ZA201101921B

ZA201101921B - Water preservation

Info

Publication number: ZA201101921B
Application number: ZA2011/01921A
Authority: ZA
Inventors: Beer Joseph Adam Johannes De
Original assignee: Beer Joseph Adam Johannes De
Priority date: 2010-03-26
Filing date: 2011-03-14
Publication date: 2011-11-30

Description

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WATER PRESERVATION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to water preservation. More particularly, the invention relates to a plumbing arrangement for supplying hot water to a building, a water preservation system incorporating said plumbing arrangement, and a method for preserving water in a water pipe network used in supplying hot water to a building.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Water is the basis of life, it supports life, and countless species live in it for all or part of oo their lives. Freshwater biomes supply us with our drinking water and water for crop irrigation. Unfortunately, over the past decades, increasing human activity has rapidly destroyed or polluted many ecological habitats throughout the world and thus freshwater preservation or conservation has become critically important.

A common problem which most households experience is water wastage, which occurs on a daily basis. Although such wastage may occur in a number of ways, one way in which it often occurs is via hot water taps or outlets. This occurs when one allows water to run from such an outlet while waiting for the water outlet temperature to rise to an acceptable hot water temperature.

Especially, when water in a hot water pipeline is stationary for a considerable period of time, it automatically cools down to a temperature, which is not acceptable to the user as a preferred outlet water temperature. Thus, while the user waits until water with an acceptable outlet temperature exits at the outlet, the colder water, in the hot water pipeline which was stationary for a long period and which consequently cooled down, is allowed to flow down a waste pipe into a sewerage system. All this water is wasted.

A means by which this water could be preserved or conserved is believed to hold great benefit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention there is provided a plumbing arrangement for supplying hot water to a building, the plumbing arrangement comprising at least one water heater connected to a water pipe network through which water operatively flows, at least one water draw off point located in the network and from which water in the network can be drawn off for use by a user; and regulating means to maintain the water temperature in the network near a desired setpoint temperature.

There is also provided for the regulating means to be a pump and thermostat arrangement having a pump in communication with a thermostat. Typically, a temperature sensor of the thermostat, which sensor is operable to monitor water temperature within the network, is located in a least elevated portion of the network.

There is further provided for the water pipe network to form a closed loop so that water in the network can be circulated through the network and said heater by means of the pump after actuation thereof.

Moreover, there is provided for actuation of a heating element of the water heater and actuation of the pump to be effected concurrently by means of a signal sent from the thermostat to both the heating element and pump.

Additionally, there is provided for the thermostat to automatically turn on the pump and the heating element whenever water temperature measured by the temperature sensor drops below the setpoint temperature. Alternatively, there is provided for the pump and water heater to be operable to be actuated by a timer that automatically turns on the

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N "2011/0194 pump and heater when the timer reaches a predetermined setting. Further alternatively, there is provided for the pump and water heater to be operable to be manually and selectively actuated by the user.

There is also provided for the thermostat to be programmable so that the temperature of water in the network could be adjusted according to a series of programmed settings that take effect at different times of the day. The thermostat may be a digital thermostat combined with a controller that utilises a control loop feedback mechanism to adjust water temperature in the network via a physical control element. The physical control element may be the speed of the pump or the power supply to a heating element of the water heater while the controller may be a PI or PID controller. :

Typically, but not necessarily, the water temperature setpoint ranges between 40 °C and 65 °C.

The invention also extends to a water preservation system incorporating a plumbing arrangement as described hereinbefore.

The invention further extends to a method for preserving water in a water pipe network used in supplying hot water to a building, the method comprising: providing a plumbing arrangement as described hereinbefore; and actuating regulating means to move water through the network to maintain water temperature in the network near a desired setpoint temperature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example with reference to the accompanying non-limiting diagrammatic drawings. In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a simplified side elevation of a commonly known indoor plumbing arrangement having a water heater operatively connected to a water pipe network with a number of randomly spaced apart water draw-off points;

Figure 2 shows a simplified side elevation of a plumbing arrangement in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 3 shows a simplified side elevation of a plumbing arrangement in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like numerals indicate like components unless otherwise indicated.

A typical plumbing arrangement in a home or other building consists of two separate subsystems. One subsystem supplies fresh water to the home or building, while the other removes waste water therefrom. Incoming water, usually municipal water, is under adequate pressure as it enters the fresh water subsystem to allow it to travel upstairs, around corners, or wherever else it is needed. Thus, in a typical plumbing arrangement water follows the basic laws of nature to seek its own level and therefore gravity and pressure plays a major part in movement of the water.

This invention, however, concerns only the first subsystem which supplies fresh water to a home or building.

