EP2171359B1 - Stockage de chaleur - Google Patents

Stockage de chaleur Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2171359B1
EP2171359B1 EP08775884.3A EP08775884A EP2171359B1 EP 2171359 B1 EP2171359 B1 EP 2171359B1 EP 08775884 A EP08775884 A EP 08775884A EP 2171359 B1 EP2171359 B1 EP 2171359B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
sensor
sensors
temperature
storage apparatus
water
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EP08775884.3A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP2171359A2 (fr
Inventor
Jens-Otto Ravn Andersen
Steven Lose
Jan Nielsen
Søren Stig ABILDGAARD
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EC Power AS
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EC Power AS
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Priority to EP16172878.7A priority Critical patent/EP3081866B1/fr
Publication of EP2171359A2 publication Critical patent/EP2171359A2/fr
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D19/00—Details
    • F24D19/10—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F24D19/1006—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heating systems
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D11/00—Central heating systems using heat accumulated in storage masses
    • F24D11/002—Central heating systems using heat accumulated in storage masses water heating system
    • F24D11/005—Central heating systems using heat accumulated in storage masses water heating system with recuperation of waste heat
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D18/00—Small-scale combined heat and power [CHP] generation systems specially adapted for domestic heating, space heating or domestic hot-water supply
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H1/00—Water heaters, e.g. boilers, continuous-flow heaters or water-storage heaters
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D2101/00—Electric generators of small-scale CHP systems
    • F24D2101/30—Fuel cells
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D2101/00—Electric generators of small-scale CHP systems
    • F24D2101/70—Electric generators driven by internal combustion engines [ICE]
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D2103/00—Thermal aspects of small-scale CHP systems
    • F24D2103/10—Small-scale CHP systems characterised by their heat recovery units
    • F24D2103/17—Storage tanks
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D2200/00—Heat sources or energy sources
    • F24D2200/16—Waste heat
    • F24D2200/26—Internal combustion engine
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D2220/00—Components of central heating installations excluding heat sources
    • F24D2220/04—Sensors
    • F24D2220/042—Temperature sensors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D2240/00—Characterizing positions, e.g. of sensors, inlets, outlets
    • F24D2240/26—Vertically distributed at fixed positions, e.g. multiple sensors distributed over the height of a tank, or a vertical inlet distribution pipe having a plurality of orifices

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to temperature sensors for a water storage apparatus, a corresponding method and a computer program.
  • heat storage systems are common in cogeneration situations, where both heat and power are produced by a single unit such as a combined heat and power (CHP) internal combustion engine or a fuel cell.
  • CHP combined heat and power
  • the power could be in the form of mechanical power but is generally in the form of electrical power.
  • the production of power produces 'waste' heat. This heat can sometimes be utilised as it is produced, but generally the demand for power does not correspond tot the demand for heat so that it is desirable to store the heat when demand for heat is low, and release it when demand for heat is high.
  • the heat is often stored as hot water, as it can be easily transported about a cogeneration system from storage to cool the cogeneration unit, and then back to storage.
  • Conventional plumbing can be used, and the hot water can be utilised for washing and so on.
  • oil or other liquids to store heat, and the discussion below should be taken to include such alternatives where replacing water with them would be possible.
  • a liquid such as water to store heat it is necessary to know when the maximum storage capacity has been reached. This is generally the point when the water in the storage reservoir (for example a storage tank or tanks) is all at a maximum temperature.
  • the hot water is stored at one end of a storage apparatus such as a tank or the like, and cold water is at the other end.
  • a storage apparatus such as a tank or the like
  • cold water is at the other end.
  • a single vertically orientated tank can store hot water at the top, with cold water at the bottom, due to the difference in density of water at different temperatures.
  • cold water passes out of the bottom of the tank, and hot water enters the top of the tank.
  • the hot/cold boundary moves down the tank. It will be appreciated that there is some mixing of hot and cold water across the boundary, so there will not be a step change in temperature, but instead there will be some temperature gradient from hot to cold.
  • the assessment of heat stored is simplified by the use of temperature sensors that are located part way up the tank in order to indicate the parameters used to control the system.
  • An upper sensor can be used to indicate a minimum required storage capacity
  • a lower sensor can be used to indicate a minimum cooling capacity for allowing the cogeneration unit to run for a set minimum time.
  • T 1 and T 2 The desired parameters indicated by the sensor's positions are referred to as T 1 and T 2 , where T 1 is the value for the minimum heat storage required and T 2 is the value for the maximum heat storage, or equivalently the minimum cooling capacity, that will allow the operation of the cogeneration unit.
  • T 1 is the value for the minimum heat storage required
  • T 2 is the value for the maximum heat storage, or equivalently the minimum cooling capacity, that will allow the operation of the cogeneration unit.
