ITCA20090013A1 - FRACTIONAL BOILER SYSTEM FOR SOLAR THERMAL SYSTEMS (THERMAL IN GENERAL FOR CIVIL AND INDUSTRIAL USE) - Google Patents

Description

Description of the industrial invention entitled:

"Fractional boiler system for solar thermal systems (thermal in general for civil and industrial use)"

DESCRIPTION

The fractional boiler system for solar thermal systems (thermal in general for civil and industrial use) will later be identified with the invented name Genialloddo, it intends to solve the current inefficiency of current solar thermal systems, in periods of low irradiation, through a

structural modification of the accumulation and its management system

accumulation available in two distinct parts, one of which is characterized by a significantly smaller volume than the other (FIG.Ol), allows to concentrate all the energy collected on a modest volume of water, which will thus be able to reach a good operating temperature. Under the same environmental conditions, the DHW temperature reached in the Genialloddo system, it is much greater than in the cradle of current solar systems, as the latter dilute the captured energy over the entire storage capacity. The total mass that can be heated in the Genialloddo system, in the colder periods, decreases compared to the hot period, but in fact this is fully usable without compromise; in the same period the current technology is put on standby, or the boilers are used as large water heaters powered by traditional sources and therefore at very high costs e

with high pollution factor. The technical fluid leaving the solar panel, in the Genialloddo system, in cold periods, will operate on the water volume housed in the second and largest boiler, only if the environmental conditions allow it. This solution makes it possible to significantly lengthen the times of use of the system, throughout the year, without resorting to traditional sources. Of the two accumulations present in the Genialloddo system, the first boiler, "primary", has a volume that in the first instance can be assumed to be approximately 1/3 of the total available, but its actual size will be directly dependent on the climatic conditions of the site where it will have to be installed; the weather conditions in the Mediterranean are very different from Scandinavia, for example. In countries characterized by very low average temperatures, it will be possible to use even much smaller volumes of primary storage or smaller systems mounted sequentially or in parallel and managed entirely by an electronic system. The control and management systems will preferably be governed by a computerized control unit (PLC or other). Only in plants of lower technological value and cost, will we rely on purely thermo-mechanical management. A significant improvement in the efficiency of the system, and therefore a shorter payback time of the investments, will be obtainable, through the insertion of electrical resistances (ID. 13 and 14), powered by the photovoltaic system (ID.15) possibly present in the 'property (fig.

01,02,03,05 and 09). This solution allows to increase the temperature of the fluid mass by virtue of the more efficient recovery of solar energy. In critical cases it will be possible to power the electric resistances (heaters) also through the city network. On the basis of the data collected, the plant PLC will implement the most advantageous solution for the user or in any case the solution chosen by him. The use of double solar technology allows to extend the time interval of use of the system, contributing to greater energy efficiency, shorter amortization times of the system, further decreases in traditional energy consumption inside the building and consequently greater reduction of emissions into the atmosphere.

Known art

The domestic hot water storage tank, universally identified as "boiler", is the central element of the sanitary water heating systems; the water on which the thermal energy produced by traditional or renewable sources is transferred is stationed, so that users can continually procure it, making use of the maximum necessary comfort. The solar thermal systems present on the market, both national and foreign, do not appear to be distinguished according to the type of accumulation of the domestic hot water produced, but only according to the construction technology of the panels. In all current installations, as a rule, there is a single boiler whose dimensions depend directly on the overall surface of the solar panels installed, therefore greater absorbing surfaces correspond to greater volumes of hot water stored in the boilers. Furthermore, it is possible to have boilers which have stratifying devices for domestic hot water inside them. If this system is satisfactory in the summer months and on winter days with good irradiation, it shows all its limits on winter days. In conditions of limited presence of irradiation

solar panel, the thermal fluid produced by the panel is not able to significantly raise the temperatures of the water volumes present in the

boiler, due to the high thermal inertia. In fact, the thermal fluid currently operates on the entire accumulated volume.

