WO2010150006A2 - Heating installation - Google Patents

Heating installation Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010150006A2
WO2010150006A2 PCT/GB2010/051028 GB2010051028W WO2010150006A2 WO 2010150006 A2 WO2010150006 A2 WO 2010150006A2 GB 2010051028 W GB2010051028 W GB 2010051028W WO 2010150006 A2 WO2010150006 A2 WO 2010150006A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
heating installation
heat
solar panel
thermal collector
panel
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2010/051028
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2010150006A3 (en
Inventor
Gary Stanton Webster
Jeremy James Stanley
Original Assignee
Smith's Environmental Products Limited
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 Smith's Environmental Products Limited filed Critical Smith's Environmental Products Limited
Priority to EP10787158.4A priority Critical patent/EP2614311A2/en
Publication of WO2010150006A2 publication Critical patent/WO2010150006A2/en
Publication of WO2010150006A3 publication Critical patent/WO2010150006A3/en

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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
    • F24D19/00—Details
    • F24D19/008—Details related to central heating radiators
    • F24D19/0087—Fan arrangements for forced convection
    • 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
    • F24D11/002—Central heating systems using heat accumulated in storage masses water heating system
    • F24D11/003—Central heating systems using heat accumulated in storage masses water heating system combined with 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • F24D11/0221—Central heating systems using heat accumulated in storage masses using heat pumps water heating system combined with 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
    • F24D18/00—Small-scale combined heat and power [CHP] generation systems specially adapted for domestic heating, space heating or domestic hot-water supply
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S10/00—Solar heat collectors using working fluids
    • F24S10/70—Solar heat collectors using working fluids the working fluids being conveyed through tubular absorbing conduits
    • F24S10/75—Solar heat collectors using working fluids the working fluids being conveyed through tubular absorbing conduits with enlarged surfaces, e.g. with protrusions or corrugations
    • F24S10/755—Solar heat collectors using working fluids the working fluids being conveyed through tubular absorbing conduits with enlarged surfaces, e.g. with protrusions or corrugations the conduits being otherwise bent, e.g. zig-zag
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S70/00—Details of absorbing elements
    • F24S70/20—Details of absorbing elements characterised by absorbing coatings; characterised by surface treatment for increasing absorption
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02S—GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
    • H02S40/00—Components or accessories in combination with PV modules, not provided for in groups H02S10/00 - H02S30/00
    • H02S40/40—Thermal components
    • H02S40/44—Means to utilise heat energy, e.g. hybrid systems producing warm water and electricity at the same time
    • 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
    • F24D2101/00—Electric generators of small-scale CHP systems
    • F24D2101/40—Photovoltaic [PV] modules
    • 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
    • F24D2101/00—Electric generators of small-scale CHP systems
    • F24D2101/50—Thermophotovoltaic [TPV] modules
    • 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
    • F24D2103/00—Thermal aspects of small-scale CHP systems
    • F24D2103/10—Small-scale CHP systems characterised by their heat recovery units
    • F24D2103/13—Small-scale CHP systems characterised by their heat recovery units characterised by their heat exchangers
    • 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
    • F24D2103/00—Thermal aspects of small-scale CHP systems
    • F24D2103/10—Small-scale CHP systems characterised by their heat recovery units
    • F24D2103/17—Storage tanks
    • 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
    • F24D2200/02—Photovoltaic 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
    • F24D2200/00—Heat sources or energy sources
    • F24D2200/12—Heat pump
    • 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
    • F24D2200/14—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
    • F24D2200/00—Heat sources or energy sources
    • F24D2200/16—Waste heat
    • F24D2200/22—Ventilation air
    • 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
    • F24D2220/00—Components of central heating installations excluding heat sources
    • F24D2220/20—Heat consumers
    • F24D2220/2009—Radiators
    • F24D2220/2027—Convectors (radiators wherein heat transfer mainly takes place by convection)
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H2240/00—Fluid heaters having electrical generators
    • F24H2240/01—Batteries, electrical energy storage device
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S20/00—Solar heat collectors specially adapted for particular uses or environments
    • F24S2020/10—Solar modules layout; Modular arrangements
    • F24S2020/18—Solar modules layout; Modular arrangements having a particular shape, e.g. prismatic, pyramidal
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
    • F28D1/00—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators
    • F28D1/02—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators with heat-exchange conduits immersed in the body of fluid
    • F28D1/04—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators with heat-exchange conduits immersed in the body of fluid with tubular conduits
    • F28D1/047—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators with heat-exchange conduits immersed in the body of fluid with tubular conduits the conduits being bent, e.g. in a serpentine or zig-zag
    • F28D1/0477—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators with heat-exchange conduits immersed in the body of fluid with tubular conduits the conduits being bent, e.g. in a serpentine or zig-zag the conduits being bent in a serpentine or zig-zag
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F28F1/00—Tubular elements; Assemblies of tubular elements
    • F28F1/10—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses
    • F28F1/12—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses the means being only outside the tubular element
    • F28F1/24—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses the means being only outside the tubular element and extending transversely
    • F28F1/32—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses the means being only outside the tubular element and extending transversely the means having portions engaging further tubular elements
    • 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
    • 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]
    • 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
    • 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
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
    • Y02E10/44—Heat exchange systems
    • 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
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy
    • 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
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/60—Thermal-PV hybrids

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a heating installation for providing heating and hot water to a building, and to improved solar panels for use in such an installation.
  • a heating installation capable of running independently of mains electricity and conventional fuel sources, such as oil, gas and coal.
  • Electricity can of course be produced locally by alternative energy sources such as wind turbines or photovoltaic solar panels.
  • alternative energy sources such as wind turbines or photovoltaic solar panels.
