EP2247898B1 - Method for optimizing thermal energy current guidance - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for thermal energy flow control, with a thermal energy source, a plurality of energy sinks and an energy cycle.

In contrast to other forms of energy, such as electrical energy, thermal energy is essentially impossible or very difficult to store. Therefore, there is always the problem of having to provide or provide thermal energy when requested, or to provide a corresponding energy absorption capacity when thermal energy needs to be removed from a source. Energy distribution systems for heating or cooling are therefore usually designed for the expected maximum load, which can lead to such systems usually not working at full capacity. But it is now known that thermal Energieiebereitstellungs- or delivery systems only have a high efficiency, if they are operated in the optimal operating condition, which usually corresponds to almost the maximum load. If less energy is required or less energy is dissipated, such systems operate in an energetically unfavorable part-load range, which has a direct effect on the efficiency and thus on the economic efficiency.

Systems for removing an accumulating thermal energy are generally referred to as cooling systems. To such a system, the requirement is made that the resulting thermal energy must be removed, so as to prevent that in particular the temperature of the energy source increases beyond the allowable operating range addition. Such an energy source is, for example, a technical device whose operation involves a certain amount of electrical power loss, which has an effect, in particular, on an increase in the operating temperature of the device. For a reliable operation, however, it is usually required that the maximum temperature of the device, or the maximum ambient temperature is within certain limits, but in particular does not exceed a maximum value.

For operating equipment such as, for example, data processing systems, a heat pump for cooling the ambient air and thus indirectly for cooling the operating device has been used so far mostly. As known to those skilled in the art, a refrigerant circulates in such a heat pump, with heat transfer between two heat exchanger systems taking place through compression and expansion. Due to the chemical properties of the refrigerant, however, the temperature range in which such a heat pump can be used is limited. A significant disadvantage is, in particular, that such a chiller requires a not inconsiderable amount of operating energy, whereby the overall energy balance of the operating device deteriorates.

Since it is mostly cooled indirectly, in particular by means of room air cooling, it has hitherto been customary to reduce the temperature in the operating rooms of technical devices such as data processing equipment very much, in particular to a, for operators who had to stay in such rooms, uncomfortable measure. Such a strong reduction of the operating or ambient temperature requires an extremely high energy input and has the further disadvantage that operators who are in such operating rooms, run the risk of catching cold due to the low temperatures.

So far systems have also been used in systems for building or space heating, which usually made a very high operating temperature required due to the technical characteristics of the room heat exchanger. In particular, such heat exchangers such as. Radiators were mostly stirred particularly compact, since they had to submit to existing design and design specifications. However, in order to deliver a certain amount of thermal energy to a room or to the environment, so compact heat exchangers must be operated with a high operating temperature. The negative effects of hot objects on the indoor climate are well known to those skilled in the art.

Furthermore, in the field of building technology, the issue of the removal of waste heat and heat supply has mostly been considered separately from each other and thus several independent, functionally similar systems have been installed. On the one hand, this brings significantly increased costs and has the further disadvantage that the systems are usually not operated in the optimum operating range.

From the document WO 01/67004 A2 To do this, for example, a device and a method for heating and cooling of buildings known. One or more heat pumps provide for the exchange of thermal energy between the ambient air and a liquid heat exchanger medium. This should compensate for the natural, short-term variations in the course of the outside temperature due to different weather conditions, as well as day-night fluctuations, also the one or more heat pumps are operated in their optimal operating range. Heat pumps are very efficient tools to extract thermal energy from a low temperature source and transfer it to a high temperature system. Since heat pumps operate on the reverse refrigerator principle, the thermal energy source should have as high a starting temperature as possible and as stable a temperature as possible. Therefore, geothermal probes are usually used as the energy source, in which a fluid exchange medium circulates. It is further disclosed that during relatively warm periods, heat pumps extract energy from the ambient air and this extracted heat is introduced into a thermal energy store, this storage having a capacity of about 5 to 15 days. About ventilation outlets consumed air is sucked out of the room and fed to a heat pump, also fresh air is fed via the heat pump in turn via ventilation openings in the room. The air-to-air heat pump removes the thermal energy from the warm, exhausted exhaust air and heats the fresh air into the room. Heated exhaust air is a favorable source of energy and is thus preferably used as a primary energy source. The secondary source of support heat is the outside air, which covers any additional demand that may be present. The heat pumps used are each operated in the optimum operating state and run in particular under full load, possibly not required heat is stored in the thermal energy storage.

The document EP 1 728 663 A1 discloses a thermal energy management device in a vehicle that includes an electric power generator that links a fuel cell and a hydrogen reformer. The thermal energy generated by a fuel cell is, for example, used to air condition the passenger compartment of the vehicle. For this purpose, the fuel cell is coupled to a conventional cryogenic cycle using a compressor. In particular, circulates in a primary circuit, a first refrigerant fluid, wherein the circuit allows heat of egg ner heat source to transport a heat exchanger and wherein at least one heat exchanger is present, which is based on sorption. The cooling circuit further includes a heat exchanger which makes it possible to cool the fuel cell by means of the main cooling circuit of the thermal engine so as to deliver the thermal energy to the environment of the vehicle. In particular, it is disclosed that at least one of the heat exchangers is formed by sorption, in which a coolant fluid is vaporized in the region of a heating tube and is cooled by air in a condenser. In particular, the heat dissipated in the region of the reformer, as a hot source, is used to heat the fluid from a plurality of cryogenic exchangers based on sorption. Each secondary circuit is completely isolated from the primary circuit. The high temperature of the heat source of the reformer, between 800 ° and 1000 °, can thus be passed to the individual consumers, in particular via the coupling to the cooling circuit of the internal combustion engine of the vehicle, a discharge of the thermal energy to the environment is possible.

From the document JP 2005 308258 A a control system for a heating device is known, which uses as possible the energy available at low cost at night time, thereby minimizing consumption peaks. By selecting the appropriate start time for the heating operation, the desired temperature of the object to be heated is reached in the desired time and the heating operation is terminated.

