(19)
(11)EP 2 831 510 B1

(12)EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45)Mention of the grant of the patent:
10.07.2019 Bulletin 2019/28

(21)Application number: 13712298.2

(22)Date of filing:  27.03.2013
(51)International Patent Classification (IPC): 
F24D 3/18(2006.01)
F24D 17/02(2006.01)
F25B 30/02(2006.01)
F28D 20/02(2006.01)
F24D 17/00(2006.01)
F24D 19/00(2006.01)
F25C 1/14(2018.01)
(86)International application number:
PCT/EP2013/056599
(87)International publication number:
WO 2013/144248 (03.10.2013 Gazette  2013/40)

(54)

A HEAT PUMP SYSTEM USING LATENT HEAT

WÄRMEPUMPENSYSTEM MIT VERWENDUNG LATENTER WÄRME

SYSTÈME DE POMPE À CHALEUR UTILISANT DE LA CHALEUR LATENTE


(84)Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

(30)Priority: 28.03.2012 EP 12161843

(43)Date of publication of application:
04.02.2015 Bulletin 2015/06

(73)Proprietor: VGE bvba
8670 Koksijde (BE)

(72)Inventor:
  • VAN GYSEL, Carl
    B-8670 Koksijde (BE)

(74)Representative: BiiP cvba 
Culliganlaan 1B
1831 Diegem (Bruxelles)
1831 Diegem (Bruxelles) (BE)


(56)References cited: : 
WO-A1-2012/018542
WO-A2-2010/034661
FR-A- 883 453
US-B1- 6 681 593
WO-A2-2008/146274
DE-A1- 3 145 204
US-A- 4 551 159
  
      
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description

    FIELD OF THE INVENTION



    [0001] The present invention relates to a heat pump system according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for supplying heat to a consumer according to the preamble of claim 13. Such a system and such a method is known e.g. from US 6 681 593 B1.

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION



    [0002] Heat pumps have the ability to move thermal energy from one environment to another. In general, heat pumps work as follows: the refrigerant, in its gaseous state, is pressurized and circulated through the system by a compressor. On the discharge side of the compressor, the now hot and highly pressurized vapor is cooled in a heat exchanger (preferably a condenser) until it condenses into a high pressure, moderate temperature liquid. The condensed refrigerant then passes through a pressure-lowering device such as an expansion valve. The low pressure, liquid refrigerant leaving the expansion valve enters another heat exchanger (preferably an evaporator), in which the fluid absorbs heat and boils. The refrigerant then returns to the compressor and the cycle is repeated. The evaporator extracts heat from a heat source and the condenser supplies heat to a heat consumer.

    [0003] In case of geothermal heat pumps, the heat of the ground, groundwater or surface water is used as heat source for in most cases heating buildings. The thermal recharge of the heat source rely on the migration of heat from the surrounding geology and the seasonal temperature cycles at ground level. Two common types can be distinguished, namely open loop systems and closed loop systems.

    [0004] In an open loop system the natural water from a well (groundwater or surface water) is pumped into an heat-exchanger of the heat pump circuit containing a refrigerant. The specific heat of the water is extracted and the cooled water is returned to a separate injection well, irrigation trench or body of water. The supply and return lines must be placed at sufficient distance from each other to ensure thermal recharge of the water heat source.

    [0005] A disadvantage of the above open loop system is that, whereas extraction of latent heat would increase the output of the heat source, only specific heat can be extracted. One of the reasons is that ice formed by extraction of latent heat is very difficult being pumped again into the separate injection well, irrigation trench or body of water.

    [0006] Another disadvantage of open loop systems is the size of the installation because of the high volume of circulating water required and the distance between the supply and return lines.

    [0007] Further, another disadvantage is that open loop heat pump systems depend on the local legislation with regards of the use of ground and surface waters.

    [0008] In a closed loop system the heat pump circulates a liquid or a refrigerant through the closed loop tubing in the underground or in a water reservoir to exchange heat.

    [0009] Although latent heat of the water in the ground can be extracted, a severe limitation however is that the heat flux in the underground is predominantly limited by the thermal conductivity of the ground and the formation of ice-layers sticking around the tubing of the loop.

    [0010] Another disadvantage of closed loop systems is the size of the ground heat exchangers and the size of the water reservoir because of the required amount of heat stored in the underground or in the water reservoir to supply sufficient heat during the winter period. An example thereof is described in DE440599. The size of the water reservoir is an important restriction to apply the technology in densely populated areas.

    [0011] In an attempt to enhance the ice melting again thereby reducing the required size of the reservoir, additional heat sources such as solar panels can be added as described in patent EP1807672, which makes recharging the reservoir more complex and expensive.

    [0012] Another example of ice melting in a closed loop system is described in US6681593, using a shallow pool with heat extractors for extracting latent heat and bristle brush conveyors for removing floating pieces of ice from the pool into the reservoir. Obviously, such system is complex, expensive and the shallow pool occupies additional surface area.

    [0013] Further, another disadvantage of a closed loop heat pump system is that per definition external waters containing waste heat energy such as domestic waste water cannot be used as heat source to supply latent heat instead of specific heat.

    [0014] Reference can be made to following patents, DE 2952541 A1, DE10114257 A1, DE 102010006882 A1, DE 202004006853 U1, EP1807672, US 6904976 B2, WO2009123458 A1 encountering the disadvantages mentioned above.

    [0015] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a heat pump system delivering equal or improved performance compared to known heat pump systems with smaller heat source reservoirs compared to the current heat pump systems.

    [0016] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a heat pump system having suitable characteristics for use in urbanized areas in particular in areas suffering from lack of building space.

    [0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a heat pump system less suffering from heat flux limitation due to ice formation.

    [0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a heat pump system allowing less complex and expensive recharge of the heat source, in particular allowing recharging during warm seasons.

    [0019] Further, another object of the present invention is a heat pump system allowing use of rain water as well as waste heat energy in waste liquids as a heat source, in particular domestic waste water.

    [0020] In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a heat pump system being less independent on the local legislation with regards of the use of ground and surface waters.

    [0021] In addition, it is an object of the present invention is to provide a heat pump system allowing generation of heat during electrical off-peak hours.

    [0022] The present invention addressed the above objects by proposing a heat pump system comprising the features of claim 1.

    SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION



    [0023] The present invention is directed to a heat pump system comprising amongst others a heat-exchanger extracting latent heat from liquid stored in a reservoir, thereby forming ice slurry, and means for delivering said heat to a heat consumer, wherein the heat pump system comprises random input of extrinsic liquid into the reservoir and means for removing ice slurry stored in the reservoir outward the system.

    [0024] Extrinsic liquid is defined as liquid originating from one or more sources external to the system and not from a recirculation loop wherein liquid originating from said removed ice slurry is recycled to the reservoir. Random input is understood as a supply on regular or irregular, - depending on availability of the extrinsic liquid -, moments in time of any kind of extrinsic liquid.

    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS



    [0025] 

    FIG 1 illustrates an embodiment of a heat pump system in accordance with the present invention.

    FIG 2 illustrates an embodiment of a heat pump system in accordance with the present invention wherein the heat-exchanger is located outside the reservoir.

    FIG 3 illustrates an embodiment of a heat pump system in accordance with the present invention additionally comprising a cooling circuit adapted for delivering cold to a cold consumer by circulating liquid and/or ice slurry stored in the reservoir.

    FIG 4 illustrates an embodiment of a heat pump system in accordance with the present invention, additionally comprising a cooling circuit adapted for delivering cold to a cold consumer and delivering heat to the reservoir.

    FIG 5 illustrates an embodiment of a heat pump system in accordance with the present invention for use in an urbanized area.


    DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION



    [0026] In a first embodiment in accordance with the present invention and as illustrated in FIG 1, a heat pump system is provided comprising an heat-exchanger (A) extracting latent heat from liquid stored in a reservoir, thereby forming ice slurry (F), and means for delivering said heat to a heat consumer (C), wherein the heat pump system comprises random input of extrinsic liquid (E) into the reservoir (B) and means (J) for removing ice slurry stored in the reservoir outward the system
    In the context of the present invention, random input of extrinsic liquid may be input on regular or irregular, - depending on availability of the extrinsic liquid -, moments in time of any kind of extrinsic liquid, i.e. liquid brought into the reservoir from anywhere outside the heat pump system and containing a certain amount of thermal energy. Examples may be input of collected rainwater, domestic waste water, seawater, process water or fluids from any kind of manufacturing or industrial activity (inclusive food industry).

    [0027] The system of the invention differs from the closed loop systems known in the art, in that the extrinsic liquid added to the reservoir originates from external sources, and not from a recirculation loop. In other words, the ice slurry removed from the reservoir is not a source of extrinsic liquid. For this reason, the size of the reservoir does not need to contain an amount of liquid sufficient for extracting latent heat during a whole winter period. The size of the reservoir can thus be reduced in comparison to closed loop systems.

    [0028] The system of the invention differs from most of the open loop systems known in the art in that the supply of extrinsic liquid is random, i.e. the supply is not controlled as in open loop systems where ground water is pumped into the reservoir at a given rate. The supply thus depends on the availability of sources of extrinsic liquid. Therefore, the source of the extrinsic liquid is preferably not a single source but a plurality of sources, such as rainwater, domestic water, etc as indicated above. Another difference is that in most open loop systems existing today, no latent heat is extracted and no ice slurry is removed. In the system of the invention, ice slurry is removed outward the system.

    [0029] Another difference with some open loop systems known in the art is that the ice slurry formed by the heat ex-changer stored in the reservoir, where a portion of it remains, while another portion is removed outward the system. The remaining portion extracts heat from the soil around the reservoir and/or from the inflow of extrinsic liquids. Consequently, the ice slurry will at least partially melt and becomes a heat source again containing latent heat, while the other portion of the stored ice slurry is removed outward the system and replaced by an equivalent volume of extrinsic liquid containing latent heat. This cyclic process of a semi open loop system results in a random at least partially recharging of the heat source.

    [0030] The invention is thus also related to a method for supplying heat to a consumer comprising the steps defined in claim 13.

    [0031] The extrinsic liquid used in the method, as well as the random supply are defined and exemplified as described above in relation to the system of the invention.

    [0032] The ice slurry is stored in the reservoir either by remaining in the reservoir if the heat exchanger is immersed in the reservoir or by returning to it if the heat exchanger is located outside the reservoir.

    [0033] The means for delivering heat to a heat consumer comprise a refrigerant (not shown in the figures), a heat exchanger (which preferably may be a condenser), a compressor, a pressure-lowering device such as an expansion valve and another heat-exchanger (which preferably may be an evaporator).

    [0034] The refrigerant may be all kinds of refrigerants used in conventional heat pump, refrigerating, or air-conditioning systems, both for domestic or industrial use. The refrigerant may be a liquid, a mixture of different liquids (e.g. water/glycol mixture), a gas, a liquid evaporating into a gas and condensing again, a solution of solids into a liquid, etc.

    [0035] The random input of extrinsic liquid provides additional thermal energy to the reservoir, which will be used for extracting latent heat from, and optionally for melting ice in the ice slurry remaining (i.e. being stored) in the reservoir.

    [0036] Nearby the surface of the heat-exchanger the liquid will decrease in temperature towards its phase change temperature and will crystallize, resulting in formation of an ice slurry (for sake of easy reading "ice" is understood as the solid phase of any type of liquid used in accordance with the present invention). In contrast with ice layers sticking at the surface of the heat-exchanger, ice slurry can be removed or pumped away. As a result the performance of the heat exchange process of the heat-exchanger is maintained and the ice slurry can be replaced by new liquid containing latent heat. In this way there is no need for a reservoir containing an amount of water sufficient for extracting latent heat during a whole winter period, and consequently the size of the reservoir may be reduced.

    [0037] Input of extrinsic liquid and removal of ice slurry, may optionally be assisted by other means for avoiding ice layer formation and enhance ice slurry formation, such as means for keeping the liquid moving, e.g. a stirrer installed in the reservoir, a circulation circuit, or an overflow connection from the reservoir to a drain (see also FIG 1).

    [0038] In accordance with the present invention, the heat pump system comprises means for removing ice slurry outward the system. Ice slurry floating at the liquid surface can be removed by for example an overflow, optionally combined with for example a scraping mechanism installed in the reservoir.

    [0039] The heat-exchanger may be immersed or may be located outside the reservoir.

    [0040] In case being immersed, the heat-exchanger may be directly extracting latent heat from the reservoir to a second circuit.

    [0041] In case being located outside the reservoir as illustrated in FIG 2, the heat-exchanger is part of both a second circuit and a first circuit, wherein the first circuit comprising a pump (G) for circulating the liquid stored in the reservoir through the heat-exchanger and wherein the heat-exchanger extracts latent heat from the first circuit towards the second circuit delivering heat to a heat consumer.

    [0042] The heat-exchanger used in the present invention may be any type of heat-exchanger suitable for being immersed in a reservoir directly delivering latent heat from the reservoir to a second circuit, or any type of heat-exchanger suitable for transferring latent heat from a first circuit towards a second circuit delivering heat to a heat consumer.

    [0043] Preferably, the heat-exchanger may be adapted for removing ice slurry, meaning that the heat-exchanger is adapted for forcing ice sticking at its surface again into the reservoir or into the first circuit. An example of such heat-exchanger may be a scraped surface exchanger, where a screw scrapes ice crystals formed on the inside surface of the heat exchanger producing ice slurry.

    [0044] Preferably, the heat-exchanger may be an evaporator, which may contribute to increased performance of the heat pump system.

    [0045] The liquid stored in the reservoir and the extrinsic liquid may comprise rain water, domestic waste water, seawater, manufacturing or industrial process water or fluids (waste or not waste), or combinations thereof. Consequently, the reservoir may be a rain water collector, a domestic waste water collector, a processing tank, cooling tanks, etc. Obviously, ground water and surface water may be also used but an advantage of the present invention is that thermal energy of rain water and/or waste waters can be used without being dependent on the local legislation with regards of the use of ground and surface waters.

    [0046] In an embodiment of the present invention, the heat pump system may additionally comprise a cooling circuit.

    [0047] Such cooling circuit (K) may be adapted for delivering cold to a consumer by circulating liquid and/or ice slurry stored in the reservoir as illustrated in FIG 3. For example in summer, when the temperature of the soil is lower than the ambient temperature, the liquid having soil temperature, may be circulated for cooling a consumer's premises, while keeping heating the consumer's domestic water.

    [0048] As illustrated in FIG 4, such cooling circuit (K) may be adapted not only for delivering cold to a cold consumer (D), but also for delivering heat to the reservoir. In this case a refrigerating or air-conditioning system may be implemented for extracting heat at a cold consumer's premises.

    [0049] In a particular embodiment, the cold consumer and the heat consumer may be the same entity, for example a consumer extracting heat from its refrigerating and freezing rooms, storing the heat in the reservoir, and delivering at least part of it to rooms to be heated.

    [0050] In accordance with the present invention, the heat pump system may comprise a plurality of heat-exchangers, a plurality of second circuits for delivering heat to a plurality of heat consumers, and a plurality of first circuits circulating liquid stored in a common reservoir. Optionally, the plurality of heat-exchangers may be installed at the premises of the plurality of heat consumers. For example each individual heat consumer may have an individual heat-exchanger installed (and a circulation pump) and appropriate tubing for extracting heat from a common reservoir (e.g. a common rain water collector beneath the road). This embodiment may be very advantageous in urbanized areas wherein lack of building space is a severe limitation for using heat pump heating.

    [0051] Alternatively, also a plurality of first circuits circulating liquid stored in a plurality of reservoirs may be used. In case several types of liquid may not be mixed, it would be advantageous to store separately rain water, domestic waste water, or process water, etc. and to provide a respective extrinsic liquid input for each reservoir.

    [0052] As explained already above, the reservoir or a number of the plurality of reservoirs may be incorporated in the soil, using, besides thermal energy from input of extrinsic liquid, also geothermal energy for heating the reservoir(s). Alternatively, they may be installed anywhere else optionally making use of any kind of waste heat sources or ambient heat for heating the reservoir(s).

    [0053] Further, by controlling the circulation pump feeding the heat-exchanger, the heat generation can be regulated based on the demand or the electrical off-peak hours to run the heat pump system. In this case the reservoir(s) may be used for storing heat to be delivered during electrical off-peak hours.

    EXAMPLE 1 illustrates the reduced reservoir size of a heat pump system in accordance with the present invention compared to conventional systems:



    [0054] An average Belgian house of 150 m2, occupied by 4 residents, isolated conform the current local regulations, exposed to the average Belgian weather conditions requires a reservoir of approximately 20 000 - 25 000 liters to supply heat for heating the house and for generating domestic hot water. The reservoir is incorporated in the soil requiring a ground level surface of less than a parking place for 1 car.

    EXAMPLE 2 illustrates the application of a heat pump system in accordance with the present invention in urbanized areas:



    [0055] The rainwater pit to supply water for the heat pump can be used by several users. The rainwater must then be distributed by a rainwater distribution loop. The rainwater reservoir is installed under the asphalt of the public road and is integrated with the other utility supplies and drain systems. Since the surface to collect rainwater is an important parameter in the design and sizing of the rainwater pit, it is beneficial to use the surface of the public road combined with the surfaces of the roofs of the houses to collect as much as possible rainwater. The system becomes now a public utility system that is explored and maintained by for example a public or private held utility company. It makes the use of heat pumps feasible in densely populated areas, which is almost impossible with the traditional heat pump technology.

    EXAMPLE 3 illustrates the application of a heat pump system in accordance with the present invention for industrial users:



    [0056] A lot of industrial complexes have large parking spaces and many square meters of flat roofs which are ideal to collect rainwater feeding the rainwater reservoirs. Often these complexes have also retention pits to assure a controlled drain of rainwater preventing floods in case of heavy rainfall. These retention pits can be transformed to rainwater reservoir feeding heat pumps and become useful from an energy supply perspective.

    [0057] In case the industrial activities are using cold rooms to store products as part of the supply chain or manufacturing process, the ice slurry can be used as cold source. The water - ice mixture in the rainwater reservoirs is not only suitable to supply latent heat for heating the building but it can also be used to supply cold for the cold rooms. In winter time this becomes a double win situation because the heat is extracted out of the cold room and is then used to heat the building. The rainwater acts as an energy carrier and an energy storage medium that compensates the gap between the supply and the demand of heat or cold which means less wasted energy.


    Claims

    1. A heat pump system comprising

    - a reservoir (B) for storing liquid and ice slurry,

    - a heat-exchanger (A) extracting latent heat from the liquid stored in the reservoir (B), thereby forming said ice slurry (F), said heat-exchanger being located either inside the reservoir, or outside the reservoir and being part of a circuit comprising a pump (G) for circulating the liquid,

    - a heat pump transferring said extracted heat (i) to a refrigerant circulating in a loop comprising said heat exchanger (A), and (ii) from the refrigerant to a heat consumer (C),

    characterized in that the heat pump system comprises

    - means (J) allowing removal of a portion of the ice slurry stored in the reservoir outward the system, and

    - an inlet (E) for replacing the removed portion by random input of extrinsic liquid into the reservoir, said extrinsic liquid being liquid originating from one or more sources external to the system and not originating from a recirculation loop wherein liquid originating from said removed ice slurry is recycled to the reservoir.


     
    2. A heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein the heat-exchanger comprises means for removing ice slurry from its surface into the reservoir or into the circuit for circulating the liquid.
     
    3. A heat pump system according to claim 2, wherein the heat-exchanger is a scraped surface heat exchanger.
     
    4. A heat pump system according to any of the above claims, wherein the heat-exchanger is an evaporator.
     
    5. A heat pump system according to any of the above claims, wherein the extrinsic liquid comprises rain water, domestic waste water, process water or fluid, or a combination thereof.
     
    6. A heat pump system according to any of the above claims, additionally comprising a cooling circuit (K) adapted for delivering cold to a cold consumer (D) and delivering heat to the reservoir.
     
    7. A heat pump system according to claim 6, wherein the cooling circuit is a refrigerating or air-conditioning system.
     
    8. A heat pump system according to any of the above claims, comprising a plurality of heat-exchangers, a plurality of heat pumps for delivering heat to a plurality of heat consumers, and a plurality of circuits circulating liquid stored in a common reservoir.
     
    9. A heat pump system according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of heat-exchangers is installed at the premises of the plurality of heat consumers.
     
    10. A heat pump system according to claims 1 to 7, comprising a plurality of circuits circulating liquid stored in a plurality of reservoirs.
     
    11. A heat pump system according to claim 10, wherein each of the reservoirs separately stores rain water, domestic water, process water or process fluid.
     
    12. A heat pump system according to any of the above claims wherein the reservoir or a number of the plurality of reservoirs is incorporated in the soil.
     
    13. A method for supplying heat to a consumer comprising the steps of:

    - Supplying liquid to a reservoir (B),

    - Extracting latent heat from said liquid by a heat exchanger in heat-exchanging contact with the liquid of said reservoir, and transferring said heat to a refrigerant circulating in a loop comprising said heat exchanger, thereby forming an ice slurry,

    - Transferring said heat from the refrigerant to the consumer,

    - storing said formed ice slurry in the reservoir (B), such that it melts at least partially, and re-using it as a heat source again containing latent heat, characterized in that the method further comprises the steps of:

    - removing a portion of the stored ice slurry from the reservoir outward the system and not recycled to the reservoir, and

    - replacing the removed ice slurry by random supply of extrinsic liquid randomly providing additional thermal energy to the reservoir for extracting latent heat from, said extrinsic liquid being liquid originating from one or more sources external to the system and not originating from a recirculation loop wherein liquid originating from said removed ice slurry is recycled to the reservoir.


     


    Ansprüche

    1. Wärmepumpensystem, das Folgendes umfasst

    - einen Behälter (B) zum Lagern von Flüssigkeit und Eispartikellösung,

    - einen Wärmeaustauscher (A), der latente Wärme aus der Flüssigkeit extrahiert, die in dem Behälter (B) gelagert ist, wodurch die Eispartikellösung (F) gebildet wird, wobei der Wärmeaustauscher entweder innerhalb des Behälters oder außerhalb des Behälters liegt und Teil eines Kreislaufs ist, der eine Pumpe (G) zum Umwälzen der Flüssigkeit umfasst,

    - eine Wärmepumpe, die die extrahierte Wärme (i) zu einem Kältemittel transferiert, das in einer Schleife zirkuliert, die den Wärmeaustauscher (A) umfasst, und (ii) von dem Kältemittel zu einem Wärmeverbraucher (C),

    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Wärmepumpensystem Folgendes umfasst

    - Mittel (J), die das Entfernen eines Abschnitts der Eispartikellösung, die in dem Behälter gelagert ist, nach außerhalb des Systems erlauben, und

    - einen Einlass (E) zum Ersetzen des entfernten Abschnitts durch zufällige Eingabe fremder Flüssigkeit in den Behälter, wobei die fremde Flüssigkeit Flüssigkeit ist, die aus einer oder mehreren Quellen außerhalb des Systems stammt und nicht aus einer Rezirkulationsschleife, wobei die Flüssigkeit, die aus der entfernten Eispartikellösung stammt, zu dem Behälter recycelt wird.


     
    2. Wärmepumpensystem nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Wärmeaustauscher Mittel zum Entfernen von Eispartikellösung von seiner Oberfläche in den Behälter oder in den Kreislauf für Umwälzen der Flüssigkeit umfasst.
     
    3. Wärmepumpensystem nach Anspruch 2, wobei der Wärmeaustauscher ein Schabeoberflächen-Wärmeaustauscher ist.
     
    4. Wärmepumpensystem nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Wärmeaustauscher ein Verdampfer ist.
     
    5. Wärmepumpensystem nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei die fremde Flüssigkeit Regenwasser, Haushaltsabwasser, Prozesswasser oder -fluid oder eine Kombination davon umfasst.
     
    6. Wärmepumpensystem nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, das zusätzlich einen Kühlkreislauf (K) umfasst, der angepasst ist, um Kälte zu einem Kälteverbraucher (D) zu liefern und Wärme zu dem Behälter zu liefern.
     
    7. Wärmepumpensystem nach Anspruch 6, wobei der Kühlkreislauf ein Kühl- oder Klimaanlagensystem ist.
     
    8. Wärmepumpensystem nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, das eine Vielzahl von Wärmeaustauschern, eine Vielzahl von Wärmepumpen zum Liefern von Wärme zu einer Vielzahl von Wärmeverbrauchern und eine Vielzahl von Kreisläufen, die Flüssigkeit umwälzen, die in einem gemeinsamen Behälter gelagert ist, umfasst.
     
    9. Wärmepumpensystem nach Anspruch 8, wobei die Vielzahl von Wärmeaustauschern an den Räumlichkeiten der Vielzahl von Wärmeverbrauchern installiert ist.
     
    10. Wärmepumpensystem nach den Ansprüchen 1 bis 7, das eine Vielzahl von Kreisläufen umfasst, die Flüssigkeit umwälzen, die in einer Vielzahl von Behältern gelagert ist.
     
    11. Wärmepumpensystem nach Anspruch 10, wobei jeder der Behälter separat Regenwasser, Haushaltswasser, Prozesswasser oder Prozessfluid lagert.
     
    12. Wärmepumpensystem nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Behälter oder eine Anzahl der Vielzahl von Behältern in den Boden eingebaut ist.
     
    13. Verfahren zum Liefern von Wärme zu einem Verbraucher, das die folgenden Schritte umfasst:

    - Liefern von Flüssigkeit zu einem Behälter (B),

    - Extrahieren latenter Wärme aus der Flüssigkeit durch einen Wärmeaustauscher in Wärmeaustauschkontakt mit der Flüssigkeit des Behälters, und Transferieren der Wärme zu einem Kältemittel, das in einer Schleife zirkuliert, die den Wärmeaustauscher umfasst, wodurch eine Eispartikellösung gebildet wird,

    - Transferieren der Wärme von dem Kältemittel zu dem Verbraucher,

    - Lagern der gebildeten Eispartikellösung in dem Behälter (B) derart, dass sie mindestens teilweise schmilzt, und Weiterverwenden dieser als eine Wärmequelle, die wieder latente Wärme enthält,

    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Verfahren weiter die folgenden Schritte umfasst:

    - Entfernen eines Abschnitts der gelagerten Eispartikellösung aus dem Behälter aus dem System heraus und der nicht zu dem Behälter recycelt wird, und

    - Ersetzen der entfernten Eispartikellösung durch zufällige Bereitstellung fremder Flüssigkeit, indem zufällig zusätzliche Wärmeenergie zu dem Behälter zum Extrahieren latenter Wärme aus der fremden Flüssigkeit bereitgestellt wird, wobei die fremde Flüssigkeit Flüssigkeit ist, die aus einer oder mehreren Quellen außerhalb des Systems stammt und nicht aus einer Rezirkulationsschleife stammt, wobei Flüssigkeit, die aus der entfernten Eispartikellösung stammt, zu dem Behälter recycelt wird.


