RU2777163C1 - Automated hybrid heating unit - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: thermal power engineering.

SUBSTANCE: claimed invention relates to the field of thermal power engineering, namely to water heating systems with a closed coolant circulation circuit. Automated hybrid heating plant includes at least one heating boiler, electrolyzer, burner, control unit, has a closed circuit and contains interconnected consumer unit, distilled water preparation unit connected to a hydraulic power source, fuel gas generation unit, including at least one an electrolytic cell connected to an external power source and an electrolyte tank used to generate fuel gas based on the electrolytic decomposition of water, while the tank is additionally equipped with a heat exchanger and a drop catcher. The fuel gas pre-treatment unit is equipped with a cooler and an evaporator and is connected to a gas manifold through which the purified and dried fuel gas enters the combustion reactor, which contains at least one heating boiler with a burner designed to collect condensate, the outer surface of which has a profiled surface. Each of the nodes is equipped with an electronic unit of its own local automation with its own set of sensors of the controlled parameter and a set of automatic control algorithms, which is part of the distributed automated control system (ACS) in which they are combined.

EFFECT: increasing the efficiency of deep utilization of heat and moisture, increasing the efficiency of the installation as a whole, as well as increasing environmental safety.

4 cl, 2 dwg

Description

The claimed invention relates to the field of thermal power engineering, namely, to water heating systems with a closed coolant circulation circuit and can be used both as an independent device for heating buildings and structures, and as part of more complex systems where heating of a liquid coolant is required.

It is known that heating systems are the main tool that allows you to create and maintain thermal comfortable conditions in buildings and structures.

If the heat loss is large, then the coolant enters the consumer significantly cooled.

An urgent problem is the efficiency of deep utilization of heat and moisture during the circulation of the coolant in a closed heating system, as well as increasing the efficiency of heating systems and ensuring environmental safety.

From the prior art, a stationary heating boiler house is known, which contains a boiler circuit, including boilers equipped with burners, circulation pumps for heating and hot water systems, expansion tanks, a network heating circuit, including circulation network pumps, a heat exchanger, a chemical make-up water treatment plant, a network a hot water circuit, including loading, boosting and recirculation pumps, a heat exchanger, storage tanks, expansion tanks, a magnetic water treatment apparatus, while the boiler circuit contains in-boiler recirculation pumps, the heating network circuit is equipped with an automatic station for maintaining operating pressure in the network circuit, including a group of pumps, non-pressure tanks of large volume, pressure tanks of small volume and an automatic valve, while the storage tanks of the hot water supply network circuit are made in the form of tanks and are located one above the another in the vertical plane, and at the entrance to the boiler room, a microbubble air separator is additionally installed (patent No. 133259 for a utility model "Stationary heating boiler house", filed on November 30, 2012, published on October 10, 2013).

A stationary hot water boiler is known, which includes the following units: automated hot water boilers with modulated gas burners, network heating pumps (two working, two standby), distribution manifolds for hot water supply and heating systems, an electromagnetic main filter for the return water of the heating system (mud collector), dual hot water pump (one working, one standby), hot water heat exchangers, as well as circulation pumps for supplying water from heat exchangers to hot water boilers, pumps for feeding the internal and external circuits with source water, shutoff valves, adjustment devices and instrumentation and control equipment (patent No. 117586 for useful model "Stationary hot water boiler house", date of submission 02.09.2011, published 06.27.2012).

The closest technical solution to the claimed invention is a building heat supply system containing a boiler, a power source, an electrolyzer connected to a power source, a hydrogen burner, an ignition device and an electrovalve, while the ignition device is made with a control sensor, the hydrogen storage inlet is connected to the electrolyzer, and output - with a hydrogen burner through an electrovalve, an electric current regulator, an electrovalve, a hydrogen accumulator and a control sensor are electrically connected to the control unit, and the hydrogen accumulator can be made on the basis of liquid reversible hydrates, on the basis of metal hydrides, encapsulation (patent No. 2161286 for the invention "System heating supply of the building”, date of submission 11.05.2000, published 27.12.2000).

