US20100089552A1 - Heat energy recovery system - Google Patents
Heat energy recovery system Download PDFInfo
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- US20100089552A1 US20100089552A1 US12/251,873 US25187308A US2010089552A1 US 20100089552 A1 US20100089552 A1 US 20100089552A1 US 25187308 A US25187308 A US 25187308A US 2010089552 A1 US2010089552 A1 US 2010089552A1
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- heat energy
- fluid
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- conduit
- manifold
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- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 26
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 64
- 238000005338 heat storage Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 20
- 239000011232 storage material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 85
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 5
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- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 29
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 17
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- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000011152 fibreglass Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910001335 Galvanized steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 1
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- 229920001821 foam rubber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000008397 galvanized steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
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- 239000008400 supply water Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
- F24D3/00—Hot-water central heating systems
- F24D3/10—Feed-line arrangements, e.g. providing for heat-accumulator tanks, expansion tanks ; Hydraulic components of a central heating system
- F24D3/1058—Feed-line arrangements, e.g. providing for heat-accumulator tanks, expansion tanks ; Hydraulic components of a central heating system disposition of pipes and pipe connections
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
- F24D17/00—Domestic hot-water supply systems
- F24D17/0005—Domestic hot-water supply systems using recuperation of waste heat
- F24D17/001—Domestic hot-water supply systems using recuperation of waste heat with accumulation of heated water
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F12/00—Use of energy recovery systems in air conditioning, ventilation or screening
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
- F28D20/00—Heat storage plants or apparatus in general; Regenerative heat-exchange apparatus not covered by groups F28D17/00 or F28D19/00
- F28D20/0034—Heat storage plants or apparatus in general; Regenerative heat-exchange apparatus not covered by groups F28D17/00 or F28D19/00 using liquid heat storage material
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
- F28D21/00—Heat-exchange apparatus not covered by any of the groups F28D1/00 - F28D20/00
- F28D21/0001—Recuperative heat exchangers
- F28D21/0003—Recuperative heat exchangers the heat being recuperated from exhaust gases
- F28D21/0005—Recuperative heat exchangers the heat being recuperated from exhaust gases for domestic or space-heating systems
- F28D21/0007—Water heaters
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
- F24D2200/00—Heat sources or energy sources
- F24D2200/16—Waste heat
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F5/00—Air-conditioning systems or apparatus not covered by F24F1/00 or F24F3/00, e.g. using solar heat or combined with household units such as an oven or water heater
- F24F5/0007—Air-conditioning systems or apparatus not covered by F24F1/00 or F24F3/00, e.g. using solar heat or combined with household units such as an oven or water heater cooling apparatus specially adapted for use in air-conditioning
- F24F5/0017—Air-conditioning systems or apparatus not covered by F24F1/00 or F24F3/00, e.g. using solar heat or combined with household units such as an oven or water heater cooling apparatus specially adapted for use in air-conditioning using cold storage bodies, e.g. ice
- F24F2005/0025—Air-conditioning systems or apparatus not covered by F24F1/00 or F24F3/00, e.g. using solar heat or combined with household units such as an oven or water heater cooling apparatus specially adapted for use in air-conditioning using cold storage bodies, e.g. ice using heat exchange fluid storage tanks
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
- Y02B30/00—Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC]
- Y02B30/18—Domestic hot-water supply systems using recuperated or waste heat
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/14—Thermal energy storage
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Heat-Pump Type And Storage Water Heaters (AREA)
Abstract
A heat energy recovery system recovers heat energy from a fluid having a first temperature flowing through a conduit. The conduit includes a manifold chamber through which the fluid flows. A manifold conduit is located within the manifold chamber and contains a fluid heat storage material at a second temperature lower than the first temperature. A storage assembly has a chamber enclosed therein and fluidly coupled with the manifold conduit for storing the fluid heat storage material. The heat energy can be transferred from the fluid having the first temperature to the fluid heat storage material having the second temperature.
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The invention relates to a system for recovering heat energy from household systems.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- Appliances in the home such as hot water heaters, furnaces, dryers, and the like exhaust hot air to the outside of the home, wasting heat energy that could otherwise be used.