The document JP 2001 241736 A discloses a device for reducing the operating costs of an air conditioner, wherein the supply energy comes from a public grid and an energy storage. In this case, a plurality of energy storage means, for example batteries, and a thermal energy store are provided, which supply the air conditioner with energy during operation.

From the document JP 2002 013767 A For example, there is known a method of saving energy for an air-conditioning system and, in particular, a determination of the amount of energy saving. A heat transport medium is transported from a thermal energy store, which is mounted in the underground, to a room air conditioning system, in particular by means of a circulation line installed in the bottom of the room. The energy transport agent is transported by a pump in a circle, the pump is a flow meter and from the determined amount and from specific data of the heat transport medium, an energy saving coefficient is determined.

The document JP 2002 295882 A discloses a cooling device having an absorption water radiator, an ice storage tank, an energy consumption measuring device for detecting the operating energy of the radiator, an energy measuring device for determining the energy consumption for operating the ice tank, and a controller. The controller determines a temperature difference between the temperature at the radiator and a temperature difference at the tank so that the energy consumption for operating the radiator and the tank is minimized.

The object of the invention is to find a method for thermal energy flow guidance to derive thermal energy from an energy source such that the energy source is always operated in an optimal operating condition.

The object of the invention is achieved by a method with a thermal energy source, a plurality of energy sinks and an energy cycle, the method comprising the steps described below.

For optimized thermal energy flow control, it is necessary to determine the amount of the primary energy of the energy source to be dissipated. The energy source is essentially given off a constant amount of thermal energy, but there may be both short-term and long-term fluctuations in the primary energy to be dissipated. If the current amount of primary energy to be dissipated is determined, the method according to the invention can always be based on the current amount of energy that performs energy flow control.

After it has been determined that primary energy has to be dissipated and the amount of primary energy to be dissipated has been determined, a first energy sink is coupled to the energy cycle. The first energy sink is designed in such a way that at least the predominant part of the primary energy to be dissipated of the energy source can be taken up by the first energy sink and released to an environment which is not specified here.

An advantageous feature of the method according to the invention is also that the amount of energy flow is regulated in the first energy sink, in particular until the maximum takeover capacity of the first energy sink is reached. For technical reasons, each energy sink can absorb a certain maximum amount of thermal energy per time unit. The method according to the invention controls in each case as much thermal energy per unit of time in the first energy sink, as it corresponds to the primary energy of the energy source to be dissipated, however, only a maximum of that amount of thermal energy is conducted into the energy sink, as this per unit of time can maximally take over.

If more thermal primary energy is to be dissipated from the energy source than the first energy pulse can absorb at most per unit time, the partial steps of the method according to the invention are repeated, but at least one further energy sink to the energy cycle is coupled. In turn, thermal energy is directed into this further energy sink, whereby here too the maximum takeover capacity is not exceeded. If the takeover capacity per time unit is not yet sufficient to dissipate the thermal primary energy from the energy source, another energy sink is coupled to the energy cycle and the steps are repeated as before. In particular, as many energy sinks are coupled to the energy cycle, as are required to take over the thermal primary energy per unit time.

An energy sink is essentially designed to take over a certain amount of thermal energy per unit time and deliver it to an unspecified environment. In particular, however, the amount of thermal energy that can be absorbed by an energy sink is limited. For example. in that the primary energy absorbed by the energy sink can not be released to a sufficient extent to an environment, which could lead to an undesirable increase in temperature in the energy sink which would be detrimental to the process according to the invention. Therefore, according to the invention, when the absorption capacity of the energy sink coupled to the energy cycle is exceeded, another energy sink is coupled to the energy cycle and the process steps are repeated.

The inventive method ensures that always the entire amount to be dissipated primary energy of the energy source is directed into the energy sinks, which advantageously further ensures that only those energy sinks are always coupled to the energy cycle, taking into account the maximum takeover capacity to be discharged Amount of primary thermal energy of the energy source can absorb. As a result, in a particularly advantageous manner, only those energy sinks or sinks are always coupled to the energy cycle, which correspond as optimally as possible to the amount of the primary energy of the energy source to be dissipated with regard to their absorption or takeover capacity.

The measurement of a first temperature of the energy cycle for determining the amount of the primary energy to be dissipated ensures advantageously that the inventive method is only active when thermal primary energy is dissipated. By external influences, the thermal energy source could, for example, assume an operating state, in which dissipate only a very small amount of thermal primary energy. Furthermore, it can happen that in the short term large amounts of thermal primary energy are dissipated. Both effects are reflected in a change in the temperature of the energy cycle, whereby the measurement of a first temperature such a change in the amount of primary energy can be determined safely and reliably. It is particularly advantageous if the first temperature is measured at a transfer point of the energy source to the energy cycle. Since a distribution of the thermal energy takes place via the energy cycle, ie in particular cooling or heating tasks are taken over, it is advantageous if the first temperature is measured where the energy source transfers the thermal primary energy to the energy cycle. In particular, this detection position is chosen such that a reliable determination of the energy ratios in the energy source, in particular the temperature is ensured. With regard to an embodiment in which the method according to the invention is used at least partially for heating a room or a building, the design has the further advantage that the temperature of the energy-transporting medium can be determined well, since in particular a temperature curve in the energy cycle which is as constant as possible is desirable is.

Also advantageous is an embodiment in which the determination of the amount of the primary energy to be dissipated comprises the measurement of a second temperature of the energy cycle. By measuring a second temperature, which is particularly preferably measured at a transfer point of the energy cycle to the energy source, it is ensured that in the energy cycle, a sufficient amount of thermal primary energy was emitted to energy sinks and thus the temperature of the flowing back into the energy source heat transfer medium in a fixed Area is located. By measuring the temperature of the medium flowing back into the energy source, the energy source also operates in a particularly advantageous manner in a largely constant temperature level, which is of decisive importance for operational safety.