Technical description of the Genialloddo system

The structure of the Genialloddo system is presented as an accumulation system structured on two distinct sections with a circuit

operation and control and management systems, as shown in the

conceptual schemes expressed in fig.01,02,03,05 and 09. The assembly in its different configurations consists of up to 46 elements,

which are listed below:

No. Description

1 domestic cold water inlet B2 ("large" or "secondary" boiler)

1.A multi-injector cold water distribution pipe inside the B2

2 pre-mixed or hot domestic hot water outlet from B2

3 pre-mixed or hot water inlet to B1.

multi-injector internal distribution pipe for premixed and / or hot water at B1 3.A

("Small" or "primary" boiler)

4.A A.C.S. exit (Domestic Hot Water) from B1 to the users.

5 solar thermal panel. = P.S.T. in the graphic schemes

6 thermal fluid delivery from the P.S.T.

7.A solenoid valve normally open.

7.B solenoid valve normally closed.

8 thermal fluid inlet pipe to B1.

thermal fluid outlet pipe from 81 to manifold 10.40 thermal fluid inlet pipe to 82.

thermal fluid outlet pipe from 82 to manifold 10.40 common return pipe to the P.S.T.

electrical resistance at 81

electrical resistance at 82.

photovoltaic panel = P.F.

remote control unit

3-way motorized valve.

regulation thermostat probe.

temperature thermometer probe.

connecting flange between 81 and 82.

electrical and electronic connection.

thermal gap 82.

thermal gap 81.

accumulation 82.

DHW accumulation 81.

sanitary cold water check valve.

magnesium anode and electronic Io 82.

magnesium anode and / or electronic 81

thermometer probe 82

metal plating 81

metal plating 82

insulation 82

insulation 81

sanitary pipe connection between 81 and 82

34 thermal fluid temperature probe inlet to 81.

35 circulating thermal fluid.

36 compartment housing the boiler 81.

37 plant and / or home electrical system panel.

38 control unit for P.L.C. management.

39 connection holes and temperature detection.

40 thermal fluid return manifold.

41 boiler hooks 81

42 boiler hooks 82

43 Thermal insulation with mechanical interconnection functions 44 anchor support on boiler 82.

45 anchor support on boiler 81.

46 Interconnection element with quick couplings

or differentiated fillet at the two ends

47 external thermometer

48

Coil for tank heat exchange 81

49 Coil for tank heat exchange 82

The heat exchange between the technical fluid of the panel and the domestic hot water can take place either through a cavity exchange (as in the proposed system diagrams) or alternatively with a coil (fig. 08). The system will be more effective if the heat exchange takes place in countercurrent.

The boiler can be presented both in the "compact" configuration (fig. 07), ie it has a single object with the primary inserted inside the secondary inside a special jacket, and "extended" (fig. 06), or in two distinct accumulations. The system has its raison d'être not only for the division of the boiler into two distinct volumes but above all for the circulation it imposes on the fluids present. The plant structure can be built for both outdoor and indoor assembly, and the only differences between the different plant configurations of the Genialloddo system will be represented by the different types of insulation of the accumulations and by the different circulation of the plant fluids. The compact structure described in the attached diagrams can be obtained as the interlusion of one boiler within another or it can also appear as two superimposed boilers that are kept at a distance to completely eliminate the thermal bridge by contact between the parts (fig. 11 and 12) . The system diagrams illustrate the conceptual schemes of the system using only the enclosed boilers for the compact configuration. The Genialloddo system can also be structured on several parallel systems that implement the above principle on differentiated accumulations both in terms of obtainable temperature level. We can mention for example:

1. a tourist facility with many residential units, where each operates for the nearest outlets, but in the absence of local demand, transfers the hot water to the other units through a recirculation ring;

2. an industrial structure that needs water or other thermal fluid at different temperatures.

