WO2019224067A1 - Concentration detection device, concentration monitor device and solar water heater - Google Patents

Concentration detection device, concentration monitor device and solar water heater Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2019224067A1
WO2019224067A1 PCT/EP2019/062471 EP2019062471W WO2019224067A1 WO 2019224067 A1 WO2019224067 A1 WO 2019224067A1 EP 2019062471 W EP2019062471 W EP 2019062471W WO 2019224067 A1 WO2019224067 A1 WO 2019224067A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
concentration
transfer medium
water heater
heat transfer
antifreeze
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2019/062471
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Zhongxi Huang
Ting Gao
Yuming Song
Jiankun Zhou
Original Assignee
Tyco Electronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.
Te Connectivity Corporation
Tyco Electronics Uk Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tyco Electronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Te Connectivity Corporation, Tyco Electronics Uk Ltd filed Critical Tyco Electronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.
Publication of WO2019224067A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019224067A1/en

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S40/00—Safety or protection arrangements of solar heat collectors; Preventing malfunction of solar heat collectors
    • F24S40/70—Preventing freezing
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N27/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means
    • G01N27/02—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance
    • G01N27/22—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating capacitance
    • G01N27/221—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating capacitance by investigating the dielectric properties
    • 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

Definitions

  • At least one embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a concentration detection device for detecting a concentration of antifreeze in a heat transfer medium in a solar water heater, a concentration monitor device comprising the concentration detection device, and a solar water heater comprising the concentration detection device.
  • a solar water heater comprises a heat exchanging device.
  • a heat transfer medium in the heat exchanging device usually contains an antifreeze solution and has a strong anti-freezing ability to prevent the freezing and solidification of the heat transfer medium in the heat exchanging device in winter.
  • the commonly used antifreeze solution is ethylene glycol aqueous solution or propylene glycol aqueous solution.
  • the concentration of antifreeze (ethylene glycol or propylene glycol) in the heat transfer medium should be held within a desired range, for example, within a range of 30V% ⁇ 60V%. If the concentration of antifreeze is lower than a lower limit of the desired range or higher than an upper limit of the desired range, the freezing resistance of the heat transfer medium will decrease, which is easy to occur freezing and solidification.
  • the amount of antifreeze and the concentration of antifreeze in the heat transfer medium will be changed. If the antifreeze solution in the heat transfer medium is not added or replaced in time, the concentration of the antifreeze in the heat transfer medium may exceed the desired range, which will lead to the freezing and solidification of the heat transfer medium at low temperature, thus causing the pipeline of the heat exchanging device to be blocked or burst.
  • the present disclosure has been made to overcome or alleviate at least one aspect of the above mentioned disadvantages.
  • a concentration detection device adapted to on-line detect a concentration of antifreeze in a heat transfer medium in a solar water heater.
  • the concentration detection device comprises: a capacitance detector adapted to be immersed in the heat transfer medium in the solar water heater and configured to detect a capacitance value Cn in the heat transfer medium; a dielectric constant calculation unit configured to calculate a relative dielectric constant e r of the heat transfer medium in the solar water heater according to the capacitance value Cn detected by the capacitance detector; a temperature sensor provided in the heat transfer medium in the solar water heater and configured to detect the temperature of the heat transfer medium in the solar water heater; and a concentration calculation unit configured to calculate the concentration of antifreeze in the heat transfer medium based on the relative dielectric constant e r calculated by the dielectric constant calculation unit and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor.
  • the relative dielectric constant e r of the heat transfer medium in the solar water heater is calculated according to the following formula (1):
  • Cio is a capacitance value detected by the capacitance detector (100) in vacuum.
  • the concentration of antifreeze in the heat transfer medium in the solar water heater is calculated according to the following formula (2):
  • C is the concentration of antifreeze
  • ki, k 2 , k 3 are three coefficients related to and determined by the temperature of the heat transfer medium.
  • the concentration detection device further comprises a display unit communicating with the concentration calculation unit to display the concentration of antifreeze calculated by the concentration calculation unit.
  • the capacitance detector comprises: a pair of parallel plate electrodes adapted to be immersed in the heat transfer medium in the solar water heater and comprising a first electrode plate and a second electrode plate parallel to each other; and a capacitance detection circuit electrically connected to the pair of parallel plate electrodes and adapted to detect the capacitance value between the pair of parallel plate electrodes.
  • the capacitance detector further comprises a housing, the capacitance detection circuit being encapsulated in the housing, and the pair of parallel plate electrodes being located outside the housing.
  • the capacitance detector comprises: a pair of cylindrical electrodes adapted to be immersed in the heat transfer medium in the solar water heater and comprising an external cylindrical electrode and an inner cylindrical electrode concentrically provided in the external cylindrical electrode; and a capacitance detection circuit electrically connected to the pair of cylindrical electrodes and adapted to detect the capacitance value between the pair of cylindrical electrodes.
  • the capacitance detector further comprises a housing, the capacitance detection circuit being encapsulated in the housing, and the pair of cylindrical electrodes being located outside the housing.
  • the temperature sensor is encapsulated in the housing of the capacitance detector.
  • a concentration monitor device comprising: the above concentration detection device; a concentration determination unit configured to determine whether the detected concentration of antifreeze is within a predetermined range; and a concentration alarm unit configured to issue an alarm when the concentration determination unit determines that the detected concentration exceeds the predetermined range.
  • a solar water heater comprising: a storage tank for containing water; and a heat exchanging device comprising a heat collector provided outside the storage tank and a heat exchanger provided in the storage tank, an outlet of the heat collector being connected to an inlet of the heat exchanger through a pipe, and an outlet of the heat exchanger being connected to an inlet of the heat collector through a pipe, so as to form a closed heat transfer medium circulation loop in which a heat transfer medium is filled and circulated; and the above concentration detection device.
  • the heat transfer medium in the solar water heater comprises at least one of an ethylene glycol aqueous solution, a propylene glycol aqueous solution, and a glycerol aqueous solution.
  • the solar water heater further comprising: a concentration determination unit configured to determine whether the detected concentration of antifreeze is within a predetermined range; and a concentration alarm unit configured to issue an alarm when the concentration determination unit determines that the detected concentration exceeds the predetermined range.
  • a desired concentration of antifreeze in the heat transfer medium is within a range of 30V% ⁇ 60V%.
  • the capacitance detector and the temperature sensor of the concentration detection device are encapsulated in a pipe of a heat transfer medium circulation loop of the solar water heater.
