EP2365141B1 - Domestic water system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a drinking or process water system with a transfer point from a public supply network and at least one supply line for the supply of water and at least one ring line leading to at least one consumer. This ring line is connected to the supply line via threading or threading openings, a cross-sectional constriction being provided in the supply line between the threading and threading opening. The cross-sectional constriction is designed in such a way that a flow is caused in the ring line when the supply line flows through, specifically because of the Venturi effect. Such a drinking or process water system is from the EP 2 098 645 A1 known.

The drinking or process water system according to the present invention can be a cold or a hot water system. Modern hot water systems are designed with a circulation that ensures that hot water heated by a heating device is continuously circulated in the lines leading to the consumer, so that when the water is drawn from the consumer, hot water is emitted immediately and the system becomes contaminated, for example, by legionella bacteria is avoided. The circulation prevents the hot water in the pipe from cooling down. In hot water circulation systems, the circulation line leading away from the consumer and connecting it to the heating device or a boiler of the heating device is designed with a smaller diameter than the supply line. The reason for this lies in the fact that a high volume flow has to flow through the supply line as a consumption line when water is withdrawn, whereas in the circulation line only such a flow has to be conducted that ensures a constant exchange of the hot water in the pipes of the hot water system.

A generic drinking or process water system is also from, for example DE 10 2006 017 807 known to the present applicant. In this prior art, a plurality of ring lines start from a supply line which, with the interposition of a motor-driven valve, communicates with a flushing line which leads to a discharge point to the dirty water line. This configuration makes it possible to rinse a supply line in order to drain any water standing there.

Even with the above EP 2 098 645 A1 the flow through the ring line takes place passively through a cross-sectional constriction provided between the threading out and the threading opening, which leads to a pressure loss in the supply line, so that a flow results in the ring line.

Out DE 100 08 427 A1 is known a hot water supply system with a hot water tank, a circulation line connected to the hot water tank and a supply line supplying the hot water tank with fresh cold water. The supply line is connected to the hot water tank by means of a circulating injector that narrows a flow cross-section, so that fresh cold water flows into the hot water tank via the circulating injector each time hot water is drawn, this cold water flow through the circulating injector due to the Bernoulli effect drawing water from the circulation line to the sequence Has. The circulation injector is according to DE 100 08 427 A1 advantageous compared to a conventional circulation pump, since it is less susceptible to limescale deposits and works without external energy.

The solutions known from the prior art for a flow through the ring line in such a way that stagnation of drinking or process water is avoided there, require further improvement.

The present invention is intended to provide a generic drinking or process water system which can reliably avoid stagnation in the ring line.

To solve this problem, the present invention proposes a drinking or process water system with the features of claim 1. By means of the ring line pump provided in the ring line, a volume flow leading to the supply line can be generated in the ring line, which leads to a safe and inevitable exchange of the volume in the ring line. Accordingly, stagnation can be avoided.

According to the invention, a ring line volume flow measuring device is provided, with which the volume flow in the ring line can be measured and whose volume flow measurement signal can be processed in a control device assigned to the ring line pump. Due to the narrowing of the cross-section between the opening and threading opening a pressure difference is generated in the supply line, which leads to a forced flow through the ring line when there is a flow in the supply line. The cross-sectional constriction is used to achieve a certain flow in the ring line with a volume flow acting in the supply line. A fine adjustment can be made by controlling the loop line pump. In any case, however, the volume flow at the threading opening is divided with the present invention, specifically into a ring line volume flow and a further volume flow that is not branched off into the ring line and flows in the supply line. These two volume flows combine - provided no fluid is removed from the corresponding ring line via a consumer connected to it - in the threading opening. The flow is also caused by the ring line pump when no fluid is withdrawn from the system at all by a consumer.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a supply line volume flow measuring device is provided with which the volume flow in the supply line can be measured. The measurement signal of this supply line volume flow measuring device can be processed in the control device assigned to the ring line pump. By analyzing the flow conditions in the supply line, the ring line pump can be controlled or regulated accordingly with this preferred embodiment and an adjustment can be made between the volume flow in the supply line and the volume flow in the ring line. This configuration serves in particular the purpose of controlling or regulating the volume flows on both sides between the ring line on the one hand and the supply line on the other hand on the basis of the activity of the ring line pump.