OPERATION of the fractional boiler system for solar thermal systems --- Phase n '. THERMAL FLUID CIRCULATION - Operation does not depend on the system solution adopted. During the hours of useful irradiation, the fluid contained in the solar panel circulates out of the P.S.T. (ID.5) along the section of pipe (ID.6), which first passes through the solenoid valve (ID.7.A) of the normally open type, (NA) and immediately afterwards through the pipe ID.8 this is inserted into the 'thermal interspace (ID.23) of the primary boiler also called 81. Once the heat exchange has taken place, the fluid returns directly to the solar thermal panel (ID.5) through the return pipe (ID.9), the return collector thermal fluid (ID.40), the eventual circulator (ID.35 - if the system is made with forced circulation) and the final section of common pipe (ID.12). Phase n «2- Once the desired DHW temperature contained in the primary storage volume (ID.25) has been reached, preset on the thermostat (ID.18), the heat flow will be automatically diverted by the P.L.C. system (ID.38) (in whole or in part according to requirements) to the exchange gap of 82 (ID.22). This energy capture configuration will proceed until it is necessary to operate with only the thermal volume 81 to lower the ambient temperature or because both volumes have reached the maximum permitted storage temperature or in any other desired configuration. The entry of the thermal fluid into the cavity of the 82 will be possible through the NC type solenoid valve (Normally Closed - (ID.7.8), in the ID.10 pipe. The PLC programming can be done through mechanical or computerized regulation. want to maintain a low cost of the first installation, it will operate with only thermomechanical regulation systems. "Thermal fluid will come out from 82 through the ID pipe. 11 arriving at the manifold ID.40, at the common pipe 12 and from there it will return to the P.ST . for the renewal of the thermal recharge cycle. As an alternative to the installation, it is possible to operate with a single three-way mixing solenoid valve (FIG. 01 - (ID. 17)), therefore the system will carry out the thermal transfer on a single accumulation volume Phase n ~. - If there is a photovoltaic system in parallel to the solar thermal system, the electric heaters (ID. 13 and 14) will be able to improve energy recovery by thermal action alone. or be powered by the traditional FM network, using the system as if it were a common boiler as is already the case. The power supply of the heaters can indifferently be made in direct or alternating current. In the Genialloddo system, even if you operate with the power supply from the municipal network only, you will still obtain energy savings as in the 80iler 81 there is a limited accumulation volume. Furthermore, the side effect of a faster warming up of the ACS is not negligible.

OPERATION OF THE HEALTH CIRCUIT. The cold sanitary water, coming from the building system, will always be conveyed to a single compulsory inlet located in 82 (ID.1 and ID.1.a), through the check valve (ID.26). The injection of cold water can take place as in fig. 01 with a single entry point or as in the case of figs. 05 and 09 with the multi-injection system shown in detail in fig. 10. The multi injection system allows to slow down the flow better by stratifying it. The sanitary water is transferred from 82 to 81 already preheated through the pipes 10.02 and 10.03 if the disconnection system (10.33) is mounted with flanges or with quick coupling. The 10.03 tube can also be equipped with multi-injectors to avoid upsetting the stratification of hot water. The final users are all powered by the 10.04 pipe.

