WO2021245401A1

WO2021245401A1 - Sanitary stations with phase change materials

Info

Publication number: WO2021245401A1
Application number: PCT/GB2021/051345
Authority: WO
Inventors: Maurizio ZAGLIO; Lukas BERGMANN; Andrew Bissell
Original assignee: Sunamp Limited
Priority date: 2020-06-01
Filing date: 2021-06-01
Publication date: 2021-12-09
Also published as: GB202008173D0

Abstract

There is herein described thermal energy storage systems with phase change materials (PCMs) and control methods for controlling the charging of such PCM thermal energy storage systems without overloading individual energy supply points. In particular, there is described sanitary washing stations comprising phase change materials (PCMs). There is also described sanitary washing stations comprising phase change materials (PCMs) and control methods for controlling the sanitary stations.

Description

SANITARY STATIONS WITH PHASE CHANGE MATERIALS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to thermal energy storage systems with phase change materials (PCMs) and control methods for controlling the charging of such PCM thermal energy storage systems without overloading individual energy supply points. In particular, the present invention relates to sanitary washing stations comprising phase change materials (PCMs). The present invention therefore relates to sanitary washing stations comprising phase change materials (PCMs) and control methods for controlling the sanitary stations.

BACKGROUND

There is a growing need for the use of handwashing facilities, and often multiples of in close proximity. This presents a challenge as these units may draw electricity to heat the water simultaneously and may therefore overload the local electrical supply.

The same applies to the roll-out of electrified water and space heating in general, where a decreasing load diversity factor poses a significant challenge to local distribution networks.

The present invention herein solves this challenge via the use of PCM thermal energy stores and charging (loading with heat) them in a managed and controlled method that keeps the total energy demand from an array of PCM thermal energy stores within the boundaries of the local supply points.

The present Coronavirus pandemic has also highlighted the specific need for portable sanitary stations for persons to wash their hands in heated water to increase hygiene for the overall general public.

It is an object of at least one aspect of the present invention to obviate or at least mitigate one or more of the aforementioned problems.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved thermal energy storage system with phase change materials (PCMs) and/or control methods for controlling the charging of such PCM thermal energy storage systems without overloading individual energy supply points

It is a further object of the present invention to provide improved sanitary washing stations. It is a yet further object of the present invention to provide portable improved portable sanitary washing stations which can easily provide heated water for persons to wash and clean their hands.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a network of thermal energy stores comprising: at least one or a plurality of phase change material (PCM) thermal energy stores capable of providing heating and/or cooling; and a control system.

The control system may control the charging and/or discharging of the at least one or the plurality of phase change material (PCM) thermal energy stores ensuring there is no overloading of individual energy supply points (e.g. electrical energy supply points).

In particular embodiments, the network of thermal energy stores may heat water which may then be used in sanitary washing stations.

The thermal energy stores may be phase change material (PCM) thermal energy stores.

The thermal energy stores may be phase change material (PCM) thermal storage batteries.

The thermal energy stores may comprise at least one or a plurality of phase change material (PCM) thermal storage batteries which may be used to heat and/or cool water. There may therefore be two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more phase change material (PCM) thermal storage batteries.

The network of thermal energy stores may provide heated water (e.g. sanitary hot water) or other thermal services.

The hot water or other thermal services may provide heating and/or cooling.

The heating and/or cooling may optionally rely on electrical energy via an element (e.g. a heating element) or a heat pump and/or refrigeration cycle to thermally charge the thermal energy stores. The network of thermal energy stores may be controlled by the control system.

The control system may dynamically control the network of thermal energy stores to never exceed the power supply of the nearest electrical supply point that all PCM thermal energy stores are connected to.

The electrical supply point may, for example, be an individual supply point, a building supply point, local feeder, or connection to a transmission network.

Depending on the geographic disparity of the network of PCM thermal energy stores, the control of the connected network of thermal energy stores may be carried out by any one of or a combination of: a centralised control system via local hardware; a centralised control system via a remote control system such as a cloud; or a decentralised control system connecting individual PCM thermal energy stores.

In particular embodiments, the control system may comprise a centralised control system via a remote control system (e.g. a cloud storage and/or control system). The centralised control system may comprise a series of sanitary washing stations comprising at least one or a plurality of phase change material (PCM) thermal energy stores according to the present invention.

In particular embodiments, the control system may comprise a centralised control system which may use a local hardware control. The local hardware may be connected to a series of sanitary washing stations comprising at least one or a plurality of phase change material (PCM) thermal energy stores according to the present invention.

In particular embodiments, the control system may comprise a decentralised control system. The decentralised control system may comprise a series of phase change material (PCM) thermal energy stores according to the present invention.

The sanitary washing stations may comprise a cabinet with a sink located, for example, on top. The cabinet may comprise a phase change heat battery capable of heating and/or cooling water. The control system (e.g. centralised control system via a remote control system, centralised control system using local hardware control or decentralised control system) may be capable of controlling at least one or all of the sanitary washing stations.