Although a certain flow through the supply line and the ring line already leads to an adequate exchange of the fluid in the ring line and thus prevents the ring line from becoming contaminated, it is preferred according to a preferred development of the present invention to provide a ring line temperature sensor with which the water temperature in the ring line is measurable. The signal of this ring line temperature sensor can be processed in the control device assigned to the ring line pump. The ring line pump can accordingly be operated in a temperature-controlled manner. For example, a regulation can be stored in the control device, according to which, in particular at higher ambient temperatures, for example in a cold water system, the ring line is flushed by actuating the ring line pump. In hot summer months, for example, this ensures that fresh water is present in the ring line and that there is no contamination.

According to a further preferred embodiment, a supply line temperature sensor is also provided, by means of which the water temperature in the supply line can be measured and the signal of which can be processed in the control device assigned to the ring line pump. This supply line temperature sensor can be provided alone or in combination with the ring line temperature sensor. By arranging two temperature sensors, one of which is assigned to the ring line and the other to the supply line, the degree of flushing of the ring line can be monitored, for example. Given an effective flow in the supply line and a given temperature difference with a higher temperature in the ring line, it can be concluded that the volume in the ring line has not yet been completely replaced. In view of this, the temperature sensor should be installed at the rear area or end of the ring line in the flow direction.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the control device is designed such that the ring line pump can be controlled on the basis of the signal or signals supplied to the control device. These signals can be the signals for the volume flows in the supply and ring line and / or the temperature values in these two lines. The volume flow information can be provided, for example, by measuring a pressure difference over a given flow path, in particular via a throttle. Alternatively, a flow measuring element can also be provided in the supply or ring line.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which the system is provided as a hot water system, this comprises a heat source for heating the water and furthermore a circulation pump provided in the supply line, which circulates water contained in the system. This circulation pump usually comprises a circulation pump control device which is connected in terms of control to the control device of the ring line pump, so that the two pumps can be operated in a coordinated manner. Accordingly, the two pumps can be operated so that their effects are mutually reinforcing.

Further details of the present invention result from the following description of an exemplary embodiment in conjunction with the drawing.

Figur 1

eine schematische Darstellung eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels;

Figur 2

eine schematische Darstellung einer Ringleitung;

Figur 3

eine schematische Darstellung eines Kaltwassersystems; und

Figur 4

eine weitere schematische Darstellung eines Kaltwassersystems.

In this show:

Figure 1

a schematic representation of a first embodiment;

Figure 2

a schematic representation of a ring line;

Figure 3

a schematic representation of a cold water system; and

Figure 4

another schematic representation of a cold water system.

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of a drinking and process water system with a supply line 1, which is connected to a transfer point, not shown, for process water from a public supply network, optionally with the interposition of a device for heating the process water. This can be a heat exchanger of a heater. A boiler can also be integrated in a hot water network in a manner known per se.

At the in Figure 1 The embodiment shown is a cold water network. Accordingly, the supply line 1 communicates with the interposition of a conventional water meter and a filter with the transfer point for cold water from the public supply network. A multiplicity of ring lines can be connected to the supply line 1, the in Figure 1 shown section limited to the representation of a ring line 2. This ring line 2 is connected to the supply line via a connection fitting 3. The connection fitting 3 comprises a threading opening 3a and a threading opening 3b and a flow resistance arranged between them. This arrangement of threading opening 3b and threading opening 3a with flow resistance arranged in between is designed such that when the supply line 1 flows through the ring line 2, a flow is preferably effected according to the Venturi effect. A flow in the supply line 1 thus leads to an exchange of the water standing in the ring line 2.

Several consumers 4 are connected to the ring line 2. Shut-off valves 5 are located between the ring line 2 and the connection fitting 3, via which the respective ring line 2 can be separated from the supply line 1 for maintenance purposes.

