DE102009014121A1 - Heat pump device operating method, involves triggering alarm by adjustable threshold valve during depression of pressure, and automatically flushing sole-or cooling unit-conducting region with air and/or water - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves measuring pressure in a sole-or cooling unit-conducting region by a firmly installed pressure sensor during continuous operation of a heat pump device (1). An alarm is triggered by an adjustable threshold valve during depression of the pressure, and the sole-or cooling unit-conducting region is automatically flushed with air and/or water. The flushing process is enabled by discharging the drinking water in the sole-conducting region, where an amount of water to be flushed is measured by a flow meter. An independent claim is also included for a heat pump device comprising a firmly installed pressure sensor.

Description

The The invention relates to a method for operating a device for heat exchange from the earth, as well as heat pump device itself, according to the generic term of the claims 1 and 12.

With Facilities for heat exchange Cooling facilities are also out of the ground d. H. Cooling with "Cool off the earth "as well meant like chillers. In particular, of course also the classic heat pumps to use the geothermal energy from groundwater etc. These facilities, especially for heat pumps are known in various designs and modes of action. In most cases, piping systems are introduced into the soil, provided that it's about the use of heat or cold from the soil or the groundwater goes. The heat is through a flowable medium introduced from the soil in the piping system or the groundwater area, and via heat exchangers to a subsequent, transfer closed system, z. B. in heat pumps on a heat exchanger and the subsequently connected Carnot process by compression raised the temperature level and dissipated the useful heat.

at Heat pumps A rough distinction is made between water / water heat pumps and brine / water heat pumps and other. For water / water heat pumps serves as a heat source Groundwater directly. Depending on the quality of the groundwater, it can be used for system separation via heat exchangers an intermediate circuit with a mixture of water and antifreeze to be required. The mixture of water and antifreeze is technically referred to as brine. The circuit created in the soil may be associated with a so-called well, is taken from the water with the temperature of the soil, and over a heat exchanger guided, and then returned to a so-called "swallow well". A brine / water heat pump works on the side of the heat source with a water-antifreeze mixture, which technically as Brine is called. In conjunction with a type of heat pump, with a closed piping system, eg. B. with so-called ground probes or earth collectors works, a frost-free water mixture (brine) of the above-ground heat use point (For example, residential building) into the ground through there laid lines pumped.

It are also heat pumps in which also easily evaporating refrigerant directly through in the Ground routed piping systems are routed.

No matter in which type of heat pumps can be inside such a large part leaks sometimes occur in the ground. Antifreeze also in water-diluted form or refrigerant However, or groundwater pollution. So far, none, or no effective precautions known to be the leakage of larger quantities of brine, d. H. Water-antifreeze mixture or the refrigerant effectively prevent or counteract.

Of the Invention is therefore the object of such a protection mechanism to create and above In addition, leakage of such liquids to significantly reduce leakage, not only for environmental reasons, but also a loss of the expensive brine or refrigerant to avoid or minimize.

The Asked task is in terms of a method according to the invention by the characterizing features of claim 1 solved.

Further advantageous embodiments are in the independent claims 2 to 11 indicated.

in the With regard to a heat pump device is the task according to the invention by the features of claim 12 solved.

advantageous Embodiments of the device are specified in the remaining dependent claims.

core the inventive method is that the pressure in the brine or refrigerant line area over at least a fixed pressure sensor during operation of the device is continuously measured, and that when the pressure drops below an adjustable threshold an alarm is triggered and the brine or refrigerant Line area is automatically flushed with air and / or water. It is important that on the one hand a visible or audible alarm triggered but, on the other hand, that automatically flushes the brine or refrigerant circuit he follows. This in particular in that section, which moves in the soil is. Optionally, it is either with water or with compressed air rinsed.

In Another advantageous embodiment is specified that the rinsing by Introduction of drinking water into the brine pipeline area. So is guaranteed that a water quality is used, which is absolutely water neutral is.

In a further advantageous embodiment it is stated that for flushing automatically a valve (A) the house water connection water-tight to the im Soil-laid brine line opens in the return line at the same time via another valve (B) is opened as a bypass to a collecting container for collecting brine. This now makes it possible, by means of the drinking water introduced automatically for rinsing, to flush through the entire line area as a kind of flushing or pressure medium, so that the brine can be completely absorbed.

alternative this also applies to heat pump equipment, the with refrigerant instead of working with brine in the underground heat extraction area. For this purpose, it is advantageously designed that when using refrigerants in the said laid in the ground line area for rinsing automatically a compressed air connection via a Valve (A) opened will, and that in the return line simultaneously over another valve (B) a bypass to a collecting container for Catching the refrigerant open becomes. When collecting refrigerant instead of brine, however, make sure that the refrigerant is caught in a closed container because it is otherwise evaporated.