  • the value of T 1 should provide sufficient hot water to cover the peak heat consumption
  • T 2 should allow the cogeneration unit to run for a certain minimum time, which can be determined depending upon the type of cogeneration unit and other properties of the system.
  • a temperature sensor is also present at the top of the hot water storage apparatus.
  • This sensor referred to as K 0 , shows when the storage is completely empty of hot water, or when the hot/cold boundary is near the top depending on the point on the temperature gradient from hot to cold that is used for the threshold value of K 0 .
  • the sensor K 0 can be used to trigger operation of the cogeneration unit to produce heat, i.e. if heat is required and the storage is empty.
  • a boiler is used in combination with a cogeneration unit, and in this case the sensor K 0 can be used to trigger the boiler, i.e. if heat but not power is required.
  • a further sensor may be present, designated K 1 .
  • This sensor is typically positioned very close to K 0 , and is used to provide hysteresis in boiler control. Therefore, when the boiler is off and K 0 is cold, the boiler can be turned on to supply heat to meet demand. If the boiler is on and the heat storage is filling up (for example if a power demand has triggered operation of the cogeneration unit), then the boiler can be turned off when K 1 is hot, as heat can then be supplied by the cogeneration unit and/or from storage.
  • the K 1 sensor controls the boiler whereas the T 1 sensor controls the cogeneration unit.
  • the cogeneration unit will usually be running when T 1 is cold, and the boiler might also be run should K 0 also be cold. If K 1 then turns hot, the boiler is turned off, and the cogeneration unit will be run until at least the point where T 1 is hot, after which it is operated based on an optimal heat and power production regime.
  • Parameters such as K 1 , T 1 and T 2 are consequently very important to the efficient and effective operation of a water storage apparatus, and it is important that the sensors that detect these parameters are positioned appropriately.
  • GB 2228069 discloses heating of a thermal store which is a tank of water.
  • the heating is controlled by means of two or more temperature sensitive elements that sense the temperature of the water at two or more different locations to ensure that the water will be adequately heated.
  • the present invention provides a temperature sensor apparatus for a water storage apparatus in which an amount of hot water stored can be determined by the vertical position of a hot/cold water boundary, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of temperature sensors for installation at different levels in the water storage apparatus, and a control unit, wherein the control unit is arranged to determine the relative locations of the sensors, in use, based on the order in which the sensors detect a temperature change during operation of the water storage apparatus.
  • the control unit upon installation of the temperature sensors, the control unit is not provided with information regarding the location of all the temperature sensors, i.e. upon installation the relative locations of at least some of the temperature sensors is unknown. Instead, the relative location of these sensors is determined based on information received by the control unit when the temperature sensors are initially used, i.e. when they measure a change in temperature.
  • the system utilises the known behaviour of the hot/cold water boundary (generally a linear vertical movement) to enable the location of some or all of the sensors to be initially unknown, and to determine these locations during operation. This simplifies installation, as there is no requirement for certain sensors to be placed in certain locations, and no input to the control unit upon installation is required to enable the apparatus to be used effectively.
  • this apparatus allows multiple tanks to be connected in series without the need for the sequence of the tanks to be programmed into a control unit upon installation.
  • the assessment of temperature sensor location can be carried out during a temperature change caused by either heating or cooling of the water, i.e. either as the heat storage apparatus is filled or empties of hot water.
  • a temperature change caused by either heating or cooling of the water, i.e. either as the heat storage apparatus is filled or empties of hot water.
  • detection of a temperature change is preferably implemented by detecting when a preset threshold temperature is reached. It is preferable to detect location during heating, as this can be carried out by heating the tank from cold, with the sensor location then being known in relation to the empty state. If the order of cooling is used then, to obtain an absolute reference point, it is necessary to start at maximum heat storage capacity, which is likely to lead to unnecessary use of energy.
  • the temperature sensors include a temperature sensor for installation at the top of the storage apparatus, and the control unit is arranged to identify this sensor as the first sensor to be heated.
  • the temperature sensors may be provided in groups, where the order of each sensor in the group of sensors is known, but the order of the groups of sensors in the storage apparatus is unknown.
  • the control unit may be arranged to determine the relative sensor locations based on the order in which the groups of sensors heat up.
  • sensors are provided in groups of four.
  • Each group of sensors may have a control circuit and preferably also an associated network connection.
  • the control circuit and network connection may be arranged to enable the relative locations of the sensors within the group of sensors to other network devices, which may include the control unit.
  • the temperature sensor apparatus is fitted in a water storage apparatus in which an amount of hot water stored can be determined by the vertical position of a hot/cold water boundary.
  • the temperature sensors may comprise sensors for installation in a water storage apparatus comprising multiple storage tanks.
  • the control unit can advantageously determine the sequence of sensors across the multiple tanks in the same way as for a single tank.