  • the heat collector is a flat type heat collector
  • the heat exchanger is a coil tube type heat exchanger
  • the solar water heater further comprises a pump constructed to pump the heat transfer medium such that the heat transfer medium is circulated in the heat transfer medium circulation loop.
  • the storage tank has an inlet provided at a lower part of the storage tank and an outlet provided at an upper part of the storage tank.
  • the solar water heater further comprises an antifreeze replenishment device adapted to automatically replenish the antifreeze into the heat exchanging device when the concentration of antifreeze detected by the concentration detection device is lower than a predetermined lower limit value, so that the concentration of antifreeze in the heat exchanging device is adjusted to be within a desired concentration range.
  • the antifreeze replenishment device comprising: a container constructed to contain a pressurized antifreeze; a connection pipeline constructed to connect the container to the heat exchanging device; a first electric control valve mounted on the connection pipeline to control the opening or closing of the connection pipeline; and a controller adapted to control the opening or closing of the first electric control valve based on the concentration of antifreeze detected by the concentration detection device. If the concentration of antifreeze detected by the concentration detection device is lower than the predetermined lower limit value, the controller controls the first electric control valve to open the connection pipeline and add a pre-quantitative antifreeze into the heat exchanging device. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller is configured to control the amount of antifreeze added into the heat exchanging device by controlling the opening time of the first electric control valve.
  • the solar water heater further comprises a water replenishment device adapted to automatically replenish water into the heat exchanging device when the concentration of antifreeze detected by the concentration detection device is higher than a predetermined upper limit value, so that the concentration of antifreeze in the heat exchanging device is adjusted to be within a desired concentration range.
  • the water replenishment device comprises: a water replenishment pipeline constructed to connect the heat exchanging device to a water source; a second electric control valve mounted on the water replenishment pipeline to control the opening and the closing of the water replenishment pipeline; and a controller adapted to control the opening and the closing of the second electric control valve based on the concentration of antifreeze detected by the concentration detection device. If the concentration of antifreeze detected by the concentration detection device is higher than the predetermined upper limit value, the controller controls the second electric control valve to open the water replenishment pipeline and add a pre-quantitative water into the heat exchanging device.
  • the controller is configured to control the amount of water added into the heat exchanging device by controlling the opening time of the second electric control valve.
  • the solar water heater is provided with a concentration detection device for on-line detecting a concentration of antifreeze in a heat transfer medium.
  • concentration detection device for on-line detecting a concentration of antifreeze in a heat transfer medium.
  • the concentration of antifreeze in the heat transfer medium may be monitored on-line to prevent the concentration of antifreeze in the heat transfer medium from exceeding a predetermined range.
  • Fig.l is an illustrative view of a solar water heater according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure
  • Fig.2 is an illustrative view of a capacitance detector according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure
  • Fig.3 is illustrative view of a pair of parallel plate electrodes of the capacitance detector of Fig.2 immersed in a heat transfer medium in the solar water heater;
  • Fig.4 is an illustrative view of a capacitance detector according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;
  • Fig.5 is illustrative view of a pair of cylindrical electrodes of the capacitance detector of Fig.4 immersed in a heat transfer medium in the solar water heater;
  • Fig.6 shows a relationship between the concentration of antifreeze in the heat transfer medium and the relative dielectric constant and temperature of the heat transfer medium.
  • a concentration detection device adapted to on-line detect a concentration of antifreeze in a heat transfer medium in a solar water heater.
  • the concentration detection device comprises: a capacitance detector adapted to be immersed in the heat transfer medium in the solar water heater and configured to detect a capacitance value Cn in the heat transfer medium; a dielectric constant calculation unit configured to calculate a relative dielectric constant e r of the heat transfer medium in the solar water heater according to the capacitance value Cn detected by the capacitance detector; a temperature sensor provided in the heat transfer medium in the solar water heater and configured to detect the temperature of the heat transfer medium in the solar water heater; and a concentration calculation unit configured to calculate the concentration of antifreeze in the heat transfer medium based on the relative dielectric constant e r calculated by the dielectric constant calculation unit and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor.
  • a concentration monitor device comprising: the above concentration detection device; a concentration determination unit configured to determine whether the detected concentration of antifreeze is within a predetermined range; and a concentration alarm unit configured to issue an alarm when the concentration determination unit determines that the detected concentration exceeds the predetermined range.
  • a solar water heater comprising: a storage tank constructed to contain water; and a heat exchanging device comprising a heat collector provided outside the storage tank and a heat exchanger provided in the storage tank, an outlet of the heat collector being connected to an inlet of the heat exchanger through a pipe, and an outlet of the heat exchanger being connected to an inlet of the heat collector through a pipe, so as to form a closed heat transfer medium circulation loop in which a heat transfer medium is filled and circulated; and the above concentration detection device.
  • Fig.l is an illustrative view of a solar water heater according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the solar water heater mainly comprises a storage tank 200 and a heat exchanging device.
  • the storage tank 200 is configured to contain water.
  • the heat exchanging device comprises a heat collector 110 provided outside the storage tank 200 and a heat exchanger 120 provided in the storage tank 200.
  • An outlet of the heat collector 110 is connected to an inlet of the heat exchanger 120 through a pipe, and an outlet of the heat exchanger 120 is connected to an inlet of the heat collector 110 through a pipe, so as to form a closed heat transfer medium circulation loop in which a heat transfer medium 101 is filled and circulated.
  • the heat transfer medium 101 is heated by the heat collector 110 and flows into the heat exchanger 120 to exchange the heat with water in the storage tank 200 by the heat exchanger 120, thereby heating the water in the storage tank 200. After heat exchange with water in the storage tank 200, the heat transfer medium 101 flows back into the heat collector 110 and is heated by the heat collector 110 again.
  • Fig.2 is an illustrative view of a capacitance detector 10 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure
  • Fig.3 is illustrative view of a pair of parallel plate electrodesll, 12 of a capacitance detector 10 of Fig.2 immersed in the heat transfer medium 101 in the solar water heater.
  • the solar water heater further comprises a concentration detection device adapted to on-line detect a concentration of antifreeze in the heat transfer medium 101 in the solar water heater.
  • the concentration detection device mainly comprises a capacitance detector 10, a dielectric constant calculation unit (not shown), a temperature sensor (not shown), and a concentration calculation unit (not shown).
  • the capacitance detector 10 is adapted to be immersed in the heat transfer medium 101 in the solar water heater and configured to detect a capacitance value Cn in the heat transfer medium 101.
  • the dielectric constant calculation unit is configured to calculate a relative dielectric constant e r of the heat transfer medium 101 in the solar water heater according to the capacitance value Cn detected by the capacitance detector 10.