Accordingly is advantageously further configured that the amount of initiated for flushing Water through a liquid counter at Admission to the collection container measured and measured.

No matter whether it is flushed with water or compressed air or another gas, so can the rinsed out Quantity to be recorded. When flushing with water can be such an unnecessary Flush volume be prevented, which would dilute the collected brine unnecessarily. When flushing with air, however, can so still be determined when the entire medium is rinsed out. When flushing with air or other gas it can still be determined when the entire medium rinsed out is, then, if not a liquid meets more.

For this is further configured that when reaching a predetermined capacity of brine-water mixture the valve (A) the brine pipe system of Domestic water supply disconnects, and the valve (B) closes.

This together achieves the significantly beneficial effect that despite automatic drainage, the brine through the rinse used drinking water hardly diluted becomes. If the previously known filling volume in the brine circuit in the collection container is reached, the flushing turns off so that the brine is not diluted by trailing drinking water. Then there is a search of the leakage and elimination thereof. Subsequently, the collected brine can then be returned.

For this is also designed according to the method, that after locating and eliminating the leakage, the collected in the collection container Brine-water mixture pumped back into the brine system becomes. If necessary, some frost protection must be included in the collected Brine to be refilled.

there is advantageously carried out so that the trapped brine to return (Antifreeze and water mixture) Pumped back into the brine pipe system by means of a pump is such that when it is pumped, the purge contained therein of Water displaced and again through the brine, d. H. replaces the antifreeze-water mixture becomes.

to grunsätzlichen Determination of the leakage is advantageously designed that for the pressure measurement two thresholds are set in the brine pipeline system, namely a first smaller pressure drop to dp1, in which only one acoustic and / or optical alarm is triggered, and a greater pressure drop, in which, in addition to the said alarm, the above-mentioned measures automatically start immediately Control device are triggered.

In particularly advantageous embodiment is specified that the used Pump the existing brine circulation pump or refrigerant circulating pump is.

As well It is advantageous that by measuring the antifreeze content possibly refillable Antifreeze supplied / replaced will be back before this is pumped into the brine pipe system. This quantity to be replenished However, that is so small in terms of the amount collected This results in a significant cost savings.

in the With regard to a heat pump device of the generic type The essence of the invention is that in the brine or refrigerant line area at least one permanently installed pressure sensor is arranged, via which during operation of the device, the pressure is continuously measurable, and that when the pressure drops below an adjustable threshold an alarm can be triggered by a control device and the brine or refrigerant line region can be triggered via a Pump or valve arrangement automatically with water or compressed air is flushable. About the Pressure measurement leaves leakage diagnosis for a brine or refrigerant outlet Implement exactly as you like.

In a further advantageous embodiment, it is stated that at least one further redudant pressure sensor for pressure measurement in the brine or Refrigerant line is provided. This provides the necessary security, which is also necessary because otherwise the flush would possibly be triggered unnecessarily without automatic verification in a defective pressure sensor. Exactly this is to be avoided with this redundancy.

In Another advantageous embodiment is specified that a on the Control device controllable valve to a collecting container for flushed brine or refrigerant is provided, and a controllable valve for domestic water connection (Water supply line), or to the compressed air connection of a compressed air generator is provided.

In further advantageous embodiment, it is stated that the brine or refrigerant collecting container with a density sensor or a conductivity sensor is provided. In this way, the necessary content of brine or refrigerant after a flush easy and controlled to be restored.

In Another advantageous embodiment is specified that the controller equipped with a pre-alarm level and a main alarm level, such that only an optical and / or acoustic pre-alarm triggered is at pressure drop by dp1, and that an optical and / or acoustic Main alarm together with the said automatic flushing process triggered becomes dp2 at a pressure drop, where dp2> dp1. Through this technical pre-alarm main alarm selection the operator can at least warn again before an automatic flushing become. If the pressure remains below the first but above, for example the second threshold, so no flushing is caused, but probably already triggered the pre-alarm. Then, for example, service personnel can make another decision. But should fall below the second threshold, so will the compulsory flushing automatically initiated to protect the environment. A shortfall of the first Threshold dp1 can also z. B. done by cooling the brine.

The Invention is shown in a design example in the drawing and below described.