According to a development, the amount of primary energy is determined from a temperature difference between the first and the second temperature and the measurement of the volume flow in the energy cycle. Energy transport systems usually react quite sluggishly, in particular fluctuations in the energy supply of the energy source often occur with a rather significant time delay in the energy sink. A demanding training Therefore has the particular advantage that early and quite accurate fluctuations in the energy cycle can be determined, whereby a rapid countermeasure is possible. In particular, it is possible with the method developed according to the claim to estimate in advance or to determine which of the possible energy sinks is to be connected to the energy cycle to which extent.

A particularly advantageous development is obtained when the volume flow is controlled directly proportional to the amount of the primary energy to be dissipated. Since the amount of thermal energy to be transported depends, inter alia, significantly on the volume flow of the energy transport medium, this design has the advantage that the volume flow can be adapted directly to the amount of thermal primary energy to be transported and thus stable temperature conditions in the energy cycle and in the energy source can be ensured , Stable temperature levels, in particular of the first and second temperature, are of very particular advantage for the most efficient energy transport possible from the energy source to the energy sink and, in particular, the best possible energy absorption in the energy sink. In contrast to known methods, in which usually the volume flow in the energy cycle is kept constant and thus fluctuating levels of primary energy and fluctuating temperature levels in the energy cycle will set, a claim training of the method according to the invention has the very special advantage that a significantly simple control of energy transport possible is and thus the temperature levels in the energy cycle can be kept very stable.

It is of very particular advantage if the method according to the invention for selecting the first energy sink can refer to at least one climatographic data record of the local location. Since in the method according to the invention a plurality of different energy sinks can be coupled to the energy cycle and the individual energy sinks have different absorption or absorption behavior, the choice of the first energy sink is of particular importance for the efficiency of the process according to the invention. For example, a climatographic data set may only comprise the information about an average ambient temperature, based, for example, on the current season, but a degree of detail is also possible that includes current climate parameters, for example temperature and moisture profile as well as solar radiation. From a suitably trained For example, a climatographic dataset can be used to derive a medium-term prognosis into which energy sink the primary energy should be directed. Of particular importance is the essential distinction as to whether the method according to the invention should fundamentally take over a heating or cooling task. Thus, during a heat period, for example. In the summer, the primary energy of the energy source is directed into an energy sink, which has a sufficient Wärmeaufhahmekapazität even in summer ambient temperatures. On the other hand, in colder periods of time, the primary energy is preferably directed into those energy sinks which allow a discharge of the primary thermal energy to a building or into a room. The very particular advantage of the method according to the invention lies in the fact that the temperature levels in the energy cycle, in particular the first and second temperature are largely the same both in cold periods and in heat periods. In particular, a removal of the thermal primary energy from the energy source is thus largely possible independently of climatic influences, in particular without the energy cycle having to be adapted to the ambient conditions or the respective energy sinks.

It is therefore particularly advantageous if, according to a further development, the order of coupling of the further energy sink is controlled by a stored hierarchy profile, because then those energy sinks can be specifically coupled to the energy cycle under the prevailing ambient conditions optimally for receiving the energy source are designed to be discharged primary energy. In particular, information can be stored in a hierarchy profile as to which amount of energy or which maximum energy flow a specific energy sink can absorb, as well as possibly climatographic framework conditions under which the energy sink operates optimally. Particularly advantageous in view of a forward planning or provisional regulation by the claim training the load profile can be formed such that a constant temperature level as possible is maintained in the energy cycle.

With regard to reliability or reliability of the method according to the invention, it is of particular advantage if the volume flow is monitored and an alarm is triggered when a limit value is undershot. Due to technical infirmities, it may happen, for example, that a media transport device arranged in the energy cycle stops its operation and thus the volumetric flow in the energy cycle ceases. Would such a failure of the energy transport not be determined quickly, Also, the primary energy is no longer transported away from the energy source, which can lead to an undue increase in temperature in the energy source, which in turn can lead to damage to the energy source. A claimed training now ensures that in case of failure of the flow rate, but especially in case of a shortfall of a limit, precautions are triggered that reliably ensure a safe operating condition of the energy source.

Also with regard to a reliable function or a high level of operational reliability of the method according to the invention, it is when the first and / or second temperature is monitored and a warning is issued when exceeding and / or falling short of at least one stored limit value. By monitoring the first and / or second temperature, the operating state in the energy cycle can be determined very well. However, for a reliable operation of the energy source, it is of crucial importance that certain temperature levels are maintained, in particular that certain temperature limits are not reached or exceeded or undershot. For the first and / or second temperature, however, it is also possible to deposit a plurality of limit values whose overshoot and / or undershoot leads to a multi-level warning. For example. If exceeding a first limit value of the first temperature could trigger a warning, which informs a caregiver about the limit value violation via a short message. With a further rise in temperature and thus exceeding a second limit value, a second warning level is reached, whereby, for example, a device is activated which automatically brings the energy source into a safe operating state.

According to a further development, the first and / or second temperature is monitored and when a stored limit value is exceeded, a high-energy energy sink is coupled to the energy cycle. According to the method of the invention, a plurality of energy sinks are coupled to the energy cycle so as to transport the primary energy to be dissipated by the energy source into the energy sinks. If the energy sinks have reached their absorption capacity or if an unexpectedly high amount of primary energy has to be transported away from the energy source, it is possible that the temperature level in the energy cycle, in particular the first temperature, exceeds a critical operating limit. Advantageously, according to the claims, a high-performance energy sink, For example, an air conditioner, coupled to the energy cycle and thus ensures a reliable maintenance of the temperature level in the energy cycle.

The object of the invention is also achieved by a device comprising an energy source, a plurality of energy sinks and an energy cycle. The particularly advantageous features of the device according to the invention are that each energy sink is coupled via an adjustable branch connection to the energy cycle and that the heat transport medium flows through the energy source, the energy cycle and the sinks.