At the in Figure 1 The embodiment shown can be divided into different ring line sections. There is a ring line section 6, which is located downstream of the threading opening 3a and leads to a remote consumer 4d. The flow path formed by the first ring line section 6 is the longest flow path between a consumer, a shut-off valve 5 or between the supply line 1 and the corresponding consumer 4d. A second and with reference numerals 7 marked ring line section connects the shut-off valve 5 associated with the threading opening 3b with a nearby consumer 4a. This second ring line section 7 forms the shortest flow path within the ring line 2 between the shut-off valve 5 or the supply line 1 and a consumer 4a. Additional ring line sections 8 connect the aforementioned consumers 4a and 4d to additional consumers 4b, 4c.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the first ring line section 6 is designed with a nominal diameter of DN 15. The further ring line sections 8 and the second ring line section 7 are designed with a nominal diameter DN 12. In this case, it is assumed that pipes with a nominal size of DN 12 and a nominal size of DN 15 are not available. Both nominal diameters are suitable for leading a sufficient volume flow of process water to the individual consumers 4a to 4d, provided that water is drawn from the corresponding consumers 4a to 4d.

The connection fitting 3 is preferably a connection fitting which has means for varying the passage area in the cross-sectional constriction, as a result of which the pressure difference achievable via the cross-sectional constriction can be changed dynamically, as can be traced back to the applicant DE 20 2007 009 832 U1 is disclosed, the disclosure content of which is included in this application by reference. The connection fitting disclosed there is to be referred to below as "dynamic connection fitting", since this can be used to change the ratio of pressure difference to flow rate through the supply line to the effect that even with relatively small flow rates, a relatively high pressure difference is caused, which leads to a flow through the Ring line 2 leads.

At the in Figure 1 The exemplary embodiment shown is, for example, when the process water is removed from the consumer 4a, the corresponding process water is essentially supplied via the threading opening 3b, whereas when the process 4d is removed from the consumer, the water removed there is essentially supplied via the threading opening 3a. Usually, water is led to the corresponding consumer on both sides through the ring line 2 during a withdrawal. Substantial volume flows through both ring line sections 6 and 7, 8 occur in particular when water is removed from consumer 4b or consumer 4c. In this case the process water is supplied both through the threading opening 3a and via the threading opening 3b. By means of a corresponding hydrodynamic design, the line cross-sections can be reduced compared to a conventional design, in which the feed takes place exclusively via the threading opening 3a and the threading opening 3b only serves to return the flow through the ring line 2 and therefore the return line is designed with a smaller diameter. It is also possible to design the entire ring line 3 from line sections with an identical or almost identical nominal diameter. This simplifies the assembly of the drinking water or process water system. Furthermore, assembly errors are largely excluded. Overall, the pipeline volume is lower than with conventional installation. In particular, this also results in better hygienic conditions.

According to the Figure 1 The exemplary embodiment shown can be assumed that the supply line as a riser is provided to penetrate several floors of a building, whereas the one shown in Figure 1 Ring line shown shows the wet room of a residential unit or a residential unit as a whole.

This in Figure 1 The exemplary embodiment shown has in the ring line 2 adjacent to the threading opening 3b a ring line pump 60 which is provided between this threading opening 3b and the associated check valve 5. A measuring point M1 is located in the supply line 1 and the threading opening 3a in the flow direction, for measuring the volume flow in the supply line 1 and for measuring the temperature of the flowing fluid there. Instead of the connection fitting 3 upstream, the measuring point can also be arranged downstream in the supply line 1 of this connection fitting 3 (see M2). In addition, a circulation pump 61 is provided in the supply line 1, with which the water in the system, which is hot water, circulates in the system.

Between the shut-off valve 5 and the threading opening 3a there is another measuring point MR provided in the ring line for measuring the volume flow in the ring line 2 and for measuring the temperature of the water in the ring line 2.

The measurement signals for the volume flow and the temperature measured at the measuring points M1 or M2 and MR are fed to a controller, which act on the respective pumps 60 and 61, respectively.

The opposite shows that in Figure 2 The exemplary embodiment shown is a schematic view of a ring line 10 which is designed as a riser pipe line and comprises two essentially parallel ring line sections which are designed as riser pipes running essentially parallel to one another and are provided, for example, in a supply shaft of a building. Each of the ring line sections 11, 12 has a plurality of connections 13 for consumers (not shown), with shut-off valves 14 being provided between the consumers and the respective connections 13 close to the connections 13. In this exemplary embodiment, the ring line 10 also starts from a connection fitting 3 of a supply line 1 and is connected to the respective threading or unthreading openings 3b, 3a via shut-off valves 5. The connections 13 are alternately formed on the section 11 and the section 12 in the vertical direction.