It shows

1 : Example of heat pump with geothermal probes / ground collectors

2 : Exemplary embodiment of heat pump with well probes

1 shows a first embodiment with the application in a so-called heat pump 1 with ground probes / ground collectors 12 , Above ground is the heat pump 1 installed, and with an underground swept brine pipe system 14 which is filled with the heat conducting agent brine (eg 30% glycol, 70% water). The brine pipe system runs into the soil, and passes through the so-called geothermal probes, ground collectors or other types of brine piping systems, such. As trenches, trenches, etc., which describe a system of lines to achieve the best possible heat absorption from the soil, and the local existing groundwater. The brine pipe system 12 is thus underground, so laid in the ground. Overall, there is a closed circuit, so the brine over a circulation pump 3 through the brine pipeline system 12 , and back to the heat pump 1 is pumped, where the heat is given back to a heat exchanger and pumped again, again in the said brine piping system 12 etc. A continuous cycle is maintained. Furthermore, the brine circuit, ie the brine line system, is preferably here in the upperidic region 14 with a drinking water connection / house water connection 2 provided, which is aufschaltbar via a first control valve on the brine line system. Via a second control valve 6 is the brine pipe system 14 switchable to a line section in the drip pan 7 ends up for brine. The brine pipe system 14 is also with at least one pressure switch 4 connected. Better is the redundant arrangement of 2 pressure switches.

Now arises a leakage within the brine pipe system 14 , so the pressure drops, because the brine-Leitunssystem is a closed loop system. The pressure drop dp1 at the pressure monitor 4 At an operational, low pressure drop is thereby signal technology of the controller 13 reported. If there is only a small pressure drop, then only a visual and / or audible alarm is triggered.

So the operator has the option to refill some brine, to permanently a trouble-free To enable operation. The refill should only be over a connection to be sealed by an authorized specialist done, which subsequently the connection again sealed. This is not intended regular refilling at counteracted only a small leakage without leakage removal.

Every constantly falling pressure drop ultimately means a leak, and thus the escape of brine. This is of particular concern in that brine line which runs underground. A discharge of glycol-water mixture into the ground as effectively as possible is the aim of the present invention. However, if the pressure continues to decrease and a value falls below a value of p2, then via the signaling connection to the controller already an emergency automatically generated, which initiates a flushing of the brine piping system with water, preferably with drinking water. Thus, the pipeline system is flushed through as quickly as possible, so that the amount of brine escaping into the ground is minimized.

Here, a water meter is provided in the line area of the introduction to the sump. This counts the amount of flushing water during the automatic flushing process and limits it to an adjustable maximum amount of greater than the simple filling volume of the brine piping system 14 up to a maximum, z. B. 1.5 times this amount. When this maximum quantity is reached, the valve on the domestic water connection then switches off automatically. The triggered alarm then signals the reason for the leak detection. The brine pipe system 14 is filled after flushing with water and has the brine in the drip tray 7 pressed so that no brine can seep into the ground. Now, for example, by increasing the pressure in this system in conjunction with z. B. known ultrasound method are sought after the leakage. If this is found, this will be eliminated, and the collected brine, if necessary, with replenishment of a small amount of, for example, glycol, be returned to the brine line system. The brine is easy to feed and pump in by means of a pump, in particular the circulation pump 3 pumped back into the brine pipe system and displaces it again the water contained there, which also has an opening of the valve to the sump the water in the drip tray 7 flow until the entire system is filled with brine again. In order to be able to balance and adjust the concentration of brine before, corresponding density sensors or antifreeze measuring means are in / at the collecting trough 7 arranged. These are also technically connected to the controller, so that via the corresponding sensor also an automatic adjustment of the glycol / water mixture (brine) is possible by automatically supplied by introducing a quantity of glycol, by controlling said valve on the domestic water connection a corresponding amount of water can be until the concentration ratio is restored. The corresponding software is stored in the controller.

All in all can in the control already so-called preset service values, like rinsing quantities, acidity in which operating mode of the heat pump, often occurring leaks, control parameters for the valves etc as indicative values be filed. In doing so, the system can be adaptive, as self-learning and self-optimizing, and from each incident new even more optimal parameters to determine the control. About that It is also possible that controller has an Internet interface for remote diagnostics. In this case, a browser is integrated in the controller. About this can then also from external diagnoses carried out and / or optimal tax parameters to be provided. The same now applies to the use of refrigerant instead of brine in the geothermal area.

The flush but can also be done with compressed air. The flushing with compressed air is but not limited on the refrigerant type from heat pumps, but can be used as a rinse also for the brine type can be used. Compressed air has, if available yet the advantage that during the flushing process the brine is not diluted and 1: 1 without mixing with glycol.

2 shows an embodiment for use in a brine-to-water heat pump with well probes. Opposite the geothermal probes with the example 1 become in the example after 2 These are not buried directly in the ground, but it is water taken from a well and pumped to a heat exchanger and then passed back into a sump well back into the ground. But behind the heat exchanger is then again a brine circuit, or a refrigerant circuit. The leakage monitoring of this brine or refrigerant area then takes place via the pressure monitor.