Figures 1 to 3 all illustrate different plumbing arrangements for providing fresh water, and in particular, heated fresh water, to a home or building, each having a water heater such as a gas or electric geyser operatively connected to a water pipe network with a number of water draw-off points at fixtures, outlets, and appliances that require hot water.

A common plumbing arrangement 10 is shown in Figure 1. Arrangement 10 includes a geyser 12, which is connected to a hot water pipe system or network 14 that receives fresh water, typically, from a municipal supply 16. The geyser 12 has a heating element 18 that maintains water in the geyser at a desired temperature. A thermostat 20 linked to the geyser 12 maintains the geyser temperature one selects by turning the heater's heating element 18 on and off as required. The normal temperature setting for a home water heater is between 60°C and 70°C, but 45°C is usually adequate and is also more economical. The geyser 12 is further arranged to fill the network 14 with water as soon as a water draw-off point 22 located somewhere along the network 14 is opened. Such a draw-off point 22 may, for example, be an outlet at a lavatory, sink, bathtub, shower, washbasin, washing machine, water closet, dishwasher or any other water tap.

When a user opens the tap 22, water is allowed to run from the tap 20 until the water outlet temperature rises to an acceptable hot water temperature. Thus, when water in the hot water pipe system or network 14 is stationary for a considerable period of time, it automatically cools down to a temperature, which is not acceptable to the user as a preferred hot outlet water temperature. Thus, while the user waits until water with an acceptable outlet temperature exits at the tap 22, the cooled water, that was stationary for a long period in the hot water pipeline and which consequently cooled down, is allowed to flow down a waste pipe into a sewerage system. This results in unnecessary water wastage.

In comparison, Figure 2 illustrates a simplified side elevation of a plumbing arrangement 10.1 in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.

Similar to plumbing arrangement 10, arrangement 10.1 includes a geyser 12.1, which is connected to a hot water pipe system or network 14.1 that receives fresh water, typically, from a municipal supply 16.1. The geyser 12.1 has a heating element 18.1 that maintains water in the geyser at a desired temperature. The geyser 12.1 is further arranged to fill the network 14.1, which is a closed loop network in this case, with heated water as soon as a water draw-off point 22.1 located somewhere along the network 14.1 is opened. Such a draw-off point 22.1 may, for example, be an outlet at a lavatory, sink, bathtub, shower, washbasin, washing machine, water closet, dishwasher or any other water tap.

In addition, plumbing arrangement 10.1 includes regulating means for maintaining the water temperature in the network 14.1 near a desired setpoint temperature. In this non- limiting embodiment of the invention, the regulating means is a pump 24.1 and thermostat 20.1. Typically, water in the network 14.1 is circulated through the closed loop network 14.1 and heater 12.1 by means of the pump 24.1 after actuation thereof.

The thermostat 20.1 typically actuates the pump 24.1 and includes a temperature sensor (not shown) which is located in the network 14.1, at a position X, which is lowest relative to the rest of the network 14.1.

It will be appreciated that the thermostat 20.1 is adapted to automatically turn on the pump 24.1 and the water heating element 18.1 whenever water temperature at position

X drops below the setpoint temperature.

In another embodiment of the invention it is envisaged that the pump 24.1 and heater 18.1 is operably actuated by a timer (not shown) that automatically turns on the pump 24.1 and heater 18.1 when the timer reaches a predetermined setting. The pump 24.1 and heater 18.1 may also be manually and selectively actuated by the user when he or she is in need of hot water. Such actuation could for example occur by pushing of a push button.

It will also be appreciated that additions to and modifications of the thermostat 20.1 and pump 24.1 such as, for example, a programmable thermostat which allows for water temperature adjustments according to a series of programmed settings at different times of the day, also falls within the spirit and scope of the invention.

For example, the thermostat 20.1 may be a digital thermostat combined with a controller such as a PID controller that utilises a control loop feedback mechanism to adjust water temperature in the network via a control element such as the speed of the pump 24.1 or the power supply to the heating element 18.1 of the water heater 12.1. It is anticipated that a temperature ranging between 40 °C and 65 °C would be preferred as a water temperature setpoint for water in the network 14.1.

In essence, the invention provides a method for preserving water, the method including that one provides an indoor or outdoor plumbing arrangement 10.1 that has a water heater 12.1 operatively connected to a water pipe network 14.1. The network 14.1, preferably, forming a closed loop with the heater 12.1. The method further includes providing, within the network 14.1, a water draw off point or tap 22.1 from which water in the network heated by a heating element 18.1 of the heater can be drawn off for use by a user. Still further the method includes actuating a pump 24.1 and thermostat 20.1 to circulate water through the network 14.1 and to maintain the water temperature in the network 14.1 near a desired setpoint temperature. It will, however, be appreciated that in accordance with this method, the thermostat 20.1 has a temperature sensor located within the network 14.1, at a position X, lowest relative to the rest of the network 14.1 so that the lowest possible temperature in the network 14.1 will be at position X.