An adjustable branch connection has the very special advantage that it is possible to determine exactly which amount of thermal energy is conducted from the energy circuit into the energy sink and thus the temperature level in the energy cycle and in particular in the energy source and the energy sink can be controlled very precisely. In particular, the controllable branch connection will be designed in such a way that the volume flow from the energy cycle into the energy sink can be deflected controllably. Thus, the heat transfer medium after flowing through the Energiesenke and local delivery of a major part of the transported amount of heat, with reduced temperature again introduced into the energy cycle and flows, following the energy cycle, in the direction of the transfer point of the energy source.

A further very particular advantage is obtained when the heat transfer medium flows through all the components of the device according to the invention, since a clearly simple construction is possible, in particular no additional heat exchangers or heat pumps for adapting different temperature levels or different heat transport media required. The inventive device has the further particular advantage that, despite a simple and compact construction, a reliable removal of thermal energy from an energy source to a plurality of energy sinks is possible. In particular, it is advantageous that due to the one transport medium and the plurality of energy sinks, the device according to the invention can form both a cooling and a heating functionality.

According to advantageous developments, a first temperature sensor or a second temperature sensor is arranged at the transfer point at the transfer point. Through this education it is ensured that at defined interfaces, between the energy source and the energy cycle, a temperature sensor is arranged, with which the temperature at these interfaces can be determined. The determination of the temperature at these excellent points in the energy cycle advantageously makes it possible to consider the energy source and the energy sinks connected to the energy circuit largely independently of each other. The selection of the energy sink to be coupled to the energy sink depends inter alia on the first temperature, the so-called flow temperature. A safe operation of the energy source can also be achieved by monitoring the first temperature, in particular, the first temperature must not exceed a specified limit. If the energy sinks coupled to the energy circuit are no longer or only insufficiently able to absorb the primary energy delivered by the energy source, this will result in an increase in the second temperature, the so-called return temperature. Since this second temperature is also monitored in accordance with the requirements, reliable monitoring of the operating state of the energy circuit is thus possible. Since it is of particular importance for a reliable operation of the energy source, if it is operated in a specific temperature range, it is of very particular advantage, if at the same time the temperature of the emitted energy flow and the temperature of the returning energy flow can be detected.

To achieve a high level of operational safety and to determine the amount of heat removed, a design is advantageous in which a volume flow measuring device is arranged in the energy circuit. By this detection means, on the one hand, the determination of the heat flow is possible, in which the amount of primary energy is determined from the temperature difference between the first and second temperature and the volume flow. The detection means has the further advantage that a malfunction in the energy cycle, for example, the failure of a media transport pump, can be detected immediately and therefore appropriate countermeasures can be taken.

According to an advantageous development, the energy sink may, for example, be designed as a heating system, as a structural element of a building and as a heat exchanger, wherein combinations are also included. A heating system as a claimed energy sink includes all those systems that are designed to heat a dwelling or a room. For example. this could radiant and / or convection heaters, positively driven Air convectors or the like. In any case, the heating system must be able to reach with the temperature level of the heat transfer medium sufficient energy delivery to the surrounding space.

While heating systems are particularly adapted to emit thermal energy to a room or to a building, construction elements of a building are preferably designed to deliver thermal energy to the environment, without the need for a forced air duct, for example, would be required by fans. Such structural elements may comprise all components of a building that serve the structural design or an optical and / or functional design and have contact with the surrounding airspace. Heat exchangers in turn are designed to transport thermal energy from the energy cycle into another medium. For example. can be discharged by means of the heat exchanger thermal energy from the energy cycle to a water reservoir or using ground probes or earth foundations in the surrounding soil.

The particular advantage of designing the energy sink as a heating system is that the primary energy does not have to be dissipated in a complex and energy-intensive manner, but that it can be used to temper a building or a room. Design elements or heat exchangers as energy sink have the very special advantage that they can absorb very large amounts of energy over a longer period of time and deliver it to the environment, without the additional energy, in particular electrical energy, for example, for fans, is required.

A particularly advantageous development is obtained when the heating system is formed by concrete core-activated structural components, since thus the heating system can be integrated without additional effort or without additional assembly steps directly in the construction of a building. In known heating systems, a type of heat exchanger is usually arranged after the structural completion of the building or the room. This requires additional work steps and leads due to the required space requirements to structural or structural limitations. Concrete core-activated components, in contrast, have the very special advantage that the heat exchanger can already be integrated in a production of a component in this and thus already exists in the obstruction. As building construction components are mostly standardized and therefore mainly produced in mass production can be achieved by the claim training a significant reduction in the cost of producing a heating system.

Very particularly advantageous developments are obtained when the first temperature is less than 30 °, or when the second temperature is less than 25 °. These two temperature levels ensure in a particularly advantageous manner that the energy sinks of the devices according to the invention can take over thermal energy at this temperature level and release it to the environment. In particular, this ensures that no temperature adjustment device is required in the energy cycle and thus the heat transport medium flows through both the energy source and the energy sinks via the energy cycle. Due to the claimed temperature levels is further ensured in an advantageous manner that no elaborately treated heat transfer medium is required, preferably a correspondingly treated water is used. A heat transfer medium with a claimed first temperature can thus be directed in a particularly advantageous manner directly into a heating system.

According to a development, the energy source is formed by a data processing device. During normal operation, a data processing device produces a certain amount of heat loss, which must be dissipated in order to maintain reliable operation of the data processing device. In known cooling systems, this removal takes place by cooling the ambient air around the data processing device, wherein the ambient temperature is usually lowered very sharply in order to ensure reliable cooling of the devices. The device according to the invention now has the advantage that a data processing device can be operated safely and reliably and that at the same time the resulting waste heat can be delivered directly to a remote environment, wherein the temperature levels in the energy cycle are designed such that no temperature adjustment is required. In particular, therefore, with the waste heat of the data processing device, a direct heating of a room or a building is possible and can further reliably emit the waste heat with the help of natural convection to an environment. The very special advantage of the claimed training lies in the fact that despite raising the temperature level in the energy cycle over the previously known level, a safe and reliable operation of a data processing device is given. The data processing device can, for example. be formed by a plurality of data processing systems such as personal computers or server systems.

