GB2492763A - Use of hot air in a loft to heat water - Google Patents
Use of hot air in a loft to heat water Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2492763A GB2492763A GB1111785.0A GB201111785A GB2492763A GB 2492763 A GB2492763 A GB 2492763A GB 201111785 A GB201111785 A GB 201111785A GB 2492763 A GB2492763 A GB 2492763A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- water
- tank
- pump
- temperature
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 116
- 239000013049 sediment Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000012080 ambient air Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000003570 air Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000007654 immersion Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000008236 heating water Substances 0.000 abstract description 4
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 abstract 1
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 abstract 1
- 238000013517 stratification Methods 0.000 abstract 1
- 235000008733 Citrus aurantifolia Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000011941 Tilia x europaea Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000001580 bacterial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003287 bathing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000035622 drinking Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004571 lime Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 description 1
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
- F24D19/00—Details
- F24D19/10—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
- F24D19/1006—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heating systems
- F24D19/1051—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heating systems for domestic hot water
- F24D19/1057—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heating systems for domestic hot water the system uses solar 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
- F24D17/0015—Domestic hot-water supply systems using solar energy
- F24D17/0021—Domestic hot-water supply systems using solar energy with accumulation of the heated water
-
- 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
- Y02B10/20—Solar thermal
-
- 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
Abstract
An apparatus 1 for heating water in a water tank 10 comprises a heat exchanger coil 3 mounted in the attic â Xâ of a building. The coil has a water inlet 3A and outlet 3B and heats water contained therein by thermal transfer with hot air in the attic. The heated water is subsequently delivered to the tank. The coil may be located in an apex â Yâ of the roof space. The heated water may be re-circulated through the coil by a pump 5 submerged in the tank. A fan 4 may force air over the coil to increase heat transfer. The fan and pump may be powered by electricity generated by a solar panel 9. A thermostatic control switch 8 may be provided that only permits activation of the fan and pump when the temperature of attic air is a predetermined amount above the temperature tank water. The apparatus may include an agitator 6 to mitigate sediment collecting at the bottom of the tank and ensure even water temperature in the tank by preventing stratification. The heated water may taken by a further outlet 13 for domestic hot water applications. A mains cold water supply 11 may be provided.
Description
Title: Apparatus for Heating Water Delivered to a Water Tank The present invention relates to an apparatus for heating water delivered to a water tank.
Many buildings in the UK have a cold water storage tank in the roof space under the roof which delivers water to sinks, baths and showers, and hot water tanks around a building. This cold water is used for non-drinking purposes. Much of this cold water is mixed with hot water from hot water tanks to cool the hot water so it is not too hot to bathe or wash in. Much energy is wasted heating water in a hot water tank only to cool it later with cold water.
Other buildings have a cold water feed pipe delivering mains cold water directly to a hot water tank where it is heated.
In sunny weather a roof space under a roof can become quite hot often around 40°. Often under an apex roof the temperature under the ridge can be appreciably higher than at the bottom level of the roof space.
The invention seeks to use the heat generated in the roof space to heat water delivered water to a water tank.
According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for heating a water tank comprising: a) a heater exchanger for mounting in the roof space of a building having a water inlet and a water outlet and a heat collector to absorb heat from ambient air and heat water between the water inlet and outlet b) means to deliver water to the water inlet, and c) means to deliver water from the water outlet to a tank.
Preferably the tank is a cold water storage tank in the rooi space, and the means to deliver water to the water inlet and means to deliver water from the water outlet to a tank is a first pipe leading from the tank to the heat exchanger water inlet and a second pipe leading from the heat exchanger back to the water tank, and a pump to pump water from the water tank through the first pipe through the heat exchanger and back through the second pipe to the water tank.
Preferably the heat exchanger includes an electric fan to pass air over the heat exchanger.
Preferably the pump is electric. The pump may be mounted on an end of the first pipe for immersion into water in the water tank.
Preferably the pump is connected to a heat sensor to operate the pump only when the temperature in the roof space is greater than a predetermined value above the temperature of the water in the tank. The heat exchanger electric fan may be connected to a heat sensor to operate the fan only when the temperature in the roof space is greater than a predetermined value above the temperature of the water in the tank.
Preferably the pump and/or fan arel2V. Preferably the pump and/or fan is powered by a solar panel or a transformer.
A water agitator may be provided to help prevent sediment collecting on the bottom of the tank, and br maintain an even water temperature throughout the tank.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing showing a schematic diagram.