The disadvantages of the known technical solutions are associated with the lack of the possibility of utilizing heat and moisture. This is due, in particular, to heating of the coolant from an external source, or the lack of the possibility of additional heat extraction within the technological chain of a closed coolant circulation system, which negatively affects the efficiency of using secondary heat and the efficiency of the heating installation as a whole. As a rule, in known solutions, gas accumulators are provided, which leads to a decrease in the performance of heating installations.

In addition, the known heating systems do not meet the requirements of environmental safety, because. the type of fuel used, the method and quality of its combustion, as well as the design features of the heating boiler and burner do not ensure the elimination of environmental pollution by harmful substances, most often nitrogen oxides, formed in flue gases emitted into the atmosphere.

The technical result to which the claimed invention is directed is to increase the efficiency of deep utilization of heat and moisture, increase the efficiency of the installation as a whole, as well as increase environmental safety.

The specified technical result is achieved by the fact that the automated hybrid heating installation, including at least one heating boiler, an electrolytic cell, a burner, a control unit, according to the invention, has a closed loop and contains an interconnected consumer node; a distilled water preparation unit connected to a hydraulic power source; a fuel gas generation unit including at least one electrolyser connected to an external power supply and an electrolyte tank used to generate fuel gas based on the electrolytic decomposition of water, the tank being further provided with a heat exchanger and a mist eliminator; the fuel gas pre-treatment unit is equipped with a cooler and an evaporator and is connected to a gas collector through which the purified and dried fuel gas enters the combustion reactor, which contains at least one heating boiler with a burner configured to collect condensate, the outer surface of which has profile surface, while each of the nodes is equipped with an electronic unit of its own local automation with its own set of sensors of the controlled parameter and a set of automatic control algorithms, which is part of the distributed automated control system (ACS) in which they are combined.

The claimed invention is illustrated by drawings, where

Fig. 1 - block diagram of an automated hybrid heating installation;

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of an automated hybrid heating installation.

The automated hybrid heating installation proposed for protection consists of the main units interconnected by assembly operations, namely, the consumer unit 1; a water treatment unit 2 connected to a hydraulic power source 3; fuel gas generation unit 4; unit for preliminary preparation of fuel gas 5; a fuel gas combustion reactor 6 and an automated control system (ACS) connected to an external power supply 7. The plant contains a piping system, including a pipeline for passing the exhaust gas 8 and a coolant pipeline 9.

The inventive installation refers to automated heating systems of a closed (closed) type, which have a number of advantages, tk. there is practically no evaporation of the coolant in them and it is not required to keep its level under control all the time. Forced circulation of the coolant allows it to be heated in much less time, while, accordingly, more thermal energy is transferred to the consumer. In addition, it is possible to use pipes of a smaller diameter in the installation, which simplifies installation and reduces time and financial costs for it. Due to the tightness of the system, the likelihood of corrosion of structural elements is reduced. The service life is longer due to a decrease in the temperature difference at the outlet and inlet of the coolant. The scheme of a closed heating system saves heat significantly.

The principle of operation of the automated hybrid heating plant proposed for protection is based on the electrolytic decomposition of water into oxygen and hydrogen in electrolyzers 10 with the formation of fuel gas (hereinafter referred to as gas) and its subsequent combustion in a combustion reactor 6 to obtain thermal energy for heating the coolant and transfer it to the node consumer 1. Electrolyzers 10 are part of the fuel gas generation unit 4.

Before starting work, the installation is connected to an external power source 7 and a hydraulic power source 3, as well as a heat consumer node 1. After that, the required heating temperature is set by entering its value into the central control unit (CBU) 11, which is part of the ACS. Then the heating installation is started.

The ACS also includes peripheral (local) electronic control units (ECU) designed to control individual units of the installation and connected to the CCU 11 through the network gateway 12. In particular, the ACS includes an electronic control unit for the combustion reactor 13 (ECU 13), an electronic unit state 14 (EBS 14), electrolyzer electronic control unit 15 (ECU 15). Thus, each technological unit of the heating system is equipped with its own local automation unit, which is part of the distributed information and control system (ACS) in which they are combined. Each technological node is characterized by its own set of primary sensors, actuators and a certain set of automatic control algorithms. The advantages of distributed systems over centralized ones are high reliability, because the failure of one of the components does not lead to the failure of the system as a whole; increased performance due to the parallel operation of several controllers in the system; resistance to failures and interference and reduction in the length of signal lines; as well as the possibility of node-by-unit design using the structure of the control object; Simplified procedure for upgrading the system. For each node of the installation, special algorithms for diagnostics, failure prevention and prevention of emergencies have been developed. These advantages have a positive effect on the efficiency of the installation and its efficiency.