  • the determination of relative sensor location may be simply the determination of relative sensor location in the heat storage apparatus by determining the sequence of the multiple tanks.
  • there may be only one sensor or one group of sensors in each tank. Where there is more than one sensor or group of sensors in each tank, the system may also determine the order of these sensors in each tank.
  • the use of this system to determine the order of a series of tanks is of benefit when it is necessary to replace or add storage tanks to the heat storage apparatus.
  • the temperature sensor apparatus is preferably arranged to retain information relating to the known location of sensors connected to the apparatus, and to determine the relative position of new sensors added to the system based on the order in which the new sensors heat up or cool down relative to the known sensors.
  • the control unit may include or be connected to a memory, which stores information that identifies sensor location when the location is or has been determined by the control unit.
  • the system may know the order of tanks one, two, three and four. If a new tank is added, which for convenience is fitted between tanks three and four, then, when the heat store is being filled the system will detect that a temperature sensor (or sensors) in the new tank heats up after the sensor(s) in tank three, and before the sensors in tank four. Similarly, if a tank is removed and replaced, for example if tank two is removed, the order of the tanks in the new system is determined based on the order of heating (or indeed cooling) of the new (unknown) sensors relative to the known sensor locations in the remaining tanks one, three and four.
  • the position of sensors in a tank located between existing tanks one and two can be found without needing to fully heat tank two and subsequent tanks will not need heating at all.
  • control unit is arranged to, in use, select one of the temperature sensors to indicate a hot water storage parameter and to optimise the value of the parameter by selecting a sensor at a different level based on a desired operating condition.
  • the hot water storage parameter may be T 1 or T 2 , with the operating condition being selected accordingly.
  • the value of the hot water storage parameters are set by the position of the sensors in the storage apparatus.
  • the prior art systems require an installer to judge the required minimum stored heat and minimum cooling capacity for the particular system, and to physically position the sensors in the water storage apparatus accordingly. The optimum position will depend on the interaction of number of factors such as the type of system and the use to which it will be put. If a misjudgement is made, or if the use of the system changes then the result would be an inefficient system that cannot easily be adjusted, as access within the storage apparatus is required to move the sensors.
  • the level of the sensor corresponds to its position in the water storage apparatus relative to the movement of the hot/cold boundary. In the simplest case, with a single tank, this will correspond to the height of the sensor. Where there are multiple tanks the sensor level will be based on the height of the sensor in each tank, and also the order of the tanks.
  • the optimisation and adjustment process can be automatically and easily controlled without the need for a skilled installer to be present.
  • a number of physical temperature sensors are provided, and selected sensors are designated as virtual' sensors taking the role of T 1 or T 2 or other parameter.
  • thermosensors There may be only two temperature sensors, which is the minimum value that allows some degree of optimisation of a parameter. Preferably however there are more than two temperature sensors. For example there may be four temperature sensors, or more. In the discussion below, reference is made to selecting a higher or lower level sensor in order to optimise the parameter value. This is to be taken to mean that a higher or lower sensor should be selected where available. Obviously if the highest sensor is being used, then it will not be possible to move to a higher level, and if the lowest sensor is being used, then it will not be possible to move to a lower level. Preferably the number of sensors is selected so that sensors can be placed at intervals extending from highest and lowest levels that will correspond to hot water storage levels above and below the highest and lowest values for the hot water storage parameter.
  • the reference to higher and lower levels relates to the level of the hot/cold boundary, and hence not to an absolute height.
  • the lowermost sensor in the first tank will have a lower absolute height than sensors in the second tank, but the sensors in the second tank have a lower level in relation to the movement of the hot/cold boundary.
  • the desired operating condition may be that the amount heat stored is sufficient to meet demand and there may be a further condition that the storage of too much excess heat should be avoided.
  • the control unit may be arranged to select a higher level sensor if too much heat is stored, and may be arranged to selected a lower level sensor if too little heat is stored.
  • Assessment of this operating condition may be based on a determination of if the heat storage apparatus runs out of heat, or becomes close to running out of heat. This determination may be carried out over a set time interval, preferably a day. A day corresponds to the smallest cycle of heat use for most installations.
  • this is achieved by providing a temperature sensor for installation at the hot end of the storage apparatus, for example the top of a tank, corresponding to the sensor K 0 discussed above, where if K 0 goes cold, then a lower sensor is selected for T 1 , and if K 0 shows no tendency to go cold, then a higher sensor is selected for T 1 .
  • a sensor in the tank may also be designated as K 1 , as discussed above.
  • the condition may be that if K 0 goes cold, then a lower sensor is selected for T 1 , and if K 1 shows no tendency to go cold, then a higher sensor is selected for T 1 .
  • the operating condition may be that it should take a least a predetermined time for the amount of hot water to reach K 1 from empty (i.e. the time from K 0 to K 1 ). This might be to allow a boiler controlled as above to operate for at least a predetermined time, for example a minimum of 10 minutes, and hence avoid excessive switching of the boiler.