The control system may be capable of permitting all of the sanitary washing stations to have high charging power (e.g. about 3 kW) but may be capable of preventing the overloading of the electrical grid via selectively switching to charge different sanitary washing stations individually. This prevents an electrical overload.

Monitoring (e.g. remote monitoring) of the state of charge of each connected and/or interconnected phase change material (PCM) thermal energy store may be performed.

Furthermore, monitoring (e.g. remote monitoring) of the rate of depletion of each connected and/or interconnected phase change material (PCM) thermal energy store may be performed.

The monitoring of the state of charge and/or rate of depletion may occur in combination with historic information about usage patterns of each phase change material (PCM) thermal energy store. This may facilitate the distribution of the charging of units in a way that ensures continued supply of service (such as sanitary hot water production, space heating or space cooling), while never exceeding the capacity of the nearest common supply point.

Typical applications of such networks are at building supply point level or individual supply point level but networks with a wider geographic expanse are possible and part of this invention.

A specific example for such a network of PCM thermal energy stores may be a sanitary station comprising phase change materials (PCMs) thermal energy stores.

The sanitary station may be a sanitary washing station.

The sanitary washing station may comprise at least one or a plurality of phase change material (PCM) thermal storage batteries capable of heating and/or cooling e.g. water.

The sanitary washing station may comprise a water inlet capable of providing water to the sanitary washing station. The sanitary washing station may comprise a water outlet for water to exit the sanitary washing station.

The sanitary washing station may comprise: a casing; a water inlet capable of providing water to the sanitary washing station; a phase change material (PCM) thermal storage battery capable of heating and/or cooling water entering from the water inlet; and a water outlet for water to exit the sanitary washing station.

The sanitary washing station may be as defined in the third aspect.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a sanitary station comprising phase change materials (PCMs).

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a sanitary washing station comprising: a casing; a water inlet capable of providing water to the sanitary washing station; at least one or a plurality of phase change material (PCM) thermal storage batteries capable of heating and/or cooling water entering from the water inlet; and a water outlet for water to exit the sanitary washing station.

Typically, the at least one or a plurality of phase change material (PCM) thermal storage batteries may heat water entering the sanitary washing station.

There may therefore be two or more, three or more, four or more, or five or more phase change material (PCM) thermal storage batteries.

Generally, the present invention therefore relates to a phase change material (PCM) thermal storage battery which is capable of heating water for a person to wash their hands and/or themselves. The phase change material (PCM) thermal storage battery may therefore be seen as a phase change material (PCM) heat battery. At least one or a plurality of the sanitary washing stations may be incorporated into a network of thermal energy stores as, for example, as defined in the first aspect. The at least one or a plurality of the sanitary washing stations may therefore be capable of providing heating and/or cooling and may be controlled via a control system.

The sanitary washing stations may be mobile units which are capable of operating independently of the electrical grid and are therefore highly portable.

The casing may form an outer casing within which control components for the sanitary washing station may be located.

The sanitary washing station and/or phase change material (PCM) thermal storage battery may comprise at least one or a plurality of heat pumps.

The at least one or the plurality phase change material (PCM) thermal storage batteries may also be located within the casing.

There may be at least one or a plurality of phase change material (PCM) thermal storage batteries.

The casing may be mounted on a set of wheels or any other mechanism which assists transportation.

The casing may also comprise a handle to also assist with transportation.

Located on the top and/or on an upper surface of the casing there may be a washing area such as a sink. A person may wash their hands and/or body in the washing area using the heated water.

The sanitary washing station may comprise a sink area for persons to wash their hands.

The sanitary washing station may also comprise a tap or any other form of water outlet through which heated water may exit. A user may use the heated water to wash their hands and/or body.

The tap may be located on an upper surface of the washing area or sink. The tap may in particular embodiments be an infrared sensor tap.

The sanitary washing station may also comprise a dispenser e.g. a dispenser. The soap dispenser may be located on an upper surface of the washing area or sink. The dispenser may comprise any suitable type of disinfectant and/or antibacterial agent.

Located within the casing there may be located the phase change material (PCM) thermal storage battery capable of heating water entering from the water inlet.

There may be a single water inlet or a plurality of water inlets entering the sanitary washing station and/or the casing. The water inlets may be cold mains water inlets.

A water inlet may provide water which may then be heated by the phase change material (PCM) thermal storage battery.

The sanitary washing station may comprise a variety of components such as pipes, valves and mixing valves (e.g. a thermostatic mixing valve - TMV). The components may allow the water to enter the sanitary washing station and be heated by the phase change material (PCM) thermal storage battery and then be provided for a user to use the heated water.

A pipe may be used to provide heated water to the sink.

The sanitary washing station may also comprise the water outlet for used/dirty water to exit the sanitary washing station once a person has cleaned their hands and/or body.

The sanitary washing station may also comprise power cables which may be used to operate the tap.

The sanitary washing station also comprise at least one or a plurality of heat exchangers. The heat exchanger(s) may be located adjacent to and/or connected to the phase change material (PCM) thermal storage battery. The heat exchanger may be used to transfer heat from the phase change material (PCM) thermal storage battery to the cold water entering the sanitary washing station.

