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The present disclosure reveals a compact dual chamber heat exchange unit that can be integrated into the heating and cooling system of a building that can be fabricated and assembled off site, transported to the site, installed and then filled with matrix and/or slurry, as well as a method of installation of the compact dual chamber heat exchange unit.
Heating and cooling systems that integrate below ground heat exchange systems have been designed to be used with the hearing and cooling systems of buildings. These systems transport a fluid (water or air) through piping, below ground, and allow the natural temperatures of the subsurface to air in heating or cooling a building. These systems generally require large surface areas or deep drilling to complete the heat exchange process. The present disclosure reveals a compact dual chamber heat exchange unit that can be fabricated and assembled off site, transported to the site, installed and then filled with matrix and/or slurry, and that can fit in the yard of most residential properties.
The present disclosure reveals a compact dual chamber heat exchange unit that can be integrated into the heating and cooling system of a building and a method of installation. In essence, the compact dual chamber heat exchange unit comprises a container with two chambers. The chambers are filled with either a matrix or a slurry and further has tubing circulating through both chambers. Through the tubing a fluid is passed. As the fluid passes through the tubing, the fluid is either heated or cooled depending on the system requirements. The slurry is associated with a water system that exchanges heat with the fluid passing through the tubing within the chamber. When this water becomes too hot of cold, it can be extracted and replaced with water at a more appropriate temperature.
A recirculation system is also included such that if the fluid exits the compact dual chamber heat exchange unit and is still too hot or cold, the fluid can be recirculated through the compact dual chamber heat exchange unit.
A water reclamation system is also included. This portion of the system monitors the temperature of the water in the slurry and when the water in the slurry is too hot or cold, the water can be removed from the system and stored until it cools down or heats up to a more appropriate temperature, at which time the water can be returned to the slurry, replacing other water that is at an inappropriate temperature.
The present disclosure reveals a compact dual chamber heat exchange unit 1 that can be integrated into the heating and cooling system of a building for the treatment of a fluid, said fluid being either water or air, as well as a method of installation. The compact dual chamber heat exchange unit 1, comprises a container 2, control unit 3, a plurality of valves 4, a plurality of tubing 5, a plurality of pumps 6, a plurality of filters 7, a plurality of water level indicators 8, a plurality of temperature sensors 9, a matrix 10, and/or a slurry 11. The compact dual chamber heat exchange unit 11 is designed so that the parts can be prefabricated and assembled off site and transported to the site for installation and filing with matrix 10 and/or slurry 11.
The container 2 comprising a top 12, bottom 13, and four sides 14, wherein said four sides 14, top 12 and bottom 13 create an enclosure with an inside 15 and an outside 16. Further, there is a wall 17 inside the container 2 said wall 17 extending from the top 12 to the bottom 13 of the container 2 so that the container 2 is divided into two chambers, those chambers being a first chamber 18 and a second chamber 19, wherein said wall 17 prevents anything from passing from the first chamber 18 into the second chamber 19. The first chamber 18 and second chamber 19 each comprise an interior space 20. The top of the container 2 comprises a first access point 21 and a second access point 22, wherein the first access 21 point allows access into the interior space 20 of the first chamber 18 and the second access point 22 allows access into the second chamber 19.
The matrix 10 is a mixture comprising grout, and/or cement, and/or material to increase the conductivity within the matrix 10. The slurry 11 is a mixture of sand and/or gravel and water.
There is a plurality of valves 4, wherein the plurality of valve 4 is defined as at least one valve 4. These valve 4 comprise inflows and outflows with connections. The connections may be threaded, snap tight connections, or adhesive. The valve 4 may also include other features including flow control mechanisms, or temperature sensors 9.
There is a plurality of tubing 5, wherein the plurality of tubing 5 is defined as at least one section of tubing 5. Each section of tubing 5 comprises two ends and a length. The tubing 5 allows fluid to flow through the compact dual chamber heat exchange unit 1 or to transfer water into the slurry 11 within either chamber.
There are a plurality of pumps 6, said plurality of pumps 6 defined as at least one pumps 6. Said pumps 6 are used to move fluid through the system or to move water into or out of the slurry 11 in one or both chambers. The pumps 6 may also include a flow control mechanism or temperature sensor 9.
There is a plurality of filters 7, wherein the plurality of filters 7 is at least one filter 7 and comprises a filter mechanism and a connection. The filters 7 are used to prevent the sand and/or gravel from being sucked into the attached tubing 5 as water is withdrawn for the chamber into which the filter is inserted. The filter 7 may also include temperature sensor 9.
There is a plurality of water level indicators 8, wherein the plurality of later level indicators 8 measure the level of the water within the container 2 or vessel into which it is inserted.
There is a plurality of temperature sensors 9 that measure the temperature of the fluid in the area of the sensor 9.