  • the control unit may be arranged to select a lower level sensor for K 1 if the time for the amount of hot water to reach K 1 from empty is too short.
  • control unit may be arranged to select a higher level sensor for K 1 if the time for the amount of hot water to reach K 1 from empty is too long.
  • the control unit may be arranged to allow the user to specify that full storage is required at a certain time. For example a hotelier may require full storage in the morning so that there is no risk of running low on hot water when the majority of guests are showering or bathing.
  • the control unit may, at the specified time, select a higher level sensor for K 1 in order to release the boiler to operate concurrently with the cogeneration unit and thereby provide the maximum heat storage.
  • the control unit may also allow an absolute minimum of stored heat, such that the user always has this minimum level, even at the expense of less efficient operation of the system.
  • the desired operating condition is that the amount of cooling capacity remaining when T 2 is indicated by the selected temperature sensor is sufficient to allow a cogeneration unit connected to the heat storage apparatus to run for a desired time, i.e. where water is the heat storage medium a requirement that the amount of cold water in the heat storage apparatus is at a certain level.
  • the control unit may be arranged such that if the time between T 2 being indicated by the selected temperature sensor and the cooling capacity running out (i.e. the water storage apparatus being full of hot water) is less than a lower time limit, then a higher level sensor for T 2 is selected, and if the time is above an upper time limit, then a lower level sensor for T 2 is selected.
  • a parameter T 3 which indicates when the storage is full, may be used to determine the time from T 2 turning hot to the storage being full, alternatively, the time for the cooling capacity to run out may be extrapolated from the time for the hot/cold boundary to reach the next sensor, and the total number of sensors remaining before the heat storage is full.
  • the parameter T 3 may be indicated by a physical temperature sensor positioned at the water storage apparatus cold water outlet.
  • T 3 is an imaginary sensor (i.e. no physical temperature sensor is present) that is on, i.e. shows hot, when a valve for cooling the cogeneration unit is fully open and a demand for additional cooling has continued for a set time, for example 30 seconds.
  • the T 3 imaginary sensor is off again, i.e. shows cold, when the valve is not completely open anymore.
  • this arrangement avoids the need for a physical sensor positioned at the point of maximum heat storage.
  • control of the sensor selected for T 2 is carried out based on the expected change cooling capacity if a higher or lower level sensor was selected.
  • the current cooling capacity may be measured or extrapolated, and this is divided by the number of sensors beneath T 2 to enable an expected change to be determined.
  • a higher or lower level sensor is selected if the new sensor is expected to produce a cooling capacity that is closer to the required minimum cooling capacity, which may be sufficient capacity to produce 20 minutes of cooling.
  • the time from T 2 'hot' to T 3 'hot' is 24 minutes, and the time per sensor is 3 or 4 minutes (i.e.
  • T 2 can be moved down to the next physical sensor.
  • T 2 is not moved if the time per sensor is larger than the difference between the actual time and the desired time, i.e. the extrapolated time is never allowed to be less than the minimum.
  • the sensor will not be moved if the time per sensor is greater than 4 minutes.
  • the sensor apparatus may optimise multiple parameters, for example both of T 1 and T 2 , and in this case the control unit is arranged to select a sensor for each parameter and optimise the parameters by adjusting sensor level according to a predetermined condition for each parameter. For the optimisation of both T 1 and T 2 it is clearly not allowable for T 1 to be below T 2 .
  • the control unit is arranged to give precedence for T 2 , such that if it is determined that T 2 should move to a higher level sensor, and that sensor is currently T 1 , then T 1 is also moved to a higher level sensor as a consequence.
  • T 1 preferably has precedence over K 1 such that T 1 will 'push' K 1 to a higher level if required. If movement of T 1 requires it then T 1 , as a 'virtual' sensor, may be allowed to be the same physical sensor as K 1 , with K 0 hence having the upper sensor and both K 1 and T 1 occupying the next sensor down. If further upward movement of T 1 is required, perhaps due to movement of T 2 , then K 0 , K 1 and T 1 may all be placed at the upper sensor.
  • K 0 , K 1 and T 1 were pushed to use the same physical sensor, then when T 1 moves away from K 0 , K 1 will automatically follow.
  • K 0 , K 1 and T 1 might be pushed to use the same physical sensor by movement of T 2 , which takes precedence.
  • T 2 will move away again when conditions require a different physical sensor for T 2 , and the movement of T 2 leaves some freedom for T 1 to operate.
  • T 1 might be required to move down by one sensor, and when this occurs K 1 follows T 1 so that K 0 has the upper physical sensor and K 1 and T 1 share the next physical sensor. At this point T 2 may already have moved further down the storage apparatus.