Referring to the drawing there is shown an apparatus I for heating a water tank 10 on the floor of a roof space "X" below an apex roof"Y". Water tank lOis of a type well known in the art which is filled from a mains cold water feed II through a ball valve 12, and delivers cold water through an outlet pipe 13 to sinks, showers, baths and hot water tanks.
Apparatus 1 has a heater exchanger 2 for mounting in roof space "X" below the roof apex.
Heat exchanger 2 has a heat collector in the form of a coil 3 with a water inlet 3A and a water outlet 3W Coil 3 absorbs heat from ambient air and heats water between the water inlet 3A and outlet 3B. A 12V electric fan 4 blows ambient air over the coil 3 to help it absorb heat.
A 12V water pump S with an agitator 6 is immersed in the water tank 10, with the agitator adjacent the bottom of the tank. Pump 5 pumps water from the tank 2 up through a first pipe 7A to water inlet 3A, through the coil 3, and back from outlet 3B to the tank 2 through second pipe 7B.
A heat sensor switch 8 connects the fan 4 and pump 5 to a I 2V solar panel 9. Switch 8 operates pump 5 and fan 4 only when the temperature in the roof space is greater than a predetermined value, e.g. 2°C, above the temperature of the water in the tank 10. In this respect switch 8 may have temperature-measuring transducers e.g. measuring temperature differential between the bottom of the water tank 10 and adjacent heat exchanger 3.
Water agitator 6 may be provided to help prevent sediment collecting on the bottom of the tank. The circulation of water through the coil 3 also helps reduce sediment. Water agitator may also maintain an even water temperature throughout the tank.
In use, when the air in the roof has been warmed by the sun, the temperature in the roof becomes hotter than the temperature of the water in tank 10. This causes the switch 8 to connect the pump S and fan 4 to the solar panel so that the pump 5 and fan 4 operate. This causes water in tank 10 to be circulated through the coil 3 and be heated.
The heating of water in tank 10 has numerous advantages.
Firstly water from tank 10 feeding into a hot water tank is already pit-heated so reducing the energy needed to raise its temperature to a normal storage temperature. Secondly when mixing hot and cold water to obtain a water flow temperature suitable for washing, showering bathing ete, the amount of hot water from the hot water tank is reduced as the cold water temperature has been raised. Also there is less build up of "lime" deposits which stay in solution better in warmer water resulting in reduced wear and tear on cold to hot interfaces in water systems, e.g. boilers, and mixer and thermostatic taps. There is also an increase in the flush on cold-water pipework toilets. Reduction in sediment reduces risk of bacterial growth. Also the roof space becomes cooler resulting in a cooler house.
The invention may take a form different to that specifically described above. For example the tank could be a hot water tank (instead of a cold water storage tank) and the heat exchanger could preheat cold water mains flow to the hot water tank.
Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Claims (1)
- <claim-text>CLAIMS1 * An apparatus for heating a water tank comprising: a) a heat exchanger for mounting in the roof space of a building having a water inlet and a water outJet and a heat collector to absorb heat from ambient air and heat water between the water inlet and outlet b) means to deliver water to the water inlet, and c) means to deliver water from the water outlet to a tank.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. An apparatus according to claim 1. wherein the tank is a cold water storage tank in the wof * space, and the means to deliver water to the water inlet and means to deliver water from the : *. water outlet to a tank is a first pipe leading from the tank to the heat exchanger water inlet and S...*:. a second pipe leading from the heat exchanger back to the water tank, and a pump to pump *: i::. water from the water tank through the first pipe through the heat exchanger and back through the second pipe to the water tank.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, the heat exchanger includes an electric fan to pass air over the heat exchanger.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. An apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the pump is electric, S. An apparatus according to c(aim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the pump is mounted on an end of the first pipe for immersion into water in the water tank.6. An apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the pump is connected to a heat sensor to operate the pump only when the temperature in the roof space is greater than a predetermined value above the temperature of the water in the tank.7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a heat exchanger electric fan is connected to a * heat sensor to operate the fan only when the temperature in the roof space is greater than a predetermined value above the temperature of the water in the tank. * *. * a8. An apparatus according to any preceding claim as dependant on claim 2 or 3, wherein the :: 9. An apparatus according to any preceding claim as dependant on claim 2 or 3, wherein the pump and/or fan is powered by a solar panel or a transformer.10. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein a water agitator may be provided to help prevent sediment collecting on the bottom of the tank, and for maintain an even water temperature throughout the tank.11. An apparatus for heating a water tank substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings. p * * * S.* *..*. * Q.* * . . p... * -4*S* S.,, S. SS S</claim-text>
