GB2240163A

GB2240163A - Space and water heating system for domestic and commercial uses

Info

Publication number: GB2240163A
Application number: GB9001347A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Charles Reginald Purley; Ernest Andrew Cowen
Original assignee: Lec Refrigeration Ltd
Current assignee: Lec Refrigeration Ltd
Priority date: 1990-01-20
Filing date: 1990-01-20
Publication date: 1991-07-24
Also published as: GB9001347D0

Abstract

Low grade heat collected by heat exchangers 6A, 6B, 6C is transferred to water in a tank 1 by a gas engine 2, which comprises a compressor driven by an electric motor, and a gas condenser 3, both submerged in the water in the tank. Anti-vibration means 14 supports the gas-engine 2 in the tank. Water from the tank flows along line 8 to various high grade heat distribution heat exchangers 7D, 7E, 7G. <IMAGE>

Description

HEATING SYSTEM This invention relates to a combined heat and power unit (C.H.P) utilizing a submerged gas compression engine for energy saving in domestic or commercial uses. The main use being space and water heating.

It is known that low grade heat (L.G.H) can be converted to usable high grade heat (H.G.H) by utilizing known circuitry of a gas engine, heat exchangers, refrigerant and automatic controls.

The highest co-efficient of performance (C.O.P) is obtained by the correct design and balancing of all said components in said circuitry. However there are areas in design where improvements can be achieved in C.O.P and noise levels, they are waste heat and noises emitting from a gas engine.

According to this invention there is provided an insulated serviceable water reservoir tank housing a submerged gas-engine, with anti-noise and vibration means.

Also provided is an improved form of L.G.H. exchanger and refrigerant evaporator for climatic locations.

A specific embodiment of the invention will be described by way of example with reference to drawings that accompany this text in which:- Fig 1 Shows a schematic circuit of known heat exchangers 6 located in available sources of L.G.H, known heat exchange methods of distribution 7 of generated H.G.H, a serviceable insulated water reservoir tank 1 incorporating a gas-engine 2, a gas condenser 3, liquid pressure reducing means 11, and connecting tubes. All control valves, mechanical and electrical connections, guages, safety and circuit controllers have been omitted for clarity. Fig. 2 shows one embodiment of L.G.H exchange evaporator for - use in a climatic environment.

Referring to Fig 1. L.G.H exchange refrigerant evaporators 6 are located for example in alternative known environmental sources of L.G.H namely climatic 6C, underwater 6B, or underground 6A.

A L.G.H exchange evaporator 6 is connected to a submerged gas engine 2 by flow tube 4 passing through reservoir tank wall 15. The gas engine comprising a refrigerant gas compressor driven by an electric motor from electric supply line 18 passing through removable cover 13. The compressor converts gas absorbed L.G.H received into gas absorbed H.G.H which flows into exchanger condenser 3 for liquification of said gas and transfer of absorbed H.G.H to surrounding water 19. Waste heat from the gas engine casing 20 is also transferred to the waterl9. Liquid refrigerant returns to L.G.H exchanger evaporators 6 through flow line 5 passing through a pressure reducing means 11.

An insulated water reservior tank 1, with servicable cover 13, and housing said gas engine 2, anti-vibration means 14, condenser 3, electric supply lead 18, a covering of heat insulating material 12, a water outlet 21 a water inlet 22 which carry water through flow lines 8 and through various alternative methods of H.G.H distribution by heat exchanger 7, convection radiators 7D, forced air and finned tubing 7E, and or submerged tubular coils in liquids 7F such as water, embedded tubes in walls 7G or underfloors 7F, and thus returning water to reservoir tank through flow line 9 and inlet 22 via circulating pump 10.

When using underwater or underground sources of L.G.H an additional L.G.H exchanger 17 may be added to the circuit described by inserting same between existing forms described and the reservior tank described.

Referring to Fig 2, a form of L.G.H exchanger is shown for relative high conductivity and relative high efficiency during low ambient temperatures and wet climatic conditions.

Metal tubes 5 are arranged in a vertical plane with connecting header tubes 6 and 7. Multiple metal ninety degree angled fins 8 are mechanically attached to both sides of said vertical tubes in a horizontal plane such that the vertical side of each angled fin 8 is in contact with the tubing.

The other side of each angled fin forms a horizontal platform 9, spacings 10 are provided.

When said L.G.H exchanger is incorporated in refrigerant circuit described in Fig 1, and fully charged with refrigerant one hundred per cent liquid to metal contact is made for improved heat exchange. Precipitation from a climatic environment provides additional L.G.H by temporary retention on the said horizontal angle of said angled fins.

Using a C.H.P unit for domestic and commercial applications arranged specifically in the manner described Fig 1 and in conjunction with a form of L.G.H exchanger as described Fig 2. A heat gain ratio of 3 to 1 is obtained when ambient temperature conditions exist near to freezing point. Higher ratios are obtainable with higher ambient temperatures.

Claims

1. A heat combined heat and power (C.H.P) system comprising a gas engine means having high grade heat exchange means located in a servicable insulated reservoir tank for high grade heat distribution, the gas engine means also being arranged to resist continuous submersion in a distribution liquid, and means for circulating the distribution liquid through distribution means arranged to deliver high grade heat to a locus or loci to be heated.

2. A system according to Claim 1, wherein the distribution liquid containing high grade heat is water.

3. A system according to Claim 2, wherein a low grade heat refrigerant exchanger is used constructed with vertical copper tubes and horizontal angled copper fins, as described.

4. A heating system substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

4. A heating system according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the gas engine means is an electrically driven reciprocating gas engine.

5. A heating system substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

6. A water tank having mounted therein compressor means of a gas engine, said compressor means being arranged to resist continuous submersion in water, and high grade heat exchange means of an intended combined heat and power unit means to be operated by a compressor means.

7. A water tank substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A method of increasing the efficiency of combined heat and power (C.H.P.) systems with an improved low grade heat exchange means, and means for maintaining maximum capacity balance at variable climatic temperatures.

2. A system 'wherein a low grade heat refrigerant exchanger is used constructed with vertical copper tubes and horizontal angled copper fins, as described.

3. A heating system according to Claims 1 4 2 with a controllable means of changing pressure reducing capillary capacity balance.