The heat exchanger may be located adjacent to and/or connected to the cold water inlets. The sanitary washing station may also comprise an expansion vessel and/or grounding cables.

The sanitary washing station may also comprise a control box (e.g. an electronic control box) which may be used to control the temperature, flow of water, heating of the water etc.

The sanitary washing station may also comprise a bottle trap which may be connected to the sink washing area.

The sanitary washing station may therefore receive cold water via at least one or a plurality of cold water inlets. The phase change material (PCM) thermal storage battery may then be used to heat the water. The heated water may then be used by a user to wash their hands and/or body.

The sanitary station may be a mobile unit which may be transported easily and quickly to a wide variety of locations.

The sanitary washing stations may therefore provide a modular, mobile, and/or scalable electric storage water heater for the provision of temporary hand and/or body washing.

The sanitary washing stations may be built on compact, high power thermal storage technology to provide a wash basin or washing area easily deployable at any site with standard wall plugs and a cold water source.

Multiple units may be deployed with no plumbing or electrical skills, and there is no risk of overloading the electrical circuit due to smart charging control between units.

Furthermore, sanitary station units may be charged in one location and then used in another location that is disconnected from the electrical grid.

The present invention therefore provides a sanitary station or a plurality of sanitary stations with phase change materials (PCMs).

Stringent hand hygiene prevents the spread of coronavirus and washing correctly with soap and water is proven more effective than hand sanitisers. Easy access to facilities at the point of need is essential to encourage frequent handwashing and removes the need to move around buildings unnecessarily to find clean running water. This is critical in the temporary field hospitals set up to treat Covid 19 patients, as well as workplaces of other essential workers. In such circumstances such as exiting lockdown procedures and social distancing it will be vital that people continue to be diligent about cleanliness.

The present invention provides mobile hand and/or body wash units using thermal storage battery technology aimed at cutting carbon emissions to provide large amounts of hot water when and, crucially, where it is needed most, whether on temporary wards in hospitals, in the workplace or out in the field.

The mobile and deployable hand and/or body wash units of the present invention do not require any plumbing or electrical expertise to become operational. On arrival on site, they can simply be plugged in for several hours such as about 1 - 5 or about 2 - 3 hours to charge the battery. The sanitary washing station may then be moved into position where the stored energy will be released as heat providing instant hot water on demand.

Multiple units may be smartly controlled to be charged, for example, by a standard wall plug.

Typically, there will be no trailing wires on the sanitary washing station.

The water supply may be either be held in a storage container concealed as part of the unit, or from a pipe attached to cold mains water where it is readily available. Waste water may be collected in a container to be safely disposed of.

The sanitary washing stations of the present invention may be mobile and may be developed to:

• Provide instant hot water for improved comfort and efficacy for hand or body sanitisation, or for cleaning implements and utensils at the point where it is needed;

• Be fully mobile - suitable for use with and without either a plumbed-in water supply or nearby energy supply;

• Be easy to use by dispensing with the need for plumbing or electrical expertise;

• Minimise the risk of legionella disease - water is stored at cold temperature and is heated instantly and only as required; • Meet demand - the units will supply enough clean hot water to allow one person per minute per basin to thoroughly wash their hands in hot water without the need for connection to an energy supply;

• Require minimum maintenance - thermal storage batteries have a proven lifecycle of over 40,000 cycles, equivalent to over 50 years of normal use.

In response to Coronavirus outbreaks, the public are encouraged to increase the frequency, duration, and thoroughness of their handwashing. This results in a significant increase in hot water usage, particularly in locations where such facilities are not currently widespread.

Many locations and public areas exist where there is little or no access to handwashing facilities (transport hubs, construction sites, retail units, community spaces such as gardens and beaches). It is expected that increased handwashing will remain government advice for the foreseeable future, and therefore there exists a requirement to develop measures to improve access to handwashing equipment. A serious limiting factor against effective handwashing in these locations is the availability of warm water, an essential requirement to ensure thorough (20 seconds minimum) cleansing.

The handwashing units of the present invention may therefore benefit users, via. having access to a greater hot water capacity. Repeated use of hand sanitiser can lead to skin irritation and dermatitis, therefore increased hot water capacity and improved access to handwashing equipment will provide a benefit to the public as well as businesses in reducing such problems. The public as well as businesses benefit from both increased hot water capacity and improved access to handwashing equipment.

In a pandemic, temporary hospitals may be built, and existing medical structures extended. All of these require large daily quantities of hot water. Furthermore, during a staged phase-out of the resulting lockdown, to suppress the resurgence of infection rates when people return to work, school or university, increased care in personal (hand)hygiene would be essential. However, the limited sanitary installations per facility are not designed to provide the level of hand sanitisation needed to protect returning workers and the more vulnerable populations.

This is solved by an easy-to-deploy, mobile, automatic washbasin based on heat battery technology. The present invention provides this solution. The sanitary washing stations of the present invention in the form of handwashing units may be able to provide large quantities of hot water.

A plurality of sanitary washing stations (e.g. handwashing units) may be grouped in the same site and smart control may allow their use from a single, standard wall plug. No electrician and no plumber are therefore required to install it.