- A heat energy recovery system including a process chamber. Wherein a manifold conduit such as a pipe passes through the walls of the chamber at two locations to provide a winding within the process chamber such that as heated exhaust air from a household appliance flows through the process chamber, heat energy is retained by water flowing within the manifold conduit. The manifold conduit is in fluid communication with a thermally insulated tank defining a chamber therein which can contain the water and be used for retaining the higher volumes of heat energy, the chamber inside of the tank is airtight with respect to the atmosphere, and insulated such that heat energy from the water will not be lost. The heat energy recovery system further includes a pump and control system for recirculating the water from the manifold conduit to the insulated tank or to divert the heated water to other locations within the house such as a water heater.
- In the drawings:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a heat energy recovery system according to an embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary manifold conduit according to one embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 3 is a side view of an exemplary manifold conduit according to another embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 4 is a top view of an exemplary manifold conduit according to another embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 5 is a partially schematic plan view of the controller illustrated inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a processing chamber to be used with the dryer illustrated inFIG. 1 with a cutaway to show an interior portion of the chamber. - Referring to the drawings, and in particular to
FIG. 1 , an embodiment of the invention is illustrated comprising a heatenergy recovery system 10 including aprocess chamber 12, and astorage assembly 14 for storing a fluid heat storage medium. Exhausted air from adryer 16, afurnace 18, or awater heater 20 can be directed through theprocess chamber 12. A heat energy transfer takes place between the exhausted air, also known as a fluid having a first temperature, and a fluid heat storage medium, also known as a fluid having a second temperature, that is flowing through a manifold conduit 22 (shown in phantom) within theprocess chamber 12. It is typical that in a domestic hot water system the fluid heat storage medium would be water. - The heat
energy recovery system 10 can include one orseveral processing chambers 12. For example, a user may wish to only recover heat energy lost from the drying process and thus only one processing chamber would be used. Alternatively, a user may wish to be highly efficient andseparate processing chambers 12 can be connected to all of the above-mentioned household appliances as shown inFIG. 1 . Theprocessing chamber 12 can be fabricated in such a way that it can connect directly to astandard exhaust pipe 24 coming from thedryer 16, thefurnace 18, or thewater heater 20. - The
processing chamber 12 can include anenclosure body 26 that defines an interior space through which fluid from theexhaust pipe 24 can flow. Theenclosure body 26 can be made out of galvanized steel, aluminum, or other suitable material. Theenclosure body 26 can be insulated and sealed with a suitable insulation such as fiberglass batting, aluminum foil, rubber foam, or plastic. Eachprocessing chamber 12 has an inlet to direct exhaust from the household appliance to the interior space. Each processing chamber has an outlet to receive exhaust from the interior space and to direct the exhaust outside of theprocessing chamber 12. Normally, such exhaust would be vented outside the house. - The interior chamber can contain a manifold conduit 22 (shown in phantom) for assisting in the heat energy recovery process. The
manifold conduit 22 has aninlet fluid port 28 that extends inward through theenclosure body 26 into the interior chamber and anoutlet fluid port 30 that extends outward through theenclosure body 26. Theinlet fluid port 28 connects with afeed hose 32 and the outlet port connects with areturn hose 34. - The
storage assembly 14 can include acabinet 36 enclosing a fluid storage tank 38 (shown in phantom) to which thefeed hoses 32 andreturn hoses 34 are fluidly coupled. Thefluid storage tank 38 can be made of fiberglass, steel, PVC or other suitable material, and can be insulated. Preferably, thefluid storage tank 38 will have the ability to handle 150 psi or more of pressure before failure. Thestorage assembly 14 can also have arelief valve 40 and adrain valve 42 for thefluid storage tank 38 that can be provided on an exterior of thestorage assembly 14 and immediately accessible by the user or hidden behind a cover, such as an access panel, hatch, or door. Thestorage assembly 14 is shown adapted for use with atypical wall outlet 44 to power the heatenergy recovery system 10. - Thus, the
manifold conduit 22 in eachprocess chamber 12 has an inlet connected to thefluid storage tank 38 to receive the water to flow therethrough, and an outlet connected to thefluid storage tank 38 to return the water. The exterior of the manifold conduit 22 contacts the exhaust from the household appliance to derive heat energy therefrom while the interior of the manifold conduit 22 contacts the water to supply heat energy thereto. Themanifold conduit 22 can be made out of copper metal or any suitable high thermal conductivity material to facilitate the heat energy transfer from the exhaust to themanifold conduit 22 to the water. -
