GB2453170A - Apparatus for heating water by using heat from a refrigeration system - Google Patents

Apparatus for heating water by using heat from a refrigeration system Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2453170A
GB2453170A GB0719005A GB0719005A GB2453170A GB 2453170 A GB2453170 A GB 2453170A GB 0719005 A GB0719005 A GB 0719005A GB 0719005 A GB0719005 A GB 0719005A GB 2453170 A GB2453170 A GB 2453170A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
water
refrigerant
temperature
heat
heat exchanger
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB0719005A
Other versions
GB2453170B (en
GB0719005D0 (en
Inventor
Edwin Arthur Gittoes
Stuart Lawson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Arctic Circle Ltd
Original Assignee
Arctic Circle Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Arctic Circle Ltd filed Critical Arctic Circle Ltd
Priority to GB0719005.1A priority Critical patent/GB2453170B/en
Publication of GB0719005D0 publication Critical patent/GB0719005D0/en
Publication of GB2453170A publication Critical patent/GB2453170A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2453170B publication Critical patent/GB2453170B/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D3/00—Hot-water central heating systems
    • F24D3/18—Hot-water central heating systems using heat pumps
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D11/00—Central heating systems using heat accumulated in storage masses
    • F24D11/02—Central heating systems using heat accumulated in storage masses using heat pumps
    • F24D11/0214—Central heating systems using heat accumulated in storage masses using heat pumps water heating system
    • F24D11/0235—Central heating systems using heat accumulated in storage masses using heat pumps water heating system with recuperation of waste energy
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D17/00—Domestic hot-water supply systems
    • F24D17/0005—Domestic hot-water supply systems using recuperation of waste heat
    • F24D17/001—Domestic hot-water supply systems using recuperation of waste heat with accumulation of heated water
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D17/00—Domestic hot-water supply systems
    • F24D17/02—Domestic hot-water supply systems using heat pumps
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D2200/00—Heat sources or energy sources
    • F24D2200/16—Waste heat
    • F24D2200/24—Refrigeration
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B10/00—Integration of renewable energy sources in buildings
    • Y02B10/70—Hybrid systems, e.g. uninterruptible or back-up power supplies integrating renewable energies
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B30/00—Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC]
    • Y02B30/52—Heat recovery pumps, i.e. heat pump based systems or units able to transfer the thermal energy from one area of the premises or part of the facilities to a different one, improving the overall efficiency

Landscapes

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

Abstract

The apparatus 2 includes a main tank 6 for containing water 8 heated to a required use temperature. A first heat exchanger 10 heats the water for the main tank with the heating being affected by water passing through the first heat exchanger and obtaining heat from refrigerant from the refrigeration system 4. The refrigerant is cooled to a first temperature which is above the required use temperature. A pre-heater tank 16 contains water 18 heated to a second temperature which is below the required use temperature. A second heat exchanger 20 heats the water 18 for the pre-heater tank to the second temperature with the heating being affected by water passing through the second heat exchanger and obtaining heat from the refrigerant such that the refrigerant is cooled to a second temperature which is lower than the first temperature. More heat is removed from the refrigerant than is possible using only the main tank and the first heat exchanger. The apparatus also includes a control means 26, 28, 30 for controlling the temperatures to which the water is heated and the temperatures to which the refrigerant is cooled.

