Electric Heating Systems and Associated Methods

Abstract

Electric heating systems and associated methods that circulate a heating medium (e.g., antifreeze) and may comprise a tank, a pump, a motor blower, and/or a heater core. In certain applications, the electric heating systems may be used to heat the floor of a farm enclosure, such as the ground of a poultry house.

1 . An electric heating system for heating a floor of a farm enclosure, the electric heating system comprising:
 a tank for storing a heating medium;   an electric heating element disposed in the tank for heating the heating medium in the tank;   a pump for circulating the heating medium in the electric heating system; and   conduit fluidly connecting the pump and the tank, wherein at least a substantial portion of the conduit is located beneath a top surface of the floor.   
     
     
         2 . The electric heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the heating medium is present in the tank, and wherein the heating medium comprises antifreeze. 
     
     
         3 . The electric heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the tank comprises black iron. 
     
     
         4 . The electric heating system of  claim 1 , further comprising a relief valve disposed in a top of the tank. 
     
     
         5 . The electric heating system of  claim 1 , further comprising a thermostat for controlling the electric heating element. 
     
     
         6 . The electric heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the conduit comprises black iron. 
     
     
         7 . The electric heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the conduit comprises a material having a thermal conductivity at 25° C. of greater than or equal to 10 W/(m° C.). 
     
     
         8 . The electric heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the substantial portion of the conduit is located a distance of about 4 inches to about 8 inches beneath the top surface of the floor. 
     
     
         9 . The electric heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the substantial portion of the conduit is arranged in rows beneath the top surface of the floor with the rows spaced a distance of about 9 inches to about 24 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The electric heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the floor is a dirt floor, and wherein the substantial portion of the conduit is buried in the ground beneath the top surface of the dirt floor. 
     
     
         11 . The electric heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the floor is a concrete floor, and wherein the substantial portion of the conduit is located within the concrete floor. 
     
     
         12 . The electric heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the farm enclosure comprises a poultry house. 
     
     
         13 . An electric heating system for heating a dirt floor of a poultry house, the electric heating system comprising:
 a tank containing a heating medium comprising antifreeze;   an electric heating element disposed in the tank for heating the heating medium in the tank;   a pump for circulating the heating medium in the electric heating system; and   conduit fluidly connecting the pump and the tank, wherein the conduit comprises a buried portion that is in ground beneath a top surface of the dirt floor, wherein the conduit comprises a material having a thermal conductivity at 25° C. of greater than or equal to 10 W/(m° C.).   
     
     
         14 . The electric heating system of  claim 13 , wherein the material comprises black iron. 
     
     
         15 . The electric heating system of  claim 13 , wherein the material comprises a metal. 
     
     
         16 . The electric heating system of  claim 13 , wherein the buried portion of the conduit is located a distance of about 4 inches to about 8 inches beneath the top surface of the floor. 
     
     
         17 . The electric heating system of  claim 13 , wherein the buried portion of the conduit is arranged in rows beneath the top surface of the floor with the rows spaced a distance of about 9 inches to about 24 inches. 
     
     
         18 . The electric heating system of  claim 13 , wherein the farm enclosure comprises a chicken house. 
     
     
         19 . A method of heating a floor of a farm enclosure comprising:
 heating a liquid in a tank with an electric heating element, wherein the liquid comprises antifreeze;   circulating the liquid beneath a top surface of the floor such that the liquid heats the floor; and   returning the liquid to the tank.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the floor is a dirt floor, and wherein the circulating comprises circulating the liquid in ground beneath the top surface of the dirt floor.