FIG. 2 represents an example of one embodiment of amanifold conduit 44. Themanifold conduit 44 has aninlet port 46 that extends inward through theenclosure body 26 into the interior chamber of theprocess chamber 12 and anoutlet port 48 that extends outward throughenclosure body 26. Theinlet port 46 connects with afeed hose 32 and the outlet port connects with areturn hose 34. Themanifold conduit 44 also includes heatenergy transfer boxes 50 that can be made of a high conductivity material. These heatenergy transfer boxes 50 are fluidly connected to each other and theinlet port 46 andoutlet port 48 throughconnector conduits 52. Both the heatenergy transfer boxes 50 and connector conduits 52 contact the exhaust from the household appliance to derive heat energy therefrom while the interior of the heatenergy transfer boxes 50 and connector conduits 52 contacts the water to supply heat energy thereto. Preferably, the heatenergy transfer boxes 50 are oriented in theenclosure body 26 so that the heated exhaust flows longitudinally between and along theboxes 50. -
FIGS. 3 and 4 depict a second embodiment of themanifold conduit 54 wherein the conduit is assembled into a coil structure to increase the surface area available for the heat energy transfer and to efficiently distribute water into and throughout themanifold conduit 54 thereby maintaining a uniform temperature in the water. Themanifold conduit 54 has aninlet port 56 that extends inward through theenclosure body 26 into the interior chamber of theprocess chamber 12 and anoutlet port 58 that extends outward throughenclosure body 26. Theinlet port 56 connects with afeed hose 32 and theoutlet port 58 connects with areturn hose 34. - The
manifold conduit 54 comprises a generally rectilinearouter framework 140. Theframework 140 comprisesend tubes 142, each formed into a generally identical rectilinear configuration, and fluidly coupled by longitudinally disposedparallel header conduits 62 and longitudinally disposedparallel connector conduits 64. Eachconduit side tube 144 of an opposed pair ofend tubes 142 at the midpoint of theside tube 144. - Each pair of
opposed conduits energy transfer coils 60. The heatenergy transfer coils 60 are formed into a generally rectilinear frame-like configuration, eachcoil 60 being parallel to theend tubes 142 and to each other. The heatenergy transfer coils 60 occupy the midportion of theframework 140. Thecoils 60 are alternately coupled with a pair ofheader conduits 62, andconnector conduits 64, as illustrated inFIG. 4 , and with theports outermost coils 60 can be coupled with a pair ofheater conduits 62, and theadjacent coil 60 can be, in effect, rotated 90° and coupled with a pair ofconnector conduits 64. The nextadjacent coil 60 can be oriented so that it is coupled with the pair ofheater conduits 62, this alternating orientation being repeated for all of thecoils 60. The interconnection of theframework 140 and heat energy transfer coils 60 provides a relatively large heat transfer area while enabling the efficient distribution of the water throughout themanifold conduit 54. - The exterior of the heat energy transfer coils 60,
header conduits 62,connector conduits 64, and endtubes 142 contacts the heated exhaust fluid from the household appliance to derive heat energy therefrom, while the interior of the heat energy transfer coils 60,header conduits 62,connector conduits 64, and endtubes 142 carries the fluid having a second temperature, also known as the fluid heat storage medium, which receives heat energy from the heat energy transfer coils 60,header conduits 62,connector conduits 64, and endtubes 142, to thereby raise the temperature of the fluid heat storage medium. - One example of the
manifold conduit 54 has been described and illustrated. Other configurations can be employed. For example, the configuration of the outer framework and the heat energy transfer coils can be circular, polygonal, or other suitable configurations. The longitudinal and lateral dimensions can be selectively increased or decreased. For example, the length can be increased, thereby enabling a greater number ofcoils 60 to be utilized. With a greater number of coils and/or an increase in lateral dimensions,additional header conduits 62 andconnector conduits 64 can be used and coupled with thecoils 60 to facilitate the efficient distribution of the water throughout thelarger manifold conduit 54. - Referring back to
FIG. 1 , thestorage assembly 14 can be provided with acontrol panel 66 with operational controls enabling a user to input commands to acontroller 68, which controls acontrol assembly 72. Thecontrol panel 66 can have any number of features common to acontrol panel 66, including but not limited to a power button, parameter adjusting buttons and dials, a display, and start and stop buttons. These features can be marked with appropriate indicia to indicate their function. Operating the heatenergy recovery system 10 can require a user to manipulate several of these features to initiate operation of thesystem 10 and specify desired parameters. Examples of such parameters include, but are not limited to, water temperature desired, or humidity desired. As illustrated inFIG. 1 , thecontroller 66 can be connected with each of theprocessing chambers 12 through acommunication cable 70. -