The number of electrolyzers 10 simultaneously used in the heating plant is determined by the production need, depends on the required volume of fuel gas produced and can range from 1 to n, where n ≤ 12.

Each of the cells 10 is connected to the computer 15 through a separate communication channel, which ensures their autonomous operation in accordance with specific settings. To ensure reliable operation of electrolyzers and stable gas production, a proportional-integral-differentiating (PID) controller is built into ECU 15, which serves to generate and receive a control signal of the required accuracy and quality. In addition, pulse-width modulation (PWM) with a variable frequency is used. It is known that the main reason for the use of PWM is the desire to increase the efficiency in the construction of secondary power supplies for electronic equipment and in other nodes.

When setting up the electronic unit 15, as well as during operation, the width of the pulses and their frequency may change. This allows you to optimize the process of generating fuel gas and, accordingly, adjust the power of the installation. The distance between the pulses is selected when setting up the electronic unit, which allows you to free up time to charge the capacitors.

The electrolyzers 10 are connected through the outlet pipes 16 and the assembly manifold 17 to the tank 18 filled with the main volume of the electrolyte, which is intended for the production of fuel gas. An alkaline solution is used as an electrolyte, the concentration of which depends on the power of the installation and is in the range of 5 ÷ 100 g/l of distilled water. The electrolyte is pumped into the tank 18 through the filler neck during commissioning. The chemical pump 19 circulates the alkaline solution through the electrolytic cells 10 and the filter 20, which partly assists in expelling the produced gas from the electrolytic cells and improves the gas production efficiency. To drain the spent electrolyte in the tank 18, a relief valve is provided (not shown in the drawing). The electrolyte from the electrolyzers enters the distribution manifold 21.

Tank 18 is equipped with sensors of the monitored parameter (not shown in the drawing) connected via EBS 14 to the central control unit 11. Temperature sensors, sensors for the minimum and maximum electrolyte levels, pressure sensors, emergency shutdown sensors, etc. can be used as sensors for the controlled parameter. d.

A temperature sensor is installed at the electrolyte inlet to the tank 18, which controls the temperature of the incoming electrolyte. If the temperature of the alkaline solution entering the tank 18 exceeds its critical value equal to 65°C, the CBU 11 gives a command to stop the installation in normal mode. After normalization of the temperature of the alkaline solution from the CBU 11 receives a command to resume the operation of the heating installation.

The minimum level sensor monitors the decrease in the set level of the alkaline solution. If the solution level decreases below the minimum set level, the CBU 11 sends a command to start the pump 22 connected to the water tank, with the help of which water is supplied through the filter 23 through the hydraulic lines to the collection manifold 17 and tank 18 in the required volume.

When the required level of the alkaline solution in the tank is reached, the maximum level sensor sends a signal to the CBU 11, which, in turn, sends a command to stop the operation of the pump 22.

The pressure sensor continuously transmits information about the pressure parameters in the tank 18 to the CCU 11. Based on the received data, the CCU can change the task of the ECU 15 regarding the pressure value. The command to adjust the pressure comes from the PID controller after comparing the setpoint and the temperature value received from the sensor.

In the event of a sudden pressure jump, ECU 15 receives a signal to temporarily stop the operation of the electrolyzers and, accordingly, the generation of fuel gas. After normalization of pressure, the operation of the installation resumes. For stable operation of the installation, the pressure in the tank 18 with electrolyte must be maintained in the range of 25-55 kPa, which allows the installation to be classified as a low-pressure system and, in turn, confirms its safety.

The advantage of the proposed installation is the lack of means of accumulation and storage of combustible gases, which also has a positive effect on its safety.

In the event of incorrect operation or malfunction of the CBU 11 or ECU 15, gas production is uncontrolled. This leads to an increase in pressure. When a pressure value of 100 kPa is reached, an emergency switch-off sensor is activated, automatically turning off the power supply from the computer 15 and giving a command to open the relief valve 24, through which the gas is vented into the ventilation system 25.