The sanitary washing stations (e.g. handwashing units) may also be charged in large part from renewable energy or cheaper, greener energy tariffs, to minimise fuel bills and pollution.

The sanitary washing stations (e.g. handwashing units) may also provide instant hot water at, for example, over about 40°C or over about 50°C, while having no need to store water at site. This greatly reduces legionella risks.

Furthermore, the heated water may be blended with water at lower temperature to provide a specific required temperature of heated water for a user. In particular embodiments, mixing valves such as using TMV mixing valves Eddie used to blend heated and cold water to obtain the required temperature of heated water for a user. The hot water may be blended to lower temperatures thus eliminating potential scalding and prolonging the heat storage capacity.

Using this as a smart buffer allows to provide sanitary hot water to up to about 60 people/hour per basin (based on a 60s process for each handwash) via "100% Non-Contact, Infra-Red activated Taps" without the need for an electrical connection (required in the charging phase) to maximise its flexibility and deployability.

The solution of the present invention has use for disaster-relief and events with large crowds such as festivals, sports events, as well as places like community support services, couriers and delivery (rural and/or city based), education and cultural centres, entertainment venues (live entertainment, music, etc.), banks, financial services office blocks, food manufacture and processing plants, healthcare buildings, hospitality events, personal protection equipment shops, retail shops, social care centres, sport and recreation venues and events, transport hubs, and wellbeing meet-ups (yoga classes etc.) etc. The need: in the C0VID19 emergency, temporary hospitals have been built and existing ones extended. They require large quantities of hot water. Furthermore, a staged phase-out of the lockdown will be implemented in the absence of a COVID-19 vaccine. To suppress the resurgence of infection when people return to work or schools, increased care in personal (hand)hygiene will be essential. However, current limited sanitary installations per facility have not been designed to cope with a "rush hour" demand in a post-lockdown scenario and hand sanitisers are expensive. This will make it difficult to provide the level of sanitisation needed to protect return workers and our more vulnerable populations.

The present invention relates to a modular, mobile, and scalable sanitary washing station comprising a phase change material (PCM) thermal storage battery capable of heating water. The sanitary washing station may provide for the provision of temporary handwashing.

The sanitary washing stations may be built on compact, high power thermal storage technology to provide a wash basin easily deployable at any site with standard wall plugs and a cold water source.

Furthermore, the sanitary washing stations may be charged in one location and then used in another location that is disconnected from the electrical grid.

With a recharge time as low as about 60 minutes, up to about 15 units/day can be recharged (not simultaneously) from a single 13A, 220V wall plug in about 24 hours. Each unit may have the capability to wash hands of about 170 persons/basin (about 0.5L average hot water usage), providing handwash to about 2550 persons/day. Alternatively, assuming a full body wash takes 4L of hot water, about 315 persons/day can be served by the same. The solution can easily scale depending on the availability of multiple wall plugs or the usage of 32A 400V plugs.

The sanitary washing stations of the present invention may particularly fit into the rapid build-up of temporary patient diagnosis and treatment structures. In existing hospitals, the ICUs sections and other medical structures, the sanitary washing stations of the present invention can easily ramp up the availability of hot water for handwashing of doctors and other personnel or full body wash of patients.

For post-emergency scenarios, the sanitary washing stations may be deployed at the entrance of offices, shopping malls, airports and train stations, schools, etc. to enhance the comfort of handwashing.

As it is mobile, the sanitary washing stations may be carried everywhere in a building e.g. next to a patient's bed, entry of the hospital, entry of the ICU, etc.

The sanitary washing station may be connected to a plug for charging, but it doesn't need electricity from a mains electricity source for operation as the washing station integrates the thermal storage. The sanitary washing station simply requires a connection to cold water and optionally a drain such as a water-container for used and/or dirty water.

The following innovations makes the solution unique in the landscape of instantaneous or storage electric heaters: a fully operational sanitary washing station needing only cold water for providing high flow rates of hot water; the ability to handle the charging of multiple sanitary washing stations in order to recharge multiple units connected to a single plug.

The present invention provides the solution to use heat battery technology to develop an easy-to- deploy, mobile, automatic sanitary washing station. Thermal storage batteries may be compact and easy to deploy. Furthermore, thermal storage batteries may contain high levels of power based on phase change materials using safe chemical formulations that can store and release large quantities of heat by melting/freezing i.e. transition points for the phase change material.

Deployed in multiples, the sanitary washing stations of the present invention may be smartly controlled to manage the electric load of the installation from, for example, a single, standard wall plug. No electrician and no plumber are required.

The sanitary washing stations may also be charged from renewable energy or cheaper, greener energy tariffs, to minimise fuel bills and pollution. The sanitary washing stations may provide instantaneous hot water on-demand without the scalding risks of moving large quantities of hot water and without any legionella risk.

The sanitary washing stations may provide sanitary hot water for up to, for example, about 60 people/hour per sanitary washing station (e.g. based on a 60 sec/handwash process) without the need for an electrical connection (e.g. required in the charging phase) from an electrical main supply to maximise its flexibility and deployability.