Instead of the well probes but also a conventional heat exchanger can be used.

Note: For the Case, that is refrigerant is used in the pipe system, it should be noted that it already the geothermal probes themselves act as evaporators. So it's at the pressure monitoring Be careful not to monitor static pressure but a pressure profile over the time. In that case, would possibly only a deviation from averaged pressures should trigger an Alramsignal.

there is the comparison of desired pressure curve and actual pressure curve to Diagnosis of a deviation also in the direction of pressure loss, then the leakage signals.

The inventive monitoring not only for the mentioned embodiments Application. Rather, this applies to all brine and refrigerant leading Installations, provided that sections of the brine or refrigerant piping in the soil or are arranged above it. It is important only that the piping systems are monitored in the said way, so that a unnoticed leakage into the ground or the environment in case of leakage avoided or minimized.

1

Sole-source heat pump

2

House Available Water / compressed air connection

3

Brine circulating pump / refrigerant circulating pump

4

pressure switch

5

Valve, electrically controlled

6

Valve, electrically controlled

7

drip tray

8th

flow Switch

9

heat exchangers

10

production wells

11

injection wells

12

geothermal probes

13

control

14

Sole-line system / refrigerant piping system

15

water meter

16

expansion tank

Claims (16)

Method for operating a heat pump device, or a cooling or cooling device, with a partially laid in the ground or running, or above the ground extending brine or refrigerant line leading range, and with a heat correspondingly heat pump, characterized in that the pressure in the brine or refrigerant line area is continuously measured via at least one fixed pressure sensor during operation of the device, and that when the pressure falls below an adjustable threshold, an alarm is triggered and the brine or refrigerant line area is automatically flushed with air and / or water. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that the rinse by introducing drinking water into the brine line area. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized that for rinsing automatically a valve (A) connects the house water connection to the water supply in the ground laid brine line area opens in the return line simultaneously over another valve (B) as a bypass to a collecting container for Catching brine open becomes. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized that when using refrigerants in the said laid in the ground line area for rinsing automatically a compressed air connection via a Valve (A) opened will, and that in the return line simultaneously over another valve (B) a bypass to a collecting container for catching of the refrigerant open becomes. Method according to claim 3, characterized that the amount of for flushing introduced water is measured by a liquid meter at the entrance to the collecting container and is measured. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that that upon reaching a predetermined amount of brine-water mixture the valve (A) separates the brine piping from the domestic water supply, and the valve (B) closes. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized that after locating and eliminating the leakage, the collected in the collection container Brine-water mixture or the refrigerant pumped back into the brine or refrigerant piping system becomes. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that that for the return the Trapped brine-water mixture is pumped back into the brine piping by means of a pump, such that when pumped the amount of water contained therein repressed and again replaced by the brine-water mixture. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized marked that for the pressure measurement in the brine or refrigerant piping system two Thresholds are set, namely a first smaller Pressure drop to dp1, in which only an acoustic and / or optical alarm triggered and a larger pressure drop which next to the said alarm immediately automatically mentioned Measures via a control device triggered become. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the pump used, the existing brine or Kältmittel circulation pump is. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that by measuring the density or the conductivity possibly refillable Antifreeze is supplied / replaced in the brine before this back again is pumped into the brine pipe system. Heat pump device, with a partially laid or running in the ground, brine or refrigerant line line area, and with a corresponding thermally corresponding chiller, cooling device or heat pump, characterized in that in the brine or refrigerant line region at least one permanently installed pressure sensor is arranged, via which During operation of the device, the pressure is continuously measurable, and that when the pressure drops below an adjustable threshold value by a control device an alarm is triggered and the brine or refrigerant Lei tion area via a pump, pressure device or valve assembly is automatically rinsed with water or compressed air. A heat pump apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that at least one further Redudant pressure sensor for pressure measurement in the brine or refrigerant line provided is. A heat pump apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that a via the control device controllable valve provided to a Aufangbehältnis for flushed brine or refrigerant is, and a controllable valve to the domestic water connection (water supply line) or a compressed air connection or a compressed air generator is provided. A heat pump apparatus according to claim 12, 13 or 14, characterized in that the brine or refrigerant collecting container with a conductivity sensor, or a density sensor, or a corresponding measuring device is provided. A heat pump apparatus according to one of the preceding claims 12 to 15, characterized that the controller has a pre-alarm level and a main alarm level is equipped such that only one optical and / or acoustic pre-alarm triggered is at dp1 pressure drop, and that a visual and / or acoustic alarm is triggered together with the said automatic flushing process at a pressure drop of dp2, where dp2> dp1.