  • practical considerations mean that wind turbines are not an option for many types of property, whilst photovoltaic solar panels tend to be less popular than solar thermal collectors - which only produce hot water, not electricity - and where space or budget is limited, are often overlooked in favour of thermal collectors when solar panels are installed.
  • the present invention seeks to address the above issues by combining alternative energy sources with a heating installation built around fan convector heating units having a lower operating temperature than conventional radiators, in order to deliver both space heating and domestic hot water.
  • the present invention further seeks to utilise solar panels incorporating photovoltaic cells, in order to provide a stand-alone heating installation capable of operating independently both of conventional fuel sources and mains electricity.
  • a heating installation comprising:
  • At least one solar panel comprising a photovoltaic cell region
  • - pump means linked to said battery array and adapted to pump water between said main heat source, said indirect hot water storage tank and said at least one fan convector heating unit.
  • fan convector heating units in place of conventional radiators enables the heating installation of the present invention to be run at an operating temperature of around 45 °C, rather than the standard operating temperatures of around 75 °C generally required for conventional radiators. This provides the opportunity to use an alternative energy source as described above as the main heat source for both space heating and domestic hot water.
  • photovoltaic solar cells allows for the generation of electricity to power the pump means and the electrical fans of the fan convector heating units, such that the heating installation of the present invention is capable of operating independently of mains electricity.
  • the present invention may also utilise as its main heat source at least one solar panel having a thermal collector region.
  • This thermal collector region may either be in the form of a separate thermal collector panel, or may be part of a combined solar panel comprising both a thermal collector region and a photovoltaic cell region.
  • the heating installation comprises at least one combined solar panel, having a photovoltaic cell region and a thermal collector region, said thermal collector region constituting said main heat source.
  • the heating installation of the present invention can be powered entirely by solar power, with the thermal collector region providing the heat source and the photovoltaic cell region providing the electricity for the pump means and electrical fans of the fan convector heating units.
  • the thermal collector region - whether in the form of a separate, improved thermal collector panel, or part of a combined solar panel - preferably utilises a heat collector coil having a diameter of substantially 2.5 cm (1 inch). More preferably, said heat collector coil is provided with radial fins to increase the surface area.
  • said radial fins are provided at a fin density of substantially 2.4, 3.2 or 4 fins per cm (6, 8 or 10 fins per inch (fpi)).
  • the heat collector coil, and the radial fins are preferably provided with a non-reflecting matt black surface finish.
  • the provision of the radial fins, as described above, increases the solar collection area to at least three times the solar collection area of a standard thermal collector panel of equivalent size, and hence the amount of energy which can be harvested is also greatly increased.
  • the panel can be constructed to the same size as standard thermal collector panel (1 m by 3m), but - A -
  • the panel may be constructed to a third of the standard size, i.e. 1 m by 1 m, and still give an equivalent thermal output to that of a standard thermal collector panel.
  • the possibility to reduce the size of the thermal collector region without any reduction in operating output means that the area which this makes available can then be utilised for incorporation of the photovoltaic cell region.
  • the combined solar panel can be made to the same overall dimensions as a standard thermal collector panel - that is, an overall length of substantially 3m and an overall width of substantially 1 m - but with the thermal collector region only occupying substantially 70% of the area of said combined solar panel, with the remaining substantially 30% of the combined solar panel being occupied by the photovoltaic cell region.
  • the increased surface area of the heat collector coil means that the operating output of said thermal collector region is maintained, or even increased, as compared to a standard thermal collector panel.
  • the scope of the present invention encompasses an improved thermal collector panel as described above, for use in a heating installation as hereinbefore described.
  • the scope of the present invention further encompasses a combined solar panel as described above, for use in a heating installation as hereinbefore described. It is further envisaged that both the improved thermal collector panel, and the combined solar panel, may be utilised independently of the heating installation according to the present invention.
  • the main heat source may be a heat pump, as will be described in more detail below.
  • the one or more fan convector heating units employed in the heating installation according to the present invention are preferably low energy fan convector heating units.
  • An example of an ideal low energy fan convector heating unit for incorporation into the heating installation of the present invention is described in the applicant's GB 2,453,342 A.
  • a low energy fan convector heating unit comprising: a housing having an air duct extending therethrough; a heat exchanger disposed within the air duct and adapted for fluid connection to a heating installation; a fan disposed within the housing and arranged to cause air to flow through the air duct and over the heat exchanger; first control means adapted to activate the fan upon the water within the heat exchanger reaching a pre- determined activation temperature selected from, and interchangeably variable between, a standard activation temperature and a low energy activation temperature; second control means adapted to deactivate the fan upon water within the heat exchanger falling below a pre-determined deactivation temperature selected from, and interchangeably variable between, a standard deactivation temperature and a low energy deactivation temperature; and switching means in communication with said first and second control means, and adapted to enable variation between a standard operating mode in which said standard activation and deactivation temperatures are employed, and a low energy operating mode in which said low energy activation and deactivation temperatures are employed.
  • a standard operating mode in which said
  • the one or more fan convector heating units and the pump means are each preferably adapted to be operated on a 12V DC electrical current provided by the battery array.
  • the pump means may be housed within said one or more fan convector heating units.
  • each battery in the battery array is adapted to be charged by the photovoltaic cell region of a solar panel.
  • the heating installation further comprises one or more auxiliary heat sources linked to the indirect hot water storage tank.
  • the auxiliary heat source is a heat pump.
  • the main heat source may also be a heat pump.
  • a heating installation according to said alternative embodiment of the present invention may therefore utilise heat pumps as both main and auxiliary heat sources.
  • Each said heat pump whether utilised as a main or auxiliary heat source may be a ground source heat pump connected to a geothermal pipe system, or alternatively may be an air source heat pump.
  • the heating installation of the present invention may utilise both a ground source heat pump and an air source heat pump as auxiliary heat sources; or alternatively may utilise both a ground source heat pump and an air source heat pump as main and auxiliary heat sources.