Existing water heating equipment have either high instantaneous currant draws (costly and required to be near a distribution board) or utilise a tank of hot water which is bulky, immobile, has a low energy storage density, has high heat losses, requires maintenance (if pressurised) and requires a legionella mitigation strategy. The present invention addresses all of these problems.

Prior art centralised hot water stores and hand washing facilities are also typically poorly located to handle increased usage and operation whilst maintaining social distancing guidelines. These issues severely limit the roll-out of temporary/moveable/dispatchable handwashing stations.

Phase change material thermal storage batteries (e.g. heat batteries) are compact, high-power thermal storages based on phase change materials (PCMs). The phase change materials are safe chemical formulations that can store and release large quantities of heat by melting/freezing e.g. at transition points.

The phase change materials (PCMs) used in the present invention may be based upon a wide range of chemicals. Of particular interest for hand washing is PCM which has a transition point between the temperature range of, for example, about 30 - 60 °C. Desirable properties of PCMs include high energy density, low/no flammability, renewable sourcing and long lifetime and predictable performance over 10,000's of cycles.

Examples of phase change material (PCM) formulations are ones based on, for example, metal salts such as metal nitrates. In particular embodiments the metal nitrates may be calcium nitrate tetrahydrate, a salt hydrate based that changes phase at, for example, about 40 - 50 °C or about 43 °C. Another example for a phase change material (PCM) may be sodium acetate trihydrate, a salt hydrate based that changes phase at around 50 - 55 °C or about 58 °C. PCMs based on these salt hydrates are excellent thermal storage mediums for providing hot water for hand and/or body washing. The calcium nitrate tetrahydrate salt hydrate may potentially not require an anti-scald device (e.g. a thermostatic mixing valve, TMV) due to its operating temperature being in the about 40 - 50°C range.

Furthermore, a phase change material (PCM) in the 30 - 40°C range may be better suited to be heated (charged) via a heat pump device, as these operate with a higher efficiency at lower differential temperatures (wrt. to ambient), i.e. a better coefficient of performance (COP), where a unit of electricity generates more than a unit of heat.

Therefore, the building of heat pump (e.g. micro-heat pump) charged thermal storage washing stations of the present invention based on lower temperature PCMs that delivery hot water for handwashing purposes have multiple benefits of: 1) lower cost of operation; 2) lower electrical load requirements; 3) lower heat losses; 4) reduced scaled risk.

The sanitary washing stations of the present invention may also recycle water after appropriate filtration and disinfection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a representation of a sanitary washing station comprising a heat battery and a sink according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a representation of components according to the sanitary washing station shown in Figure 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a representation showing a centralised control system via a cloud for washing stations according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a further representation showing a centralised control system via a local hardware for hand washing stations according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 5 is a representation of a decentralised control system for handwashing stations according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to sanitary stations comprising phase change materials (PCMs) and control methods for controlling the sanitary stations. The sanitary stations may be sanitary washing stations capable of washing a person's hands with heated water.

The solution of the present invention has use for disaster-relief and events with large crowds such as festivals, sports events, as well as places like community support services, couriers and delivery (rural and/or city based), education and cultural centres, entertainment venues (live entertainment, music, etc.), banks, financial services office blocks, food manufacture and processing plants, healthcare buildings, hospitality events, personal protection equipment shops, retail shops, social care centres, sport and recreation venues and events, transport hubs, and wellbeing meet-ups (yoga classes etc.) etc.

The need: in for example the current COVID19 emergency, temporary hospitals have been built and existing ones extended. They require large quantities of hot water. Furthermore, a staged phase-out of the lockdown will be implemented in the absence of a COVID-19 vaccine. To suppress the resurgence of infection when people return to work or schools, increased care in personal (hand) hygiene is essential. Flowever, current limited sanitary installations per facility have not been designed to cope with a "rush hour" demand in a post-lockdown scenario and hand sanitisers are expensive. This will make it difficult to provide the level of sanitisation needed to protect return workers and our more vulnerable populations.

The present invention relates to a modular, mobile, and/or scalable electric storage water heater for the provision of temporary handwashing and washing stations built on, for example, compact, high power thermal storage technology to provide a wash basin easily deployable at any site with standard wall plugs and a cold water (i.e. mains) source.

Multiple units may be deployed with no plumbing or electrical skills, and there is no risk of overloading the electrical circuit due to a smart charging control between units. Furthermore, units may be charged in one location and then used in another location that is disconnected from the electrical grid.

With a recharge time as low as about 60 minutes, up to about 15 units/day can be recharged (not simultaneously) from a single 13A, 220V wall plug in 24 hours. For example, each unit may have the capability to wash hands of hundreds (e.g. 170 persons/basin, 0.5L average hot water usage), providing handwash to thousands of people per day (e.g. 2550 persons/day). Alternatively, assuming a full body wash takes several litres of hot water (e.g. about 4L of hot water), several hundreds of persons/day (e.g. 315 persons/day) can be served by the same. The solution can easily scale depending on the availability of multiple wall plugs or the usage of electric plugs e.g. 32A 400V plugs.