Tank 18 is equipped with another temperature sensor, which monitors the temperature of the gas leaving the tank, which is then sent to the water seal 26, which is part of the gas pre-treatment unit. In this case, the data obtained from the indicated sensor make it possible to indirectly control the operation of the droplet eliminator 27 installed in the tank on the side of the gas outlet from it.

The drip catcher is made in the form of a multilayer metal mesh made of corrosion-resistant materials that can withstand the negative impact of various aggressive compounds contained in the gas flow leaving the tank, in particular, carried out with the alkali flow. As a corrosion-resistant material, for example, stainless steel can be used. The drip catcher is a structural element where “dew falls out”, which is formed due to the temperature difference between the metal mesh, which has a lower temperature, and the gas flow passing through it with a higher temperature. Thus, moisture is utilized in the form of condensate and returned to the total volume of the alkaline solution.

It is known that at a humidity of 5%, the combustion rate drops by almost 20%, which leads to a decrease in the generated heat and, accordingly, to a decrease in the efficiency of the installation (Gelfand B.E., Popov O.E., Chaivanov B.B. Hydrogen: parameters combustion and explosion. - M.: FIZMATLIT, 2008. - 288 p.).

To maintain a constant temperature of the electrolyte and prevent its increase, the tank 18 is equipped with a heat exchanger 28, through which the cooled coolant returning from the consumer passes, to which the heat of the alkaline solution is transferred.

Solving the problem with overheating of the alkaline solution contributes to the efficiency of heat recovery of the heating installation and to an increase in its overall efficiency. If the heat of the alkaline solution is not used, the efficiency of electrolyzers will be only 50-55%. The temperature of the heat carrier leaving the consumer should not exceed the critical value equal to 65°C.

The data received from all sensors installed on the tank 18 are first sent to the electronic status unit (ESU) 14, and then transferred to the CBU 11.

The body of each cell 10 is limited from the ends by covers electrically connected to the ECU 15, which, in turn, is connected to an external power supply 7. Inside each cell, electrodes (anodes and cathodes) are placed in the form of a set of metal plates separated by dielectric spacers. The electrodes are also isolated from the cover by means of a dielectric gasket. The voltage applied to the lid of each of the electrolyzers is evenly distributed between all the electrodes (plates) installed in it, for example, at the rate of 2 volts / per plate. The electrical conductivity of the passing current is provided by the alkaline solution that entered the electrolyzers from tank 18.

Anodes and cathodes are made of stainless steel containing alloying additives that increase corrosion resistance in alkaline electrolyte conditions.

The electrolyzers and the electrolyte storage tank form a fuel gas generation unit.

The water seal 26 performs several protective functions.

Firstly, the column of liquid retained in it is an obstacle to the entry and transition of the flame from the burner flame located in the combustion reactor into the electrolyte tank.

Secondly, the temperature of the water in the hydraulic seal is lower than the temperature of the gas entering it from the tank 18, which makes it possible to condense part of the moisture coming from the tank 18 together with the gas.

Thirdly, mechanical impurities that enter the water seal settle on its bottom, and more purified gas enters the fuel gas combustion reactor.

In addition, the gas entering the hydraulic seal, passing through the water column, creates seething in it, which leads to the spraying of the liquid along the walls of the hydraulic seal and, accordingly, prevents its overflow.

To control the maintenance of a predetermined liquid level in the hydraulic seal, a level sensor is installed (not shown in the drawing) connected to the CBU 11. If the required water level in the hydraulic seal is exceeded, the CBU 11 sends a command to operate the reset valve 29 installed on the hydraulic seal. The valve is opened to discharge water into a receiving tank (not shown in the drawing), from which water gradually evaporates into the atmosphere naturally.

The hydraulic seal is filled with liquid through outlet 30, which is equipped with a removable plug. To drain water during repair or replacement of the hydraulic seal, a fitting 31 is provided, on which a removable plug is also mounted.