The thermostat 20.1 may for example adapted to automatically turn on the pump 24.1 and heating element 18.1 whenever water temperature at position X drops below the setpoint temperature.

In Figure 3 an alternative plumbing arrangement 10.2 is shown having all the embodiments of arrangement 10.1, but with a total ‘green’ solution. Plumbing arrangement 10.2 utilizes a solar powered pump 24.2 compared to a typical 0.18kW electrically powered pump used for the system shown in Figure 2. A solar panel having photovoltaic cells together with an inverter (not shown) and a battery (not shown) is therefore electrically connected to, and drives, the pump 24.2.

The present invention thus provides a simple, yet effective way to save water by preventing unnecessary water wastage during use of a plumbing arrangement that provides fresh water, and in particular, heated fresh water, to a home or building. It will also be appreciated that plumbing arrangement 10.1 or 10.2, in accordance with the invention, provides a cheap and easy to install alternative to existing plumbing arrangements.

While preferred embodiments of the invention are shown and described, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the extent of the invention, but rather it is intended to cover all modifications and alternate methods, including: methods of manufacturing plumbing arrangement 10.1, 10.2, or components thereof falling within the spirit and the scope of the invention.

Claims

©. CLAIMS oo

1. A plumbing arrangement for supplying hot water to a building, the plumbing arrangement comprising at least one water heater connected to a water pipe network through which water operatively flows, at least one water draw off point located in the network and from which water in the network can be drawn off for use by a user; and regulating means to maintain the water temperature in the network near a desired setpoint temperature.

2. The plumbing arrangement of claim 1, wherein the regulating means is a pump and thermostat arrangement having a pump in communication with a thermostat.

3. The plumbing arrangement of claim 1 or 2, wherein a temperature sensor of the thermostat, which sensor is operable to monitor water temperature within the network, is located in a least elevated portion of the network.

4, The plumbing arrangement of claim 2 or 3, wherein the network forms a closed loop so that water in the network can be circulated through the network and heater by means of the pump after actuation thereof.

5. The plumbing arrangement of any of claims 2 to 4, wherein actuation of a heating element of the water heater and actuation of the pump is effected concurrently by means of a signal sent from the thermostat to the heating element and pump.

6. The plumbing arrangement of claim 5, wherein the thermostat is adapted to automatically turn on the pump and the heating element whenever water temperature measured by the temperature sensor drops below the setpoint temperature.

7. The plumbing arrangement of claim 2, wherein the pump and water heater is operable to be actuated by a timer that automatically turns on the pump and heater when the timer reaches a predetermined setting.

8. The plumbing arrangement of claim 2, wherein the pump and water heater is operable to be manually and selectively actuated by the user.

9. The plumbing arrangement of claim 2, wherein the thermostat is programmable so that the water temperature could be adjusted according to a series of programmed settings that take effect at different times of the day.

10. The plumbing arrangement of claim 9, wherein the thermostat is a digital thermostat combined with a controller that utilises a control loop feedback mechanism to adjust water temperature in the network via a physical control element.

11. The plumbing arrangement of claim 10, wherein the physical control element is the speed of the pump or the power supply to a heating element of the water heater.

12. The plumbing arrangement of claim 10 or 11, wherein the controller is a Pi or PID controller.

13. The plumbing arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the water heater is an electric or a gas geyser.

14. The plumbing arrangement of claim 13, wherein the water draw off point is selected from network outlets at lavatories, sinks, bathtubs, showers, washbasins, washing machines, water closets, dishwashers and like.

15. The plumbing arrangement of claim 14, wherein the water temperature setpoint ranges between 40 °C and 65 °C.

16. A water preservation system incorporating a plumbing arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1 to 15.

17. A method for preserving water in a water pipe network used in supplying hot water to a building, the method comprising: providing a plumbing arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1 to 15; and actuating regulating means to move water through the network to maintain water temperature in the network near a desired setpoint temperature.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the regulating means is a pump and thermostat arrangement.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein a temperature sensor of the pump and thermostat arrangement, which sensor is operable to monitor water temperature within the network, is located in a least elevated portion of the network.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein, upon falling of the water temperature approximate the sensor to below a predetermined temperature, a thermostat of the pump and thermostat arrangement automatically actuates a heater and pump to respectively raise temperature and pump water through the network.

21. A plumbing arrangement for supplying hot water to a building, a water preservation system incorporating said plumbing arrangement, or a method for preserving water in a water pipe network used in supplying hot water to a building, substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 2 or 3 of the accompanying diagrammatic drawings. DATED THIS 14™ DAY OF MARCH 2011 ae GILFILLANINC. FOR THE APPLICANT