The solution particularly fits into the rapid build-up of temporary patient diagnosis and treatment structures.

In existing hospitals, the ICUs sections and other medical structures, the solution of the present invention can easily ramp up the availability of hot water for handwashing of doctors and other personnel or full body wash of patients.

For post-emergency scenarios, the basin may be deployed at the entrance of offices, shopping malls, airports and train stations, schools, etc. to enhance the comfort of handwashing. As it is mobile, the basin can be carried everywhere in the building e.g. next to the patient's bed, entry of the hospital, entry of the ICU, etc. The basin needs to be connected to a plug for charging, but it doesn't need electricity for operation as it integrates the storage, just a connection to cold water and to drain or a water-container. The following innovations makes the solution unique in the landscape of instantaneous or storage electric heaters: a fully operational wash-basin needing only cold water for providing high flow rates of hot water; the ability to handle the charging of multiple wash-basins in order to recharge multiple units connected to a single plug.

The present invention provides the solution to use heat battery technology to develop an easy-to- deploy, mobile, automatic washbasin. Fleat Batteries are compact, high-power thermal storages based on Phase Change Materials (PCMs) comprising safe chemical formulations that can store and release large quantities of heat by melting/freezing i.e. phase changes. Deployed in multiples, these washbasins may be smartly controlled to manage the electric load of the installation from a single, standard wall plug. No electrician and no plumber are required. It is possible to charge from renewable energy or cheaper, greener energy tariffs, to minimise fuel bills and pollution. The washbasins will be able to provide instant hot water on-demand without the scalding risks of moving large quantities of hot water and without any legionella risk. Legionella occurs from stored water which the present invention overcomes.

The washbasins of the present invention can provide sanitary hot water for almost a hundred people and, for example, up to about 60 people/hour per basin (e.g. based on about a 60 sec/handwash process) without the need for an electrical connection (required in the charging phase) to maximise its flexibility and deployability.

Existing water heating equipment have either high instantaneous currant draws (costly and required to be near a distribution board) or utilise a tank of hot water which is bulky, immobile, has a low energy storage density, has high heat losses, requires maintenance (if pressurised) and requires a legionella mitigation strategy.

Centralised hot water stores and hand washing facilities are also typically poorly located to handle increased usage and operation whilst maintaining social distancing guidelines. These issues severely limit the roll-out of temporary/moveable/dispatchable handwashing stations.

Heat Batteries are compact, high-power thermal storages based on phase change materials (PCMs). The phase change materials (PCMs) are safe chemical formulations that can store and release large quantities of heat by melting/freezing.

The phase change materials (PCMs) use the present invention can be based upon a wide range of chemicals. Of particular interest for hand washing is PCM between the temperature range of about 30 - 60 °C. Desirable properties of PCMs include high energy density, low/no flammability, renewable sourcing and long lifetime and predictable performance over 10,000's of cycles.

Examples of PCM formulation are ones based on salt hydrates, for example, metal nitrate hydrates. In particular embodiments, the PCM may comprise calcium nitrate tetrahydrate, a salt hydrate based that changes phase at about 40°C - 50°C (e.g. 43 °C). Another example is sodium acetate trihydrate, a salt hydrate based that changes phase at about 50°C - 65°C (e.g. about 58 °C). PCMs based on these salt hydrates are excellent for providing hot water for hand washing, with the calcium nitrate tetrahydrate salt hydrate potentially not requiring an anti-scald device (e.g. a thermostatic mixing valve, TMV) due to its operating temperature being in the 40 °C - 50 °C range.

Furthermore, the a PCM in the 30 °C - 40 °C range is better suited to be heated (charged) via a heat pump device, as these operate with a higher efficiency at lower differential temperatures (wrt. to ambient), i.e. a better coefficient of performance (COP), where a unit of electricity generates more than a unit of heat. Therefore, the building of micro-heat pump charged thermal storage modules based on lower temperature PCMs that delivery hot water for handwashing purposes have multiple benefits of: 1) lower cost of operation; 2) lower electrical load requirements; 3) lower heat losses; 4) reduced scaled risk.

In particular embodiments of the present invention water may be recycled after appropriate filtration and disinfection. In construction site spec models, the power may be via. 110 V systems.

Figure 1 is a representation of a sanitary washing station generally designated 100 according to the present invention. The sanitary washing station comprises an outer casing in the form of a cabinet 110 mounted on a set of wheels 112. Located on a side of the cabinet 110 there is also a handle 114.

Mounted on top of the cabinet 100 there is a sink 120 along with a tap 116 (e.g. an infrared sensor tap) and a soap dispenser 118. The soap dispenser 118 may comprise any suitable type of disinfectant and/or antibacterial agent.

Figure 2 is a representation of components according to the sanitary washing station 100 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, a phase change material (PCM) heat battery 150 is located within the cabinet 110.