FIG. 5 is a partially schematic plan view of an embodiment of acontrol assembly 72 of the invention. Thecontrol assembly 72 circulates the fluid heat storage means within the heatenergy recovery system 10 and can selectively divert the fluid heat storage means outside of the heatenergy recovery system 10 as desired by the user. Thecontrol assembly 72 can include acontroller 68, apump 74,valves controller 68 to direct the flow of the fluid heat storage material, a temperature sensor 86 (FIG. 1 ), a humidity sensor 88 (FIG. 1 ),conduits 90, and control leads 92. Theconduits 90 fluidly couple thepump 74 and thevalves - The remainder of the discussion regarding the
control assembly 72 will be in the context of a domestic hot water system wherein the fluid heat storage medium is water. In essence, the heatenergy recovery system 10 is fluidly coupled with a water supply, such as a local water utility, or a private well. A water heater can be coupled with the water supply to provide heated water to household users. Alternatively, the water can be diverted by thecontrol assembly 72 so that otherwise unused heat energy can supplementally heat the water prior to the water entering the water heater and being distributed. - Referring again to
FIG. 5 , water from the water supply can be directly provided to thewater heater 20 by opening thevalve 80 and closing thevalves manifold conduit 22, when heated exhaust is generated, by opening thevalves valve 78. Thefluid storage tank 38 can receive water from themanifold conduit 22 of one ormore process chambers 12 in use with the heatenergy recovery system 10 through thereturn hose 34. Thepump 74 circulates the water from themanifold conduits 22 either to thefluid storage tank 38 or to thewater heater 20. Water can flow to thefluid storage tank 38 by opening thevalve 76 and closing thevalve 78. Water can flow to thewater heater 20 by opening thevalves valve 82. - Water can also be supplied from the
fluid storage tank 38 to themanifold conduit 22 of one ormore process chambers 12 when thevalve 84 is open and thevalve 82 is closed. Alternatively, water can be supplied from thefluid storage tank 38 to thewater heater 20 when thevalve 82 is open and thevalves fluid storage tank 38 can also receive water directly from the water supply.Valve 78 must be open to distribute water from a domestic water supply to thefluid storage tank 38. Ifvalve 78 is closed butvalve 80 is open, the water supplied by the domestic water supply can be distributed towater heater 20. - For water to be directed from the
manifold conduits 22 to thewater heater 20 through thewater heater feed 94, thevalves valve 82 must be closed. - The
temperature sensor 86 in theprocess chamber 12 can sense the temperature of heated exhaust from thefurnace 18, and send a signal through thecommunication cable 70 and control lead 92 to thecontroller 68 to operate the heatenergy recovery system 10. Thecontroller 68 can then signal theappropriate valves pump 74 to supply water from thefluid storage tank 38 to themanifold conduit 22. The water can travel from thefluid storage tank 38 housed in thestorage assembly 14 through afeed hose 32 and into theinlet fluid port 46. After traveling through the manifold conduit 22 (FIG. 1 ) the water can exit through theoutlet fluid port 48 and travel through areturn hose 42 before returning to thecontrol assembly 72. - Once inside the control assembly, the water can be pumped by the
pump 74 to either thefluid storage tank 38 or thewater heater 20. The user can choose where the water is to be distributed, and input the selection into thecontrol panel 66. The water can even be directed outside of the heatenergy recovery system 10 and into thewater heater 20 where the water can be utilized by the user. Thus, the water warmed through the heatenergy recovery system 10 can be used in the household without a need for it being heated by the hot water heater. - The
control assembly 72 can continue to circulate the water until thetemperature sensor 86 senses no more hot air is being introduced inside theprocess chamber 12. Alternatively, thecontrol assembly 72 can continue to circulate fluid having a second temperature until thetemperature sensor 86 senses no more hot air is being generated, and thehumidity sensor 88 senses no moist air inside theprocess chamber 12. - The
control assembly 72 illustrated inFIG. 5 is only one example of a control assembly configuration. For example, in a commercial self-serve laundry, multiple fluid storage tanks, water heaters, and manifold conduits can be utilized, necessitating a control assembly having a greater number of valves and pumps. Further, a fewer or greater number of conduits can be utilized depending upon the selected fluid line configuration. A fewer or greater number of sensors can be utilized depending on the number ofprocess chambers 12 in use in the heatenergy recovery system 10 and the degree of control desired. Control leads can be incorporated into the device based upon the components for which control by thecontroller 68 is desired. - In