  • the temperature sensor is provided in the heat transfer medium 101 in the solar water heater and configured to detect the temperature of the heat transfer medium 101 in the solar water heater.
  • the concentration calculation unit is configured to calculate the concentration of antifreeze in the heat transfer medium 101 based on the relative dielectric constant e r calculated by the dielectric constant calculation unit and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor.
  • the relative dielectric constant 8 r of the heat transfer medium 101 in the solar water heater is calculated according to the following formula (1):
  • Cio is a capacitance value of the heat transfer medium 101 detected by the capacitance detector 10 in vacuum.
  • the concentration detection device may further comprise a display unit (not shown), which is communicated with the concentration calculation unit and adapted to display the concentration of antifreeze calculated by the concentration calculation unit.
  • the capacitance detector 10 comprises a pair of parallel plate electrodes 11, 12 and a capacitance detection circuit (not shown).
  • the pair of parallel plate electrodes 11, 12 are adapted to be immersed in the heat transfer medium 101 in the solar water heater and comprise a first electrode plate 11 and a second electrode plate 12 parallel to each other.
  • the capacitance detection circuit is electrically connected to the pair of parallel plate electrodes 11, 12 and adapted to detect the capacitance value Cn between the pair of parallel plate electrodes 11, 12.
  • the capacitance detector 10 further comprises a housing 13, in which the capacitance detection circuit is encapsulated.
  • the pair of parallel plate electrodes 11, 12 are located outside the housing 13.
  • the heat transfer medium 101 is filled between the pair of parallel plate electrodes 11, 12.
  • Fig.4 is an illustrative view of a capacitance detector 10’ according to another embodiment of the present disclosure
  • Fig.5 is illustrative view of a pair of cylindrical electrodes 11’, 12’ of a capacitance detector 10’ of Fig.4 immersed in the heat transfer medium 101 in the solar water heater.
  • the capacitance detector 10’ mainly comprises a pair of cylindrical electrodes 11’, 12’ and a capacitance detection circuit (not shown).
  • the pair of cylindrical electrodes 11’, 12’ are adapted to be immersed in the heat transfer medium 101 in the solar water heater and comprise an external cylindrical electrode 11’ and an inner cylindrical electrode 12’ concentrically provided in the external cylindrical electrode 1 .
  • the capacitance detection circuit is electrically connected to the pair of cylindrical electrodes 1G, 12’ and adapted to detect the capacitance value Cn between the pair of cylindrical electrodes 11’, 12’.
  • the capacitance detector 10’ further comprises a housing 13’.
  • the capacitance detection circuit is encapsulated in the housing 13’.
  • the pair of cylindrical electrodes 1G, 12’ are located outside the housing 13’.
  • the temperature sensor may be encapsulated in the housing 13 of the capacitance detector 10. But the present disclosure is not limited to this, the temperature sensor may be provided separately in the heat transfer medium 101 in the solar water heater.
  • Fig.6 shows a relationship between the concentration of antifreeze in the heat transfer medium, and the relative dielectric constant and temperature of the heat transfer medium.
  • the heat transfer medium 101 in the solar water heater comprises an ethylene glycol aqueous solution.
  • a desired concentration of antifreeze in the heat transfer medium is within a range of 30V% ⁇ 60V%. If the concentration of antifreeze exceeds the desired concentration range, for example, if the concentration of antifreeze in the heat transfer medium in the solar water heater is lower than 30V% or higher than 60V%, a concentration monitor device installed on the solar water heater will alert in time.
  • the concentration of antifreeze in the heat transfer medium 101 in the solar water heater may be calculated according to the following formula (2):
  • C is the concentration of antifreeze in the heat transfer medium 101
  • ki, k 2 , k 3 are three coefficients related to and determined by the temperature of the heat transfer medium 101.
  • the heat transfer medium of the present disclosure is not limited to the ethylene glycol aqueous solution, the heat transfer medium in the solar water heater may also be any other suitable antifreeze solution, such as a propylene glycol aqueous solution or a glycerol aqueous solution.
  • the solar water heater further comprises a concentration determination unit and a concentration alarm unit.
  • the concentration determination unit is configured to determine whether the detected concentration of antifreeze is within a predetermined range (the above reasonable concentration range).
  • the concentration alarm unit is configured to issue an alarm when the concentration determination unit determines that the detected concentration exceeds the predetermined range.
  • the capacitance detector 10 and the temperature sensor of the concentration detection device are encapsulated in a pipe of the heat transfer medium circulation loop of the solar water heater.
  • the heat collector 110 comprises a flat type heat collector
  • the heat exchanger 120 comprises a coil tube type heat exchanger
  • the solar water heater further comprises a pump l30which is configured to pump the heat transfer medium such that the heat transfer medium is circulated in the heat transfer medium circulation loop.
  • the storage tank 200 has an inlet 210 provided at a lower part of the storage tank 200 and an outlet 220 provided at an upper part of the storage tank 200.
  • the solar water heater further comprises an antifreeze replenishment device 300, 310, 320which is adapted to automatically replenish the antifreeze into the heat exchanging device when the concentration of antifreeze detected by the concentration detection device is lower than a predetermined lower limit value, so that the concentration of antifreeze in the heat exchanging device is adjusted to be within the desired concentration range.
  • an antifreeze replenishment device 300, 310, 320 which is adapted to automatically replenish the antifreeze into the heat exchanging device when the concentration of antifreeze detected by the concentration detection device is lower than a predetermined lower limit value, so that the concentration of antifreeze in the heat exchanging device is adjusted to be within the desired concentration range.
  • the antifreeze replenishment device 300, 310, 320 mainly comprises a container 300, a connection pipeline 310, a first electric control valve 320 and a controller (not shown).
  • the container 300 is configured to contain pressurized antifreeze.
  • the connection pipeline 310 is configured to connect the container 300 to the heat exchanging device.
  • the first electric control valve 320 is mounted on the connection pipeline 310 to control the opening or closing of the connection pipeline 310.
  • the controller is adapted to control the opening or closing of the first electric control valve 320 based on the concentration of antifreeze detected by the concentration detection device.
  • the controller controls the first electric control valve 320 to open the connection pipeline 310 and add a pre-quantitative antifreeze into the heat exchanging device.
  • the controller is configured to control the amount of antifreeze added into the heat exchanging device by controlling the opening time of the first electric control valve 320.
  • the solar water heater further comprises a water replenishment device 410, 420 which is adapted to automatically replenish water into the heat exchanging device when the concentration of antifreeze detected by the concentration detection device is higher than a predetermined upper limit value, so that the concentration of antifreeze in the heat exchanging device is adjusted to be within the desired concentration range.