BENEFITS

N 'The Genialloddo system for the accumulation and use of hot water does not change the general structure of the systems connected to the solar panels now in operation. Now the fractional storage system can be inserted with modest plant interventions in every plant in operation today, not only in those that will be born with the present constructive philosophy. The GENIALLOOOO system can be inserted in any existing system, with the replacement of the boiler, possibly equipped with electrical resistances, the updating of the electronic management system, any interconnection with the existing photovoltaic system, and any interconnection to the 220 V power plant. N ~ The Genialloddo system makes the energy collection system more efficient by considerably expanding its range of use during the year. The rationalization in the production of domestic hot water (DHW) and the strong integration with the photovoltaic system, determine a significant increase in the thermodynamic efficiency of the solar energy recovery and storage system. N <3 In the coldest periods, where typically the thermal yield drops or is even zero at present, the Genialloddo system still allows to obtain significant results and to an even greater extent if you have the interconnection to a photovoltaic system. The interconnection to the photovoltaic system will allow to increase the DHW temperature. in the primary and if the conditions I also allow in the secondary. The possibility of using the electrical resistance powered by the photovoltaic system will help to reduce the costs of producing hot water with traditional energies and also the volumes of carbon dioxide connected to them. N ~ The Genialloddo system, in dividing the volume of the thermal storage, limits the thermal inertia of the available water system, providing a first storage characterized by the maximum possible temperature according to the meteorological conditions in which it is found. During the most critical periods for the production of hot water, the thermal fluid leaving the installed panels will always be conveyed to the first boiler, which will thus be able to guarantee a reasonably high temperature to the user with much faster times than those guaranteed by the current systems. N'5 The regulation and command system will be managed automatically by P.L.C. that will manage the plant automatisms by processing the signals coming from the various probes. This system allows you to adapt the system to changing weather conditions in real time. The possibility of having a remote control enabling control unit will make it possible to monitor and manage the system remotely using the home automation technologies present (in this regard, see the block diagram of possible interconnection in fig. 04). Only if there are suitable weather conditions will it be possible to operate on the secondary water volume, or otherwise, if the maximum temperature programmed in the primary is reached, there is no pumping from it. In any case, the thermal fluid, after having made its passage in the first interspace, completes its transit cycle by passing into the second accumulation, and there yielding any residual energy possessed; however, if the external temperatures are too low, it can return directly to the solar panel. In the most favorable environmental conditions, the thermal fluid can cross the two accumulations in serial or parallel mode.

OTHER EXPLANATORY CONSIDERATIONS

The Genialloddo system provides for the creation of the domestic hot water storage system by mounting two separate boilers or one inside the other. In any case, one of the two will be characterized by a very reduced volume compared to the other. The configuration with a single accumulation volume will be defined below as a "compact" configuration, and this regardless of whether the smaller boiler is positioned with its axis concentric to the largest or positioned externally in continuity. The configuration with two distinct boilers will be defined as "extended". In the case of the compact configuration, the internal boiler can be housed inside a seat made of solid sheet metal in order to make the internal compartment watertight with respect to the external one, or in simple "cage" mounted profiles. If the centering system is built as a cage, or without physically separating the domestic hot water from the 81 insulation system, this will be of the inert type to water or in any case coated with a waterproof finish. If the boilers are positioned externally in continuity, thermal bridges will be eliminated by direct conduction by using clamps on the tank and a thermal insulator that acts as a binder and spacer (fig. 11); alternatively, a system of spacers with threaded joint, bayonet type or similar or quick joint spacer system will be used. The spacer will be made of thermally insulating material or if there are particular requirements for mechanical resistance, it will be operated with an adequate coating of the resistant core. The heat exchange will take place within each boiler, and in this regard the types of boilers envisaged in this claim can be distinguished as follows: 1) boilers each equipped with a cavity for the passage of the thermal fluid; 2) boilers each equipped with coil heat exchangers for the thermal fluid (fig.08), fixed or extractable, with smooth or finned piping or in any case equipped with suitable systems to improve heat exchange; 3) the two types described above combined, i.e. in the system one boiler is coupled with no serpents and the other with a cavity. The installation of the system can take place both outside and inside the structures; the only differences will be represented by the different surface protection finishes of the plant structures and by the different IPXX degree of protection adopted for the electrical and / or electronic equipment. Depending on the position of the panels that recover solar energy, the system can be built with natural or forced circulation. "The system also integrates well with the thermal power plants through the interconnection to the distribution system of both the domestic hot water and the thermal water through" the use of three-way valves or solenoid valves managed by control units or PLC. "system allows to improve the performance of the integrated solar systems. An essential feature of the system is linked to the possibility of disassembling all the accessory parts of the boiler for any maintenance and replacement. In the case of the boilers inserted in the compact configuration, the possibility of replacing the internal; this operation will be possible through an interconnection between the boilers with bolted or threaded flange or through quick couplings, or other crank mechanism available on the market that allows quick access to the boiler. 'man of suitable size in order to guarantee an effective and rapid maintenance of the same, aimed in the first instance at the removal of deposits that can be created due to the effect of mud and / or limestone. In order to simplify the operations of cleaning, internal washing after any descaling or comu nque for the sole removal of the solids transported by the mains water, a bottom drain, possibly equipped with a tap, can be arranged. Acces-In the boilers there will be different types of connections aimed at hosting various types of sensors, probes, anodes, heaters (electrical resistances), and various valves, in addition to the interconnections to the networks to be served. In particular, it should be noted that the transfer of the avi fluid will come through multi-injector systems that can always be dismantled to guarantee the efficiency of the system with periodic cleaning of the encrustations or replacement of the element in the most difficult cases. and the bottom deposit of the tanks can also be fitted with a filter upstream of the cold water supply. The inlet of cold and hot water in each of the operating stages will be achievable with a multi-injection system built on linear, curved or circular piping. The injection system structured in this way (fig. 10) can take place with holes made directly on the pipe, with cylindrical hole or with head countersink or with accompanying pipes in four directions.This allows to stratify better temperatures, slow down the flow rate and it limits the incidence of oxidations and / or calcifications and finally also limits the stirring of the base deposit.