FIG. 1 , thedryer 16 is illustrated as having theprocessing chamber 12 located on top of and behind thedryer 16 for ease of installation and control. If the dryer is located in the same room (not shown) as thestorage assembly 14, theprocessing chamber 12 for the dryer can be located inside thestorage assembly 14 to save space.FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate embodiment of aprocessing chamber 96 for thedryer 16 ofFIG. 1 . - The
processing chamber 96 can include acabinet 98 that defines aninterior chamber 100 through which fluid from the dryer hotair exhaust pipe 24 can flow. Theprocessing chamber 96 can include aninlet port 102 for receiving the heated exhaust air and directing it to theinterior chamber 100. Theprocessing chamber 96 can include anoutlet port 104 for directing exhaust air outside of theprocessing chamber 96. - The
interior chamber 100 can contain amanifold conduit 106 for assisting in the heat energy recovery process. Themanifold conduit 106 has aconduit inlet port 108 that extends inward through a wall of thecabinet 98 into theinterior chamber 100 and aconduit outlet port 110 that extends outward through a wall of thecabinet 98. Theconduit inlet port 108 connects with afeed hose 32 and theconduit outlet port 110 connects with areturn hose 34. Thus, the manifold conduit has an inlet connected to thefluid storage tank 38 through thecontrol assembly 72 to receive the water to flow therethrough, and an outlet connected to thefluid storage tank 38 through thecontrol assembly 72 to return the water. The exterior of themanifold conduit 106 contacts the exhaust from the household appliance located in theinterior chamber 100 to derive heat energy therefrom while the interior of themanifold conduit 106 contacts the water to supply heat energy thereto. - Instead of utilizing heated exhaust air to heat water, the hot dryer exhaust can be diverted into a room to heat the room. The
processing chamber 96 can include alint filter device 112. Thelint filter device 112 can include a lintfilter inlet port 114, a filter 116, and a lintfilter outlet port 118. The lintfilter inlet port 114 can be connected with theexhaust conduit 24 of thedryer 16 and the lintfilter outlet port 118 can be connected to theinlet port 102 of theprocessing chamber 96 through aconnector 120. - The
processing chamber 96 can also include anair direction valve 122. The airdirectional valve 122 can receive the exhaust from theoutlet port 104. The airdirectional valve 122 can then either direct the exhaust through afirst exit port 124 into the room, or through asecond exit port 126, theexhaust conduit 24, and outside the building. Theair direction valve 122 enables a user to selectively redirected heat and humidity into the home. If it is desired that heat and humidity not be added into the interior of the home thefirst exit port 124 can be covered by acover 128. Thus, the airdirectional valve 122 can be selectively used by the user to direct heat and humidity to the inside of the house, or to the outside of the house. - Activating the
air direction valve 122 to direct the hot air exhaust directly into a building can be useful in the fall, winter, and spring seasons when additional heat and humidity may be desired. During the summer, a user can opt not to direct extra heat and humidity into the building, and thus the air valve control can be operated so that hot air is exhausted outside the building. - Alternatively, if the user wishes to direct additional heat, but not humidity, into the building, the
cover 128 can be placed on thefirst exit port 124 and the exhaust air can be allowed to enter the chamber 130 through anair valve 132. By opening theair valve 132, exhaust air enters the chamber 130 before exiting theprocessing chamber 96 through theoutlet port 104 and being directed outside of the house through thesecond exit port 126. The chamber 130 can be fabricated of a highly heat energy conductive material, such as copper, and heat energy can radiate from the chamber 130 into the building. When additional heat is not desired, theair valve 132 can be closed and exhaust air will not enter the chamber 130. - During operation of the
dryer 16, hot moist air can be exhausted through theexhaust pipe 24 and into thelint filter device 112. The hot moist air exits thelint filter device 112 and enters theinlet port 102 of theprocessing chamber 96. As the hot moist air is directed through theprocessing chamber 96, it contacts the surface of themanifold conduit 106. Themanifold conduit 106 absorbs heat energy from the hot moist air and cools the air. The hot moist air can cool down to the point that the moisture in the air becomes liquid water. This liquid water can drip down the inside of theprocessing chamber 96 and be drained through adrain port 134. The cooled air can exit theprocessing chamber 96 through anoutlet port 104 where it can enter the airdirectional valve 122 to then be directed inside the home or outside the home, depending on the preference of the user. - The processing chambers connected with the furnace and hot water heater are similar but less complex than that required for the dryer and will not be described in detail. Such processing chambers do not contain a lint filter device, because one is unnecessary. Further, such processing chambers do not include an air direction valve. Thus, the cooled air exits from an outlet port of the processing chamber before being directed outside of the house.