Figure 2 shows that there are cold mains water inlets 112, 124. There is also shown a valve 126 (e.g. a solenoid valve) and the cold mains water inlet 128 connected to a mixing valve 130 (e.g. a thermostatic mixing valve -TMV). There is also shown a pipe 132 which is connected to the sink 120. The pipe 132 may be used for dirty/used water to be dispensed. Figure 2 also shows a hot outlet 134 from the phase change material heat battery 150. The hot outlet 134 may be located on the top of a heat exchanger. There is also shown a power cable 136 which is connected to the tap 116 (e.g. to power the infrared sensing tap).

Figure 2 also shows there is an outlet 138 (e.g. a blended TMV outlet) connected to the valve 126. There is also shown a cold water inlet 140 to the phase change material heat battery 150 which is located below a heated exchanger. A further component shown in Figure 2 is an expansion vessel 142 and grounding cables 144.

The sanitary washing station 100 also comprises a control box 146 (e.g. an electronic control box) which may be used to control the temperature, flow of water, heating of the water etc.

Figure 2 also shows that there is a bottle trap 148. It is also shown a connection 150 to the sink 120.

The sanitary washing station 100 is shown in Figures 1 and 2 may therefore receive cold water via the cold water inlets 122, 124. The phase change material heat battery 150 is then used to heat the water using the components as described in Figures 1 and 2. The heated water may then be used by a user to wash their hands in the sink 120.

Figure 3 is a representation showing a centralised control system 200 via a remote control system 210 (e.g. a cloud). The centralised control system 200 as shown in Figure 3 comprises a series of sanitary washing stations 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222 according to the present invention. The sanitary washing stations 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222 comprise a cabinet 230, 232, 234, 236, 238, 240 with a sink 250, 252, 254, 256, 258, 260 located on top. The cabinets 230, 232, 234, 236, 238, 240 comprise a phase change heat battery as previously described capable of heating water.

The remote control system 210 is capable of controlling all of the sanitary washing stations 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222. The remote control system 210 is capable of permitting all of the sanitary washing stations 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222 to have high charging power (e.g. 3 kW) but is capable of preventing the overloading of the electrical grid via selectively switching to charge different sanitary washing stations 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222 individually. This prevents an electrical overload.

Figure 4 is a representation showing a centralised control system 300 which uses a using local hardware control 310. The local hardware 310 as connected to a series of sanitary washing stations 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, 322. The sanitary washing stations 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, 322 comprise a cabinet 330, 332, 334, 336, 338, 340 with a sink 350, 352, 354, 356, 358, 360 located on top. The cabinets 330, 332, 334, 336, 338, 340 comprise a phase change heat battery as previously described capable of heating water.

The local hardware control 310 is capable of controlling all of the sanitary washing stations 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, 322. The remote control system 310 is capable of permitting all of the sanitary washing stations 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, 322 to have high charging power (e.g. 3 kW) but is capable of preventing the overloading of the electrical grid via selectively switching to charge different sanitary washing stations 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, 322 individually. This prevents an electrical overload.

Figure 5 is a representation of a decentralised control system 400 for handwashing stations 412, 414, 416, 418, 400, 422 according to the present invention. The decentralised control system 400 as shown in Figure 4 comprises a series of sanitary washing stations 412, 414, 416, 418, 420, 422 according to the present invention. The sanitary washing stations 412, 414, 416, 418, 420, 422 comprise a cabinet 430, 432, 434, 436, 438, 440 with a sink 450, 452, 454, 456, 458, 460 located on top. The cabinets 430, 432, 434, 436, 438, 440 comprise a phase change heat battery as previously described capable of heating water.

The decentralised control system 400 is capable of controlling all of the sanitary washing stations 412, 414, 416, 418, 420, 422. The decentralised control system 410 is capable of permitting all of the sanitary washing stations 412, 414, 416, 418, 420, 422 to have high charging power (e.g. about 3 kW) but is capable of preventing the overloading of the electrical grid via selectively switching to charge different sanitary washing stations 412, 414, 416, 418, 420, 422 individually. This prevents an electrical overload.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description; and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications of the present disclosure can be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

1. A network of thermal energy stores comprising: at least one or a plurality of phase change material (PCM) thermal energy stores capable of providing heating and/or cooling; and a control system; wherein the control system is capable of controlling the charging and/or discharging of the at least one or a plurality of phase change material (PCM) thermal energy stores ensuring there is no overloading of individual energy supply points.

2. A network of thermal energy stores according to claim 1, wherein the network of thermal energy stores provides heated sanitary water which is then capable of being used in sanitary washing stations.

3. A network of thermal energy stores according to any preceding claim, wherein the control system comprises a centralised control system via a remote control system (e.g. a cloud).

4. A network of thermal energy stores according to any preceding claim, wherein the control system comprises a centralised control system which uses a local hardware control.

5. A network of thermal energy stores according to any preceding claim, wherein the control system comprises a decentralised control system.

6. A network of thermal energy stores according to any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the sanitary washing stations comprise a washing area e.g. a sink.

7. A network of thermal energy stores according to any preceding claim, wherein the control system is capable of controlling the at least one or the plurality of phase change material (PCM) thermal energy stores.

