Modular hydrotherm and operation method

Abstract

Control and handling of the temperature from water accumulator devices both open and closed such as swimming pools; with the capacity to extract heat energy from liquid water in a temperature range below 8° C. up to the freezing point; and the control and handling of temperatures in the premises and/or other devices located near the water accumulator device. A heat exchanger system has a first device having one or several water volumes in ponds, both open and closed, both natural and artificial such that it works as a heat battery; a primary heat exchanger device removable and/or fixed; a secondary device with a hydrothermal heat pump; a control device to handle flows and temperature; a tertiary device of closed water volume for sanitary water and/or a slab heating, and/or radiators, and/or solar collectors and/or devices where heat or cold and be irradiated.

1 - 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . A modular hydrothermal system with the capacity of extracting heat energy from liquid water in a temperature range below 8° C. up to before the freezing point, comprising:
 a primary circuit device that extracts energy from the water source and transfers it to a secondary circuit device; 
 a secondary circuit device that takes energy from the primary circuit device and transfers it to a heat pump which in turn transfers this energy to the tertiary circuit device; 
 a tertiary circuit device that depending whether it is solely for heating will channel the energy to elements aimed for that purpose otherwise it will provide energy for the thermostatting of sanitary hot water which may or not be helped in an auxiliary way with an auxiliary device; 
 an auxiliary device that helps with the necessary energy contribution for the sanitary hot water; and 
 a control device which capability is coordinating all the devices previously mentioned. 
 
     
     
         37 . The modular hydrothermal system of  claim 36 , wherein all the heat exchangers in the system incorporated in the different devices must have a low approach factor in order to produce a fast energy exchange with an exchange ratio within the range of between 1° C. to 100° C., preferably from 1° C. to 3° C. 
     
     
         38 . The modular hydrothermal system of  claim 36 , wherein the energy transfer is done with all the filling elements of the liquid state devices except for the heat pump, which has a gas component. 
     
     
         39 . The modular hydrothermal system of  claim 36 , wherein the energy transfer is done with all the filling elements of the devices with a constant flow and flow rate depending on what the system requires. 
     
     
         40 . The modular hydrothermal system of  claim 36 , wherein all its parts are interchangeable. 
     
     
         41 . The modular hydrothermal system of  claim 40 , wherein the interchangeable parts are preferably within the primary circuit device. 
     
     
         42 . The modular hydrothermal system of  claim 36 , wherein the primary circuit device comprises a water volume; alternatively a filter, a water circulating pump; and one part of the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         43 . The modular hydrothermal system of  claim 42 , wherein the primary circuit device water volume may or not be watertight, preferably watertight, may or not be buried although it is preferably buried, such as swimming pools, ponds, IBC (intermediate bulk container for transporting bulk products). 
     
     
         44 . The modular hydrothermal system of  claim 42 , wherein the primary circuit device water volume may or not be watertight, preferably not watertight, may or not be buried, although preferably buried such as rivers, lakes, sea, artificial ponds. 
     
     
         45 . The modular hydrothermal system of  claim 42 , wherein the primary circuit device water volume operates up to a water temperature slightly over 0° C. 
     
     
         46 . The modular hydrothermal system of  claim 42 , wherein the primary circuit device comprises a filter prior to the water circulating pump, whereby this filter retains impurities present in the water. 
     
     
         47 . The modular hydrothermal system of  claim 46 , wherein the primary circuit device comprises a filter prior to the water circulating pump. 
     
     
         48 . The modular hydrothermal system of  claim 42 , wherein the primary circuit device does not have a filter prior to the water circulating pump. 
     
     
         49 . The modular hydrothermal system of  claim 42 , wherein the exchanger part of the primary circuit device does not put the liquid of the primary circuit device in contact with the liquid of the secondary circuit device; it just transfers energy in the form of kilocalories. 
     
     
         50 . The modular hydrothermal system of  claim 49 , wherein primary circuit device capacity to achieve an instant energy transfer is over-sized and with a low approach factor. 
     
     
         51 . The modular hydrothermal system of  claim 36 , wherein the secondary circuit device comprises one part of the heat exchanger comprising a liquid not freezing at temperatures below 0° C. and a heat pump. 
     
     
         52 . The modular hydrothermal system of  claim 51 , wherein the secondary circuit device heat exchanger has over-sized capacity to achieve an instant energy transfer and with a low approach factor. 
     
     
         53 . The modular hydrothermal system of  claim 51 , wherein the secondary circuit device works with an antifreeze liquid such as mixtures of water with antifreeze, antifreeze alone, oils, liquid silicones, liquefied gases, special liquids for heat exchange. 
     
     
         54 . The modular hydrothermal system of  claim 51 , wherein the secondary circuit device heat pump is resistant to abrasion and mechanic stress and comprises a compressor, internal exchange circuits, gas flow control valves of 3 and/or 4 ways, a digital control mother plate and temperature control sensors. 
     
     
         55 . The modular hydrothermal system of  claim 54 , wherein the secondary circuit device heat pump encompasses a compressor such as of screw and/or of piston. 
     