  • K 1 does not need to follow, as there is now room for it to have its own sensor. K 0 , K 1 and T 1 are then placed on the upper three sensors. If T 1 moves further down, then K 1 has freedom to move if necessary.
  • the optimisation of T 1 and/or T 2 enables the gap between these two sensors to be maintained at the maximum possible distance that is allowable for effective operation of the heat storage system.
  • the heat storage system is used in combination with a cogeneration unit this provides the broadest possible range where the cogeneration unit can be operated without constraint and hence operation can be optimised for efficiency.
  • the cogeneration unit must operate to re-fill the storage to the required minimum and below T 2 the cogeneration unit may have to run at less than the optimum load and/or stop to avoid running without any cooling.
  • K 1 optimisation of K 1 enables a boiler or the like to be operated more efficiently to meet heat demands.
  • control unit is arranged to allow selection of new sensors for K 0 , K 1 and/or T 2 based on a continuous assessment of operation of the heat storage apparatus with respect to the desired operating conditions. This allows continuous optimisation of these parameters.
  • control unit is preferably arrange to determine if a different sensor should be selected based on a full day of operation, i.e. T 1 is restricted to move to a higher or lower sensor only once each day. This is because the minimum heat storage required, i.e. the desired operating condition for T 1 , is dependent on the maximum heat usage in the user's usage cycle, which will generally be a daily cycle.
  • T 1 should be moved to a lower sensor to provide more heat storage for the following day.
  • An exception to this occurs in the case where T 2 has precedence over T 1 , when movement of T 2 can require a movement of T 1 as discussed above. This movement can occur in addition to the usual daily cycle for T 1 .
  • the apparatus includes at least four sensors, more preferably at least eight sensors.
  • sensors are provided in groups of four, each group having an associated control circuit.
  • the control unit is arranged to select an initial sensor for the or each hot water storage parameter based on the order in which the sensors heat up during operation of the water storage apparatus.
  • the temperature sensors include a temperature sensor for installation at the top of the storage apparatus, and the control unit is arranged to identify this sensor as the first sensor to heat up.
  • a preferred embodiment is a water storage apparatus including a plurality of temperature sensors installed at different levels, and a control unit arranged to optimise a water storage parameter.
  • the water storage apparatus may be a water tank, or it may be a number of water tanks connected in series.
  • the use of the sensor apparatus allows flexibility in the arrangement of the tanks, and parameters such as the remaining cooling capacity or the minimum required heat storage capacity can be optimised for multiple tanks by the same control unit that can optimise the same parameters in a single tank.
  • the control unit is arranged to learn the location of temperature sensors using the order in which the various levels of the water storage apparatus, for example a tank or tanks, heat up or cool down, as well as being arranged to optimise parameters by adjusting the level of the sensor selected.
  • the sensor at the hot end of the storage system which might be the top sensor K 0 in a tank or in the first tank of multiple tanks, can be identified as being the first sensor to heat up.
  • a temperature sensor in a tank in series with a preceding tank can be considered to be at a higher level than a sensor in the preceding tank, such that the sequence of sensor levels goes from the lowest sensor in the tank to the highest sensor in the preceding tank.
  • the system may be arranged to determine the order of the groups of sensors based on the order in which they detect a change in temperature.
  • the present invention provides a method of controlling a water storage apparatus in which an amount of hot water stored can be determined by the vertical position of a hot/cold water boundary, the method comprising: heating the water in the storage apparatus and determining the relative location of temperature sensors installed at different levels in the water storage apparatus based on the order in which the sensors detect a change in temperature during operation of the water storage apparatus.
  • the temperature sensors include a temperature sensor installed at the top of the storage apparatus, and this sensor is identified as the first sensor to be heated.
  • this sensor is identified as the first sensor to be heated.
  • the method may include operating a cogeneration unit, such as a CHP internal combustion engine, based on the parameters indicated by the selected sensors.
  • a cogeneration unit such as a CHP internal combustion engine
  • the control of the cogeneration unit can be based on sensor information from the water storage apparatus without the need for prior knowledge of the sensor sequence.
  • the method may include features corresponding to the preferred features of the apparatus of the first aspect, as discussed above.
  • a preferred method comprises: using one of a plurality of temperature sensors to indicate a hot water storage parameter, the temperature sensors being at different levels in the water storage apparatus; and optimising the value of the parameter by selecting a sensor at a different level based on a desired operating condition.
  • the hot water storage parameter may be T 1 , K 1 or T 2 , with the operating condition being selected accordingly, and the method including method steps corresponding to the actions of the control unit discussed above.
  • the parameter is T 1 .
  • the method may include selecting a higher level sensor if to much heat is stored, and selecting a lower level sensor if too little heat is stored. This may be achieved by a step of determining if the heat storage apparatus runs out of heat, or is close to running out of heat.