From the hydraulic seal, the gas passes through the pipeline for drying into the cooler 32 of the fuel gas pretreatment unit. Gas dehydration is performed by cooling based on a sharp temperature drop. As a result of drying at low temperatures, excess moisture is released from the gas, which settles in the form of crystals on the inner walls of the cooler. To increase the heat exchange surface, the walls of the cooler are made in the form of a coil. During the downtime of the heating installation, the condensate that precipitated during the drying of the gas in the form of crystals melts and flows from the chamber 33 to the bottom of the cooler, which is the primary container for collecting the resulting condensate. CCU 11 periodically sends a command to open a valve installed at the bottom of chamber 33 to discharge condensate into a container, from which moisture gradually evaporates into the atmosphere.

Undried gas is sent to the chamber 33 with a tubular evaporator 34 made of copper or its alloys. The advantages of using copper or its alloys as a material for the manufacture of these elements consist in high thermal conductivity, favorable physical and mechanical properties with a sufficiently high corrosion resistance and / or in conditions of deep cold.

A refrigerant is pumped through the pipes of the evaporator using pump 35, which absorbs the heat of the cooled gas. This raises the temperature of the refrigerant. As a refrigerant, for example, R404a freon or any similar refrigerant capable of delivering temperatures below (-) 25 ° C is used. The purified and dried gas, after leaving the chamber 33, rises up along the walls of the cooler and passes into the gas collector 36 of the combustion reactor 6.

To recover heat from the cooler, a condenser 37 is provided, in which the heat taken from the refrigerant is transferred to the coolant coming from the consumer unit 1. This design solution makes it possible to get rid of the use of overall air condensers with fans, as well as to carry out additional heating of the coolant, which increases the efficiency of utilization and efficiency of the heating system.

The cooler is equipped with a temperature sensor (not shown) to measure and control the temperature of the fuel gas circulating inside the cooler. The central control unit 11, according to the data received from this temperature sensor, monitors the operation of the cooler and issues permission to start the fuel gas combustion reactor 6. The temperature inside the cooler must be at least -10°C, and during operation it may drop to minus 30°C.

When repairing or maintaining the cooler, the gas remaining in it is released through a plug (not shown in the drawing).

To increase energy efficiency, the reactor vessel is made of hard plastic with low thermal conductivity. From the outside, the body is protected by thermal insulation.

The combustion reactor consists of at least one heating boiler 38.

From 1 to n boilers can be installed in the combustion reactor, where n ≤ 12. The operation of all boilers that are part of the combustion reactor is controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU) 13 connected to the CBU 11. The combustion reactor is equipped with a gas manifold 36 that regulates separate supply of purified and dried gas from the cooler to heating boilers 38.

Each of the boilers is equipped with a gas supply system containing a gas valve 40, a fire damper 41, a backflow valve 42 and an extinguishing air valve 43.

The boiler is turned on by a command sent to the ECU 13 from the CBU 11. After the command to turn on the boiler is received, the process of ignition of the flame begins. To do this, the extinguishing air supply valve 43 is first opened, and at the same time, compressed air is supplied from the receiver 45 through the pipeline to the combustion chamber 44 located inside the heating boiler body to purge the combustion chamber. To increase heat transfer to the passing coolant, the combustion chamber housing is made profiled, for example, with external fins.

After purging the combustion chamber 44, the extinguishing air supply valve 43 closes, and the gas supply valve 40 opens, through which the purified and dried fuel gas enters the burner 47 with a nozzle and a candle through the same pipeline. The burner is located under a hole commensurate with it, made in the combustion chamber.

Simultaneously with the opening of the gas valve 40 in the ECU 13, an ignition transformer (not shown in the drawing) is activated, which supplies high voltage to the burner candle. The candle ignites the incoming gas and a torch appears in the burner, the presence of which is registered by the flame sensor 48. In the event of the flame fading, the ECU 13 sends a command to close the gas valve 40 and, accordingly, to stop the gas supply. After that, a re-ignition is automatically performed.

The fire damper 41 is a safety element to prevent the ignition of the fuel gas inside the gas supply pipeline.

Burner 47 is designed to collect condensate flowing from the combustion chamber and formed during cooling of both the burner itself and its nozzle mounted on the rack. To maintain a constant combustion temperature, it is necessary to maintain a constant level of condensate formed. Excess condensate drains into collection manifold 49.

The burners of the boilers are put into operation one by one.

To ensure stable combustion of the torch, additional cooling of the burner is necessary. To do this, the outer surface of the burner is made profile, for example, ribbed. Cooling the burner not only protects it from self-extinguishing, but also ensures more stable flame combustion, which, in turn, has a positive effect on maintaining a constant coolant temperature, heat recovery and plant efficiency.