  • the water replenishment device 410, 420 mainly comprises a water replenishment pipeline 410, a second electric control valve 420 and a controller.
  • the water replenishment pipeline 410 is configured to connect the heat exchanging device to a water source.
  • the second electric control valve 420 is mounted on the water replenishment pipeline 410 to control the opening and the closing of the water replenishment pipeline 410.
  • the controller is adapted to control the opening and the closing of the second electric control valve 420 based on the concentration of antifreeze detected by the concentration detection device.
  • the controller controls the second electric control valve 420 to open the water replenishment pipeline 410 and add a pre-quantitative water into the heat exchanging device.
  • the controller is configured to control the amount of water added into the heat exchanging device by controlling the opening time of the second electric control valve 420.
  • concentration monitor device may comprise the above concentration detection device, a concentration determination unit and a concentration alarm unit.
  • concentration detection device is configured to on-line detect a concentration of antifreeze in a heat transfer medium 101 in a solar water heater.
  • concentration determination unit is configured to determine whether the detected concentration of antifreeze is within a predetermined range.
  • concentration alarm unit is configured to issue an alarm when the concentration determination unit determines that the detected concentration exceeds the predetermined range.

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Abstract

A concentration detection device adapted to on-line detect a concentration of antifreeze in a heat transfer medium (101) in a solar water heater, comprising: a capacitance detector (10) adapted to be immersed in the heat transfer medium (101) in the solar water heater and configured to detect a capacitance value Qi in the heat transfer medium; a dielectric constant calculation unit configured to calculate a relative dielectric constant Fr of the heat transfer medium (101) in the solar water heater according to the capacitance value C11detected by the capacitance detector (10); a temperature sensor provided in the heat transfer medium (101) in the solar water heater and configured to detect the temperature of the heat transfer medium (101) in the solar water heater; and a concentration calculation unit configured to calculate the concentration of antifreeze in the heat transfer medium (101) based on the relative dielectric constant rr calculated by the dielectric constant calculation unit and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor. The concentration of antifreeze in the heat transfer medium may be monitored on-line to prevent the concentration of antifreeze in the heat transfer medium from exceeding a predetermined range.

Description

Concentration Detection Device, Concentration Monitor Device
And Solar Water Heater
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No.201810494054.6 filed on May 22, 2018 in the State Intellectual Property Office of China, the whole disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
At least one embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a concentration detection device for detecting a concentration of antifreeze in a heat transfer medium in a solar water heater, a concentration monitor device comprising the concentration detection device, and a solar water heater comprising the concentration detection device.
Description of the Related Art
In the related art, a solar water heater comprises a heat exchanging device. A heat transfer medium in the heat exchanging device usually contains an antifreeze solution and has a strong anti-freezing ability to prevent the freezing and solidification of the heat transfer medium in the heat exchanging device in winter. The commonly used antifreeze solution is ethylene glycol aqueous solution or propylene glycol aqueous solution. In normal use, the concentration of antifreeze (ethylene glycol or propylene glycol) in the heat transfer medium should be held within a desired range, for example, within a range of 30V%~60V%. If the concentration of antifreeze is lower than a lower limit of the desired range or higher than an upper limit of the desired range, the freezing resistance of the heat transfer medium will decrease, which is easy to occur freezing and solidification.
In use, due to leakage, volatilization, aging and other losses, the amount of antifreeze and the concentration of antifreeze in the heat transfer medium will be changed. If the antifreeze solution in the heat transfer medium is not added or replaced in time, the concentration of the antifreeze in the heat transfer medium may exceed the desired range, which will lead to the freezing and solidification of the heat transfer medium at low temperature, thus causing the pipeline of the heat exchanging device to be blocked or burst.
In order to prevent the above problem, in the related art, it is usually necessary to sample and analyze the heat transfer medium, and add antifreeze solution or water into the heat transfer medium to adjust the concentration of antifreeze according to the sampling analysis result. Additionally, during the initial installation of solar water heater, it is necessary to confirm the concentration of antifreeze. Because the solar water heater is usually installed on the roof, and it needs manual sampling, the daily maintenance is very inconvenient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure has been made to overcome or alleviate at least one aspect of the above mentioned disadvantages.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a concentration detection device adapted to on-line detect a concentration of antifreeze in a heat transfer medium in a solar water heater. The concentration detection device comprises: a capacitance detector adapted to be immersed in the heat transfer medium in the solar water heater and configured to detect a capacitance value Cn in the heat transfer medium; a dielectric constant calculation unit configured to calculate a relative dielectric constant er of the heat transfer medium in the solar water heater according to the capacitance value Cn detected by the capacitance detector; a temperature sensor provided in the heat transfer medium in the solar water heater and configured to detect the temperature of the heat transfer medium in the solar water heater; and a concentration calculation unit configured to calculate the concentration of antifreeze in the heat transfer medium based on the relative dielectric constant er calculated by the dielectric constant calculation unit and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the relative dielectric constant er of the heat transfer medium in the solar water heater is calculated according to the following formula (1):
e CH
i o (1)
wherein Cio is a capacitance value detected by the capacitance detector (100) in vacuum.
According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the concentration of antifreeze in the heat transfer medium in the solar water heater is calculated according to the following formula (2):
8r=kiC2+k2C+k3 ( 2)
wherein C is the concentration of antifreeze, and
ki, k2, k3 are three coefficients related to and determined by the temperature of the heat transfer medium.
According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the concentration detection device further comprises a display unit communicating with the concentration calculation unit to display the concentration of antifreeze calculated by the concentration calculation unit.
According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the capacitance detector comprises: a pair of parallel plate electrodes adapted to be immersed in the heat transfer medium in the solar water heater and comprising a first electrode plate and a second electrode plate parallel to each other; and a capacitance detection circuit electrically connected to the pair of parallel plate electrodes and adapted to detect the capacitance value between the pair of parallel plate electrodes.
According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the capacitance detector further comprises a housing, the capacitance detection circuit being encapsulated in the housing, and the pair of parallel plate electrodes being located outside the housing.
According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the capacitance detector comprises: a pair of cylindrical electrodes adapted to be immersed in the heat transfer medium in the solar water heater and comprising an external cylindrical electrode and an inner cylindrical electrode concentrically provided in the external cylindrical electrode; and a capacitance detection circuit electrically connected to the pair of cylindrical electrodes and adapted to detect the capacitance value between the pair of cylindrical electrodes.