  • the parameter is T 2
  • the method may include determining the time between T 2 being indicated by the selected temperature sensor and the cooling capacity running out, and then selecting a higher level sensor for T 2 if this is less than a lower time limit or selecting a lower level sensor for T 2 if this is more than an upper time limit.
  • the upper and lower time limits may be the same, but it is preferred that there is some interval between the upper and lower time limits.
  • the method may include selecting temperature sensors for multiple parameters, and optimising each of the multiple parameters.
  • the multiple parameters are T 1 and T 2 , and in this case the step of selecting a sensor for T 1 includes ensuring that the sensor is above the sensor selected for T 2 , with T 2 being given precedence as discussed above.
  • the method includes selecting an initial sensor for the or each hot water storage parameter based on the order in which the sensors heat up during operation of the water storage apparatus.
  • the temperature sensors include a temperature sensor at the top of the storage apparatus, and this sensor is identified as the first sensor to be heated.
  • the method may include operating a cogeneration unit, such as a CHP internal combustion engine based on the parameters indicated by the selected sensors.
  • a cogeneration unit such as a CHP internal combustion engine based on the parameters indicated by the selected sensors.
  • the cogeneration unit can be utilised efficiently according to the available heat storage and cooling capacity in the water storage apparatus.
  • the temperature sensor apparatus of this aspect is as discussed above.
  • the present invention provides a computer program product comprising instructions which when executed on a control unit in a temperature sensor apparatus, will arrange the control unit to carry out the method discussed above in relation to the second aspect.
  • the temperature sensor apparatus of this aspect is as discussed above in relation to the first aspect.
  • a water storage system 10 consists of a tank 1, which is shown partially filled with hot water 2, with the remainder of the tank containing cold water 3.
  • the hot and cold water is separated by a hot/cold boundary 4 as discussed above.
  • the actual temperature of the hot water 2 and the cold water 3 will vary depending on the ambient temperature and the water heating apparatus.
  • the water heating apparatus which is not shown here, can be a cogeneration unit, such as a CHP engine.
  • a combination of a petrol fuelled CHP engine and a cylindrical hot water storage tank is commonly used to supply heat and power to a domestic building. Similar systems are used, on an appropriate scale, in industrial settings.
  • Temperature sensors 7 are arranged at different levels in the tank. These sensors 7 can be put into the tank 1 during installation, or perhaps during a maintenance procedure. The sensors 7 are each connected to a control unit, which is not shown in Figure 1 .
  • the control unit detects when the sensors 7 heat up. Hot water 2 enters the top of the tank 1, and the tank 1 fills up with hot water 2 from the top downwards as the cogeneration unit is running.
  • the first sensor to heat up is the uppermost sensor in the tank, and the control unit therefore identifies this as K 0 , which can be used as discussed above to indicate when the tank is empty of hot water, or is near to being empty.
  • the level in the tank 1 of the other sensors 7 can then be determined by the sequence in which they heat up, which is indicative of the sequence in which the hot/cold boundary 4 reaches them.
  • the sensors 7 can be provided in groups, where the order of each sensor 7 in the group is known. In this case the system uses the order in which sensors 7 heat up to identify the sequence of the groups of sensors 7.
  • the control unit can then select sensors 7 to use as an initial sensors for the parameters K 1 , T 1 and T 2 .
  • This selection can be based on an estimate using data of prior similar systems, or it could be a selection based on more simple criteria, such as selecting the sensor adjacent to K 0 to be K 1 , the 2nd sensor from K 0 to be T 1 , and the 6th sensor from K 0 to be T 2 .
  • the control unit can allow the technician who installs the system to indicate an initial set of sensors to use for the parameters.
  • the control unit will optimise the sensors selected for T 1 and T 2 based on the measured operating conditions.
  • T 1 represents the minimum amount of hot water storage required and T 2 is a parameter for the minimum amount of cooling capacity that can be remaining to allow the cogeneration unit to be run.
  • T 2 can be selected to provide a minimum of 20 minutes run time for the cogeneration unit.
  • K 0 , K 1 , T 1 and T 2 are, in effect, 'virtual' sensors, which can be assigned to any of the physical temperature sensors 7.
  • the control unit will select a lower level sensor for T 1 . This will lead to a lower position of the hot/cold boundary at T 1 , and consequently a greater amount of stored heat as the minimum required. Conversely, if excess heat is found to have been stored, i.e. if K 1 shows no tendency to go cold, then a higher level sensor will be selected for T 1 , leading to a higher position of the hot/cold boundary at T 1 .
  • T 2 For T 2 , if the running time of the cogeneration unit between T 2 being indicated by the selected temperature sensor and the cooling capacity running out is less than a lower time limit, for example 20 minutes then a higher level sensor for T 2 will be selected, so that the cooling capacity at T 2 is increased. Conversely, if the time is more than an upper time limit, or if a calculation of based on the time per sensor requires it, then a lower level sensor for T 2 will be selected.
