Thermal recycling system

Abstract

A thermal recovery system includes one or more thermal transfer tanks having a medium for facilitating heat transfer from the refrigerant conduit of a conventional air conditioning system to one or both of a fresh water line carrying fresh water to a user and a circulated water line circulating water.

1 . A thermal recovery system for heating fresh water, said system comprising:
 a thermal transfer unit having a heat transfer medium positioned therein;   a thermal gradient producing system including
 an endothermic unit configured to absorb heat from an outside environment, 
 an exothermic unit configured to release heat to the outside environment, 
 a conduit configured to contain a refrigerant, said conduit connecting the exothermic unit, the endothermic unit and a compressor in a serial manner, 
 said compressor being configured to compress and pump the refrigerant through the conduit, 
 wherein a portion of the conduit located between the compressor and the exothermic unit is routed through the transfer tank and transfer medium; and 
   a fresh water line configured to contain water under pressure, said water line being routed through the transfer tank and transfer medium,   wherein the heat transfer medium is configured to conduct heat from the conduit to the water line.   
     
     
         2 . The thermal recovery system of  claim 1 , wherein the conduit is positioned within the transfer unit so as to maximize a surface area contact with the transfer medium. 
     
     
         3 . The thermal recovery system of  claim 1 , wherein the water line is positioned within the transfer unit so as to maximize a surface area contact with the transfer medium. 
     
     
         4 . The thermal recovery system of  claim 1 , wherein the transfer medium comprises water. 
     
     
         5 . The thermal recovery system of  claim 1 , wherein a leak from one or both of the conduit and the water line will not affect the contents of the other. 
     
     
         6 . The thermal recovery system of  claim 1 , wherein the transfer unit includes at least one of a plastic, metal or fiberglass tank. 
     
     
         7 . The thermal recovery system of  claim 1 , wherein the transfer unit is configured to be located underground. 
     
     
         8 . The thermal recovery system of  claim 1 , wherein the transfer unit includes insulation. 
     
     
         9 . The thermal recovery system of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal gradient producing system comprises an air conditioning system. 
     
     
         10 . The thermal recovery system of  claim 1 , wherein an output of the water line is connected to an input of a conventional hot water heater. 
     
     
         11 . A thermal recovery system for heating circulating water, said system comprising:
 a thermal transfer unit having a heat transfer medium positioned therein;   a thermal gradient producing system including
 an endothermic unit configured to absorb heat from an outside environment, 
 an exothermic unit configured to release heat to the outside environment, 
 a conduit configured to contain a refrigerant, said conduit connecting the exothermic unit, the endothermic unit and a compressor in a serial manner, 
 said compressor being configured to compress and pump the refrigerant through the conduit, 
 wherein a portion of the conduit located between the compressor and the exothermic unit is routed through the transfer tank and transfer medium; and 
   a body of water having a water line and a pump for circulating water through the line,   wherein the water line is routed through the transfer tank and transfer medium, and   the heat transfer medium is configured to conduct heat from the conduit to the water within the line and reduce a temperature of the refrigerant.   
     
     
         12 . The thermal recovery system of  claim 11 , wherein the conduit is positioned within the transfer unit so as to maximize a surface area contact with the transfer medium. 
     
     
         13 . The thermal recovery system of  claim 11 , wherein the water line is positioned within the transfer unit so as to maximize a surface area contact with the transfer medium. 
     
     
         14 . The thermal recovery system of  claim 11 , wherein the transfer medium comprises water. 
     
     
         15 . The thermal recovery system of  claim 11 , wherein a leak from one or both of the conduit and the water line will not affect the contents of the other. 
     
     
         16 . A thermal recovery system for heating water and increasing the coefficient of performance of a thermal gradient producing system, said system comprising:
 a first thermal transfer unit having a first heat transfer medium positioned therein;   a second transfer unit having a second heat transfer medium positioned therein;   a thermal gradient producing system including
 an endothermic unit configured to absorb heat from an outside environment, 
 an exothermic unit configured to release heat to the outside environment, 
 a conduit configured to contain a refrigerant, said conduit connecting the exothermic unit, the endothermic unit and a compressor in a serial manner, 
 said compressor being configured to compress and pump the refrigerant through the conduit, 
 wherein a portion of the conduit located between the compressor and the exothermic unit is routed through the first and second transfer tanks, respectively; 
   a fresh water line configured contain water under pressure, said fresh water line being routed through the first transfer tank and transfer medium,   wherein the first heat transfer medium is configured to conduct heat from the conduit to the fresh water line; and   a body of water having a circulating water line and a pump for circulating water through the circulated water line,   wherein the circulated water line is routed through the transfer tank and transfer medium, and   the second heat transfer medium is configured to conduct heat from the conduit to the water within the circulated water line and reduce a temperature of the refrigerant.   
     
     
         17 . The thermal recovery system of  claim 16 , wherein the conduit is positioned within each of the first and second transfer units so as to maximize a surface area contact with the first and second transfer mediums, respectively. 
     
     
         18 . The thermal recovery system of  claim 16 , wherein the fresh water line is positioned within the first transfer unit so as to maximize a surface area contact with the first transfer medium. 
     
     
         19 . The thermal recovery system of  claim 16 , wherein the circulated water line is positioned within the second transfer unit so as to maximize a surface area contact with the second transfer medium. 
     
     
         20 . The thermal recovery system of  claim 16 , wherein a leak from one or all of the conduit, the fresh water line and the circulated water line will not affect the contents of the other.