- While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation. Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope of the forgoing disclosure and drawings without departing from the spirit of the invention, which is defined in the appended claims.
Claims (9)
1. A heat energy recovery system for recovering heat energy from a first fluid having a first temperature flowing through a conduit, the system comprising:
a conduit having a manifold chamber through which the first fluid flows;
a manifold conduit located within the manifold chamber and containing a fluid heat storage material at a second temperature lower than the first temperature;
a storage assembly having a chamber enclosed therein and fluidly coupled with the manifold conduit for storing the fluid heat storage material;
wherein the heat energy is transferred from the first fluid having the first temperature to the fluid heat storage material having the second temperature.
2. The system as defined in claim 1 further comprising a control assembly to recirculate the fluid heat storage material within the heat energy recovery system and to selectively divert the fluid heat storage material outside the heat energy recovery system.
3. The system as defined in claim 2 wherein the control assembly further comprises:
a controller;
a pump; and
at least one valve operably coupled to the controller to direct the fluid heat storage material outside the heat energy recovery system.
4. The system as defined in claim 3 wherein the pump is actuated in response to a predetermined level of fluid heat storage material within the chamber.
5. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein the tank is thermally insulated to inhibit heat energy flow between the chamber and the external environment.
6. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein the fluid heat storage material is water.
7. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein the manifold conduit is a pipe and the interior of the pipe provides fluid flow communication with the chamber, the interior of the pipe being sealed to prevent fluid flow communication between the manifold chamber and the interior of the pipe.
8. A heat energy recovery system for recovering heat energy from exhaust air having a first temperature, the system comprising:
a conduit having a manifold chamber through which the exhaust air flows;
a manifold conduit located within the manifold chamber and containing water at a second temperature lower than the first temperature;
a storage assembly comprising a chamber enclosed therein and fluidly coupled with the manifold conduit for storing the water;
wherein the heat energy is transferred from the exhaust air to the water.
9. A heat energy recovery system for a household appliance comprising:
an appliance conduit fluidly coupled with the household appliance and defining a manifold chamber for conveying heated fluid from the household appliance;
a storage tank defining a storage chamber therein;
a quantity of water contained within the storage chamber;
a manifold conduit housed within the manifold chamber, a portion of which extends inward through a wall of the appliance conduit into the manifold chamber and extends outward through a wall of the appliance conduit for fluid coupling of the manifold conduit with the storage tank, the storage tank storing water from the manifold conduit, a wall of the manifold conduit contacting the water to supply heat energy thereto.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/251,873 US20100089552A1 (en) | 2008-10-15 | 2008-10-15 | Heat energy recovery system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/251,873 US20100089552A1 (en) | 2008-10-15 | 2008-10-15 | Heat energy recovery system |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20100089552A1 true US20100089552A1 (en) | 2010-04-15 |
Family
ID=42097815
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/251,873 Abandoned US20100089552A1 (en) | 2008-10-15 | 2008-10-15 | Heat energy recovery system |
Country Status (1)
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US (1) | US20100089552A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20220397288A1 (en) * | 2019-10-28 | 2022-12-15 | I.V.A.R. S.P.A. | Manifold for the distribution of a fluid in a plumbing and heating system and relative distribution kit |
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US20220397288A1 (en) * | 2019-10-28 | 2022-12-15 | I.V.A.R. S.P.A. | Manifold for the distribution of a fluid in a plumbing and heating system and relative distribution kit |
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Legal Events
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |