Method and system for utilizing heat in a plant or animal growing device, and greenhouse

Abstract

A method for utilizing heat in a plant or animal growing device includes circulating a heat transfer fluid through a circuit forming a closed fluid loop, heating, via a heat source, the heat transfer fluid in the fluid circuit to a temperature within an efficient operating range of a first heat unit, supplying heat from the heat transfer fluid to a first heat unit, the first heat unit cooling down at least part of the heat transfer fluid to a temperature within an efficient operating range of at least one additional heat unit connected in serial arrangement with the heat source and the first heat unit, supplying heat from the heat transfer fluid from the first heat unit to the additional heat unit, the additional heat unit cooling down at least part of the heat transfer fluid, and returning the cooled down part of the heat transfer fluid from the additional heat unit to the heat source in the fluid circuit.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14 / 239,766, filed Apr. 15, 2014, which is a national stage application of PCT / IB2012 / 001493, filed Aug. 3, 2012, which claims priority to Australian Patent Application No. AU 2011213783, filed Aug. 19, 2011, each of which is expressly incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto.FIELD OF INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a method and system for utilizing heat in a plant or animal growing device, and a greenhouse.BACKGROUND INFORMATION[0003]Plant or animal growing devices, such as greenhouses, and artificial water ponds for growing fish and cattle farms, are in use all over the world. In such devices, energy in the form of heat is used by several heat users, such as a heating unit, that serves to provide an adequate temperature of the medium in which the specific type of plant or animal grows (typically air or water). The heat source may...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention proposes a method and device for efficiently using heat in a thermal desalination device. By adding at least one additional heat user in a serial arrangement, the heat transfer fluid can have a temperature within an efficient operating range of each heat user without having to waste or degrade the heat. This results in more efficient use of the heat source, allowing a smaller heat source to be used and lower investment costs for a device with the same capacity. Additionally, a buffer can be used to accommodate temporary peak demands and the serial arrangement of heat users can make a high energy efficiency possible, especially in a greenhouse setting, leading to a lower cost price of the system.

Problems solved by technology

The method and device described above do not use the energy of the heat source in an optimal manner.

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