  • a lower time limit for example 20 minutes
  • FIG 2 shows an example of an embodiment where the water storage apparatus 10 consists of multiple tanks, in this case two tanks 1 any 1'.
  • the water storage apparatus is partially filled with hot water 2, such that the first tank 1 is partially full of hot water, with the remainder of the tank 1 containing cold water 3, and the second tank 1' is completely full of cold water 3.
  • the hot and cold water is separated by a hot/cold boundary 4 as discussed above.
  • the first tank 1 and second tank 1' are connected by a pipe 8, with the top of the second tank 1' joined to the bottom of the first tank 1.
  • Temperature sensors 7 are arranged at different levels in both of the tanks 1,1'.
  • the sensors 7 are each in communication with a single control unit.
  • the first tank 1 heats up first, and so the sensor 7 at the top of the first tank 1 is identified as K 0 .
  • the sensors 7 will then heat up in order of height in the first tank 1, followed by order of height in the second tank 1'.
  • T 1 and T 2 could be identified as shown, and then optimised as discussed above.
  • the present invention is able to deal with multiple tanks without any modification to the basic concept. It will be appreciated that further tanks could be added in series as well. Likewise, the size and capacity of the tanks is irrelevant, as the control unit and sensor arrangement will work with any capacity.
  • a parameter T 3 is used to show when the water storage apparatus 10 has no more cooling capacity available, i.e. when it is full of hot water.
  • This is an imaginary sensor that is on, i.e. shows hot, when the valve for cooling the cogeneration unit is fully open and a demand for additional cooling has continued for a set time, for example 30 seconds.
  • the T 3 imaginary sensor is off again, i.e. shows cold, when the valve is not completely open anymore.
  • T 1 and T 2 sensor position are carried out upon installation and first use, but is also repeated during operation.
  • the sensor positions can therefore be adjusted with varying operating conditions, for example the minimum amount of heat storage required could be adjusted on a daily basis to follow seasonal variations in the demand for heat.
  • the control unit can also make use of historical data concerning the usage of the water storage system to predict how it will operate.
  • the sensor K 0 gives data regarding the inlet temperature to the hot water end of the water storage apparatus 10.
  • the final sensor can also be identified, for example by heating up the water storage apparatus 10 to its full capacity, and finding the final sensor to heat up.
  • This sensor gives data regarding the outlet water temperature, which will generally be the cold water temperature and thus provides an indication of the temperature of the cooling water.
  • the inlet and outlet temperature data at any particular time, as well as other data such as ambient temperature and cogeneration unit power output, can be analysed and compared with historical data.
  • the amount of cold water left in the tank is known based on the level indicated by the temperature sensors.
  • the remaining cooling time for a particular power output and ambient temperature can then be determined.
  • the time required to run the cogeneration unit to fill the water storage apparatus with the minimum required hot water i.e. the running time required to reach T 1 can also be predicted.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Heat-Pump Type And Storage Water Heaters (AREA)
  • Air Conditioning Control Device (AREA)

Claims (12)

  1. Appareil de détection de température pour un appareil de stockage d'eau (10) dans lequel une quantité d'eau chaude (2) stockée peut être déterminée par la position verticale d'une limite d'eau chaude/froide (4), l'appareil comprenant : une pluralité de capteurs de température (7) à installer à différents niveaux dans l'appareil de stockage d'eau, et une unité de commande, dans lequel l'unité de commande est agencée pour déterminer les emplacements relatifs des capteurs, en utilisation, sur la base de l'ordre dans lequel les capteurs détectent un changement de température pendant le fonctionnement de l'appareil de stockage d'eau.
  2. Appareil selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les capteurs de température (7) comprennent un capteur de température à installer au niveau de la partie supérieure de l'appareil de stockage, et l'unité de commande est agencée pour identifier ce capteur comme le premier capteur à chauffer.
  3. Appareil selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel les capteurs de température (7) comprennent des capteurs à installer dans de multiples réservoirs de stockage (1) d'un appareil de stockage d'eau (10).
  4. Appareil selon la revendication 1, 2 ou 3, dans lequel les capteurs de température (7) sont agencés pour être intégrés dans un appareil de stockage d'eau (10) dans lequel une quantité d'eau chaude (2) stockée peut être déterminée par la position verticale d'une limite d'eau chaude/froide (4).
  5. Appareil selon une quelconque revendication précédente, dans lequel les capteurs de température (7) comprennent deux groupes de capteurs ou plus, avec chaque groupe comprenant des capteurs agencés pour une installation à différents niveaux dans l'appareil de stockage d'eau dans un ordre connu, où l'unité de commande est agencée pour déterminer l'emplacement de capteur relatif sur la base de l'ordre dans lequel les groupes de capteurs chauffent.