Depending on the volume of fuel gas entering the reactor, the parameters of the combustion chamber, the diameter of the burner nozzle, and the volume of condensate formed are calculated.

Structural elements of the combustion reactor are made of anti-corrosion metal, selected taking into account the type of coolant that circulates. So, for example, as a material for pipelines through which water circulates, food grade stainless steel, for example, AISI-316L, or other materials resistant to water can be used. Polypropylene can be used to make the reactor vessel.

The combustion chamber 44 is sealed in the form of a hollow closed volume. To equalize the pressure with the atmosphere in the combustion chamber, an additional through hole is made through which air escapes during purge. This is followed by ignition. The remaining air in the chamber burns out with the formation of nitrogen dioxide. But given the fact that the volume of the combustion chamber is small, the content of nitrogen dioxide will be minimal. During combustion, the pressure in the chamber increases. Excess pressure is bled through the same through hole, thereby blocking the path for atmospheric air to enter. Due to this, the burner torch does not enter into chemical reactions with air, in particular, with nitrogen contained in it, which eliminates the formation of harmful compounds such as nitrogen oxide and dioxide during combustion, which makes the inventive installation more environmentally friendly.

The equation for the combustion reaction of a hydrogen-oxygen fuel mixture can be written as follows:

2H2+O2=2H2O+573kJ (1)

The chain reaction of combustion of the mixture is as follows:

H-O bonds in OH molecules have low energy compared to H-H and O=O bonds in H2 hydrogen and O2 oxygen molecules. Energy is supplied by an ignition transformer.

Therefore, the main launch reaction will be the formula:

M*+H2=H+OH+M (2)

After that, a chain reaction begins with the absorption and release of heat:

Combustion reaction {OH + H2 → H2O + HH + O2 → OH + O (3)

Chain branching О+Н2→ОН +Н (4)

Completion of the OH+H → H2O chain (5).

As a result of all occurring reactions, the products of combustion of hydrogen-oxygen mixtures will be heat in the amount of 573 kJ and pure distilled water, which increases the environmental safety of the proposed heating installation.

The sealed body of each boiler is limited by the top and bottom covers, which are provided with outlet and inlet pipes, respectively (not shown in the drawing). A cold coolant enters through the inlet pipe, which, in contact with the outer surface of the combustion chamber, takes heat from it and passes to the outlet pipe.

All boilers that are part of the combustion reactor are mechanically connected to each other through pipelines, while the connection of the boilers can be parallel, or series, or mixed. Boilers can be divided into several heating circuits.

As the coolant passes through the heating boilers, its temperature rises. In the case of using water as a heat carrier at the outlet of the installation, its temperature can reach 95°C.

The combustion reactor is equipped with sensors (not shown in the drawing) that monitor its condition and operating parameters. Sensors are connected to CBU 11.

So, for example, temperature sensors installed at the inlet and outlet of the combustion reactor monitor the temperature of the coolant entering it and leaving it towards the consumer, respectively.

A flow sensor is installed to control the speed of the coolant. If the speed falls below the set value or is absent at all, the CBU 11 automatically stops the operation of the heating installation in the normal mode and issues information about the error. If there are several boiler circuits, then only the circuit in which the flow sensor has tripped is switched off.

The gas pressure sensor provided with the gas manifold 36 measures the pressure of the fuel gas. If the pressure is lower or higher than the set value, the central control unit stops the operation of the heating system. According to the readings of this sensor, the boilers are turned on.

The compressed air pressure sensor monitors the current air pressure. If the pressure is below the set value or is absent, the CBU turns on the compressor 51 to pressurize the receiver 45. To prevent dust from entering the compressor 51 and receiver 45, a filter 52 is installed at the compressor inlet. Compressed air from the receiver through the pipeline enters the air supply valve for extinguishing.

To create pressure, the pressure in the receiver must be 2-3 times higher than the working pressure of the gas.

