Heat exchanger and a system for recovery of thermal energy from waste water

Abstract

The present invention relates to a heat exchanger and a system for recovery of thermal energy from waste water. The heat exchanger comprises: an outer tube, an inner tube for waste water, and a control element, wherein said inner tube is arranged in said outer tube in such a way that a space is formed between said inner tube and said outer tube and wherein said control element is arranged in said space and is arranged to guide a medium in a helical movement around the inner tube so that thermal energy from said waste water is transferred to said medium.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to a heat exchanger and a system for recovery of thermal energy from waste water.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]With increasing demands for buildings that are energy efficient and resource efficient living, much has been done to improve buildings without negatively affecting the quality of the indoor climate. Heat pumps, recovery systems for ventilation, new and better control systems for control and monitoring are installed for this purpose along with better construction materials and systems. In this way energy consumption due to transmission losses through the building envelope, ventilation losses (voluntary and involuntary), along with other combined losses have been improved.[0003]Consumption of water is a source of loss that is difficult to manage and previously has amounted to a negligible part of energy consumption. There is now, however, a need to reduce losses caused by water consumption.[0004]Some progress has been made...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The heat exchanger described in this patent ensures that thermal energy is emitted from waste water to a medium with high efficiency. It is designed in a flexible and cost-effective way that can be adjusted to different waste water flow rates. The heat exchanger has a helical movement that allows for long contact time with the inner tube, resulting in increased efficiency. The waste water is evenly distributed over the inner tube surface, which helps in transferring thermal energy. The heat exchanger can be connected to a hot water dispenser, which saves energy and reduces the workload of the dispenser.

Problems solved by technology

Consumption of water is a source of loss that is difficult to manage and previously has amounted to a negligible part of energy consumption.

Some progress has been made in this area in the form of low-flush showers, faucets, and toilets along with insulation of installations etc. but the remaining consumption is difficult to handle and requires some form of waste water recovery.

Heat exchangers located as a floor in the shower where incoming water is exchanged with outgoing water is problematical regarding installation and approval according to rules in the sector and, besides, water is recycled only when showering.

There are upright exchangers but they have a design that either is not suitable for greater flows or have poor effectiveness.

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