The compact dual chamber heat exchange unit 1 starts at a valve 4 located outside of the container 2. The end of the section of tubing 5 being connected to the outflow of the valve 4 and the length of the tubing 5 extending from outside of the container 2 to the inside of the container 2 into the first chamber 18, wherein the length of the section of tubing 5 extends in a spiral fashion around the interior space 20 of the first chamber 18, wherein the length of the section of tubing 5 then extends through the wall of the container 2, into the second chamber 19, wherein the length of the section of tubing 5 spirals around the interior space 20 of the second chamber 19, wherein the length of the section of tubing 5 extends through the wall of the container 2 and the end of the tubing 5 is outside of the container 2 and connects to the inflow of the second valve 4.
The interior space 20 of either chamber is filled with either a matrix 10 or a slurry 11. When a chamber is filed with a slurry 11, there is a valve outside of the container 2 connected to a section of tubing 5, wherein the length of the section of tubing 5 extends into the chamber of the container 2 with the slurry 11 so that an end of the tubing 5 is located inside the container 2, and wherein water flows through the section of tubing 5 into the chamber to supply water to the slurry 11. Further, the is a filter 7 located in the interior space 20 of the chamber with the slurry 11 in the area of the bottom of the container 2. Attached to the filter 7 is a section of tubing 5, wherein the length of the section of tubing 5 then extends out of the container 2 to a pumps 6, wherein the end of the tubing 5 attaches to intake connection of the pumps 6. The actuator of the first pumps 6 is then capable of drawing water from the slurry 11, through the filter 7, through the third section of tubing 5, to expel the water out the output connection of the pumps 6. Within the chamber filled with slurry 11 there is also a water level indicator 8 in the area of the top to measure the level of water in the second chamber 19 within the slurry 11.
The control unit 3 comprises a power source 23 and a control logic system 24, is connected to the valves 4 with control mechanisms water level indicators 8, temperature sensors 9 and the pumps 6 by appropriate wiring 25. The power source may be from an A/C sources, from a D/C converter, from a battery, from a solar cell, or any combination thereof. The power source 23 supplies power to the control logic system 24 and the control logic system 24 of the control unit 3 manages the flow of water into and out of the slurry 11 within the second chamber 19 by monitoring the level of the water within slurry 11 of the second chamber 19. The plurality of valve 4, plurality of pumps 6, plurality of water level indicators 8, and plurality of temperature sensors 9 of the compact dual chamber heat exchange unit 1 are connected to the control unit 3 by first being connected to a wiring harness 26 which in turn is connected to the control unit 3.
The compact dual chamber heat exchange unit 1 may also comprise a recirculation system 27. The recirculation system 27 is designed to assure the outgoing fluid from the compact dual chamber heat exchange unit 1 is at the appropriate temperature by causing the fluid to be recirculated through the compact dual chamber heat exchange unit 1 before exiting the system. The recirculation system is accomplished by having a temperature sensor 9 at the valve where the fluid exits the compact dual chamber heat exchange unit 1, and wherein the valve has two outflows and a control mechanism such that, it the temperature of the fluid does not meet specification, the control unit 3 adjusts the control mechanism to direct the flow of fluid through a section of tubing 5 from the valve back to the first valve in the system, which then directs the flow of fluid back through the compact dual chamber heat exchange unit 1.
For each compartment filled with slurry 11 there may also be a water reclamation system 28. The water reclamation system 28 conserves water consumption by recirculating the water through the slurry 11 to a vessel where it can acclimatize to be reused in the slurry 11 and thus preventing the need for continuous fresh water to be added to the slurry 11.
The water reclamation system 28 comprising a vessel, a temperature sensor 9 of the plurality of temperature sensors 9, a pumps 6 of the plurality of pumps 6, and water level indicator 8 of the plurality of water level indicators 8.
The vessel 29 comprising an interior, a top area, and a bottom area. In this instance, water flows from the filter 7, through tubing 5, to the pumps 6. From the pumps 6 it reaches a valve that can direct the water to be discharged or direct the water to the vessel 29. The water in the vessel 29 is then monitored by a temperature sensor 9 to determine when it is acclimatized, and a water level indicator 8 to indicate when the vessel 29 is full. If the vessel 29 is too full but not at the right temperature, a pumps 6 can draw water out of the vessel 29 for disposal. If the water in the vessel 29 is acclimatized, it can be pumped out of the vessel 29 back to the valve 4 that directs water into the slurry 11.
The control logic system of the control unit 3 is connected to the mechanism of the valve, the temperature sensor 9, the pumps 6, and water level indicator 8 such that the logic control system of the control unit 3 is capable of detecting the level of the water and the temperature of the water within the vessel 29 and recycling the water from the vessel 29 into the slurry 11 or contributing water from the inflow of the valve 4 and back into the chamber.
The method of installation of the compact dual chamber heat exchange unit comprises preassembling the container and/or vessel(s), appropriate tubing, pumps, and connections 30. Then inserting the container into an excavation wherein the top of the container, when buried, would be below the level where surface temperatures would impact the container 31. Adding the matrix and/or slurry into the first chamber and second chamber. Connecting the tubing of the compact dual chamber heat exchanger with tubing extending from and to a building HV/AC system 32. Connecting power to the control unit 33. And burying the compact dual chamber heat exchanger below the level wherein surficial temperatures would interfere 34.
In the method of installation, the recirculation systems may also be preassembled, inserted into the excavation, connected, powered, and buried.