Description

1 2453170
APPARATUS FOR HEATING WATER BY USING HEAT
FROM A REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
This invention relates to apparatus for heating water and, more especially, this invention relates to apparatus for heating water by using heat from a refrigeration system.
Refrigeration systems transfer heat. In the interests of efficiency, it is desirable to reclaim this heat. One advantageous area for using the reclaimed heat is that of providing hot water.
It is an aim of the present invention to provide apparatus enabling reclaimed heat from a refrigeration system to be used for heating hot water.
Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided apparatus for heating water by using heat from a refrigeration system1 which apparatus comprises: (i) a main tank for containing water heated to a required use temperature; (ii) a first heat exchanger which heats the water for the main tank to the required use temperature, the heating being effected by water passing through the first heat exchanger and obtaining heat from refrigerant from the refrigeration system such that the refrigerant is cooled to a first temperature which is above the required use temperature; (iii) a pre-heater tank for containing water heated to a second temperature which is below the required use temperature; (iv) a second heat exchanger which heats the water for the pre-heater tank to the second temperature, the heating being effected by water passing through the second heat exchanger and obtaining heat from the refrigerant such that the refrigerant is cooled to a second temperature which is tower than the first temperature, whereby more heat is removed from the refrigerant than is possible using only the main tank and the first heat exchanger; and (v) control means for controlling the temperatures to which the water is heated and the temperatures to which the refrigerant is cooled.
The apparatus of the present invention is able to provide hot water at required use temperatures in an efficient manner through the use of the pre-heater tank and the second heat exchanger. The use of the second heat exchanger enables more heat to be removed from the refrigerant than is possible using only the main tank and the first heat exchanger. The control means is able to prevent over heating of the water, for example leading to boiling. The control means is also able to prevent over cooling of the refrigerant, for example leading to refrigerant gas being condensed.
The apparatus may be one in which there is only one of the pre-heater tanks.
Alternatively, the apparatus may be one in which there is a plurality of the pre-heater tanks, in which each pre-heater tank has its own second heat exchanger, and in which each second heat exchanger cools the refrigerant to a lower temperature than the adjacent second heat exchanger in a flow direction leading to the first heat exchanger.
The apparatus may be one in which there is only one of the first heat exchangers for the main tank.
Alternatively, the apparatus may be one in which there is a plurality of the first heat exchangers for the main tank.
The apparatus may be one in which there is only one of the second heat exchangers for the or each pre-heater tank.
Alternatively, the apparatus may be one in which there is plurality of the second heat exchangers for the or each pre-heater tank.
The control means may comprise temperature sensing means for sensing the temperature of the water and/or the refrigerant, and flow control means for controlling the flow of the water and/or the refrigerant.
The control means may also comprise pressure sensor means for sensing the pressure of the refrigerant in its gaseous form.
The apparatus may include an electrical immersion heater which is positioned in the main tank and which is for providing any extra heat that may be required for the water in the main tank.
The present invention also extends to a refrigeration system when including the apparatus of the present invention.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows apparatus for heating water by using heat from a refrigeration system; and Figure 2 shows a control system for controlling the operation of apparatus of the present invention.
Referring to Figure 1, there is shown apparatus 2 for heating water by using heat from a refrigeration system 4. The apparatus 2 comprises a main tank 6 for containing water 8 heated to a required use temperature. The apparatus 2 also comprises a first heat exchanger 10 which heats the water 8 for the main tank 6 to the required use temperature. The heating is effected by the water 8 passing through the first heat exchanger 10 and obtaining heat from refrigerant from the refrigeration system such that the refrigerant is cooled to a first temperature which is above the required use temperature. The water 8 passes through a coil 12 in the first heat exchanger 10. The refrigerant passes through a coil 14 in the first heat exchanger 10.