According to further developments, the energy source is formed by a production device and at least one electrical supply, control and regulating device. Also for production facilities, the device according to the invention can be used in a particularly advantageous manner, since an increase in the temperature level in the energy cycle for cooling the production device is also possible without this resulting in a restriction or impairment of the operation of the production facility. An electrical supply, control and regulation device is also known as a so-called control cabinet or as a control cabinet arrangement and comprises a plurality of different, mostly electronic, components which, for example, supply a production facility with energy as well as control information.

According to an advantageous development, a high-performance energy sink is arranged in the energy cycle. Such an energy sink is, for example, formed by a heat pump or an air conditioner and brings an additional device for maintaining the reliability in the energy cycle. Such a high-energy energy sink can be activated, for example, when the primary energy to be delivered can no longer be absorbed by the energy sinks coupled to the energy cycle, thereby resulting in a dangerous increase in the temperature level in the energy cycle. Particularly preferred is an embodiment in which the high-performance energy sink is coupled to the energy cycle only in case of need, that is to say only when the temperature level is increased dangerously.

An advantageous development is an embodiment in which a media transport device is arranged in the energy circuit, which is designed in particular as a pump with or for controlling the volume flow. An essential feature of the device according to the invention is that the temperature level in the energy cycle, in particular the first and second temperature is largely constant. Since the amount of the primary energy to be dissipated, the energy source may possibly fluctuate, the claimed embodiment has the particular advantage that the volumetric flow is specifically adjusted in such a way that the temperature level in the energy cycle is kept substantially constant. In particular, by customizing the volume flow a very good control of the thermal energy transport possible.

For the reliability of the device according to the invention is a training of very particular advantage, in which the branch connection has an emergency circuit. In the event of a malfunction, especially in the event of a power failure, it is of particular importance for operational safety if the energy flow in the energy circuit remains upright for at least a certain amount of time. Since the controllable branch connection for steering the volumetric flow mostly requires a form of operating energy, preferably electrical energy, but this may not be available in the event of a malfunction, it is ensured in the case of a claim according to the training that the branch connection remains in a defined rest position and thus more secure Energy removal is possible from the energy source. According to a further development, the energy source is formed by a data processing device or a production device which, in the event of a malfunction, continues to be supplied with electrical energy by an independent energy supply and thus also produces waste heat which must continue to be removed. In accordance with the training training the branch connections of energy sinks would take a defined rest position and allow reliable heat transfer from the power source.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

Fig. 1

a), b) schematisch die Lenkung des thermischen Primärenergiestroms von der Energiequelle zu den Energiesenken;

Fig. 2

Anwendung einer thermischen Energiestromlenkung in einem Bürogebäude;

Fig. 3

Eine schematische Darstellung des Energiekreislaufs.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a), b) schematically the steering of the thermal primary energy flow from the energy source to the energy sinks;

Fig. 2

Application of a thermal energy flow control in an office building;

Fig. 3

A schematic representation of the energy cycle.

By way of introduction, it should be noted that in the differently described embodiments, identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals or the same component designations, wherein the disclosures contained in the entire description can be applied mutatis mutandis to the same parts with the same reference numerals or identical component names. Also, the position information selected in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc. related to the immediately described and illustrated figure and are to be transferred to a new position analogous to the new situation. Furthermore, individual features or combinations of features from the different exemplary embodiments shown and described can also represent independent, inventive or inventive solutions.

All statements on ranges of values in the description of the present invention should be understood to include any and all sub-ranges thereof, e.g. the indication 1 to 10 should be understood to include all sub-ranges, starting from the lower limit 1 and the upper limit 10, i. all subregions begin with a lower limit of 1 or greater and end at an upper limit of 10 or less, e.g. 1 to 1.7, or 3.2 to 8.1 or 5.5 to 10.

Fig. 1a and 1b From an energy source 2, a lot of primary energy 3 is generated or is dissipate from this, the primary energy 2 is directed in a plurality of energy sinks 4 controlled such that, for example. Depending on a climatographic data set, the first energy source 5 or 6 is selected and in this, until reaching the absorption capacity or to achieve the capacity of the same, thermal energy is passed.

The amount of primary energy 3 provided or dissipated by the energy source 2 is essentially substantially constant, but is possibly subject to short-term and long-term temporal fluctuations. The basic criterion for the selection of the first energy sink 5, 6 is the information as to which current climate period prevails, in particular whether the primary energy has to be dissipated to an environment, or whether the primary energy or can be delivered to the building. In the following, the delivery of the primary energy to the environment is referred to as cooling or summer operation and the delivery to or into the building as heating or winter operation. The knowledge of the corresponding operating mode is essential for the reliable operation of the method according to the invention and thus also for acceptance by the user or the operator.

Fig. 1a shows the summer mode, where the majority of the primary energy 3 is directed into the first energy sink 5 and the remaining portion of the primary energy into a second energy sink 7. The first energy sink 5 is preferably formed by a cooling basin 8, which essentially comprises a container filled with water. Such a cooling basin is particularly preferably formed by a service water collector which serves to receive surface water and supplies water dispensers in which no drinking water is required. In an office building with conventional water supply, a predominant part of the required drinking water is not consumed as such, but is mainly used as a transport medium, for example in toilet facilities. A cooling basin 8, as used in the method 1 of the invention, now combines a very environmentally friendly use of surface water, which must be derived or collected for structural-physiological reasons, with the derivation of a portion of the primary energy 3. Hot water systems are therefore supplied with heated water, which also has a particular advantage in terms of cleaning effect. For storage reasons, such service water supply systems are usually dimensioned very large volume, whereby they usually also have a very high energy absorption capacity.