In this embodiment, the usual main flow in the supply line is marked with an arrow H. With this flow, there is a circulation of the ring line 10, the circulation starting at the threading opening 3a and leading to the threading opening 3b via the pipe sections 12, 11. In the event of a water withdrawal by the lowermost consumer at the lowermost connection 13.1, the water withdrawn is almost predominantly supplied via the threading opening 3a. When removal is made via the connection 13.2 located above, at least the main part of the flow is supplied via the threading opening 3b.

In this exemplary embodiment, the measuring point M1 for measuring the temperature and the volume flow in the supply line 1 is provided upstream in the flow direction of the connection fitting 3. The ring line pump 60 is located directly in the flow direction behind the threading opening 3a. The measuring point MR assigned to the ring line 2 is located upstream of the threading opening 3b and the assigned shut-off valve 5. Downstream of the connection fitting 3 in the main flow direction H, a measuring point M2 is shown as an alternative to the measuring point M1. The temperature and / or volume flow can also be measured there and fed to a central control device, which acts on the ring line pump 60 and the circulation pump 61. This in Figure 2 The exemplary embodiment shown represents a cold water system. A circulation pump is missing.

The Figure 3 shows a further embodiment of a cold water system with a main line 20, which opens at a distributor 21. From there go through the interposition of valves 22, 23 riser strands 24, 25. The valve 22 is a manually operated valve for shutting off the riser pipe 24; the valve 23 is a motor-operated valve for shutting off the riser pipe 25 and for actuating the flushing operation in connection with a motor-controlled flushing valve 26, the function of which will be discussed later.

At the in Figure 3 The exemplary embodiment shown is shown as a building with three floors with corresponding floor strands 27.1 to 27.3. The respective floors 27 pass through as a supply line several connection fittings with threading and unthreading. A motor-operated shut-off valve 28.1 to 28.3 is located in each of the floor strands 27.1 to 27.3. The respective ring lines 2 are only shown with their associated shut-off valves 5, the illustration of the consumers for these ring lines 2 being omitted. It may be assumed that each of the ring lines 2 leads to a wet room in a hotel or a hospital with several cold water consumers.

The floor strands 27.1 and 27.3 communicate with the two riser strands 24 and 25, whereby a ring line is formed which opens into the distributor 21.

On the side of the flow path facing away from the distributor 21 in relation to the valve 23, there is a branch 29 in the immediate vicinity of the motor-driven valve 23, which leads to a flushing line 30 with a smaller nominal diameter, which can be opened and closed via the motor-driven flushing valve 26 . This flushing line 30 opens into a sewage system.

During normal operation, the respective motor-operated shut-off valves 28 are open. In the event that, for example, a consumer is opened on the ring line 2.1.1, this consumer is supplied with process water essentially via the riser pipe 24. If a consumer assigned to the ring line 2.1.8 is opened, the process water is supplied via the riser pipe train 25. Becomes a consumer, who is assigned to the middle ring lines 2.1.4 or 2.1.5, for the removal of water used, this flows almost equally through the riser strands 24 and 25. The corresponding quantity ratio of the individual water flows changes with increasing distance from the corresponding riser strands. Thus, when it is withdrawn from the ring line 2.1.2, the predominant portion of the process water is supplied via the riser pipe 24, whereas a small proportion of the volume flow is fed from the riser pipe 25.

At the in Figure 3 The exemplary embodiment shown is assumed that due to the fact that the building is only slightly occupied, an exchange of water is desired, which is located in the upper floor section 27.3 and the associated ring lines 2.3. In this case, the motor-operated shut-off valves 28.1 and 28.2 are closed. The valve 23 is also closed. By opening the flushing valve 26, flushing water is conveyed via the riser pipe section 24 only into the upper floor section 27.3 and flows via the branch 29 into the flushing line 30 and into the waste water. A flow and thus an unnecessary consumption of water in the other floors 27.1 and 27.2 is avoided.

The measuring points M1 or M2 can optionally be provided. The arrangement of the ring line pump 60 and the measuring point MR can also be interchanged.