The apparatus 2 further comprises a pre-heater tank 16 for containing water 18 heated to a second temperature which is below the required use temperature.
The apparatus 2 further comprises a second heat exchanger 20 which heats the water 18 for the pre-heater tank 16 to the second temperature. The heating is effected by the water 18 passing through the second heat exchanger 20 and obtaining heat from the refrigerant such that the refrigerant is cooled to a second temperature which is lower than the first temperature.
This enables more heat to be removed from the refrigerant than is possible using only the main tank 6 and the first heat exchanger 10. In the second heat exchanger 20, the water 18 passes through a coil 22, and the refrigerant passes through a coil 24.
The apparatus 2 comprises control means for controlling the temperatures to which the water 8, 18 is heated, and the temperatures to which the refrigerant is cooled. The control means is shown in Figure 1 as including valves 26, 28, 30.
During operation of the apparatus 2, the water 18 passes in the direction of the illustrated arrows on pipes 32, 34, 36, with the pipe 36 being a feed pipe into the main tank 6. Relatively cold water from the main tank passes in the direction of the arrows shown on pipes 38, 40 through the heat exchanger 10 and back to the top of the main tank 6. The main tank 6 is provided with an outlet pipe 42 to the hot water point of use.
The refrigeration system 4 has a refrigeration condenser 44 and a LT pack 46. The direction of the flow of the refrigerant in the refrigeration system 4 is in the direction of arrow 48 shown on pipe 50.
Referring to the apparatus 2 shown in Figure 1, if only the main tank 6 were to be used, and the water 8 was being held at 60° C, then the refrigerant could only be cooled to a temperature in excess of 60° C, for example 65° C. By using the pre-heater tank 16, the water 18 is able to be at a temperature between the feed temperature and the temperature of the water 8 in the main tank. This temperature of the water in the pre-heater tank 16 may be, for example, 35° C. This then allows the refrigerant to be cooled to 65° C by the water 8 in the main tank 6, and then to 500 C, for example, by the water 18 in the pre-heater tank 16, subject to the refrigerant not being cooled to the condensing temperature of the gaseous refrigerant. For most of the year, a refrigeration system can condense at 25° C with a discharge temperature of approximately 80° C. Cooling the refrigerant to 50° C rather than to 65° C therefore increases heat available for maintaining the water temperature by 100%.
Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown control means 52 for controlling the temperatures to which water is heated and the temperatures to which refrigerant is cooled in apparatus of the present invention. The control means 52 is shown comprising heat exchangers 54, 56 for heating hot water for a main tank such as the main tank 6 of Figure 1. The control means 52 also comprises heat exchangers 58, 60 for heating water for the pie-heater tank such for example as the pre-heater tank 16 shown in Figure 1. The control means 52 is also shown with isolating valves 62, 64 and motorised control valves 66, 68, 70. The control means 52 is further shown with a flow switch 72, a water temperature sensor 74 and water pumps 76, 78. The control means 52 still further comprises a gas temperature and pressure sensing device 80. The control means 52 is able to prevent the refrigerant condensing and the water boiling.
It will be appreciated from the drawings that the apparatus of the present invention improves the efficiency of heat recovery for hot water by using multiple tanks, with the water being heated to higher and higher temperatures as it passes from one tank to another. By using one or more heat exchangers, heat is transferred from refrigerant to water for each tank.
Using more than one heat exchanger allows higher efficiencies to be achieved, and may improve system control.
It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, there may be more than one of the pre-heater tanks 16. There may also be more than one of the first heat exchangers 10, and more than one of the second exchangers 20 The apparatus of the present invention can be manufactured in dependence upon required heat exchanger sizes, the degree of mixing in the tanks, water and flow refrigerant rates, and water usage The apparatus may not have a ballast tank, but then the tanks will normally be sized to cope with maximum water usage rate demands.
The apparatus of the present invention may find wide uses in a variety of environments. The apparatus may be especially suitable for use with refrigerants with tow discharge temperatures. The apparatus of the present invention may be especially useful for supermarkets where the refrigeration system is able to be used instead of a gas boiler for providing a heat source for hot water. The apparatus of the present invention may operate with a wide variety of known refrigeration systems.