Optionally, the first energy sink may comprise 5 further components, for example, a larger part of the primary energy can be dissipated by means of a well recooling 9 in the surrounding soil. Also, a cooling by means of a surface cooling element 10 is possible, for example. A roof or cover construction or a cooling tower can be used for cooling, in which heated water is passed from such a design element from the cooling pool and thus gives off heat to the environment. Deep wells are introduced into the ground, for example, in the well cooling system 9, and a heat exchanger is arranged in the latter, through which the heated water of the cooling basin flows, thus giving off the heat to the surrounding soil.

The second energy sink is preferably formed by a structural element of a building, a design is preferred as a so-called cooling ceiling 11. Such a structural element can be seen as part of the support structure of a building and is therefore mostly solid or voluminous executed. In particular, however, such a structural element has contact with the surrounding air space, with a direct exposure to the sun is to be avoided. For example. For example, such cooling ceilings can be wall or ceiling elements of garages, in particular underground garages, which can deliver a sufficient amount of thermal energy to their surroundings over their mostly fairly large area. A particular advantage of this design is that forcing energy to the environment no forced air flow is required, but that the structural conditions sufficient that even in the summer, with increased ambient temperatures, a sufficient energy release to the surrounding air space is possible. Construction elements that are used for garages, especially if they are located inside or below a building, have the further very particular advantage that due to the largely constant temperature of the soil is given an excellent heat dissipation ability.

Fig. 1b shows the winter operation in which the majority of the primary energy 3, preferably completely, is directed into the first energy sink 6. In winter operation, the first energy sink 6 is preferably formed by a heating system 12 that discharges the introduced thermal energy to a building or to individual rooms.

However, due to climatographic conditions, it may also happen during winter operation that the primary energy 3 of the energy source 2 to be dissipated can not be completely dissipated to the building or rooms via the first energy sink 6, so that it is necessary to couple another energy sink 3 to the energy cycle ,

The very particular advantage of the method according to the invention lies in the fact that, both in summer and in winter operation, the primary energy 3 emitted or dissipated by the energy source 1 is in each case controlled in an optimized manner into a respective first energy sink 5, 6, that is to say the entire primary energy 3 is derived from the energy source 2, without the energy circuit or at the energy source adaptation to the conditions with respect to the choice of coupled to the energy cycle first and possibly further energy sink would be required. Of particular importance is in particular that the temperature levels in the energy cycle, regardless of the respective operating case, are largely the same. According to a preferred embodiment, the energy source is through a data processing device is formed in which a plurality of data processing systems are arranged in a common dwelling or in a room and deliver their waste heat to the environment. In such data processing devices, it has hitherto been known to cool the space very strongly, thus indirectly keeping the operating environment temperature around the data processing device low. On the basis of new investigations, which have led, inter alia, to the method according to the invention, it has been possible to determine in an advantageous manner that known data processing devices do not have to be cooled so much and nevertheless the requirements for the secure operation of data processing devices are met. In particular, the ambient temperature around the data processing device can be increased such that the temperature of the heat-transporting medium is sufficient to be fed directly into a heating system in winter operation and further in summer operation, an energy release to the environment without forced ventilation, but especially without chillers is possible. To take over the heat loss of the data processing equipment in the energy cycle, the energy source to an air-liquid heat exchanger, which is traversed by the heated exhaust air of the data processing device and emits thermal energy to the heat transfer medium in the energy cycle.

The very particular advantage of the method according to the invention lies in the fact that the heat transfer medium flows through the heat exchanger of the energy source, the energy cycle and the energy sink and thus no further technical devices are required, in particular for adapting different temperature levels.

An advantageous development can also consist in that the energy source can be formed by a heat pump. In particular, however, all those devices are conceivable as an energy source, in particular combinations thereof, which are known in the art for the generation or release of thermal energy. Thus, for example, fluctuations in a first energy source can be compensated for by targeted control of a second energy source, whereby a largely constant amount of thermal energy is delivered to the energy cycle.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of an apparatus for optimized thermal energy flow guidance, as they could find application in an office building. The energy source 2 is preferably formed by a, data processing systems comprehensive, data processing device 13, which emits the waste heat to the surrounding space 14, which will increase the air temperature in the room. A heat exchanger 15, in particular an air-liquid heat exchanger, is flowed through by the heated room air, removes this heat and releases it to the heat transfer medium flowing through. The energy source is coupled to the energy circuit 16, in particular the energy transport medium flows through the energy circuit and the heat exchanger of the energy source. A plurality of energy sinks 4 are controllably coupled to the energy circuit 16. The branch connections 17 are designed such that a controllable amount of the heat transport medium from the energy cycle 16 can be diverted into the respective energy sink 4.

An energy sink is, for example, formed by a heating system 12, more preferably by concrete core-activated components. In the case of concrete core-activated components, a line system is arranged in the interior of the component while maintaining static requirements, which is flowed through by the energy transport medium and thus heats the component from the inside out. However, the energy sinks can also be formed by construction elements, for example as ceiling or wall elements for a garage. It is particularly advantageous if such a space as a garage is partially grounded or is predominantly surrounded by soil, for example if a garage is partially or completely arranged underneath a building. 18 Natural convection in such a space is then sufficient for it a cooling ceiling 11, which can deliver in it from the energy circuit 16 output thermal energy to the environment. The term cooling ceiling in this context includes all components that have direct contact with the ambient air and thus allow heat to the environment, but are not exposed to direct sunlight. The components will therefore be oriented mainly in north-east direction, but depending on the location. Preferably, such a cooling ceiling is coupled to about 26 ° C outside temperature as Energiesenke to the energy cycle, since up to this temperature sufficient heat to the environment is possible.

In the case of energy sinks in contact with the ambient air, it may happen due to structural measures that the component temperature falls below the freezing point. Since water is preferably used as a heat transport medium in the energy cycle, such exists Temperature levels the risk of icing of the energy cycle or the energy sink. Therefore, in the energy cycle, a heat exchanger can be arranged, preferably a liquid-liquid heat exchanger, wherein in the outgoing energy cycle, a correspondingly frost-resistant heat transfer medium circulates.