     
         56 . The modular hydrothermal system of  claim 55 , wherein the secondary circuit device heat pump encompasses a screw compressor. 
     
     
         57 . The modular hydrothermal system of  claim 54 , wherein the secondary circuit device comprises internal exchange circuits such as tube, tube-in-tube, welded plates, plates and shell tube. 
     
     
         58 . The modular hydrothermal system of  claim 57 , wherein the secondary circuit device comprises internal exchanger circuits that are tube-in-tube. 
     
     
         59 . The modular hydrothermal system of  claim 54 , wherein the secondary circuit device gas flow control valves of 3 and/or 4 ways are preferably ball and/or electromagnetic valves. 
     
     
         60 . The modular hydrothermal system of  claim 36 , wherein the tertiary circuit device comprises a part of the heat exchanger of the heat pump which connects to the radiant elements, circulating pumps, a liquid disposed within the tertiary circuit, a radiant element of the construction and/or a hot water accumulation tank and/or another water volume and/or another application in an area to thermostate. 
     
     
         61 . The modular hydrothermal system of  claim 59 , wherein the tertiary circuit device liquid is solely water and/or a liquid with the same characteristics of the one used in the secondary circuit. 
     
     
         62 . The modular hydrothermal system of  claim 59 , wherein the tertiary circuit device comprises a thermal-radiant element in the construction such as heating slab and/or wall radiators, connected to the exit of the heat pump. 
     
     
         63 . The modular hydrothermal system of  claim 59 , wherein the tertiary circuit device comprises an internal coil in a hot water accumulation tank connected to the exit of the heat pump. 
     
     
         64 . The modular hydrothermal system of  claim 36 , wherein the auxiliary device comprises elements to aid in thermostatting sanitary hot water until reaching the temperature for its use, these elements comprising a circulating pump ( 3 H) and thermostatting equipment of solar water such as solar panels ( 4 A). 
     
     
         65 . The modular hydrothermal system of  claim 36 , wherein the control device comprises: a digital control mother plate that has a program or algorithm stored which actuates on the compressor, commanding the start-up or stop; actuating on the valves of 3 or 4 ways for controlling the transfer of the internal gas of the heat pump and for controlling the heat or cold thermal cycle; actuates on the recirculation pump of the primary circuit commanding the start-up or stop; actuates on the recirculation pump of the secondary circuit commanding the start-up or stop; actuates on the recirculation pump of the tertiary circuit commanding the start-up or stop; actuates on the recirculation pump of the tertiary circuit of the sanitary hot water commanding the start-up or stop; and actuates on the recirculation pump of the auxiliary device commanding the start-up or stop; and on the other hand all the changes are perceived by the system through temperature sensors arranged at the entrances and exits of the different devices. 
     
     
         66 . The modular hydrothermal system of  claim 65 , wherein the automatic control of the control device is designed so that all ingoing and outgoing temperatures of each primary, secondary and tertiary circuit is kept with a low approach factor, between 1° C. and 15° C. 
     
     
         67 . The modular hydrothermal system of  claim 66 , wherein the automatic control of the control device is designed so that all ingoing and outgoing temperatures of each primary, secondary and tertiary circuit is kept with a low approach factor, preferably between 1° C. and 5° C. 
     
     
         68 . A method to operate the heating of an infrastructure with the system described in  claim 36 , wherein the steps of:
 in the control device the operator positioning the operation in Temper Mode;   the operator definin the reference temperature of the infrastructure (temperature expected to be reached in the infrastructure);   automatically actuating the recirculation pump for thermostatting the infrastructure of the tertiary circuit;   the control device automatically reading the temperatures of the heating slab entry tertiary circuit and the heating slab exit tertiary circuit;   timing out;   the control device distinguishing whether the ingoing temperature of the heating slab is equal or higher than the reference temperature of the infrastructure;   if the temperature difference noted in point in said distinguishing is equal or higher, the heat pump, the recirculation pump of the primary circuit, the recirculation pump of the secondary circuit turning off automatically;   if the temperature difference noted in said distinguishing is lower, the recirculation pump of the primary circuit and the recirculation pump of the secondary circuit are actuated;   the control device automatically reading again the temperatures of the heating slab secondary circuit entry and the heating slab secondary circuit exit;   the control device second distinguishing whether the temperatures difference between the exit of the tertiary circuit of the heating slab minus the temperature at the entry of the tertiary circuit of the heating slab is equal or higher than the temperature difference of the tertiary circuit (previously defined as per the area to thermostate;   if the temperature difference indicated in the second distinguishing is equal or higher, the heat pump, the recirculation pump of the primary circuit, turning off the recirculation pump of the secondary circuit automatically;   if the temperature difference indicated in the second distinguishing is lower producing a timeout;   the control device third distinguishing whether the difference between the temperatures of the entry secondary circuit to the heat pump minus the temperature of the exit secondary circuit of the heat temperature is equal or higher to the temperature difference of the secondary circuit (previously defined as per the area to thermostate);   if the temperature difference indicated in the third distinguishing is equal or higher, the heat pump, the recirculation pump of the primary circuit, turning off the recirculation pump of the secondary circuit are automatically;   if the temperature difference indicated in the third distinguishing is lower, actuating the heat pump; and   again the control device distinguishing whether the ingoing temperature of the heating slab is equal or higher to the reference temperature of the infrastructure and thereby the control device keeps the control of the system.   
     
     
         69 . A method to operate the cooling of an infrastructure with the system described in  claim 36 , comprising the steps of:
 a. in the control device the operator positioning the operation in Cooling Mode;   b. the operator defining the reference temperature of the infrastructure (temperature expected to be reached in the infrastructure);   c. actuating the recirculation pump automatically for thermostatting the infrastructure of the tertiary circuit;   d. the control device automatically reading the temperatures of the heating slab entry tertiary circuit and the heating slab exit tertiary circuit;   e. timing out;   f. the ingoing temperature of the heating slab is lower than the reference temperature of the infrastructure;   g. if the temperature difference noted in point (f) is lower, the heat pump, the recirculation pump of the primary circuit, the recirculation pump of the secondary circuit turning off automatically;   h. if the temperature difference noted in point (f) is equal or higher, the recirculation pump of the primary circuit and actuating the recirculation pump of the secondary circuit;   i. timing out;   j. the control device automatically reading again the temperatures of the entry tertiary circuit of the heating slab and of the exit tertiary circuit of the heating slab;   k. the control device distinguishing whether the difference between the temperatures of the entry tertiary circuit of the heating slab minus the temperature of the exit tertiary circuit of the heating slab is equal or higher to the difference of temperature of the tertiary circuit (previously defined as per the area to thermostate);   l. if the temperature difference indicated in point (k) is equal or higher, the heat pump, turning off the recirculation pump of the primary circuit and the recirculation pump of the secondary circuit automatically;   ll. if the temperature difference indicated in point (k) is lower, the control device automatically reading the temperatures of the heating slab entry secondary circuit and of the heating slab exit secondary circuit;   n. timing out;   m. the control device distinguishing whether the difference between the temperatures of the exit secondary circuit of the heat pump minus the temperature of the entry secondary circuit of the heat pump is equal or higher to the difference of the temperature of the secondary circuit (previously defined as per the area to thermostate);   n. if the temperature difference indicated in point (m) is equal or higher, the heat pump, turning off the recirculation pump of the primary circuit and the recirculation pump of the secondary circuit automatically;   o. if the temperature difference indicated in point (m) is lower, actuating the heat pump; and   p. again the control device distinguishing whether the ingoing temperature of the heating slab is below the reference temperature of the infrastructure noted in point (f) and thereby the control device keeps the control of the system.   
     
     
         70 . A method to operate the thermostatting of sanitary hot water with the system described in  claim 36 , comprising the steps of:
 a. in the control device the operator positioning the operation in Sanitary Hot Water Mode;   b. the operator defining the reference temperature of the sanitary hot water tank;   c. actuating the recirculation pump automatically for thermostatting the sanitary hot water of the tertiary circuit;   d. the control device distinguishing whether the reference temperature of the sanitary hot water is higher or equal to the sanitary hot water tank;   e. if the temperature difference noted in point (d) is higher or equal, the heat pump, the recirculation pump of the primary circuit, turning off the recirculation pump of the secondary circuit and the sanitary hot water recirculation pump of the tertiary circuit automatically;   f. if the temperature difference noted in point (d) is lower, activating the recirculation pump of the primary circuit and the recirculation pump of the secondary circuit;   g. timing out;   h. the control device distinguishing whether the difference between the temperatures of the entry secondary circuit to the heat pump minus the temperature of the exit of the secondary circuit of the heat pump is equal or higher to the temperature difference of the secondary circuit (previously defined as per the area to thermostate);   i. if the temperature difference noted in point (h) is equal or higher, turning off the heat pump, the recirculation pump of the primary circuit, the recirculation pump of the secondary circuit and the sanitary hot water recirculation pump of the tertiary circuit automatically;   j. if the temperature difference noted in point (h) is lower, the control device automatically reading the temperatures of the entry secondary circuit of the heating slab and the exit secondary circuit of the heating slab;   k. the control device distinguishing whether the difference between the exit temperatures of the sanitary hot water of the tertiary circuit is equal or higher to the maximum hot water temperature (previously defined as per the optimal temperature for sanitary use);   l. if the temperature difference noted in point (k) is equal or higher, turning off the heat pump, the primary circuit recirculation pump, the secondary circuit recirculation pump and the tertiary circuit sanitary hot water recirculation pump automatically;   ll. if the temperature difference noted in point (j) is lower, activating the heat pump; and   m. again the control device distinguishing whether the reference temperature of the sanitary hot water is equal or higher than the temperature of the sanitary hot water tank noted in point (d) and consequently the control device keeps control of the system.