Claims (12)

  1. Apparatus for heating water by using heat from a refrigeration system, which apparatus comprises: (i) a main tank for containing water heated to a required use temperature; (ii) a first heat exchanger which heats the water for the main tank to the required use temperature, the heating being effected by water passing through the first heat exchanger and obtaining heat from refrigerant from the refrigeration system such that the refrigerant is cooled to a first temperature which is above the required use temperature, *:*::* (iii) a pre-heater tank for containing water heated to a second *::::* temperature which is below the required use temperature; (iv) a second heat exchanger which heats the water for the pre-heater tank to the second temperature, the heating being effected by water passing through the second heat exchanger and obtaining heat from the refrigerant such that the refrigerant is cooled to a second temperature which is lower than the first temperature, whereby more heat is removed from the refrigerant than is possible using only the main tank and the first heat exchanger; and (v) control means for controlling the temperatures to which the water is heated and the temperatures to which the refrigerant is cooled
  2. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which there is only one of the pre-heater tanks.
  3. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which there is a plurality of the pre-heater tanks, in which each pre-heater tank has its own second heat exchanger, and in which each second heat exchanger cools the refrigerant to a lower temperature than the adjacent second heat exchanger in a flow direction leading to first heat exchanger.
  4. 4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which there *:*::* is only one of the first heat exchangers for the main tank. * * ****
  5. 5. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 -3 in which there is a ** plurality of the first heat exchangers for the main tank. S... * S S
    S
  6. 6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which there is only one of the second heat exchangers for the or each pie-heater tank.
  7. 7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 -5 in which there is a plurality of the second heat exchangers for the or each pie-heater tank.
  8. 8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the control means comprises temperature sensing means for sensing the temperature of the water and/or the refrigerant, and flow control means for controlling the flow of the water and/or the refrigerant.
  9. 9. Apparatus according to claim 8 and including pressure sensor means for sensing the pressure of the refrigerant in its gaseous form.
  10. 10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including an electrical immersion heater which is positioned in the main tank and which is for providing any extra heat that may be required for the water in the main tank. * ** * S S * S.
  11. 11. Apparatus for heating water by using heat from a refrigeration system, *:::: substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying ** drawings. S... * . . *S *
  12. 12. A refrigeration system when including apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims.
GB0719005.1A 2007-09-28 2007-09-28 A refrigeration system which includes apparatus for heating water by using heat from the refrigeration system Expired - Fee Related GB2453170B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0719005.1A GB2453170B (en) 2007-09-28 2007-09-28 A refrigeration system which includes apparatus for heating water by using heat from the refrigeration system

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0719005.1A GB2453170B (en) 2007-09-28 2007-09-28 A refrigeration system which includes apparatus for heating water by using heat from the refrigeration system

Publications (3)

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GB0719005D0 GB0719005D0 (en) 2007-11-07
GB2453170A true GB2453170A (en) 2009-04-01
GB2453170B GB2453170B (en) 2012-07-25

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2009125233A2 (en) * 2008-04-09 2009-10-15 Aristidis Afratis Water heating process and method using thermal energy produced by cooling systems.

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0115452A2 (en) * 1983-01-26 1984-08-08 Roger Glardon Installation for producing a hot fluid by recovering waste heat from a refrigerator
US4633676A (en) * 1984-11-19 1987-01-06 Dittell Edward W Cooling and heating apparatus
GB2414289A (en) * 2004-05-19 2005-11-23 Asker Barum Kuldeteknikk A S A heat pump installation
GB2418726A (en) * 2004-04-28 2006-04-05 Toshiba Carrier Corp Heat Pump-Type Hot Water Supply Apparatus

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0115452A2 (en) * 1983-01-26 1984-08-08 Roger Glardon Installation for producing a hot fluid by recovering waste heat from a refrigerator
US4633676A (en) * 1984-11-19 1987-01-06 Dittell Edward W Cooling and heating apparatus
GB2418726A (en) * 2004-04-28 2006-04-05 Toshiba Carrier Corp Heat Pump-Type Hot Water Supply Apparatus
GB2414289A (en) * 2004-05-19 2005-11-23 Asker Barum Kuldeteknikk A S A heat pump installation

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2009125233A2 (en) * 2008-04-09 2009-10-15 Aristidis Afratis Water heating process and method using thermal energy produced by cooling systems.
WO2009125233A3 (en) * 2008-04-09 2012-11-01 Aristidis Afratis Water heating process and method using thermal energy produced by cooling systems.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2453170B (en) 2012-07-25
GB0719005D0 (en) 2007-11-07

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PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20230928