  • said air source heat pump may preferably be a heat reclaiming heat pump adapted to recover heat from a building in which the heating installation is installed.
  • Said heat reclaiming heat pump is preferably connected to a return air tubing system located in loft space of a building in which the heating installation is installed, and adapted to feed recovered warm air to the heat reclaiming heat pump.
  • Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a heating installation according to a first embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a heating installation according to a second embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 3 shows a partially exploded perspective representation of a house, illustrating an aspect of a heating installation according to a third embodiment of the present invention installed therein;
  • Figures 4 shows a front view of an improved thermal collector panel, for use in a heating installation according to the present invention.
  • Figure 4a shows a side cross-sectional view of the improved thermal collector panel of Figure 4, with aspects thereof shown in enlarged detail.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown a heating installation, generally indicated 10, according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • the installation 10 is centred around a 500 litre indirect hot water storage tank 1 1 , having a coil 12 connected to a thermal collector region 13 of a combined solar panel 14, via first flow and return pipes 15, 16.
  • a first circulator pump 17, operable on a 12V DC electrical current, is provided in the first flow pipe 15, and is adapted to pump heated water from the thermal collector region 13 of the combined solar panel 14 to the coil 12 of the storage tank 1 1.
  • the thermal collector region 13 occupies substantially two-thirds of the total area of the combined solar panel 14, with the remaining area being occupied by a photovoltaic cell region 18.
  • the thermal collector region 13 forms the main heat source - and indeed in the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 , the only heat source - for the heating installation 10, whilst the photovoltaic cell region 18 is provided to generate electricity for the operation of the electrical components of the heating installation 10.
  • a first electrical connection 19 links the photovoltaic cell region 18, via a charge regulator 21 , to an array 22 of 12V rechargeable batteries 23.
  • a fuse and distribution box 24 then links said array 22, via further electrical connections 25, 26, 27, respectively, to the electrical components of the heating installation 10, namely the first circulator pump 17, a second circulator pump 28, and a low energy fan convector heating unit 29.
  • the fan convector heating unit 29 is connected to an internal reservoir 33 of the hot water storage tank 1 1 via second flow and return pipes 31 , 32.
  • the second circulator pump 28 is provided in the second return pipe 32, and is adapted to pump return water from the low energy fan convector heating unit 29 to the indirect hot water storage tank 1 1.
  • solar radiation falling upon the thermal collector region 13 of the combined solar panel 14 is collected as heat by water in the tubes of the thermal collector region 13. Simultaneously, solar radiation falling upon the photovoltaic cell region 18 of the combined solar panel 14 is converted into electricity.
  • the heated water is pumped by the first circulator pump 17 through the first flow pipe 15 into the bottom of the coil 12 of the hot water storage tank 1 1.
  • heat from the coil 12 is transferred to water in the tank's internal reservoir 33, and the cooler water at the top of the coil 12 is returned to the thermal collector region 13 through first return pipe 16.
  • the heated water in the reservoir 33 is drawn by the second circulator pump 28 through second flow pipe 31 to the fan convector heating unit 29, from where heat is transferred to the room in which the unit 29 is located.
  • the cooler water exiting the heating unit 29 is returned through second return pipe 32 to the reservoir 33.
  • the electricity generated by the photovoltaic cell region 18 is used to charge (and re-charge, as required) the batteries 23 in the battery array 22.
  • the battery power is then used to power the first and second circulator pumps 17, 28 and the electrical controls of the low energy fan convector heating unit 29.
  • the use of a low energy fan convector heating unit 29 enables the heating installation 10 to operate entirely on solar power, and independently of mains electricity. This is because the low energy fan convector heating unit 29 is capable of providing sufficient heating capacity at low operating temperatures of around 45 °C. Water at this temperature can easily be delivered by the thermal collector region 13, via the indirect hot water storage tank. Additionally, as both the low energy fan convector heating unit 29 and the circulator pumps 17, 28 only require a 12V DC electrical supply, this can be easily delivered by the photovoltaic cell region 18, via the rechargeable battery array 22.
  • heating installation 10 is shown in Figure 1 with a single combined solar panel 14 and a single fan convector heating unit 29, it should be appreciated that in reality the installation 10 is likely to include an array of like combined solar panels 14 and a plurality of fan convector heating units 29 distributed throughout the house or other building in which the heating installation is installed.
  • FIG 2 there is shown a heating installation, generally indicated 40, according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • the heating installation 40 is similar in many respects to the first embodiment 10 described above with reference to Figure 1 , and where applicable like components are allocated like reference numerals.
  • the heating installation 40 of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment 10 in that its solar panel 42 consists only of a photovoltaic cell region 18, with no thermal collector region. Consequently, the solar panel 14 can be made considerably smaller.
  • the thermal collector region is replaced as the main heat source by a heat pump 41 , which may be either a ground source or air source heat pump.
  • the heated water from the heat pump 41 is transferred to and from the coil 12 of the hot water storage tank 1 1 through first flow and return pipes 15, 16 as with the first embodiment 10, though as the heat pump 41 itself pumps the water through the pipes 15, 16, there is no need for a first circulator pump.
  • the heat delivery side of the installation 40 comprising the reservoir 33, fan convector heating unit 29, second flow and return pipes 31 and 32 and circulator pump 28 is essentially identical to the heating installation of the first embodiment 10.
  • Both the first and second embodiments of heating installation 10, 40 described above with reference to Figures 1 and 2 may be adapted to include one or more auxiliary heat sources in addition to the main heat source.
  • the auxiliary heat source may be a thermal collector region 13 of a solar panel, or a ground or air source heat pump 41. Where present, the auxiliary heat source may be adapted to feed heated water to a further coil 12 of the hot water storage tank 1 1.
  • FIG. 3 there is shown an aspect of a heating installation, generally indicated 50, according to a third embodiment of the present invention, installed in a house 51.
  • the heating installation 50 of the third embodiment is the same in most respects as the first and second embodiments 10, 40, and can be assumed to comprise the same components, though these are not illustrated in Figure 3.
  • the heating installation 50 of the third embodiment differs in that it includes an auxiliary heat source in the form of a heat reclaiming air source heat pump 52.
  • the reclaiming heat pump 52 is fed by a network of flexible tubing 53 located in loft space, generally indicated 54, of the house 51. Each length of tubing 53 communicates with a vent 55 through which warmed air from the room(s) below can be drawn though the tubing 53 to the reclaiming heat pump 52, as indicated by arrows a.
  • a fan may be provided within the reclaiming heat pump 52 to draw the air through the tubing 53 and down through a flue 56 to the reclaiming heat pump 52, as indicated by arrow b.
  • any excess heat emitted by the fan convector heating units 29, which will be installed throughout the house 51 can be recovered rather than escaping into the loft space 54 and lost through the roof 57 of the house 51.
  • the reclaiming heat pump 52 transfers the heat from the recovered warm air to water circulating within further flow and return pipes 15, 16 which will feed the warmed water to a further coil 12 of the indirect hot water storage tank 1 1.
  • the improved thermal collector panel 60 consists solely of a thermal collector region 13, with no photovoltaic cell region. As such, the improved thermal collector panel 60 is provided for use as a main or auxiliary heat source in the heating installation 10, 40, 50, of the present invention and is not intended to generate electricity for the operation of the electrical components of the heating installation 10, 40, 50. Nevertheless, it should be understood that the following discussion of the construction of the improved thermal collector panel 60 applies equally to the thermal collector region 13 of the combined solar panel 14 utilised in the heating installation 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • the improved thermal collector panel 60 utilises a heat collector coil 61 having a diameter of substantially 2.5 cm (1 inch).
  • the heat collector coil 61 is provided with radial fins 62 to increase the surface area, said radial fins 62 being provided at a fin density of substantially 4 fins per cm (10 fins per inch (fpi)).
  • the heat collector coil 61 , and the radial fins 62, are provided with a non-reflecting matt black surface finish 63.
  • the heat collector coil 61 is housed within a heat build-up chamber 64, having one-way heat emitting glass 65 at its front surface, and heat reflecting insulation 66 at its rear surface. Solar radiation R falling on the panel 60 is thus trapped within the chamber 64 and directed into the heat collector coil 61.
  • the provision of the radial fins 62 increases the solar collection area of the improved thermal collector panel 60 to at least three times that of a standard thermal collector panel of equivalent size.
  • the panel 60 can be constructed to a standard 1 m by 3m size, but give an increased thermal output of substantially three times that of a standard thermal collector panel.

Abstract

A heating installation (10) comprises at least one solar panel (14) comprising a photovoltaic cell region (18) linked to a rechargeable battery array (22), a main heat source (13) linked to an indirect hot water storage tank (11), at least one fan convector heating unit (29) linked to the battery array (22) and the indirect hot water storage tank (11), and pump means (17, 28) linked to the battery array (22). The pump means (17, 28) is adapted to pump water between the main heat source (13), the indirect hot water storage tank (11) and the fan convector heating unit(s) (29).

Description

Heating Installation
This invention relates to a heating installation for providing heating and hot water to a building, and to improved solar panels for use in such an installation. In particular, it relates to a heating installation capable of running independently of mains electricity and conventional fuel sources, such as oil, gas and coal.
The need to reduce or eliminate reliance on fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal is now universally accepted and widely discussed. The principal drivers in the move away from these conventional fuels are climate change and an expected depletion in resources of such fuels in the future, which will inevitably increase prices and reduce supply stability. The concept of providing heating and hot water to one's own home or business premises independently of fossil fuel sources has therefore become attractive to many people over recent years, and consequently a considerable "green heating" industry has developed to meet this demand.
Popular alternative energy sources for domestic heating and hot water include solar panels, and ground or air source heat pumps. However, although these alternative energy sources enable users to reduce their dependence on conventional fuels to some extent, existing heating installations based on these sources have so far tended to fall short of eliminating fossil fuel dependency altogether, for a number of reasons. Firstly, whilst much effort has been made in replacing conventional oil or gas boilers with alternative energy sources such as solar panels or heat pumps, little attention tends to be paid to the remainder of the domestic heating and hot water system. Attempting to connect such alternative energy sources directly into conventional central heating systems is unlikely ever to be wholly successful. Heating systems built around conventional radiators generally require an operating temperature of around 75 °C, and existing solar panels and heat pumps struggle to meet such demands. As a consequence, such alternative energy sources tend to be used only to provide domestic hot water, which typically requires an operating temperature of around 45 °C, rather than space heating. Where alternative energy sources are used for space heating, this tends to be only used as an auxiliary heat source, in combination with a main heat source powered by conventional fuel. The alternative energy source is thus employed merely to "top-up" the conventional fuel source, rather than to replace it. Secondly, generally all fluid heating systems require one or more pumps to circulate the fluid around the system, from the heat source to the radiators, and back to the heat source. These pumps require a power source and for convenience generally tend to be connected to mains electricity. This moves away from the aim of reducing fossil fuel dependency since the generation of mains electricity is highly consumptive of fossil fuels. Electricity can of course be produced locally by alternative energy sources such as wind turbines or photovoltaic solar panels. However, practical considerations mean that wind turbines are not an option for many types of property, whilst photovoltaic solar panels tend to be less popular than solar thermal collectors - which only produce hot water, not electricity - and where space or budget is limited, are often overlooked in favour of thermal collectors when solar panels are installed.
The present invention seeks to address the above issues by combining alternative energy sources with a heating installation built around fan convector heating units having a lower operating temperature than conventional radiators, in order to deliver both space heating and domestic hot water. The present invention further seeks to utilise solar panels incorporating photovoltaic cells, in order to provide a stand-alone heating installation capable of operating independently both of conventional fuel sources and mains electricity. According to the present invention there is provided a heating installation comprising:
- at least one solar panel comprising a photovoltaic cell region;
- a rechargeable battery array linked to said photovoltaic cell region;
- a main heat source; - an indirect hot water storage tank linked to said main heat source;
- at least one fan convector heating unit linked to said battery array and said indirect hot water storage tank; and
- pump means linked to said battery array and adapted to pump water between said main heat source, said indirect hot water storage tank and said at least one fan convector heating unit.
The provision of fan convector heating units in place of conventional radiators enables the heating installation of the present invention to be run at an operating temperature of around 45 °C, rather than the standard operating temperatures of around 75 °C generally required for conventional radiators. This provides the opportunity to use an alternative energy source as described above as the main heat source for both space heating and domestic hot water. The incorporation of photovoltaic solar cells allows for the generation of electricity to power the pump means and the electrical fans of the fan convector heating units, such that the heating installation of the present invention is capable of operating independently of mains electricity.
In addition to utilising photovoltaic solar cells to generate electricity, the present invention may also utilise as its main heat source at least one solar panel having a thermal collector region. This thermal collector region may either be in the form of a separate thermal collector panel, or may be part of a combined solar panel comprising both a thermal collector region and a photovoltaic cell region.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the heating installation comprises at least one combined solar panel, having a photovoltaic cell region and a thermal collector region, said thermal collector region constituting said main heat source. In this way, the heating installation of the present invention can be powered entirely by solar power, with the thermal collector region providing the heat source and the photovoltaic cell region providing the electricity for the pump means and electrical fans of the fan convector heating units. The thermal collector region - whether in the form of a separate, improved thermal collector panel, or part of a combined solar panel - preferably utilises a heat collector coil having a diameter of substantially 2.5 cm (1 inch). More preferably, said heat collector coil is provided with radial fins to increase the surface area. Most preferably, said radial fins are provided at a fin density of substantially 2.4, 3.2 or 4 fins per cm (6, 8 or 10 fins per inch (fpi)). The heat collector coil, and the radial fins, are preferably provided with a non-reflecting matt black surface finish.
The provision of the radial fins, as described above, increases the solar collection area to at least three times the solar collection area of a standard thermal collector panel of equivalent size, and hence the amount of energy which can be harvested is also greatly increased.
For the improved thermal collector panel, this means that the panel can be constructed to the same size as standard thermal collector panel (1 m by 3m), but - A -
give an increased thermal output of substantially three times that of a standard thermal collector panel. Alternatively, the panel may be constructed to a third of the standard size, i.e. 1 m by 1 m, and still give an equivalent thermal output to that of a standard thermal collector panel. For the combined solar panel, the possibility to reduce the size of the thermal collector region without any reduction in operating output means that the area which this makes available can then be utilised for incorporation of the photovoltaic cell region. In this way, the combined solar panel can be made to the same overall dimensions as a standard thermal collector panel - that is, an overall length of substantially 3m and an overall width of substantially 1 m - but with the thermal collector region only occupying substantially 70% of the area of said combined solar panel, with the remaining substantially 30% of the combined solar panel being occupied by the photovoltaic cell region. Despite the reduction in size of the thermal collector region, the increased surface area of the heat collector coil means that the operating output of said thermal collector region is maintained, or even increased, as compared to a standard thermal collector panel.
The scope of the present invention encompasses an improved thermal collector panel as described above, for use in a heating installation as hereinbefore described. The scope of the present invention further encompasses a combined solar panel as described above, for use in a heating installation as hereinbefore described. It is further envisaged that both the improved thermal collector panel, and the combined solar panel, may be utilised independently of the heating installation according to the present invention.
In an alternative embodiment of the heating installation according to the present invention, the main heat source may be a heat pump, as will be described in more detail below.
The one or more fan convector heating units employed in the heating installation according to the present invention are preferably low energy fan convector heating units. An example of an ideal low energy fan convector heating unit for incorporation into the heating installation of the present invention is described in the applicant's GB 2,453,342 A.
This publication discloses a low energy fan convector heating unit comprising: a housing having an air duct extending therethrough; a heat exchanger disposed within the air duct and adapted for fluid connection to a heating installation; a fan disposed within the housing and arranged to cause air to flow through the air duct and over the heat exchanger; first control means adapted to activate the fan upon the water within the heat exchanger reaching a pre- determined activation temperature selected from, and interchangeably variable between, a standard activation temperature and a low energy activation temperature; second control means adapted to deactivate the fan upon water within the heat exchanger falling below a pre-determined deactivation temperature selected from, and interchangeably variable between, a standard deactivation temperature and a low energy deactivation temperature; and switching means in communication with said first and second control means, and adapted to enable variation between a standard operating mode in which said standard activation and deactivation temperatures are employed, and a low energy operating mode in which said low energy activation and deactivation temperatures are employed. Preferably, such fan convector heating units will be utilised in the heating installation of the present invention, with a fluid connection being established between the heat exchanger of the fan convector heating unit and the indirect hot water storage tank.
The one or more fan convector heating units and the pump means are each preferably adapted to be operated on a 12V DC electrical current provided by the battery array. Optionally, the pump means may be housed within said one or more fan convector heating units. Preferably, each battery in the battery array is adapted to be charged by the photovoltaic cell region of a solar panel.
In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the heating installation further comprises one or more auxiliary heat sources linked to the indirect hot water storage tank. Preferably, the auxiliary heat source is a heat pump. As noted above with reference to the first embodiment of the present invention, the main heat source may also be a heat pump. A heating installation according to said alternative embodiment of the present invention may therefore utilise heat pumps as both main and auxiliary heat sources.
Each said heat pump, whether utilised as a main or auxiliary heat source may be a ground source heat pump connected to a geothermal pipe system, or alternatively may be an air source heat pump. The heating installation of the present invention may utilise both a ground source heat pump and an air source heat pump as auxiliary heat sources; or alternatively may utilise both a ground source heat pump and an air source heat pump as main and auxiliary heat sources. When utilised as an auxiliary heat source, said air source heat pump may preferably be a heat reclaiming heat pump adapted to recover heat from a building in which the heating installation is installed.
Said heat reclaiming heat pump is preferably connected to a return air tubing system located in loft space of a building in which the heating installation is installed, and adapted to feed recovered warm air to the heat reclaiming heat pump.
In order that the present invention may be more clearly understood, preferred embodiments thereof will now be described in detail, though only by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a heating installation according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a heating installation according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 shows a partially exploded perspective representation of a house, illustrating an aspect of a heating installation according to a third embodiment of the present invention installed therein;
Figures 4 shows a front view of an improved thermal collector panel, for use in a heating installation according to the present invention; and
Figure 4a shows a side cross-sectional view of the improved thermal collector panel of Figure 4, with aspects thereof shown in enlarged detail.
Referring first to Figure 1 , there is shown a heating installation, generally indicated 10, according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The installation 10 is centred around a 500 litre indirect hot water storage tank 1 1 , having a coil 12 connected to a thermal collector region 13 of a combined solar panel 14, via first flow and return pipes 15, 16. A first circulator pump 17, operable on a 12V DC electrical current, is provided in the first flow pipe 15, and is adapted to pump heated water from the thermal collector region 13 of the combined solar panel 14 to the coil 12 of the storage tank 1 1. As can be seen in Figure 1 , the thermal collector region 13 occupies substantially two-thirds of the total area of the combined solar panel 14, with the remaining area being occupied by a photovoltaic cell region 18. The thermal collector region 13 forms the main heat source - and indeed in the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 , the only heat source - for the heating installation 10, whilst the photovoltaic cell region 18 is provided to generate electricity for the operation of the electrical components of the heating installation 10.
A first electrical connection 19 links the photovoltaic cell region 18, via a charge regulator 21 , to an array 22 of 12V rechargeable batteries 23. A fuse and distribution box 24 then links said array 22, via further electrical connections 25, 26, 27, respectively, to the electrical components of the heating installation 10, namely the first circulator pump 17, a second circulator pump 28, and a low energy fan convector heating unit 29. The fan convector heating unit 29 is connected to an internal reservoir 33 of the hot water storage tank 1 1 via second flow and return pipes 31 , 32. The second circulator pump 28 is provided in the second return pipe 32, and is adapted to pump return water from the low energy fan convector heating unit 29 to the indirect hot water storage tank 1 1. In use, solar radiation falling upon the thermal collector region 13 of the combined solar panel 14 is collected as heat by water in the tubes of the thermal collector region 13. Simultaneously, solar radiation falling upon the photovoltaic cell region 18 of the combined solar panel 14 is converted into electricity. The heated water is pumped by the first circulator pump 17 through the first flow pipe 15 into the bottom of the coil 12 of the hot water storage tank 1 1. Here, heat from the coil 12 is transferred to water in the tank's internal reservoir 33, and the cooler water at the top of the coil 12 is returned to the thermal collector region 13 through first return pipe 16. The heated water in the reservoir 33 is drawn by the second circulator pump 28 through second flow pipe 31 to the fan convector heating unit 29, from where heat is transferred to the room in which the unit 29 is located. The cooler water exiting the heating unit 29 is returned through second return pipe 32 to the reservoir 33. The electricity generated by the photovoltaic cell region 18 is used to charge (and re-charge, as required) the batteries 23 in the battery array 22. The battery power is then used to power the first and second circulator pumps 17, 28 and the electrical controls of the low energy fan convector heating unit 29. The use of a low energy fan convector heating unit 29 enables the heating installation 10 to operate entirely on solar power, and independently of mains electricity. This is because the low energy fan convector heating unit 29 is capable of providing sufficient heating capacity at low operating temperatures of around 45 °C. Water at this temperature can easily be delivered by the thermal collector region 13, via the indirect hot water storage tank. Additionally, as both the low energy fan convector heating unit 29 and the circulator pumps 17, 28 only require a 12V DC electrical supply, this can be easily delivered by the photovoltaic cell region 18, via the rechargeable battery array 22.
Although the heating installation 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 1 with a single combined solar panel 14 and a single fan convector heating unit 29, it should be appreciated that in reality the installation 10 is likely to include an array of like combined solar panels 14 and a plurality of fan convector heating units 29 distributed throughout the house or other building in which the heating installation is installed. Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown a heating installation, generally indicated 40, according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The heating installation 40 is similar in many respects to the first embodiment 10 described above with reference to Figure 1 , and where applicable like components are allocated like reference numerals. The heating installation 40 of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment 10 in that its solar panel 42 consists only of a photovoltaic cell region 18, with no thermal collector region. Consequently, the solar panel 14 can be made considerably smaller. The thermal collector region is replaced as the main heat source by a heat pump 41 , which may be either a ground source or air source heat pump. The heated water from the heat pump 41 is transferred to and from the coil 12 of the hot water storage tank 1 1 through first flow and return pipes 15, 16 as with the first embodiment 10, though as the heat pump 41 itself pumps the water through the pipes 15, 16, there is no need for a first circulator pump. The heat delivery side of the installation 40, comprising the reservoir 33, fan convector heating unit 29, second flow and return pipes 31 and 32 and circulator pump 28 is essentially identical to the heating installation of the first embodiment 10. Both the first and second embodiments of heating installation 10, 40 described above with reference to Figures 1 and 2 may be adapted to include one or more auxiliary heat sources in addition to the main heat source. Regardless of the nature of the main heat source, the auxiliary heat source may be a thermal collector region 13 of a solar panel, or a ground or air source heat pump 41. Where present, the auxiliary heat source may be adapted to feed heated water to a further coil 12 of the hot water storage tank 1 1.
Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown an aspect of a heating installation, generally indicated 50, according to a third embodiment of the present invention, installed in a house 51. The heating installation 50 of the third embodiment is the same in most respects as the first and second embodiments 10, 40, and can be assumed to comprise the same components, though these are not illustrated in Figure 3.
The heating installation 50 of the third embodiment differs in that it includes an auxiliary heat source in the form of a heat reclaiming air source heat pump 52. The reclaiming heat pump 52 is fed by a network of flexible tubing 53 located in loft space, generally indicated 54, of the house 51. Each length of tubing 53 communicates with a vent 55 through which warmed air from the room(s) below can be drawn though the tubing 53 to the reclaiming heat pump 52, as indicated by arrows a. A fan may be provided within the reclaiming heat pump 52 to draw the air through the tubing 53 and down through a flue 56 to the reclaiming heat pump 52, as indicated by arrow b.
In this way, any excess heat emitted by the fan convector heating units 29, which will be installed throughout the house 51 , can be recovered rather than escaping into the loft space 54 and lost through the roof 57 of the house 51. The reclaiming heat pump 52 transfers the heat from the recovered warm air to water circulating within further flow and return pipes 15, 16 which will feed the warmed water to a further coil 12 of the indirect hot water storage tank 1 1. Referring now to Figures 4 and 4a, there is shown an improved thermal collector panel 60 for use in a heating installation 10, 40, 50, according to the present invention.
The improved thermal collector panel 60 consists solely of a thermal collector region 13, with no photovoltaic cell region. As such, the improved thermal collector panel 60 is provided for use as a main or auxiliary heat source in the heating installation 10, 40, 50, of the present invention and is not intended to generate electricity for the operation of the electrical components of the heating installation 10, 40, 50. Nevertheless, it should be understood that the following discussion of the construction of the improved thermal collector panel 60 applies equally to the thermal collector region 13 of the combined solar panel 14 utilised in the heating installation 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The improved thermal collector panel 60 utilises a heat collector coil 61 having a diameter of substantially 2.5 cm (1 inch). The heat collector coil 61 is provided with radial fins 62 to increase the surface area, said radial fins 62 being provided at a fin density of substantially 4 fins per cm (10 fins per inch (fpi)). The heat collector coil 61 , and the radial fins 62, are provided with a non-reflecting matt black surface finish 63. The heat collector coil 61 is housed within a heat build-up chamber 64, having one-way heat emitting glass 65 at its front surface, and heat reflecting insulation 66 at its rear surface. Solar radiation R falling on the panel 60 is thus trapped within the chamber 64 and directed into the heat collector coil 61. The provision of the radial fins 62 increases the solar collection area of the improved thermal collector panel 60 to at least three times that of a standard thermal collector panel of equivalent size. As such, the panel 60 can be constructed to a standard 1 m by 3m size, but give an increased thermal output of substantially three times that of a standard thermal collector panel.

Claims

Claims
1. A heating installation comprising:
- at least one solar panel comprising a photovoltaic cell region ;
- a rechargeable battery array linked to so said photovoltaic cell region; - a main heat source;
- an indirect hot water storage tank linked to said main heat source;
- at least one fan convector heating unit linked to said battery array and said indirect hot water storage tank; and
- pump means linked to said battery array and adapted to pump water between said main heat source, said indirect hot water storage tank and said at least one fan convector heating unit.
2. A heating installation as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the main heat source is at least one solar panel comprising a thermal collector region.
3. A heating installation as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one solar panel comprising a thermal collector region is a separate thermal collector panel, independent of said at least one solar panel comprising said photovoltaic cell region.
4. A heating installation as claimed in claim 2, comprising at least one combined solar panel, having a photovoltaic cell region and a thermal collector region, said thermal collector region constituting said main heat source.
5. A heating installation as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, wherein said thermal collector region utilises a heat collector coil having a diameter of substantially 2.5 cm (1 inch).
6. A heating installation as claimed in claim 5, wherein said heat collector coil is provided with radial fins to increase the surface area.
7. A heating installation as claimed in claim 8, wherein said radial fins are provided at a fin density of substantially 2.4, 3.2 or 4 fins per cm (6, 8 or 10 fpi).
8. A heating installation as claimed in any of claims 5 to 7, wherein said heat collector coil is provided with a non-reflecting matt black surface finish.
9. A heating installation as claimed in claim 4, or any of claims 5 to 8 when dependent upon claim 4, , wherein said photovoltaic cell region constitutes substantially 30% of the area of the or each combined solar panel, and said thermal collector region constitutes substantially 70% of the area of the or each combined solar panel.
10. A heating installation as claimed in claim 4, or any of claims 5 to 9 when dependent upon claim 4, wherein the or each combined solar panel has an overall length of substantially 3m and an overall width of substantially 1 m.
1 1. A heating installation as claimed in any of the preceding claims, adapted to operate independently of mains electricity.
12. A heating installation as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising at least one low energy fan convector heating unit.
13. A heating installation as claimed in claim 12, wherein at least one low energy fan convector heating unit comprises: a housing having an air duct extending therethrough; a heat exchanger disposed within the air duct and adapted for fluid connection to said indirect hot water storage tank; a fan disposed within the housing and arranged to cause air to flow through the air duct and over the heat exchanger; first control means adapted to activate the fan upon the water within the heat exchanger reaching a pre-determined activation temperature selected from, and interchangeably variable between, a standard activation temperature and a low energy activation temperature; second control means adapted to deactivate the fan upon water within the heat exchanger falling below a pre-determined deactivation temperature selected from, and interchangeably variable between, a standard deactivation temperature and a low energy deactivation temperature; and switching means in communication with said first and second control means, and adapted to enable variation between a standard operating mode in which said standard activation and deactivation temperatures are employed, and a low energy operating mode in which said low energy activation and deactivation temperatures are employed.
14. A heating installation as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one fan convector heating unit and said pump means are adapted to be operated on a 12V DC electrical current provided by said battery array.
15. A heating installation as claimed in claim 14, wherein at least one battery in the battery array is adapted to be charged by said photovoltaic cell region of a solar panel.
16. A heating installation as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said pump means are housed within said at least one fan convector heating unit.
17. A heating installation as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one auxiliary heat source linked to the indirect hot water storage tank.
18. A heating installation as claimed in claim 17, wherein at least one auxiliary heat source is a heat pump.
19. A heating installation as claimed in claim 1 or any of claims 1 1 to 17, wherein the main heat source is a heat pump.
20. A heating installation as claimed in claim 18 or claim 19 wherein said heat pump is a ground source heat pump connected to a geothermal pipe system.
21. A heating installation as claimed in claim 18 or claim 19 wherein said heat pump is an air source heat pump.
22. A heating installation as claimed in claim 17, wherein both a ground source heat pump and an air source heat pump are utilised as auxiliary heat sources.
23. A heating installation as claimed in claim 17, wherein both a ground source heat pump and an air source heat pump are utilised as main and auxiliary heat sources.
24. A heating installation as claimed in any of claims 21 to 23, wherein said air source heat pump is a heat reclaiming heat pump adapted to recover heat from a building in which said heating installation is installed.
25. A heating installation as claimed in claim 24, wherein said heat reclaiming heat pump is connected to a return air tubing system located in loft space of said building in which said heating installation is installed, and adapted to feed recovered warm air to said heat reclaiming heat pump.
26. An improved thermal collector panel for use in a heating installation as claimed in any of claims 5 to 8, when dependent upon claim 3, said panel comprising a thermal collector region utilising a heat collector coil having a diameter of substantially 2.5 cm (1 inch).
27. An improved thermal collector panel as claimed in claim 26, wherein said heat collector coil is provided with radial fins to increase the surface area.
28. An improved thermal collector panel as claimed in claim 27, wherein said radial fins are provided at a fin density of substantially 2.4, 3.2 or 4 fins per cm (6, 8 or 10 fpi).
29. An improved thermal collector panel as claimed in any of claims 26 to 28, wherein said heat collector coil is provided with a non-reflecting matt black surface finish.
30. A combined solar panel for use in a heating installation as claimed in any of claims 5 to 10, when dependent upon claim 4, said solar panel comprising a photovoltaic cell region and a thermal collector region utilising a heat collector coil having a diameter of substantially 2.5 cm (1 inch).
31. A combined solar panel as claimed in claim 30, wherein said heat collector coil is provided with radial fins to increase the surface area.
32. A combined solar panel as claimed in claim 31 , wherein said radial fins are provided at a fin density of substantially 2.4, 3.2 or 4 fins per cm (6, 8 or 10 fpi).
33. A combined solar panel as claimed in any of claims 30 to 32, wherein said heat collector coil is provided with a non-reflecting matt black surface finish.
34. A combined solar panel as claimed in any of claims 30 to 33, wherein said photovoltaic cell region constitutes substantially 30% of the area of said panel, and said thermal collector region constitutes substantially 70% of the area of said panel.
35. A combined solar panel as claimed in any of claims 30 to 34, having an overall length of substantially 3m and an overall width of substantially 1 m.
PCT/GB2010/051028 2009-06-23 2010-06-22 Heating installation WO2010150006A2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP10787158.4A EP2614311A2 (en) 2009-06-23 2010-06-22 Heating installation

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GB2475243A (en) * 2009-11-10 2011-05-18 Smith S Environmental Products Ltd Heating installation having a heat pump and one or more fan convector heating units
FR2990016A1 (en) * 2012-04-25 2013-11-01 Fabrice Pierron Installation for heating dwelling, has generation unit for generating electrical energy from renewable energy source, and heat pump connected to communication unit to consume electric power provided by supply network
WO2013124610A3 (en) * 2012-02-21 2013-12-05 Mcvelia John Carlson Apparatus for heating water
WO2015145240A1 (en) * 2014-03-27 2015-10-01 Zehnder Group International Ag Device and method for heating or cooling rooms
FR3135516A1 (en) * 2022-05-12 2023-11-17 Dualsun Photovoltaic and thermal solar panel.

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DE202008008747U1 (en) * 2008-07-02 2008-11-27 Giritsch, Johann photovoltaic system

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GB2453342A (en) 2007-10-04 2009-04-08 Smith S Environmental Products Energy efficient fan convector heating unit with interchangeable standard and low energy operating modes

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2475243A (en) * 2009-11-10 2011-05-18 Smith S Environmental Products Ltd Heating installation having a heat pump and one or more fan convector heating units
WO2013124610A3 (en) * 2012-02-21 2013-12-05 Mcvelia John Carlson Apparatus for heating water
GB2513500A (en) * 2012-02-21 2014-10-29 John Carlson Mcvelia Apparatus for heating water
FR2990016A1 (en) * 2012-04-25 2013-11-01 Fabrice Pierron Installation for heating dwelling, has generation unit for generating electrical energy from renewable energy source, and heat pump connected to communication unit to consume electric power provided by supply network
WO2015145240A1 (en) * 2014-03-27 2015-10-01 Zehnder Group International Ag Device and method for heating or cooling rooms
FR3135516A1 (en) * 2022-05-12 2023-11-17 Dualsun Photovoltaic and thermal solar panel.

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WO2010150006A3 (en) 2013-06-13
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