SUMMARY OF THE PROCESS AND OBJECTIVES.

The system object of the present patent intends to obtain an improvement in the efficiency of the solar thermal plants now in production. The system rationalizes the solar thermal energy recovery process in those periods in which typically the system is not used or worse still is used as an electric water heater through the use of one or more electric resistances that operate on the totality of the volume in accumulation. The fractionation of the storage system, a primary of modest volume and a secondary, allows in the cold periods to have at least one quantity of users available and entirely produced through the solar panel. The system is also characterized by the absence of a thermal bridge between the two boilers. If the connection to the photovoltaic panel is implemented, all or part of the electricity produced will be used to increase the temperature level. Only in extreme cases will the system work by electric action only through the heating action provided by the heaters. In each configuration, therefore, the Genialloddo system will enable a significant increase in the recovery of solar thermal energy, contributing significantly to energy savings and therefore also to the reduction of the emission volumes into the atmosphere.

Claims (1)

CLAIMS. TITLE: "Fractional Boiler System for solar thermal systems (thermal in general for civil and industrial use)" RIV. N ° 1. NEW BOILER SYSTEM. "Genialloddo boiler system differs from those currently present in solar systems, for the division of the storage system into 2 boilers of different capacities with a specific interconnection system technique. RIV. No. 2. According to Riv. N ° 1. NEW BOILER SYSTEM. The possible types of realization are indifferently achievable with distinct tanks (defined as "extended" mode), and configuration with concentric tanks or one sequential to the other (defined as "compact" mode); in both cases the assembly is exactly equivalent. RIV.N ° 3. As per Rivv. N ° 1,2. NEW BOILER SYSTEMS. The boilers can be mounted and interconnected with both vertical and horizontal axes regardless of the configuration materially adopted in the assembly. RIV. No. 4. As per Rivv. N ° 1-2-3. NEW BOILER SYSTEMS. The Genialloddo boiler system, as described in the various graphic tables, can be made with containers whose configuration can be cylindrical with rounded bottoms or not, built according to the technologies currently available on the market; but the shape does not affect the typology of the system and therefore the planking can be equipped with any shape, functional to the needs of the final user, therefore e.g .: parallelograms, and lyptic, conical, prisms, etc. RIV.N ° 5. As per Rivv. N ° 1-2-3-4. NEW BOILER SYSTEMS. The materials with which the boilers of the Genialloddo system will be made do not affect the conceptual structure of the plant; the choice of materials used in the construction of the boilers will only affect the connection systems, the methods of installation of the management and control systems, etc; the choice of the material used for the realization of the basic carpentry will always be linked to its availability on the market and will be characterized by mechanical-functional properties that meet the needs of the end user. RIV. N ° 6. As per Rivv. N ° 1-2-3-4-5. NEW BOILER SYSTEM. In the installation of the Genialloddo boiler system, in both configuration systems (compact and / or extended), different system assembly schemes can be created, always aimed at optimizing the functionality and ease of management of the solar system; see figs. N ° 01,02,03,05e 09. RIV. N ° 7 As per Rivv. 1-2-3-4-5-6. The quantity and quality of the connection holes on the plating of the boilers will be directly connected to the type of system, to its configuration (compact [fig.07] or external [fig.06]), to the intended use (domestic hot water or other), the presence of recirculation systems and possibly also the number of systems placed in parallel, in series or series-parallelQ. RIV. N ° 8. As per Rivv. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7. NEW BOILER SYSTEMS. The internal finishes of the boilers and therefore the types of pipes and related fittings and instruments adopted, will be those necessary to guarantee the necessary hygienic-sanitary suitability and in any case they will be those currently available on the market, for example: vitrification, vitrification, teflon coating, galvanization stainless steel. The whole system will therefore be equipped with adequate structural certification and compliance with the rules in the field of hygiene, health, food, industry, etc. in force at the time of realization. RIV.N ° 9. As per Riv. 7. NEW BOILER SYSTEMS. When the accumulation volumes are of great importance (hotels, sports centers, communities, and / or other) to be defined, the system will be used with fractionation in series, parallel and series parallel of the volumes with hot water recirculation systems sanitary. RIV.N ° 10. NEW BOILER SYSTEMS. The new system provides that all the thermal fluid heated by the solar panel enters circulation by passing first, obligatorily, in the thermal circuit of the exchanger 81, and in particular when the environmental conditions impose it, it could also pass through it exclusively to better finalize the thermal transfer; this consideration takes place both in the system in compact mode and in the extended one. RIV. N ° 11. NEW BOILER SYSTEM. The fractionation of the accumulation system allows to obtain A.C.S. at a temperature useful for daily use even in the presence of limited irradiation; the volume of the primary container will vary according to the average climatic conditions in the assembly area. RIV. N ° 12 As per Riv. N ° 11. NEW BOILER SYSTEM. The system allows to obtain domestic hot water even at two different temperatures, to ensure a more rational use of water. RIV. No. 13. NEW BOILER SYSTEM. The obligatory inlet of domestic cold water from storage 82 alone, the larger one, generally allows the water volume stored in 81 to be characterized by an inlet supply of pre-heated and / or hot domestic water from 82, optimizing thus the recovery of thermal energy. RIV. N ° 14. NEW BOILER SYSTEM. The presence of any electrical resistance installed in the 81 allows the temperature to be quickly reintegrated when there is a modest recovery of energy from the panel; in particular, if the Genialloddo system is interconnected to a photovoltaic system, through the appropriate control and management system, on cold and tepid days the heat recovery factor can be improved, therefore the efficiency of the system with a further and significant energy saving , not reachable in the current system configurations. RIV. N ° 15. As per Riv. 14. NEW BOILER SYSTEM. If you do not have a photovoltaic system, interconnection to the home FM network allows you to integrate the recovery of solar thermal energy, in order to make the DHW temperature value higher. RIV. N ° 16. NEW BOILER SYSTEM. In the compact configuration of the Genialloddo system, the coaxial presence of the 81 boiler inside the 82 guarantees a significant increase in the thermal insulation of the 81. RIV. N ° 17. NEW BOILER SYSTEM. The domestic hot and cold water injection systems can be made in such a way that they can also be easily replaced or maintained in order to avoid limestone encrustations or clogging resulting from a significant supply of solid material transported in suspension. RIV. N ° 18. As in Riv. 17. NEW BOILER SYSTEM. The water injection system can be both single insertion and multi-injection. RIV. N ° 19. NEW BOILER SYSTEM. The thermal transfer system of the thermal fluid can take place indifferently with cavity or fixed coil or removable coil.