The energy sink may further be formed as a cooling basin 8, in which case the energy of the energy transport medium in the energy circuit 16 is discharged by means of a liquid-liquid heat exchanger to the water in the cooling pool. For constructional reasons, the cooling basin is preferably arranged underground, whereby an energy release to the surrounding soil is already possible on the boundary of the basin. By appropriate dimensioning of the volume can form a cooling tank with very large thermal absorption capacity.

Another particular advantage of the method according to the invention lies in the fact that not only the waste heat from the energy source 2 can be transported to a plurality of energy sinks 4 via the energy cycle, but also that thermal energy can be transported between energy sinks. In particular, it is possible to use the heating system 12 in summer operation also for cooling the building, in which a part of the returning and cooled energy transport medium, not only in the energy source 2, but also in the heating system 12 is passed. Due to this advantageous development, the method according to the invention brings a further economic advantage, since no additional cost-intensive chiller is required for room cooling in summer mode, but that the cooling of the data processing device and the cooling of the building by means of the same inventive method is possible.

Thus, the very particular advantage of the method according to the invention shows that by raising the temperature of the heat transport medium discharged from the energy source both the heat-emitting data processing device for reliable operation in each case can be sufficiently cooled in winter operation, the building can be heated and Summer operation, the building can be cooled without the need for complex and energy-intensive chillers. Thus, the method according to the invention has very particular advantages with respect to the environmental balance and costs compared with previously known methods.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of the device according to the invention for thermal energy flow guidance, comprising an energy source 2, an energy circuit 16 and a plurality of energy sinks 4. The energy source 2 is formed by a data processing device 13 and has for transferring the heated ambient air to the energy transport medium in the energy circuit 16 a heat exchanger 15 on. The heat exchanger 15 is flowed through by the energy transport medium, this medium is transferred at a transfer point with a first temperature 19, in particular the flow temperature to the power circuit 16 and is taken over at a transfer point with a second temperature 20 from the energy cycle. For transporting the medium in the energy cycle 16, at least one media transport device 21 is arranged, this preferably redundant being designed as a liquid pump in order to reliably have a functioning pump device available. At the energy circuit 16 is now a plurality of energy sinks 4 arranged coupled coupled. The branch connections 17 are designed in such a way that controllably a certain amount of the heat transport medium can be diverted from the energy cycle into the energy sink. The heat transport medium therefore flows through the energy sink 4, gives thermal energy to this and flows back into the energy cycle 16. If the absorption capacity or the capacity of an energy sink reached, it will lead to an increase of the second 20 and consequently the first 19 temperature. Since the first and second temperatures are monitored, another energy sink is automatically coupled to the energy circuit, until the second and first temperatures are within the permissible range.

The heat exchanger 15 preferably comprises a forced air guide, for example a fan 22, in order to pass the heated room air past the heat exchange elements. In a preferred embodiment, the rotational speed of the fan 22 is controllable, whereby in a particularly advantageous manner, the temperature of the ambient air can be kept very constant. Optionally, a plurality of fans may be present, wherein the air flow control then takes place via the controlled startup of the individual fans 22.

In any case, since the energy source 2 may comprise a data processing device 13, the ambient temperature in the operating space of the energy source must be kept within permissible limits. The standards according to IEC 68-2-1 or IEC 68-2-2 specify permissible environmental conditions for servers and small devices. For example. are the permissible ones according to IEC 68-2-1 Ambient temperatures for operating data processing equipment in the range of 10 ° C to 35 ° C. According to IEC 68-2-2, the values are in the range of 5 ° C to 40 ° C, each at 20% to 80% relative humidity, non-condensing.

In the method according to the invention, the energy cycle 16 is regulated such that the temperature of the supply air, ie the air sucked in by the heat exchanger 15, is 33 ° C. and thus the requirements according to IEC 68-2-1 and IEC 68-2-2 are met. The same applies to the air emitted by the heat exchanger, the so-called exhaust air, whose temperature is regulated to 27 ° C.

On the one hand, these temperature levels ensure reliable operation of data processing equipment in accordance with an internationally recognized standard and, on the other hand, allow the discharge of the amount of thermal primary energy to be discharged to the environment without requiring forced air guidance, or allow the direct operation of a heating system for a building or a room ,

If insufficient thermal energy is removed for any reason, the ambient temperature around the data processing device increases. If the temperature of the air drawn in by the heat exchanger reaches the limit value of 40 ° C according to IEC 68-2-2, or if the discharged air reaches a limit of 30 ° C, a warning state is reached, informing an operator of the increased temperature level. If the temperature continues to increase, for example, 45 ° C supply air and 33 ° C exhaust air temperature, emergency scenarios are automatically activated to lower the temperature of an energy cycle. For example. could automatically start an additional chiller and dissipate the thermal energy or the data processing device could be automatically placed in an energy-saving state.

Due to unavoidable transient losses between the air and the energy transport medium, the temperature levels of the energy transport medium are lower than those of the air. In particular, the return temperature 20 is regulated to 22 ° C. At a flow temperature 19 of 25 ° C, a warning state is reached, at 26 ° C alarm is triggered. The processes activated thereby correspond to those described above.

The specified temperature levels are met within technical control limits, but minor deviations are quite possible. Also, other temperature levels can but always in accordance with the standards of IEC 68-2-1 and IEC 68-2-2.

Furthermore, it is conceivable to use a controlled control of the humidity of the air which is passed to the data processing device, for energy removal. The exhaust air is specifically moistened, flows through the data processing device and heats up. Before passing through the heat exchanger, the heated air is dehumidified, preferably by means of a non-mechanical drying agent, whereby the heat of the transported water vapor is released and thus a significantly heated air flows through the heat exchanger.