According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the capacitance detector further comprises a housing, the capacitance detection circuit being encapsulated in the housing, and the pair of cylindrical electrodes being located outside the housing.
According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the temperature sensor is encapsulated in the housing of the capacitance detector.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a concentration monitor device, comprising: the above concentration detection device; a concentration determination unit configured to determine whether the detected concentration of antifreeze is within a predetermined range; and a concentration alarm unit configured to issue an alarm when the concentration determination unit determines that the detected concentration exceeds the predetermined range.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a solar water heater, comprising: a storage tank for containing water; and a heat exchanging device comprising a heat collector provided outside the storage tank and a heat exchanger provided in the storage tank, an outlet of the heat collector being connected to an inlet of the heat exchanger through a pipe, and an outlet of the heat exchanger being connected to an inlet of the heat collector through a pipe, so as to form a closed heat transfer medium circulation loop in which a heat transfer medium is filled and circulated; and the above concentration detection device.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the heat transfer medium in the solar water heater comprises at least one of an ethylene glycol aqueous solution, a propylene glycol aqueous solution, and a glycerol aqueous solution.
According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the solar water heater further comprising: a concentration determination unit configured to determine whether the detected concentration of antifreeze is within a predetermined range; and a concentration alarm unit configured to issue an alarm when the concentration determination unit determines that the detected concentration exceeds the predetermined range.
According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, if the heat transfer medium in the solar water heater is ethylene glycol aqueous solution, a desired concentration of antifreeze in the heat transfer medium is within a range of 30V%~60V%.
According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the capacitance detector and the temperature sensor of the concentration detection device are encapsulated in a pipe of a heat transfer medium circulation loop of the solar water heater.
According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the heat collector is a flat type heat collector, and the heat exchanger is a coil tube type heat exchanger.
According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the solar water heater further comprises a pump constructed to pump the heat transfer medium such that the heat transfer medium is circulated in the heat transfer medium circulation loop.
According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the storage tank has an inlet provided at a lower part of the storage tank and an outlet provided at an upper part of the storage tank.
According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the solar water heater further comprises an antifreeze replenishment device adapted to automatically replenish the antifreeze into the heat exchanging device when the concentration of antifreeze detected by the concentration detection device is lower than a predetermined lower limit value, so that the concentration of antifreeze in the heat exchanging device is adjusted to be within a desired concentration range.
According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the antifreeze replenishment device comprising: a container constructed to contain a pressurized antifreeze; a connection pipeline constructed to connect the container to the heat exchanging device; a first electric control valve mounted on the connection pipeline to control the opening or closing of the connection pipeline; and a controller adapted to control the opening or closing of the first electric control valve based on the concentration of antifreeze detected by the concentration detection device. If the concentration of antifreeze detected by the concentration detection device is lower than the predetermined lower limit value, the controller controls the first electric control valve to open the connection pipeline and add a pre-quantitative antifreeze into the heat exchanging device. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller is configured to control the amount of antifreeze added into the heat exchanging device by controlling the opening time of the first electric control valve.
According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the solar water heater further comprises a water replenishment device adapted to automatically replenish water into the heat exchanging device when the concentration of antifreeze detected by the concentration detection device is higher than a predetermined upper limit value, so that the concentration of antifreeze in the heat exchanging device is adjusted to be within a desired concentration range.
According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the water replenishment device comprises: a water replenishment pipeline constructed to connect the heat exchanging device to a water source; a second electric control valve mounted on the water replenishment pipeline to control the opening and the closing of the water replenishment pipeline; and a controller adapted to control the opening and the closing of the second electric control valve based on the concentration of antifreeze detected by the concentration detection device. If the concentration of antifreeze detected by the concentration detection device is higher than the predetermined upper limit value, the controller controls the second electric control valve to open the water replenishment pipeline and add a pre-quantitative water into the heat exchanging device.
According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller is configured to control the amount of water added into the heat exchanging device by controlling the opening time of the second electric control valve.
In the above various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the solar water heater is provided with a concentration detection device for on-line detecting a concentration of antifreeze in a heat transfer medium. Thereby, the concentration of antifreeze in the heat transfer medium may be monitored on-line to prevent the concentration of antifreeze in the heat transfer medium from exceeding a predetermined range.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other features of the present disclosure will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig.l is an illustrative view of a solar water heater according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig.2 is an illustrative view of a capacitance detector according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig.3 is illustrative view of a pair of parallel plate electrodes of the capacitance detector of Fig.2 immersed in a heat transfer medium in the solar water heater; Fig.4 is an illustrative view of a capacitance detector according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig.5 is illustrative view of a pair of cylindrical electrodes of the capacitance detector of Fig.4 immersed in a heat transfer medium in the solar water heater; and
Fig.6 shows a relationship between the concentration of antifreeze in the heat transfer medium and the relative dielectric constant and temperature of the heat transfer medium.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE IVENTION
Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described hereinafter in detail with reference to the attached drawings, wherein the like reference numerals refer to the like elements. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiment set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.
In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed
embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are schematically shown in order to simplify the drawing.
According to a general concept of the present disclosure, there is provided a concentration detection device adapted to on-line detect a concentration of antifreeze in a heat transfer medium in a solar water heater. The concentration detection device comprises: a capacitance detector adapted to be immersed in the heat transfer medium in the solar water heater and configured to detect a capacitance value Cn in the heat transfer medium; a dielectric constant calculation unit configured to calculate a relative dielectric constant er of the heat transfer medium in the solar water heater according to the capacitance value Cn detected by the capacitance detector; a temperature sensor provided in the heat transfer medium in the solar water heater and configured to detect the temperature of the heat transfer medium in the solar water heater; and a concentration calculation unit configured to calculate the concentration of antifreeze in the heat transfer medium based on the relative dielectric constant er calculated by the dielectric constant calculation unit and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor.
According to another general concept of the present disclosure, there is provided a concentration monitor device, comprising: the above concentration detection device; a concentration determination unit configured to determine whether the detected concentration of antifreeze is within a predetermined range; and a concentration alarm unit configured to issue an alarm when the concentration determination unit determines that the detected concentration exceeds the predetermined range.
According to another general concept of the present disclosure, there is provided a solar water heater, comprising: a storage tank constructed to contain water; and a heat exchanging device comprising a heat collector provided outside the storage tank and a heat exchanger provided in the storage tank, an outlet of the heat collector being connected to an inlet of the heat exchanger through a pipe, and an outlet of the heat exchanger being connected to an inlet of the heat collector through a pipe, so as to form a closed heat transfer medium circulation loop in which a heat transfer medium is filled and circulated; and the above concentration detection device.
Fig.l is an illustrative view of a solar water heater according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
As shown in Fig.l, in an embodiment, the solar water heater mainly comprises a storage tank 200 and a heat exchanging device. The storage tank 200 is configured to contain water. The heat exchanging device comprises a heat collector 110 provided outside the storage tank 200 and a heat exchanger 120 provided in the storage tank 200. An outlet of the heat collector 110 is connected to an inlet of the heat exchanger 120 through a pipe, and an outlet of the heat exchanger 120 is connected to an inlet of the heat collector 110 through a pipe, so as to form a closed heat transfer medium circulation loop in which a heat transfer medium 101 is filled and circulated. The heat transfer medium 101 is heated by the heat collector 110 and flows into the heat exchanger 120 to exchange the heat with water in the storage tank 200 by the heat exchanger 120, thereby heating the water in the storage tank 200. After heat exchange with water in the storage tank 200, the heat transfer medium 101 flows back into the heat collector 110 and is heated by the heat collector 110 again.
Fig.2 is an illustrative view of a capacitance detector 10 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig.3 is illustrative view of a pair of parallel plate electrodesll, 12 of a capacitance detector 10 of Fig.2 immersed in the heat transfer medium 101 in the solar water heater.
As shown in Figs.1-3, in an embodiment, the solar water heater further comprises a concentration detection device adapted to on-line detect a concentration of antifreeze in the heat transfer medium 101 in the solar water heater.
As shown in Figs.1-3, in an embodiment, the concentration detection device mainly comprises a capacitance detector 10, a dielectric constant calculation unit (not shown), a temperature sensor (not shown), and a concentration calculation unit (not shown).
As shown in Figs.1-3, in an embodiment, the capacitance detector 10 is adapted to be immersed in the heat transfer medium 101 in the solar water heater and configured to detect a capacitance value Cn in the heat transfer medium 101. The dielectric constant calculation unit is configured to calculate a relative dielectric constant er of the heat transfer medium 101 in the solar water heater according to the capacitance value Cn detected by the capacitance detector 10. The temperature sensor is provided in the heat transfer medium 101 in the solar water heater and configured to detect the temperature of the heat transfer medium 101 in the solar water heater. The concentration calculation unit is configured to calculate the concentration of antifreeze in the heat transfer medium 101 based on the relative dielectric constant er calculated by the dielectric constant calculation unit and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the relative dielectric constant 8r of the heat transfer medium 101 in the solar water heater is calculated according to the following formula (1):
c Ci i
Qo (l)
wherein Cio is a capacitance value of the heat transfer medium 101 detected by the capacitance detector 10 in vacuum.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the concentration detection device may further comprise a display unit (not shown), which is communicated with the concentration calculation unit and adapted to display the concentration of antifreeze calculated by the concentration calculation unit.
As shown in Figs.2-3, in an embodiment, the capacitance detector 10 comprises a pair of parallel plate electrodes 11, 12 and a capacitance detection circuit (not shown). The pair of parallel plate electrodes 11, 12 are adapted to be immersed in the heat transfer medium 101 in the solar water heater and comprise a first electrode plate 11 and a second electrode plate 12 parallel to each other. The capacitance detection circuit is electrically connected to the pair of parallel plate electrodes 11, 12 and adapted to detect the capacitance value Cn between the pair of parallel plate electrodes 11, 12.
As shown in Figs.2-3, in an embodiment, the capacitance detector 10 further comprises a housing 13, in which the capacitance detection circuit is encapsulated. The pair of parallel plate electrodes 11, 12 are located outside the housing 13. Thus, when the capacitance detector 10 is immersed in the heat transfer medium 101 in the solar water heater, as shown in Fig.3, the heat transfer medium 101 is filled between the pair of parallel plate electrodes 11, 12.
Fig.4 is an illustrative view of a capacitance detector 10’ according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig.5 is illustrative view of a pair of cylindrical electrodes 11’, 12’ of a capacitance detector 10’ of Fig.4 immersed in the heat transfer medium 101 in the solar water heater.
As shown in Figs.4-5, in an embodiment, the capacitance detector 10’ mainly comprises a pair of cylindrical electrodes 11’, 12’ and a capacitance detection circuit (not shown). The pair of cylindrical electrodes 11’, 12’ are adapted to be immersed in the heat transfer medium 101 in the solar water heater and comprise an external cylindrical electrode 11’ and an inner cylindrical electrode 12’ concentrically provided in the external cylindrical electrode 1 . The capacitance detection circuit is electrically connected to the pair of cylindrical electrodes 1G, 12’ and adapted to detect the capacitance value Cn between the pair of cylindrical electrodes 11’, 12’.
As shown in Figs.4-5, in an embodiment, the capacitance detector 10’ further comprises a housing 13’. The capacitance detection circuit is encapsulated in the housing 13’. The pair of cylindrical electrodes 1G, 12’ are located outside the housing 13’. Thus, when the capacitance detector 10’ is immersed in the heat transfer medium 101 in the solar water heater, as shown in Fig.5, the heat transfer medium 101 is filled between the pair of cylindrical electrodes 11’, 12’.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the temperature sensor may be encapsulated in the housing 13 of the capacitance detector 10. But the present disclosure is not limited to this, the temperature sensor may be provided separately in the heat transfer medium 101 in the solar water heater.
Fig.6 shows a relationship between the concentration of antifreeze in the heat transfer medium, and the relative dielectric constant and temperature of the heat transfer medium.
As shown in Fig.6, in an embodiment, the heat transfer medium 101 in the solar water heater comprises an ethylene glycol aqueous solution. In this case, a desired concentration of antifreeze in the heat transfer medium is within a range of 30V%~60V%. If the concentration of antifreeze exceeds the desired concentration range, for example, if the concentration of antifreeze in the heat transfer medium in the solar water heater is lower than 30V% or higher than 60V%, a concentration monitor device installed on the solar water heater will alert in time.
As shown in Fig.6, in an embodiment, there is a quadratic function relationship between the relative dielectric constant of the ethylene glycol aqueous solution (heat transfer medium 101) and the concentration of ethylene glycol (antifreeze) when the temperature of the heat transfer medium in the solar water heater is known. The concentration of antifreeze in the heat transfer medium 101 in the solar water heater may be calculated according to the following formula (2):
8r=kiC2+k2C+k3 (2)
wherein C is the concentration of antifreeze in the heat transfer medium 101; and
8r is the relative dielectric constant of the heat transfer medium 101;
ki, k2, k3 are three coefficients related to and determined by the temperature of the heat transfer medium 101.