At the in Figure 4 In the embodiment shown, a plurality of riser pipes 31.1 to 31.4 laid in the vertical direction are provided. Shut-off valves 33, which are provided between the individual strands 31.1 to 31.3 and a horizontal distributor line 34, are located at the front end of the respective strands 31 in the direction of flow. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the individual riser strands 31.1 to 31.4 penetrate four floors one above the other. For reasons of a simplified illustration, only a single wet room 35 is shown schematically, which is connected via a ring line 10, which comprises the measuring point MR and the ring line pump 60. For the upper floor all ring lines 10 are shown schematically. The wet rooms underneath with the associated ring lines are not shown, but are nevertheless present. The corresponding configuration is only indicated by the threading-out opening 3b provided on the floor. At the upper end of the three left strands 31.1 to 31.3 there are motor-controllable valves 36. These valves 36 are provided between the individual strands 31.1 to 31.3 and the distributor line 34, the distal end of which is connected to the last strand 31.4, which is a flow falling in the vertical direction leads and is connected at its end to a likewise controllable, ie motor-operated flushing valve 37 which leads to a delivery point.

Each one according to the embodiment Figure 4 provided ring lines 10 has a ring line pump 60. A measurement point MR is also provided in each individual ring line 10, ie also the ring line 10 (not shown) to a wet room 35. Finally, in each individual strand 31.4 to 31.1 there can be a measuring point M1, for example, upstream of the threading opening 3a in the flow direction of the strand 31.

Reference list

1

supply line

2nd

Loop

3rd

Connection fitting

3a

Thread opening

3b

Thread opening

4th

consumer

5

Shut-off valve

6

First ring line section

7

Second ring line section

8th

further ring line sections

10th

Loop

11

Ring line section

12th

Ring line section

13

connection

14

Shut-off valve

20

Main pipe (cold water)

21

Distributor

22

Valve

23

Valve

24th

Standpipe strand / strand

25th

Standpipe strand / strand

26

Flush valve

27.1 - 27.3

Floor lines

28.1 - 28.3

Shut-off valves

29

Branch

30th

Flushing line

31

Riser pipe

33

Shut-off valve

34

Distribution line

35

Wet room

36

Motorized control valve

37

Flush valve

60

Ring line pump

61

Circulation pump

M1

First measuring position in the supply line (volume flow, temperature)

M2

Second measuring position in supply line (volume flow, temperature), to be provided as an alternative to M1

MR

Measuring point in the ring line

Claims (7)

1. Drinking or service water system comprising a transfer point from a public supply network, at least one supply line (1) for providing water and at least one ring line (2) that leads to at least one consumer (4) and is connected to the supply line (1) via a diverging opening (3a) that branches off from the supply line and a converging opening (3b) that leads into the supply line, the cross section narrowing in the supply line (1) between the diverging opening (3a) and the converging opening (3b) such that a flow through the supply line (1) brings about a flow through the ring line (2), characterised by a ring line pump (60) provided in the ring line (2), and a ring line volume flow rate measuring device (MR) by means of which the volume flow rate in the ring line (2) can be measured and the volume measurement signal of which can be processed in a control device assigned to the ring line pump (60).
2. Drinking or service water system according to claim 1, characterised by a supply line volume flow rate measuring device (M1) by means of which the volume flow rate in the supply line (1) can be measured and the volume measurement signal of which can be processed in the control device assigned to the ring line pump (60).
3. Drinking or service water system according to either of the preceding claims, characterised by a supply line temperature sensor by means of which the water temperature in the supply line (1) can be measured and the signal of which can be processed in the control device assigned to the ring line pump (60).
4. Drinking or service water system according to any of the preceding claims, characterised by a ring line temperature sensor (MR) by means of which the water temperature in the ring line (2) can be measured and the signal of which can be processed in the control device assigned to the ring line pump (60).
5. Drinking or service water system according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the control device is designed such that the ring line pump (60) can be controlled on the basis of the signal or signals fed to the control device.
6. Drinking or service water system according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the system is designed as a hot water system comprising a heat source for heating the water and in that a circulation pump (61) which circulates water in the system is provided in the supply line (1).
7. Drinking or service water system according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the circulation pump (61) has a circulation pump control device which communicates with the control device for control purposes.

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