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1111785.0A GB2492763A (en) | 2011-07-09 | 2011-07-09 | Use of hot air in a loft to heat water |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1111785.0A GB2492763A (en) | 2011-07-09 | 2011-07-09 | Use of hot air in a loft to heat water |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB201111785D0 GB201111785D0 (en) | 2011-08-24 |
| GB2492763A true GB2492763A (en) | 2013-01-16 |
Family
ID=44544496
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1111785.0A Withdrawn GB2492763A (en) | 2011-07-09 | 2011-07-09 | Use of hot air in a loft to heat water |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2492763A (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN110822711A (en) * | 2019-11-22 | 2020-02-21 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Water heater and hot water tank, control method and controller thereof |
Citations (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4671253A (en) * | 1985-11-04 | 1987-06-09 | Blount Sr Eldon R | Pre-heater for water heater |
| US5014770A (en) * | 1989-09-07 | 1991-05-14 | Attic Technology, Inc. | Attic solar energy vehicle |
| US5975192A (en) * | 1997-10-20 | 1999-11-02 | Moratalla; Jose M. | Attic air conditioning system |
| WO2003091631A1 (en) * | 2002-04-12 | 2003-11-06 | Andrzej Sadowski | Industrial water preheater |
| US20040129790A1 (en) * | 2002-11-29 | 2004-07-08 | Booth David Allen | Pool heating system |
| US20080060787A1 (en) * | 2006-07-11 | 2008-03-13 | Bobel Technologies, Inc. | Heat exchange system for bodies of water |
| US20100193153A1 (en) * | 2009-02-05 | 2010-08-05 | Theodore Mark Wagner | Swimming pool heater and attic chiller |
-
2011
- 2011-07-09 GB GB1111785.0A patent/GB2492763A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4671253A (en) * | 1985-11-04 | 1987-06-09 | Blount Sr Eldon R | Pre-heater for water heater |
| US5014770A (en) * | 1989-09-07 | 1991-05-14 | Attic Technology, Inc. | Attic solar energy vehicle |
| US5975192A (en) * | 1997-10-20 | 1999-11-02 | Moratalla; Jose M. | Attic air conditioning system |
| WO2003091631A1 (en) * | 2002-04-12 | 2003-11-06 | Andrzej Sadowski | Industrial water preheater |
| US20040129790A1 (en) * | 2002-11-29 | 2004-07-08 | Booth David Allen | Pool heating system |
| US20080060787A1 (en) * | 2006-07-11 | 2008-03-13 | Bobel Technologies, Inc. | Heat exchange system for bodies of water |
| US20100193153A1 (en) * | 2009-02-05 | 2010-08-05 | Theodore Mark Wagner | Swimming pool heater and attic chiller |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB201111785D0 (en) | 2011-08-24 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CN102705980B (en) | Device with heating and water-heating device multi-machine parallel system and use method thereof | |
| JP5537971B2 (en) | Solar water heating system | |
| EP1403593A2 (en) | Water heater | |
| CN205980350U (en) | Take water heater circuit structure of increase -volume function | |
| CN201731554U (en) | Electric compensation type solar heating and hot water system | |
| CN101598361B (en) | Heating system with the combination of solar water heater and wall-mounted boiler | |
| GB2492763A (en) | Use of hot air in a loft to heat water | |
| JP2010286137A (en) | Heat source device and space heater | |
| CN213273198U (en) | Double water outlet type electric water heater | |
| CN201014638Y (en) | Central hot water supply device using solar energy and heat exchanger | |
| JP2011237083A (en) | Heat source device, heating system, antifreeze control method thereof and antifreeze control program | |
| GB2486491A (en) | Water heating system and a method of supplying hot water | |
| CN101949555A (en) | Solar energy and gas integrating heating device | |
| JP5671304B2 (en) | Heat source equipment | |
| CN101038093A (en) | Double-purpose of solar hot-water bath and heating device | |
| CN201053718Y (en) | Solar energy hot water bathing and heat supply dual-purpose device | |
| EP3168539A1 (en) | System for pre-heating of domestic water | |
| CN207123072U (en) | A kind of two-purpose water heater with heating function | |
| CN201547883U (en) | Solar water-heating device | |
| CN201787665U (en) | Combined water heating device for centralized preheating and individual constant-temperature water supply | |
| CN106322754A (en) | Integrated energy storage water supply system | |
| CN209258034U (en) | A kind of vehicle-mounted water heater | |
| CN202403419U (en) | Photoelectric complementary solar water heater | |
| CN201844570U (en) | Wall-mounted solar photoelectrical multifunctional water heating apparatus | |
| CN202562012U (en) | Multifunctional water heater |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |