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(11) | EP 4 520 880 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
| published in accordance with Art. 153(4) EPC |
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| (54) | SYSTEM FOR RECOVERING HEAT FROM WATER FROM A SHOWER, BATH TUB OR SIMILAR |
| (57) The invention relates to a system for recovering heat from water from a shower, bath
tub or similar, which comprises a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between greywater
from the shower tray, bath tub or similar and the water to be supplied, in order to
transfer heat carried by the greywater to the water to be supplied. The system comprises
a vertical column defined by two surfaces facing each other and which is provided
with a hollow internal chamber provided with an inlet for water to be supplied and
an outlet connected to a water outlet point; a greywater supply pipe running outside
the vertical column, provided to collect greywater from the shower tray, bath tub
or similar and carry it to the upper part of the vertical column; and water spraying
means connected to the greywater supply pipe, the spraying means being positioned
such that they provide a flow of greywater that falls under the effect of gravity
onto the two opposite sides of the vertical column. |
Object of the invention
[0001] The object of the present invention is to provide a heat recovery system for water from a shower, bathtub or similar.
[0002] More specifically, the invention is aimed at the construction sector and proposes the development of a heat recovery system for a shower tray that allows energy savings to be obtained in the heating of the hot water that is consumed.
Backgrounds of the invention
[0003] Nowadays there is a continuous search to find systems and devices to improve energy efficiency in homes. To this end, heat recovery devices are known for sanitary installations, such as shower trays or bathtubs that aim to reduce energy consumption for the heating of sanitary water intended for such uses.
[0004] Examples of devices of the type mentioned above are disclosed, for example, in the documents ES 2641283, ES 1158883, NL 1014215, NL 1032458, which have a heat exchanger medium (consisting of plates or coils) located below the surface of the shower tray or are part of it. Although these systems satisfactorily comply with the energy function, in practice they imply an increase in the height of the shower tray itself, which can worsen ergonomics as this fact can be a difficulty for people who have a mobility problem or have reduced mobility.
[0005] Furthermore, the applicant is currently unaware of any invention that has all the features described in this report.
Description of the invention
[0006] The present invention has been developed in order to provide a heat recovery system that is a novelty within the field of application and solves the aforementioned drawbacks, also contributing other additional advantages that will be obvious from the description below.
[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a heat recovery system for the water of a shower, bathtub or similar, which includes a heat exchanger between the grey water from the shower tray, bathtub or similar and the water to be supplied, to transfer the heat provided by the grey water to the water to be supplied. In particular, the invention is characterized by the fact that the heat exchanger comprises:
- a vertical column, with a rectangular cross-section, defined by flat faces facing each other, and provided with a hollow inner chamber equipped with a water inlet to be supplied and an outlet port connected to an outlet port, a grey water supply pipe that runs outside the vertical column intended to collect grey water from the shower tray, bathtub or similar and lead it to the top of the vertical column,
- water diffusing means connected to the greywater supply pipe, the diffusing means being located in such a way as to provide a flow of greywater that falls by gravity on the two opposite sides of the vertical column,
- pumping means configured to drive grey water through the supply pipe from the shower tray, bathtub or similar to the top of the column, and
- Sensor means connected to the pumping means intended to detect a pressure value, such that in the event that a value lower than a predetermined pressure value detected is detected inside the inner chamber, the sensor means send a signal to the pumping means to interrupt the supply of grey water through the supply pipe.
[0008] Thanks to these characteristics, an energy-saving system is obtained that is easy to install since it does not require, for example, a construction work, without implying a greater height of the shower tray, bathtub or similar.
[0009] The arrangement of the sensing means, such as a positive pressure sensor, allows the operation of the system to be interrupted in the event that there is no minimum pressure inside the flat heat exchanger, i.e. the inner chamber) to avoid having waste grey water on the outer wall in case there is a risk of grey water returning to the drinking water circuit due to depression in the network.
[0010] Preferably, the diffusing means comprise two branches extending from the greywater supply pipe, each located on an opposite side of the column, which are provided with at least one greywater outlet hole.
[0011] Advantageously, the vertical column includes guide means intended to guide the grey water along the surface of each of the facing faces.
[0012] Preferably, such guide means consist of at least one fin that protrudes transversely with respect to the faces and extends along the entire length of the vertical column.
[0013] Additionally, the system may include a protective cap that covers the length of the vertical column, so that the system is hidden and protected from dirt or external agents.
[0015] The heat recovery system above-described therefore represents an innovative structure with structural and constitutive characteristics unknown until now for the purpose for which it is intended, reasons that, together with its practical utility, provide it with sufficient grounds to obtain the privilege of exclusivity requested.
[0016] Other characteristics and advantages of the heat recovery system that is the object of the present invention will become apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive embodiment, which is illustrated by way of non-exhaustive example in the accompanying drawings, in which:
Brief description of the drawings
[0017]
Figure 1 is a schematized view of a shower installation provided with a heat recovery system according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of an installation of said equipped with the heat recovery system according to the present invention;
Figure 3 is a view in front perspective of the vertical column, that is, seen from the face facing the user, where some parts have been omitted for clarity purpose;
Figure 4 is a view in front perspective of the vertical column, that is, seen from the face facing the user, provided with a heater-accumulator, some parts have been omitted for clarity purposes;
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the vertical column that is part of the heat recovery system;
Figure 6 is a schematized view of a second alternative embodiment of a shower installation provided with a heat recovery system according to the present invention; and
Figure 7 is a schematized view of a third alternative embodiment of a shower installation provided with a heat recovery system according to the present invention.
Description of a preferred embodiment of the invention
[0018] In view of the aforementioned figures and, in accordance with the numbering adopted, it is possible to observe in them an example of preferred embodiment of the invention, which includes the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below.