During operation of the combustion reactor, condensate is continuously produced, which flows from the water collection manifold into a storage tank (WATER in the drawing) equipped with a sensor that signals the CBU 11 about its overflow. After receiving a signal about the overflow of the tank, at the command of the CBU 11, the pump 22 is turned on, pumping out water, which is fed through the hydraulic pipeline through the reverse osmosis filter 23 to the assembly manifold 17. A reverse osmosis filter is used. Removed contaminants are discharged into a container (not shown in the drawing). If there is not enough water in the system, then at the command received from the CBU 11, the valve opens and water begins to flow from the filtered water supply source 3.

The cooled coolant from the consumer node 1 enters the condenser 37 and takes heat from the flow leaving the cooler. Next, the coolant is sent through the circulation pump 54 to the heat exchanger 28 installed in the tank 18 and utilizes the heat of the electrolyte, after which it enters the combustion reactor, sequentially, passing through all the heating boilers, in which it is heated and again supplied to the consumer.

Taking into account the fact that the coolant expands when heated and, accordingly, its volume increases, an expansion tank 55 is provided in the design to receive the excess coolant. If the pressure increases, then with the help of a mechanical valve 56 the coolant is discharged into the container 57.

Thermal relay 58 is installed at the outlet of the combustion reactor, tuned to the maximum coolant temperature. When the set temperature is exceeded, the thermal relay 58 is activated and disconnects the combustion reactor and EBU15 from the power supply, thereby preventing the coolant from overheating.

In the inventive automated hybrid heating system, the local electronic control units and the central control unit are interconnected via a high-speed Industrial Ethernet interface. The information exchange center is an industrial network gateway 12, which commutes the received data and provides the possibility of information exchange between the consumer node and the heating installation.

If a network gateway and a home WiFi router 59 are connected, the user can control the heating unit using a mobile application and receive notifications about the status of its operation, errors, as well as reports on resource consumption.

Using a network gateway and an Internet channel, it is possible to connect the unit via a secure VPN channel to an external server of the manufacturer, which allows you to register failures and breakdowns of the unit in real time, as well as receive information about the operation of the unit for its further modernization and quality improvement. If the installation is used in an industrial enterprise, it can be connected to the enterprise's APCS network for centralized control over it by the enterprise's specialists.

The invention is carried out as follows.

The implementation of all processes occurring inside the installation, as well as the sequence and modes of their execution are carried out automatically in accordance with the content and commands coming from the central control unit (CCU) 11. After connecting all the nodes and starting the heating installation, the CCU 11 issues a task to the electronic control unit ECU 15, which, through separate communication channels, starts the processes of electrolytic decomposition of water into oxygen and hydrogen in electrolyzers 10. The possibility of separate operation of each of the electrolyzers ensures their autonomous operation in accordance with the specific settings of electronic control units 11 and 15.

Fuel gas is obtained as follows. The chemical pump 19 is turned on, which creates pressure and movement of the electrolyte from the tank 18. When moving, the electrolyte passes through the filter 20, being cleaned of mechanical impurities. In electrolyzers, after switching on and exposure to a pulsed electric current, electrolysis of water contained in an alkaline solution occurs, with its decomposition into oxygen and hydrogen. The produced gas, as well as the remains of the alkaline solution that has not undergone electrolysis, passes through the outlet pipes to the distribution manifold 17, in which the gas is separated from the alkaline solution, accumulating in its upper zone, and the alkaline solution flows to the bottom of the collector. From the collector 17, the exhaust gas passes into the tank 18, and the alkaline solution is again fed through the filter 20 by the chemical pump 19 to the electrolyzers 10 through the collector 21.

During electrolysis, foaming and an increase in the temperature of the alkaline solution can occur, which negatively affects the performance of not only the electrolyzers themselves, but also other elements of the installation associated with gas production. The temperature of the alkaline solution above 60°C is critical. Exceeding the critical temperature leads to the deposition of mechanical impurities contained in the alkaline solution on the surface of the electrodes, which negatively affects the course of the electrolysis process and, accordingly, reduces the efficiency of fuel gas generation. Moreover, there is a further increase in the temperature of the alkaline solution, which may ultimately lead to the failure of the cell(s).

To eliminate this disadvantage, the tank 18 is equipped with a heat exchanger that serves to cool the alkaline solution to the temperature of the coolant returned through the collector from the consumer, while the coolant utilizes the heat of the electrolyte.