To reduce the flow resistance in the energy cycle 16, the branch connections 17 are optimized in such a way that they provide the lowest possible flow resistance in the non-coupled state. If the energy absorption capacity of an energy sink is sufficient, bridging connections 23 can be arranged in the energy cycle in order to advantageously reduce the line length of the energy cycle and thus the flow resistance.

Optionally, a chiller 24 may be coupled to the energy cycle to be present in extreme climatic situations or in a greatly increased amount of thermal primary energy as an additional security element for forced cooling. Since such a chiller now only serves for peak coverage and thus usually has to dissipate only a small amount of energy, it can be designed to be compact.

The embodiments show possible embodiments of the method for optimized thermal energy flow guidance, it being noted at this point that the invention is not limited to the specifically illustrated embodiments thereof, but also various combinations of the individual embodiments are possible with each other and this variation possibility due to the teaching technical action by objective invention in the skill of working in this technical field expert. So there are all conceivable variants, the are possible by combinations of individual details of the illustrated and described embodiment variant, included in the scope of protection.

In the Fig. 3 a further and possibly independent embodiment of the device for optimized thermal energy flow guidance is shown, again for the same parts the same reference numerals or component names as in the preceding Fig. 1 and 2 be used. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, the detailed description in the previous ones will be used Fig. 1 and 3 referred or referred.

For the sake of order, it should finally be pointed out that for a better understanding of the structure of the method for optimized thermal energy flow guidance, this or its components have been shown partially unevenly and / or enlarged and / or reduced in size.

The problem underlying the independent inventive solutions can be taken from the description.

Above all, the individual in the Fig. 1 to 3 shown embodiments form the subject of independent solutions according to the invention. The relevant objects and solutions according to the invention can be found in the detailed descriptions of these figures.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Method for optimized thermal energy flow control

2

energy

3

primary energy

4

energy sink

5

first energy sink in summer operation

6

first energy sink in winter operation

7

second energy sink

8th

Chilled

9

well cooling

10

Cooling roof, cooling tower

11

Chilled ceiling

12

heating system

13

Data processing device

14

room

15

heat exchangers

16

Energy cycle

17

branch connection

18

Ground level line

19

first temperature

20

second temperature

21

Medium transport device

22

Fan

23

bridging connection

24

Chiller, high performance energy sink

25

Transfer point

26

over location

Claims (18)

1. A method for optimised thermal energy current guidance (1) comprising at least one thermal energy source (2), a plurality of energy sinks (4) and an energy circuit (16), comprising the steps

   - determining the amount of primary energy (3) to be removed from the energy source (2) by:

   ∘ measuring a first temperature (19) and a second temperature (20) of the energy circuit (16);

   ∘ determining a temperature difference between the first (19) and second (20) temperature;

   ∘ measuring the volume flow in the energy circuit (16);

   ∘ determining the amount of primary energy (3) from the temperature difference and the volume flow;

   - coupling a first energy sink (5, 6) to the energy circuit (16);

   - regulating the amount of energy flow into the first energy sink until the intake capacity of the first energy sink is reached, wherein the intake capacity is determined by the maximum amount of thermal energy which can be directed into the first energy sink per unit time;

   - on the intake capacity of the energy sink connected to the energy circuit (16) being exceeded, repeating the steps for the additional energy sinks;

   - on the holding capacity of the energy sink coupled to the energy circuit being exceeded, repeating the steps for the additional energy sinks, wherein the holding capacity is determined by the total amount of thermal energy which can be directed into the first energy sink.
2. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that the volume flow is regulated to be directly proportional to the amount of primary energy (3) to be removed.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the first energy sink (5, 6) is selected on the basis of at least one climatographic dataset of the local site.
4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the order of the coupling (17) of the additional energy sinks (4) is controlled by a stored hierarchy profile.
5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the volume flow is monitored and on falling below a limit value an alarm is triggered.
6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the first (19) and/or second (20) temperature is monitored and if it exceeds and/or falls below at least one stored limit value, a warning is emitted.
7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the first (19) and/or second (20) temperature is monitored and on a stored limit value being exceeded, a high-power energy sink (24) is coupled to the energy circuit (16).
8. A device for implementing a method for thermal energy current guidance according to one of claims 1 to 7,
   comprising an energy source (2), a plurality of energy sinks (4) and an energy circuit (16),
   wherein the energy circuit (16) comprises a heat transport medium and a line system, wherein the energy source (2) transfers a heat transport medium to the energy circuit (16) at a transfer point (25) and takes it in again at an intake point (26),
   characterised in that
   each energy sink (4) is coupled by a controllable branch connection (17) to the energy circuit (16),
   and the heat transport medium flows through the energy source (2), the energy circuit (16) and the energy sinks (4),
   and that a first temperature sensor is arranged at the transfer point (25) and a second temperature sensor is arranged at the intake point (26),
   and that at least one detecting means for the volume flow is arranged in the energy circuit.
9. The device according to claim 8, characterised in that the energy sink (4) is formed from the group comprising heating system (12), construction element of a building (11), heat exchanger.
10. The device according to claim 9, characterised in that the heating system (12) is formed by concrete core-activated building construction components.
11. The device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterised in that the first temperature (19) is less than 30°C.
12. The device according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterised in that the second temperature (20) is less than 25°C.
13. The device according to one any of claims 8 to 12, characterised in that the energy source (2) is formed by a data processing device (13).
14. The device according to any one of claims 8 to 13, characterised in that the energy source (2) is formed by a production device.
15. The device according to any one of claims 8 to 14, characterised in that the energy source (2) is formed by at least one electrical supply, control and regulating device.
16. The device according to any one of claims 8 to 15, characterised in that a high-power energy sink (24) is arranged in the energy circuit (16).
17. The device according to any one of claims 8 to 16, characterised in that in the energy circuit (16) at least one media transport device (21) is arranged which is designed for regulating the volume flow.
18. The device according to any one of claims 8 to 17, characterised in that the branch connection (17) comprises an emergency circuit.

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