In the relation curve graph shown in Fig.6, it can be seen that the relative dielectric constant sr of ethylene glycol aqueous solution is increased with the increase of the concentration of ethylene glycol. Therefore, when the relative dielectric constant sr of the ethylene glycol aqueous solution and the temperature of the ethylene glycol aqueous solution are known, the corresponding ethylene glycol concentration C may be calculated according to the relation curve graph shown in Fig.6.
Please be noted that the heat transfer medium of the present disclosure is not limited to the ethylene glycol aqueous solution, the heat transfer medium in the solar water heater may also be any other suitable antifreeze solution, such as a propylene glycol aqueous solution or a glycerol aqueous solution.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the solar water heater further comprises a concentration determination unit and a concentration alarm unit. The concentration determination unit is configured to determine whether the detected concentration of antifreeze is within a predetermined range (the above reasonable concentration range). The concentration alarm unit is configured to issue an alarm when the concentration determination unit determines that the detected concentration exceeds the predetermined range.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the capacitance detector 10 and the temperature sensor of the concentration detection device are encapsulated in a pipe of the heat transfer medium circulation loop of the solar water heater.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the heat collector 110 comprises a flat type heat collector, and the heat exchanger 120 comprises a coil tube type heat exchanger.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in Fig.l, the solar water heater further comprises a pump l30which is configured to pump the heat transfer medium such that the heat transfer medium is circulated in the heat transfer medium circulation loop.
As shown in Fig.l, in an embodiment, the storage tank 200 has an inlet 210 provided at a lower part of the storage tank 200 and an outlet 220 provided at an upper part of the storage tank 200.
As shown in Fig.l, in an embodiment, the solar water heater further comprises an antifreeze replenishment device 300, 310, 320which is adapted to automatically replenish the antifreeze into the heat exchanging device when the concentration of antifreeze detected by the concentration detection device is lower than a predetermined lower limit value, so that the concentration of antifreeze in the heat exchanging device is adjusted to be within the desired concentration range.
As shown in Fig.l, in an embodiment, the antifreeze replenishment device 300, 310, 320 mainly comprises a container 300, a connection pipeline 310, a first electric control valve 320 and a controller (not shown). The container 300 is configured to contain pressurized antifreeze. The connection pipeline 310 is configured to connect the container 300 to the heat exchanging device. The first electric control valve 320 is mounted on the connection pipeline 310 to control the opening or closing of the connection pipeline 310. The controller is adapted to control the opening or closing of the first electric control valve 320 based on the concentration of antifreeze detected by the concentration detection device.
As shown in Fig.l, in an embodiment, if the concentration of antifreeze detected by the concentration detection device is lower than the predetermined lower limit value, the controller controls the first electric control valve 320 to open the connection pipeline 310 and add a pre-quantitative antifreeze into the heat exchanging device.
As shown in Fig.l, in an embodiment, the controller is configured to control the amount of antifreeze added into the heat exchanging device by controlling the opening time of the first electric control valve 320.
As shown in Fig.l, in an embodiment, the solar water heater further comprises a water replenishment device 410, 420 which is adapted to automatically replenish water into the heat exchanging device when the concentration of antifreeze detected by the concentration detection device is higher than a predetermined upper limit value, so that the concentration of antifreeze in the heat exchanging device is adjusted to be within the desired concentration range.
As shown in Fig.l, in an embodiment, the water replenishment device 410, 420 mainly comprises a water replenishment pipeline 410, a second electric control valve 420 and a controller. The water replenishment pipeline 410 is configured to connect the heat exchanging device to a water source. The second electric control valve 420 is mounted on the water replenishment pipeline 410 to control the opening and the closing of the water replenishment pipeline 410. The controller is adapted to control the opening and the closing of the second electric control valve 420 based on the concentration of antifreeze detected by the concentration detection device.
As shown in Fig.l, in an embodiment, if the concentration of antifreeze detected by the concentration detection device is higher than the predetermined upper limit value, the controller controls the second electric control valve 420 to open the water replenishment pipeline 410 and add a pre-quantitative water into the heat exchanging device.
As shown in Fig.l, in an embodiment, the controller is configured to control the amount of water added into the heat exchanging device by controlling the opening time of the second electric control valve 420.
In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, there is also disclosed a concentration monitor device. The concentration monitor device may comprise the above concentration detection device, a concentration determination unit and a concentration alarm unit. The concentration detection device is configured to on-line detect a concentration of antifreeze in a heat transfer medium 101 in a solar water heater. The concentration determination unit is configured to determine whether the detected concentration of antifreeze is within a predetermined range. The concentration alarm unit is configured to issue an alarm when the concentration determination unit determines that the detected concentration exceeds the predetermined range.
It should be appreciated for those skilled in this art that the above embodiments are intended to be illustrated, and not restrictive. For example, many modifications may be made to the above embodiments by those skilled in this art, and various features described in different embodiments may be freely combined with each other without conflicting in configuration or principle.
Although several exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.
As used herein, an element recited in the singular and proceeded with the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not excluding plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment" of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments "comprising" or "having" an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property.

Claims

What is claimed is,
1. A concentration detection device adapted to on-line detect a concentration of antifreeze in a heat transfer medium (101) in a solar water heater, the concentration detection device comprising:
a capacitance detector (10) adapted to be immersed in the heat transfer medium (101) in the solar water heater and configured to detect a capacitance value Cn in the heat transfer medium (101);
a dielectric constant calculation unit configured to calculate a relative dielectric constant er of the heat transfer medium (101) in the solar water heater according to the capacitance value Cn detected by the capacitance detector (10);
a temperature sensor provided in the heat transfer medium (101) in the solar water heater and configured to detect the temperature of the heat transfer medium (101) in the solar water heater; and
a concentration calculation unit configured to calculate the concentration of antifreeze in the heat transfer medium (101) based on the relative dielectric constant er calculated by the dielectric constant calculation unit and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor.
2. The concentration detection device according to claim 1,
wherein the relative dielectric constant er of the heat transfer medium (101) in the solar water heater is calculated according to the following formula (1):
Figure imgf000015_0001
wherein C10 is a capacitance value detected by the capacitance detector (100) in vacuum.
3. The concentration detection device according to claim 1,
wherein the concentration of antifreeze in the heat transfer medium (101) in the solar water heater is calculated according to the following formula (2):
8r=kiC2+k2C+k3 ( 2)
wherein C is the concentration of antifreeze, and
ki, k2, k3 are three coefficients related to and determined by the temperature of the heat transfer medium (101).