     


    Revendications

    1. Système de pompe à chaleur comprenant

    - un réservoir (B) pour le stockage de liquide et de bouillie de glace,

    - un échangeur de chaleur (A) extrayant de la chaleur latente du liquide stocké dans le réservoir (B), formant ainsi ladite bouillie de glace (F), ledit échangeur de chaleur étant situé dans le réservoir, ou en dehors du réservoir et faisant partie d'un circuit comprenant une pompe (G) pour la circulation du liquide,

    - une pompe à chaleur transférant ladite chaleur extraite (i) à un réfrigérant circulant dans une boucle comprenant ledit échangeur de chaleur (A), et (ii) du réfrigérant à un consommateur de chaleur (C),

    caractérisé en ce que le système de pompe à chaleur comprend

    - des moyens (J) permettant le retrait d'une portion de la bouillie de glace stockée dans le réservoir à l'extérieur du système, et

    - une entrée (E) pour le remplacement de la portion retirée par entrée aléatoire de liquide extrinsèque dans le réservoir, ledit liquide extrinsèque étant du liquide provenant des une ou plusieurs sources externes au système et ne provenant pas d'une boucle de recirculation dans lequel du liquide provenant de ladite bouillie de glace retirée est recyclé jusqu'au réservoir.


     
    2. Système de pompe à chaleur selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'échangeur de chaleur comprend des moyens pour le retrait de bouillie de glace de sa surface dans le réservoir ou dans le circuit pour la circulation du liquide.
     
    3. Système de pompe à chaleur selon la revendication 2, dans lequel l'échangeur de chaleur est un échangeur de chaleur à surface raclée.
     
    4. Système de pompe à chaleur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'échangeur de chaleur est un évaporateur.
     
    5. Système de pompe à chaleur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le liquide extrinsèque comprend de l'eau de pluie, des eaux usées domestiques, de l'eau de processus ou du fluide, ou une combinaison de celles-ci.
     
    6. Système de pompe à chaleur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant en outre un circuit de refroidissement (K) adapté pour fournir du froid à un consommateur froid (D) et fournir de la chaleur au réservoir.
     
    7. Système de pompe à chaleur selon la revendication 6, dans lequel le circuit de refroidissement est un système réfrigérant ou de climatisation.
     
    8. Système de pompe à chaleur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant une pluralité d'échangeurs de chaleur, une pluralité de pompes à chaleur pour la fourniture de chaleur à une pluralité de consommateurs de chaleur, et une pluralité de circuits faisant circuler du liquide stocké dans un réservoir commun.
     
    9. Système de pompe à chaleur selon la revendication 8, dans lequel la pluralité d'échangeurs de chaleur est installée dans les locaux de la pluralité de consommateurs de chaleur.
     
    10. Système de pompe à chaleur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, comprenant une pluralité de circuits faisant circuler du liquide stocké dans une pluralité de réservoirs.
     
    11. Système de pompe à chaleur selon la revendication 10, dans lequel chacun des réservoirs stocke séparément de l'eau de pluie, de l'eau domestique, de l'eau de processus ou du fluide de traitement.
     
    12. Système de pompe à chaleur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le réservoir ou un nombre de la pluralité de réservoirs est incorporé dans le sol.
     
    13. Procédé pour fournir de la chaleur à un consommateur comprenant les étapes de :

    - fourniture de liquide à un réservoir (B),

    - extraction de chaleur latente dudit liquide par un échangeur de chaleur en contact par échange de chaleur avec le liquide dudit réservoir, et transfert de ladite chaleur à un réfrigérant circulant dans une boucle comprenant ledit échangeur de chaleur, formant ainsi une bouillie de glace,

    - transfert de ladite chaleur du réfrigérant au consommateur,

    - stockage de ladite bouillie de glace formée dans le réservoir (B) de sorte qu'elle fonde au moins partiellement, et réutilisation de celle-ci en tant que source de chaleur contenant de nouveau de la chaleur latente,

    caractérisé en ce que le procédé comprend en outre les étapes de :

    - retrait d'une portion de la bouillie de glace stockée du réservoir à l'extérieur du système et non recyclée jusqu'au réservoir, et

    - remplacement de la bouillie de glace retirée par fourniture aléatoire de liquide extrinsèque fournissant de manière aléatoire de l'énergie thermique supplémentaire au réservoir pour l'extraction de chaleur latente, ledit liquide extrinsèque étant du liquide provenant des une ou plusieurs sources externes au système et ne provenant pas d'une boucle de recirculation dans lequel du liquide provenant de ladite bouillie de glace retirée est recyclé jusqu'au réservoir.


     




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    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



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    Patent documents cited in the description