  6. Appareil selon une quelconque revendication précédente, dans lequel l'appareil de détection de température est agencé pour stocker des informations qui identifient l'emplacement de capteur déterminé, et l'unité de commande est agencée pour déterminer l'emplacement relatif d'un nouveau capteur ajouté à l'appareil sur la base de l'ordre dans lequel les capteurs (7) détectent un changement de température et aux emplacements de capteurs connus.
  7. Procédé de commande d'un appareil de stockage d'eau (10) dans lequel une quantité d'eau chaude (2) stockée peut être déterminée par la position verticale d'une limite d'eau chaude/froide (4) en utilisant des capteurs de température (7) installés à différents niveaux dans l'appareil de stockage d'eau, le procédé comprenant : le chauffage de l'eau dans l'appareil de stockage et la détermination de l'emplacement relatif des capteurs de température (7) sur la base de l'ordre dans lequel les capteurs (7) détectent un changement de température pendant le fonctionnement de l'appareil de stockage d'eau.
  8. Procédé selon la revendication 7, dans lequel les capteurs de température (7) comprennent un capteur de température installé au niveau de la partie supérieure de l'appareil de stockage, et ce capteur est identifié comme le premier capteur à chauffer.
  9. Procédé selon la revendication 7 ou 8, dans lequel il y a des capteurs (7) installés sur de multiples réservoirs (1) reliés en série, et la séquence des capteurs dans chaque réservoir et la séquence de réservoirs sont identifiées sur la base de l'ordre dans lequel les capteurs sont chauffés pendant le fonctionnement de l'appareil de stockage d'eau (10).
  10. Procédé selon la revendication 7, 8 ou 9, comprenant le fonctionnement d'une unité de cogénération pour produire de l'eau chaude (2) pour l'appareil de stockage (10), dans lequel l'unité de cogénération est commandée sur la base d'informations de capteurs de l'appareil de stockage d'eau.
  11. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 7 à 10, comprenant le stockage des emplacements de capteurs déterminés, et, lorsqu'un nouveau capteur est ajouté à l'appareil, la détermination de l'emplacement relatif du nouveau capteur sur la base de l'ordre dans lequel les capteurs (7) détectent un changement de température et aux emplacements de capteurs connus.
  12. Produit de programme informatique comprenant des instructions qui, lorsqu'elles sont exécutées sur une unité de commande dans un appareil de détection de température, agenceront l'unité de commande pour réaliser le procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 7 à 11.
EP08775884.3A 2007-07-11 2008-07-07 Stockage de chaleur Active EP2171359B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP16172878.7A EP3081866B1 (fr) 2007-07-11 2008-07-07 Appareil de captation de temperature pour ballon d'eau chauge

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB0713475.2A GB0713475D0 (en) 2007-07-11 2007-07-11 Heat storage
PCT/GB2008/002340 WO2009007710A2 (fr) 2007-07-11 2008-07-07 Stockage de chaleur

Related Child Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP16172878.7A Division-Into EP3081866B1 (fr) 2007-07-11 2008-07-07 Appareil de captation de temperature pour ballon d'eau chauge
EP16172878.7A Division EP3081866B1 (fr) 2007-07-11 2008-07-07 Appareil de captation de temperature pour ballon d'eau chauge

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2171359A2 EP2171359A2 (fr) 2010-04-07
EP2171359B1 true EP2171359B1 (fr) 2016-09-28

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EP16172878.7A Active EP3081866B1 (fr) 2007-07-11 2008-07-07 Appareil de captation de temperature pour ballon d'eau chauge
EP08775884.3A Active EP2171359B1 (fr) 2007-07-11 2008-07-07 Stockage de chaleur

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EP16172878.7A Active EP3081866B1 (fr) 2007-07-11 2008-07-07 Appareil de captation de temperature pour ballon d'eau chauge

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EP (2) EP3081866B1 (fr)
GB (3) GB0713475D0 (fr)
RU (2) RU2459154C2 (fr)
WO (1) WO2009007710A2 (fr)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
RU2012101085A (ru) 2013-07-27
GB0812402D0 (en) 2008-08-13
RU2010103526A (ru) 2011-08-20
GB201201884D0 (en) 2012-03-21
GB2485311A (en) 2012-05-09
WO2009007710A2 (fr) 2009-01-15
GB0713475D0 (en) 2007-08-22
GB2450983A (en) 2009-01-14
GB2485311B (en) 2012-12-26
EP3081866A1 (fr) 2016-10-19
WO2009007710A3 (fr) 2009-10-22
EP3081866B1 (fr) 2019-05-15
RU2459154C2 (ru) 2012-08-20
EP2171359A2 (fr) 2010-04-07
GB2450983B (en) 2012-06-06

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