4. The concentration detection device according to claim 1, further comprising:
a display unit communicating with the concentration calculation unit to display the concentration of antifreeze calculated by the concentration calculation unit.
5. The concentration detection device according to claim 1, wherein the capacitance detector (10) comprises:
a pair of parallel plate electrodes (11, 12) adapted to be immersed in the heat transfer medium (101) in the solar water heater and comprising a first electrode plate (11) and a second electrode plate (12) parallel to each other; and
a capacitance detection circuit electrically connected to the pair of parallel plate electrodes (11, 12) and adapted to detect the capacitance value between the pair of parallel plate electrodes (11, 12).
6. The concentration detection device according to claim 5,
wherein the capacitance detector (10) further comprises a housing (13), the capacitance detection circuit being encapsulated in the housing (13), and the pair of parallel plate electrodes (11, 12) being located outside the housing (13).
7. The concentration detection device according to claim 1, wherein the capacitance detector (10’) comprises:
a pair of cylindrical electrodes (1 , 12’) adapted to be immersed in the heat transfer medium (101) in the solar water heater and comprising an external cylindrical electrode (11’) and an inner cylindrical electrode (12’) concentrically provided in the external cylindrical electrode ( 11’ ) ; and
a capacitance detection circuit electrically connected to the pair of cylindrical electrodes (11’, 12’) and adapted to detect the capacitance value between the pair of cylindrical electrodes (11’, 12’).
8. The concentration detection device according to claim 7,
wherein the capacitance detector (10’) further comprises a housing (13’), the capacitance detection circuit being encapsulated in the housing (13’), and the pair of cylindrical electrodes (1 , 12’) being located outside the housing (13’).
9. The concentration detection device according to claim 5 or 7,
wherein the temperature sensor is encapsulated in the housing (13) of the capacitance detector (10).
10. A concentration monitor device, comprising:
the concentration detection device according to any one of claims 1-9;
a concentration determination unit configured to determine whether the detected concentration of antifreeze is within a predetermined range; and a concentration alarm unit configured to issue an alarm when the concentration determination unit determines that the detected concentration exceeds the predetermined range.
11. A solar water heater, comprising:
a storage tank (200) for containing water; and
a heat exchanging device comprising a heat collector (110) provided outside the storage tank (200) and a heat exchanger (120) provided in the storage tank (200), an outlet of the heat collector (110) being connected to an inlet of the heat exchanger (120) through a pipe, and an outlet of the heat exchanger (120) being connected to an inlet of the heat collector (110) through a pipe, so as to form a closed heat transfer medium circulation loop in which a heat transfer medium (101) is filled and circulated, and
the concentration detection device according to any one of claims 1-9.
12. The solar water heater according to claim 11,
wherein the heat transfer medium (101) in the solar water heater comprises at least one of an ethylene glycol aqueous solution, a propylene glycol aqueous solution, and a glycerol aqueous solution.
13. The solar water heater according to claim 12, further comprising:
a concentration determination unit configured to determine whether the detected concentration of antifreeze is within a predetermined range; and
a concentration alarm unit configured to issue an alarm when the concentration determination unit determines that the detected concentration exceeds the predetermined range.
14. The solar water heater according to claim 13,
wherein if the heat transfer medium (101) in the solar water heater is ethylene glycol aqueous solution, a desired concentration of antifreeze in the heat transfer medium is within a range of 30V%~60V%.
15. The solar water heater according to claim 11,
wherein the capacitance detector (10) and the temperature sensor of the concentration detection device are encapsulated in a pipe of a heat transfer medium circulation loop of the solar water heater.
16. The solar water heater according to claim 11,
wherein the heat collector (110) comprises a flat type heat collector, and the heat exchanger (120) comprises a coil tube type heat exchanger.
17. The solar water heater according to claim 11, further comprising:
a pump (130) constructed to pump the heat transfer medium such that the heat transfer medium is circulated in the heat transfer medium circulation loop.
18. The solar water heater according to claim 11,
wherein the storage tank (200) has an inlet (210) provided at a lower part of the storage tank (200) and an outlet (220) provided at an upper part of the storage tank (200).
19. The solar water heater according to claim 11, further comprising:
an antifreeze replenishment device (300, 310, 320) adapted to automatically replenish the antifreeze into the heat exchanging device when the concentration of antifreeze detected by the concentration detection device is lower than a predetermined lower limit value, so that the concentration of antifreeze in the heat exchanging device is adjusted to be within a desired concentration range.
20. The solar water heater according to claim 19, wherein the antifreeze replenishment device (300, 310, 320) comprises:
a container (300) constructed to contain a pressurized antifreeze;
a connection pipeline (310) constructed to connect the container (300) to the heat exchanging device;
a first electric control valve (320) mounted on the connection pipeline (310) to control the opening or closing of the connection pipeline (310); and
a controller adapted to control the opening or closing of the first electric control valve (320) based on the concentration of antifreeze detected by the concentration detection device,
wherein if the concentration of antifreeze detected by the concentration detection device is lower than the predetermined lower limit value, the controller controls the first electric control valve (320) to open the connection pipeline (310) and add a pre-quantitative antifreeze into the heat exchanging device.
21. The solar water heater according to claim 20,
wherein the controller is configured to control the amount of antifreeze added into the heat exchanging device by controlling the opening time of the first electric control valve (320).
22. The solar water heater according to claim 11, further comprising:
a water replenishment device (410, 420) adapted to automatically replenish water into the heat exchanging device when the concentration of antifreeze detected by the concentration detection device is higher than a predetermined upper limit value, so that the concentration of antifreeze in the heat exchanging device is adjusted to be within a desired concentration range.
23. The solar water heater according to claim 22, wherein the water replenishment device (410, 420) comprises:
a water replenishment pipeline (410) constructed to connect the heat exchanging device to a water source;
a second electric control valve (420) mounted on the water replenishment pipeline (410) to control the opening and the closing of the water replenishment pipeline (410); and
a controller adapted to control the opening and the closing of the second electric control valve (420) based on the concentration of antifreeze detected by the concentration detection device,
wherein if the concentration of antifreeze detected by the concentration detection device is higher than the predetermined upper limit value, the controller controls the second electric control valve (420) to open the water replenishment pipeline (410) and add a pre-quantitative water into the heat exchanging device.
24. The solar water heater according to claim 23,
wherein the controller is configured to control the amount of water added into the heat exchanging device by controlling the opening time of the second electric control valve (420).
PCT/EP2019/062471 2018-05-22 2019-05-15 Concentration detection device, concentration monitor device and solar water heater WO2019224067A1 (en)

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