[0019] In addition, the terms first, second, third and similar in the description and claims are used to distinguish between similar elements and not necessarily to describe a sequential or chronological order. Terms may be interchanged in appropriate circumstances and embodiments of the invention may operate in sequences other than those described or illustrated in this specification.
[0020] Figure 1 shows an installation of a shower (1) comprising a heat recovery system, comprising a heat exchanger that acts between the grey water from the shower and the water to be supplied, to transfer the heat provided by the grey water to the water to be supplied.
[0021] It should be mentioned that the recovery system may also be used to treat the water from two or more showers.
[0022] More precisely, this heat exchanger comprises a vertical column (2) with a narrow rectangular cross-section, made of stainless steel, defined by flat faces or walls (20, 21) facing each other, defining a hollow inner chamber (22) (as shown in a schematic way in Figure 5) provided with an inlet (3) of water to be supplied and an outlet port connected to an outlet port, in this case, connected to conventional taps (4). The system comprises a grey water supply pipe (5) that runs outside the vertical column intended to collect the grey water from the shower tray (1) and lead it to the upper part of the vertical column (2) so that heat exchange can take place between the grey water and the sanitary water to be released through the taps (4).
[0023] Water diffusing means are also provided connected to the grey water supply pipe (5), the diffusing means being located in such a way as to provide a flow of grey water that falls by gravity on the two opposite sides (vertical surfaces) of the vertical column. It should be mentioned that the grey water leaves the interior chamber (22) through an outlet (23) located in a lower area of the vertical column (2) and is directed to a drain (11) located in the shower tray (1).
[0024] Referring to these diffusing means, they comprise two branches (6, 7) that extend from the grey water supply pipe, each of them located on an opposite side of the vertical column (2). Each of the branches (6, 7) is provided with a plurality of holes (8) for the outlet of grey water from the grey water supply pipe (5).
[0025] To drive the grey water through the supply pipe from the shower tray (1) to the top of the column, a conventional pump (9) is provided (so we will not go into more detail in its explanation) and a pressure switch (10) (sensor means) connected to the pump designed to detect a pressure value, such that in the event that a value lower than a predetermined pressure value detected is detected inside the inner chamber, the sensing means send a signal to a conventional pump (9) to interrupt the flow of grey water through the grey water supply pipe (5).
[0026] As can be seen in Figure 2, a protective cap (12) is provided, consisting of a U-shaped profile, which covers the entire length of the vertical column (2), so that the system is hidden and protected from dirt or external agents.
[0027] To ensure that the water covers most of the surfaces (which correspond to the walls of the inner chamber), the vertical column (2) includes guide means configured to guide the greywater along the surface of each of the facing faces, consisting of at least one fin (24) protruding from one end transversely with respect to the faces and extending along the length of the entire length of the vertical column (2), while at the opposite end a protrusion (25) is provided.
[0028] This system described can also be part of a set that includes a vertical tank-heater attached to the exchanger, as can be seen in figures 4 and 6. This tank-heater (13) can be powered by solar photovoltaic energy, from the general electricity grid or a combination of both. In this embodiment, as can be seen in greater detail in Figure 6, the water heated by the vertical column (2) (which comes out at 30ºC) can be sent to the heating tank (13) through a pipe (14) and then provide hot water to the tap (for example, at a temperature of 60ºC) through a pipe (15) or be sent directly to the tap (4) through a pipe (16) to be mixed later with the hot water (e.g. 60ºC) from the tank-heater to supply a flow rate at a temperature of 37ºC.
[0029] Figure 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the system where the same elements have the same numerical references, being in this particular case applicable to provide hot water to two taps (4, 4') located at different points or locations in space.
1. Heat recovery system for water from a shower, bathtub or similar, comprising a heat
exchanger between the grey water from the shower tray, bathtub or similar and the
water to be supplied, configured to transfer the heat provided by the grey water to
the water to be supplied, characterised in that the heat exchanger comprises:
a vertical column defined by two faces facing each other, and provided with a hollow inner chamber provided with a water inlet to be supplied and an outlet port connected to a water outlet port, a grey water supply pipe running outside the vertical column intended to collect grey water from the shower tray, bathtub or similar, and lead it to the top of the vertical column,
water diffusing means connected to the grey water supply pipe, the diffusing means being located in such a way as to provide a flow of greywater that falls by gravity on the two opposite sides of the vertical column,
pumping means configured to drive grey water through the supply pipe from the shower tray, bathtub or similar to the top of the column, and
sensor means connected to the pumping means intended to detect a pressure value, such that in the event that a value lower than a predetermined pressure value detected is detected inside the inner chamber, the sensor means send a signal to the pumping means to interrupt the supply of grey water through the supply pipe.
2. Heat recovery system according to claim 1, characterised in that the diffusing means comprise two branches extending from the grey water supply pipe,
each located on an opposite side of the column, which are provided with at least one
grey water outlet hole.
3. Heat recovery system according to claim 1, characterised in that the vertical column includes guide means configured to guide grey water along the
surface of each of the faces facing each other.
4. Heat recovery system according to claim 3, characterised in that the guide means consist of at least one fin protruding transversely from the faces
and extending along the entire length of the vertical column.
5. Heat recovery system according to claim 1, characterised in that it includes a protective cap covering the length of the vertical column.
6. Heat recovery system according to claim 1, characterised in that the vertical column is made of stainless steel.
7. Heat recovery system according to claim 1, characterised in that the water outlet port is in fluid communication with a tap.
8. Heat recovery system according to claim 1, characterised in that the water outlet port is in fluid communication with a tank-heater.
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description