage takes place 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.

Directly here means that the heat medium flows through the storage flow pipes 27 and 35 without being discharged through the riser pipes. Insofar as no heat medium from the storage area is allowed into the generator flow, there is also no mixing with the stationary heat transfer medium in the storage tank.

[0067] This mode of operation described here is selected or used in particular when the consumer needs or is to use all of the heat energy generated.

EXAMPLE 2

Operation with storage use with reduced consumption in the consumer compared to production (i.e. operation with heat energy input into the storage or exclusive heat input into the storage), 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. especially 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 Follow a corresponding return flow 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 .

[0070] This operating mode can be described in general by the fact 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 as a consequence the heat transfer medium flow into or out of the Storage 11 is more than 0%, which means that there is a certain flow into 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 in the storage tank 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 the consumer circuit 19, 70% heat transfer medium flow into or out of 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 container. 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 . There is thus a certain heat transfer medium flow through the first riser pipe 28 into the reservoir 11 depending on the volume flow difference in the generator circuit 17 and in the consumer circuit 19 . At least part of the heat transfer medium heated in heat generator 13 (and thus a certain amount of heat energy) is carried into the storage tank, while at the same time heat transfer medium, preferably cooler heat transfer medium from a lower level in storage tank 11, is returned from the storage container to the heat generator.

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

In the operation described here, thermal energy is introduced into the store 11 . More or less of the energy generated in the generator 13 is transported into the memory depending on the ratio of the heat transfer medium fractions conducted from the flow into the memory and from the flow to the customer.

* This mode of operation described here is selected or used in particular when heat is to be carried into the memory, which is to be available to the customer at a later point in time

EXAMPLE 3

Operation with exclusive use of storage energy for consumption in the consumer (i.e. with a shut down heat generator 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 means that the heat transfer medium is sucked out of the reservoir 11 into the consumer circuit 19 through the first opening 29, flows through the consumer 15 and via the second opening 37, which is preferably open is applied to a lower feed level than the first opening 29, flows back into the reservoir 11.

This operating mode can be described in general by the fact that when 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%, as a consequence the heat transfer medium flow into or out of the storage tank 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 and out of storage tank 11.

In this way, the consumer 15 is supplied essentially 100% with heat transfer medium from the storage device 11 or from the storage volume. By taking 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 consumer 15, the supply of thermal energy to consumer 15 can be maintained for a certain period of time (in particular without the simultaneous supply of energy from the energy generator 13 in the memory 11).

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

This mode of operation described here is selected or used in particular when the generator 13 does not generate any heat. This is the case in particular when there is sufficient heat energy in the store 11 so that the customer 15 can be temporarily supplied with heat energy by the generator 13 without generating heat.

EXAMPLE 4

[0083] Operation with storage utilization with an increased flow rate 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 quantity of heat transfer medium (i.e. in particular a larger quantity 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 a larger flow rate in the consumer circuit per unit of time 19 than in the generator circuit 17. This means that the flow from the generator circuit mixes with an additional amount of heat transfer medium, which is sucked in through the first opening 29 or the first riser pipe 28 from the reservoir 11, which means that the temperature of the flow drops (insofar as it is assumed that the storage tank is at a lower temperature than the flow coming from the producer). In addition, there is a certain return flow from the consumer circuit 19 through the second riser pipe 36 or the second opening 37 into the reservoir 11 .

[0085] This operating mode can be described in general by the fact 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 as a consequence the heat transfer medium flow into or 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 in 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 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 riser pipe 28, which leads to a lower flow temperature on the consumer side.

The heat transfer medium returning from the consumer 15 is partly returned to the heat generator 13 , with an excess pouring out through the opening 37 into the reservoir 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. An exemplary practical application in a heating circuit system is shown below with reference to FIG. 5 . in which, in contrast to the previous examples, a second heat generator is present. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the same reference numbers are used for components which correspond to those in FIG. 1; additional components, however, are marked with new reference numbers.

In FIG. 5, the heating circuit system, as described with reference to FIG. 1, is expanded by a second heat generator 51. In addition to the first heat generator 13, the second heat generator 51 can also bring heat into the memory 11. For this purpose, the second heat generator 51 withdraws 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 pipelines 57 and flow pipelines 55, which hydraulically connect the second heat generator 51 to the storage volume or connect to the storage 11 in a return and a flow. The flow pours out through the pipe opening 61 directly into the storage volume. The return flow is drawn off directly from the storage volume via the pipe opening 63 .

A pump 59 is preferably provided in 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 boiler that is operated with gas or oil, or a heat pump. Alternatively, the first heat generator could be a system that only supplies heat energy sporadically, such as a solar thermal system. As the second heat generator 51, a generator system of the same type as the first heat generator 13 or another generator system is selected. If an energy generator that can be operated continuously is selected as the first heat generator 13, a system that supplies sporadic heat energy, such as a solar thermal system, for example, is often selected 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 accumulates 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 using the flow pipe 27 without interacting with the storage volume already existing, dormant heat transfer medium to mix. The same applies to the return from the customer 15 to the first producer 13. In this way, the temperature gradient of the heat transfer medium in the storage tank is essentially maintained. 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.

ACHIEVED BENEFITS

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 line 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 flow and return pipe on the consumer side and the flow and return pipe on the generator side, assembly is relatively simple. The rather more complex connections between the respective producer-side or consumer-side pipelines and their openings to the storage volume are provided in or on the heat storage tank, in particular within the heat storage tank, whereby the heat storage tank 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 pipe systems.

Due to the possibility of direct passage of the heat transfer medium from the heat generator to the heat consumer, the accumulator can be traversed without mixing the dormant heat transfer medium already present in the accumulator volume. In this way, the temperature gradient of the heat transfer medium in the storage tank is essentially maintained. A hot water reserve that has already accumulated in the upper area of the storage volume (e.g. usable for the hot water supply) is not disturbed or does not mix with deeper layers. This has the further advantage, for example, that heat energy that is in secondary heat generators, such as solar thermal systems (which, for example, only sporadically deliver heat energy), can also be effectively introduced into the heat storage when the primary generator is in operation.

[0097] This results in an astonishingly diverse range of possible uses for the heat accumulator according to the invention presented here, while at the same time the line and connection structures of a heating system are very simple. and in particular without complex valves and their complex control requirements.

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

REFERENCE 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 the heat generator circuit) 23 pump (in the heat consumer circuit) 25 flow pipe, heat generator side 27 storage flow pipe in the flow 28 riser 29 riser pipe opening in the flow, or first opening 31 Flow pipe, consumer side 33 Return pipe, consumer side 35 Storage flow pipe in the return 36 Riser pipe 37 Riser pipe opening in the return, or second opening 39 Return pipe, heat generator side 41 Hydraulic connection, especially heat generator-side inlet into the tank (inlet for water flow from the generator side) 43 Hydraulic Connection, esp. customer-side outlet from the storage tank (outlet for water flow to the customer side) 45 Hydraulic connection, esp. customer-side inlet into the storage tank (inlet for water flow from the customer side) 47 Hydraulic connection, esp. heat generator Lateral outlet from the tank (outlet for water flow to 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 (11)

1. Heat accumulator 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 - 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 (41, 43, 45, 47) 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 flows into or out of the storage tank each of the connection connections on the outside of the storage container wall can be connected to a respective pipeline,characterized in that - that on the inside of the storage container the first connection (41) is connected to the second connection (43) by means of a first storage flow pipe (27), - that the first storage 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 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 flow pipe (27) is arranged higher than the opening (37) of the second storage 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 exits essentially in the horizontal direction from the opening (29, 37). 4. Heat accumulator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - that on the outside of the storage container the first connection connection (41) is arranged closer to the fourth connection connection (47) than to the second connection connection (43) and - that on the outside of the storage container the third connection connection (45) 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 (41) serves as an inlet for a flow on the heat generator side, - that the second connection connection (43) serves as an outlet for a flow on the heat consumer side, - that the third connection connection (45) serves as an inlet for a heat consumer-side return, and - That the fourth connection (47) serves as an outlet for a heat generator-side return. 6. Heat accumulator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that further connection connections are provided on the storage tank for the purpose of circulating the heat transfer medium in a second heat generator circuit (53), in particular at least - A fifth connection with pipe opening (61), which is suitable as an inlet for the flow of the second heat generator, and - A sixth connection with pipe opening (63), which is suitable as an outlet to 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 decreases the heat energy via the heat transfer medium, - A piping 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, according to one of the preceding claims 1-6, for the temporary storage of thermal energy, the storage tank being connected to the pipe system on the outside in such a way that the flow (25, 31) and return (33, 39) flow through flow through the storage tank, whereby the flow in relation to the storage (11) is separated into a flow (25) on the heat generator side and a flow (31) on the heat consumer side, and the return (33, 39) into a return (33) on the heat consumer side and a return on the heat generator side (39) is separated, characterized in that - that within the storage tank the flow (25) on the heat generator side is connected to the flow (31) on the heat consumer side by means of the first storage flow pipe (27), - That the opening (29) of the first storage flow tube (27) is an opening to the storage volume, - that within the storage container, the return flow (33) on the heat consumer side is connected to the return flow (39) on the heat generator side by means of the second storage flow pipe (35) and - That the opening (37) of the second storage flow tube (35) is an opening to the storage volume. 8. Installation according to claim 7, characterized in that the opening (29) of the first storage flow pipe (27) is arranged higher than the opening (37) of the second storage flow pipe (35). 9. Plant according to one of the preceding claims 7 or 8, designed such that - The storage container has an inlet on the heat generator side due to the first connection (41) and an outlet for the flow (25, 31) on the heat consumer side due to the second connection (43), with a first flow pipe (25) outside the storage container being connected to the first connection on the heat generator side ( 41) and a second flow pipe (31) is connected to the second connection (43) on the heat consumer side, and - The storage container has an inlet on the heat consumer side due to the third connection (45) and an outlet for the return (33, 39) on the heat generator side due to the fourth connection (47), with a first return pipe (33) outside the storage container being connected to the third connection on the heat consumer side ( 45) and a second return pipe (39) is connected to the fourth connection (47) on the heat generator side. 10. Installation according to one of the preceding claims 7-9, 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. 11. Plant according to any one of the preceding claims 7-10, 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 piping 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 designed according to claim 6, is connected to the second pipe system in such a way that the flow (55) of the second pipe system flows into the storage volume of the storage tank and the return (57) of the second pipe system flows out of the storage volume of the Storage container is deducted.