8. A network of thermal energy stores according to any preceding claim, wherein the control system is capable of preventing the overloading of an electrical grid via selectively switching to charge different phase change material (PCM) thermal energy stores individually thereby preventing an electrical overload.

9. A network of thermal energy stores according to any preceding claim, wherein the control system is capable of monitoring (e.g. remote monitoring) the state of charge of each connected and/or interconnected phase change material (PCM) thermal energy store.

10. A network of thermal energy stores according to any preceding claim, wherein the control system is capable of monitoring (e.g. remote monitoring) the rate of depletion of each connected and/or interconnected phase change material (PCM) thermal energy store.

11. A network of thermal energy stores according to any preceding claim, wherein the control system is capable of monitoring the state of charge and/or rate of depletion in combination with historic information about usage patterns of each phase change material (PCM) thermal energy store.

12. A network of thermal energy stores according to any of claims 2 to 11, wherein the sanitary washing station comprises: a casing; a water inlet capable of providing water to the sanitary washing station; at least one or a plurality of phase change material (PCM) thermal storage batteries capable of heating and/or cooling water entering from the water inlet; and a water outlet for water to exit the sanitary washing station.

13. A network of thermal energy stores according to claim 12, wherein the casing forms an outer casing within which control components for the sanitary washing station are located.

14. A network of thermal energy stores according to any of claims 12 and 13, wherein the sanitary washing station comprises at least one or a plurality of heat pumps.

15. A network of thermal energy stores according to any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the sanitary washing station comprises a washing area where a person is able to wash their hands and/or body using water heated from the at least one or the plurality of phase change material (PCM) thermal storage batteries.

16. A network of thermal energy stores according to any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the sanitary washing station comprises a water outlet (e.g. tap) through which heated water is capable of exiting.

17. A network of thermal energy stores according to any of claims 12 to 16, wherein the sanitary washing station comprises a dispenser capable of dispensing soap and/or disinfectant and/or antibacterial agent.

18. A network of thermal energy stores according to any of claims 12 to 17, wherein the water outlet for water exiting the sanitary washing station allows used/dirty water to exit the sanitary washing station once a person has cleaned their hands and/or body.

19. A network of thermal energy stores according to any of claims 12 to 18, wherein the sanitary washing station comprises at least one or a plurality of heat exchangers to transfer heat from the phase change material (PCM) thermal storage battery to cold water entering the sanitary washing station.

20. A network of thermal energy stores according to any of claims 12 to 19, wherein the sanitary station is a mobile unit which is capable of being transported.

21. A network of thermal energy stores according to any of claims 12 to 20, wherein water supply for the sanitary washing station is either held in a storage container or from a pipe attached to cold mains water where water is readily available.

22. A network of thermal energy stores according to any of claims 12 to 21, wherein water exiting from the water outlet is collected in a container to be safely disposed of.

23. A network of thermal energy stores according to any of claims 12 to 22, wherein the sanitary washing station is charged from renewable energy or cheaper, greener energy tariffs, to minimise fuel bills and pollution.

24. A network of thermal energy stores according to any of claims 12 to 23, wherein the sanitary washing station provides substantially instantaneous hot water at, for example, over about 40°C or over about 50°C, while having no need to store water thereby greatly reducing legionella risks.

25. A network of thermal energy stores according to any of claims 12 to 24, wherein heated water is blended with water at lower temperature to provide a specific required temperature of heated water for a user.

26. A network of thermal energy stores according to any of claims 12 to 25, wherein the sanitary washing station comprises an infra-red or motion activated tap.

27. A network of thermal energy stores according to any of claims 12 to 26, wherein the sanitary washing station is charged in one location and is then used in another location that is disconnected from an electrical grid.

28. A network of thermal energy stores according to any of claims 12 to 27, wherein the sanitary washing station provides instantaneous hot water on-demand without the scalding risks of moving large quantities of hot water and without any legionella risk.

29. A sanitary washing station comprising: a casing; a water inlet capable of providing water to the sanitary washing station; at least one or a plurality of phase change material (PCM) thermal storage batteries capable of heating and/or cooling water entering from the water inlet; and a water outlet for water to exit the sanitary washing station.

30. A sanitary washing station according to claim 29, wherein the sanitary washing station is a mobile portable unit capable of operating independently of an electrical grid.

31. A sanitary washing station according to any of claims 29 and 30, wherein the sanitary washing station provides heated water for mobile hand and/or body wash units.

32. A sanitary washing station according to any of claims 29 to 31, wherein the at least one or the plurality of phase change material (PCM) thermal storage batteries comprise phase change material (PCM) in the form of metal nitrates with a phase change occurring at: about 30 - 60°C; about 30 - 50°C; or about 40 - 50 °C; or about 43 °C.

33. A sanitary washing station according to any of claims 29 to 32, wherein the at least one or the plurality of phase change material (PCM) thermal storage batteries comprise phase change material (PCM) in the form of sodium acetate trihydrate with a phase change occurring at about 50 - 55 °C or about 58 °C.

34. A sanitary washing station according to any of claims 29 to 33, wherein the sanitary washing station is incorporated into a network of thermal energy stores.