The foam formed during the electrolysis process, together with the exhaust gas, through the outlet pipe of the tank 18, enters the water seal, in which the retained water column prevents the gas from escaping to the outside. Over time, the water seal can become alkaline due to the ingress of an alkaline solution along with the outgoing gas and foam, which, in turn, leads to a decrease in the total volume of electrolyte in the tank. The alkaline solution gradually destroys the structural elements through which it passes through aggressive action. To eliminate this drawback, the tank 18 is installed in a vertical position and perform a certain height. The foam, rising up inside a vertically oriented tank, under the action of gravity begins to press down on itself and settle under its own weight. The more gas is produced in electrolyzers, the higher the foam column is formed inside the tank, so the dimensions, in particular, the height of the tank, are calculated taking into account the volume of gas produced.

During gas production, the alkaline solution is heated to 60°C, while the water contained in the alkaline solution partially evaporates, and part of it, together with the generated gas, passes into the hydraulic seal, which can lead to an increase in the volume of liquid retained in it, and, therefore, increase in the cost of water resources. To eliminate this drawback, a drop catcher 27 is installed at the gas outlet from the tank, which serves to return the condensate formed on it to the total volume of the alkaline solution and, accordingly, prevents the passage of excess moisture into the water seal.

The gas entering the hydraulic seal has a high humidity, which also negatively affects the structural elements along which the flow moves, and, consequently, the efficiency of the installation as a whole decreases.

In addition, high humidity can lead to a decrease in the temperature of the burner flame placed in the combustion reactor.

Over time, the moisture carried by the gas into the water seal accumulates in it, which leads to an increase in the liquid level. When the required water level in the hydraulic seal is exceeded, the discharge valve opens and the excess water goes into the tank, from where it evaporates over time.

From the hydraulic seal, the gas passes through the pipeline for drying into the cooler, in which the moisture carried out together with the gas crystallizes and settles on the inner walls of the cooler.

The dried gas then passes into a chamber with a tubular evaporator. A refrigerant is pumped through the pipes of the evaporator by means of a pump, which absorbs the heat of the cooled gas. After leaving the chamber, the gas moves along the walls of the cooler, rises up and enters the pipeline, through which it is fed to the combustion reactor header.

The boilers included in the combustion reactor are switched on by a command sent to the combustion reactor ECU from the CBU, in which, after the burners are ignited, fuel gas is burned and thermal energy is generated. At the same time, cold coolant enters through the boiler inlet pipe, which, in contact with the outer side of the combustion chamber, takes heat and passes to the outlet pipe and then to the coolant pipeline and further to the consumer. Excess coolant is discharged into the expansion tank.

Any liquid substances that do not enter into a chemical reaction with the inner wall of the reactor vessel and the outer wall of the combustion reactor can be used as a coolant.

The proposed installation refers to environmentally friendly heating systems that do not produce harmful emissions into the environment from combustion products.

The installation can function as an independent automatically controlled device, or as part of more complex devices and units where heating of the coolant is required, and can be made in various overall dimensions.

Claims (4)

1. Automated hybrid heating installation, including at least one heating boiler, electrolyzer, burner, control unit, characterized in that it has a closed loop and contains interconnected consumer unit, distilled water preparation unit connected to a hydraulic power source, fuel generation unit gas, including at least one electrolytic cell connected to an external power supply and an electrolyte tank used to generate fuel gas based on the electrolytic decomposition of water, while the tank is additionally equipped with a heat exchanger and a droplet eliminator, the fuel gas pre-treatment unit is equipped with a cooler and an evaporator and is connected with a gas collector, through which the purified and dried fuel gas enters the combustion reactor, which contains at least one heating boiler with a burner configured to collect condensate, the outer surface of which has a profiled surface, with In this case, each of the nodes is equipped with an electronic unit of its own local automation with its own set of sensors of the controlled parameter and a set of automatic control algorithms, which is part of the distributed automated control system (ACS) in which they are combined. 2. Automated hybrid heating plant according to claim 1, characterized in that the droplet eliminator is made in the form of a multilayer grid of corrosive material. 3. Automated hybrid heating plant according to claim 2, characterized in that stainless steel is used as a corrosive material. 4. Automated hybrid heating plant according to claim 1, characterized in that the burner body is ribbed.

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