Drain water heat recovery device, system and method

Abstract

Various devices, systems and methods affiliated with thermal recovery using heat transfer are disclosed. More specifically, the device and systems are directed to heat recovery device and systems for enhancing thermal energy transmission between two fluids. More particularly, the recovery of energy from heated fluid including drain water from appliances. The heat recovery device includes a plurality of layers: a first layer configured as an internal conduit for a first fluid flow; a second layer on the internal conduit; and an insulating jacket housing with a helical cut pathway for a second fluid flow. The device includes a thermal 10 exchange surface, couplings/caps, attachments and support elements. The device and systems include the thermal exchange surface including copper and copper/graphene mixtures for enhanced thermal exchange and recovery.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heat recovery device to enhance thermal energy transmission between non-potable water and potable water, the device comprising:
 a conduit for non-potable water drainage having a first end and a second end, the conduit comprising a first layer configured to contact the non-potable water and a second layer deposited on an outer surface of the first layer,
 wherein the first layer and second layer are comprised of one or more thermally conductive materials, the second layer having a thickness less than a thickness of the first layer; and 
   an insulating jacket housing surrounding the conduit and having an inlet housing end and an outlet housing end, the jacket housing comprising a helical cut pathway into an interior surface of the jacket housing and configured to transport potable water from the inlet housing end to the outlet housing end;
 wherein an innermost diameter of the jacket housing, formed by inner facing channel edges of the helical cut pathway, is disposed flush against and matches an exterior circumferential surface of the second layer, such that the potable water flowing through the helical cut pathway is exposed to contact the exterior circumferential surface of the second layer. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first coupling configured to receive the inlet housing end and the second end of the conduit, the first coupling comprising an inlet portal in fluid communication with the helical cut pathway at the inlet housing end; and   a second coupling configured to receive the outlet housing end and the first end of the conduit, the second coupling comprising an outlet portal in fluid communication with the helical cut pathway at the outlet housing end;   wherein a length of the conduit is longer than a length of the jacket housing, the conduit disposed within the jacket housing such that the first end and the second end each extend beyond the outlet housing end and inlet housing end respectively.   
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the first coupling and the second coupling are comprised of a clear PVC, the jacket housing is comprised of a PVC, and the helical cut pathway has a rectangular cross section. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of attachments at the first end of the conduit, the second end of the conduit, the inlet housing end and the outlet housing end;
 wherein the plurality of attachments includes a pair of end couplings, a pair of “O” rings, and a pair of end caps.   
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein
 a first end coupling of the pair of end couplings comprises an inlet portal, and a second end coupling of the pair of end couplings comprises an outlet portal,   the inlet portal and the outlet portal each connected to a pathway opening located at the inlet housing end and at the outlet housing end respectively;   each of the pair of “O” rings disposed between one of the pair of end couplings and one of the pair of end caps, and configured to surround the first end of the conduit or the second end of the conduit respectively; and   wherein each of the inlet housing end and the outlet housing end is enclosed within a respective end coupling, and each of the first end of the conduit and the second end of the conduit extends through a respective end coupling and partly into a respective end cap.   
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 4 ,
 wherein the plurality of attachments further includes a pair of end connectors, each configured to engage with one of the pair of end caps; and   wherein the pair of end caps and the pair of end couplings are comprised of a clear PVC.   
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the thermally conductive materials comprise a metal composite mixture including at least one selected from the group consisting of aluminum, brass, cadmium, copper, graphene, nickel, steel, stainless steel, zinc, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein the first layer and the second layer each comprise copper. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 8 , wherein the first layer and the second layer each comprise at least a copper mixture or a copper-graphene composite mixture. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein first layer and the second layer are mechanically bonded together. 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein an interior surface of the first layer further comprises at least one super hydrophilic/oleophobic coating. 
     
     
         12 . A thermal recovery device to enhance thermal energy transmission between two fluids, the device comprising a plurality of layers including:
 a first inner layer configured to surround and transport a first fluid;   a second outer layer deposited on to an outer surface of the first inner layer;   wherein the first inner layer and the second outer layer are mechanically bonded and together form a thermal exchange surface layer enhancing thermal transmission; and   a third insulating layer surrounding and concealing the second outer layer, the third insulating comprising a helical channel cut into an interior surface of the third insulating layer and configured to transport a second fluid;   wherein an innermost diameter of the third insulating layer contacts flush against an exterior surface of the second outer layer;   such that the second fluid which flows within the helical channel is exposed to the second outer layer and receives thermal energy from the first fluid.   
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 12 , wherein an interior surface of the first inner layer further comprises at least one super hydrophilic/oleophobic coating selected from the group consisting of TiO 2  (Titanium dioxide), SiO 2  (Silica dioxide), GO (Graphene Dioxide), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), chitosan (CTS), glutaraldehyde (GA) with TiO 2  (Titanium oxide) nanoparticles and plasma films using oxygen or ammonia. 
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 12 , further comprising
 a spirit level attached to an outside surface of the third insulating layer; and   wherein the plurality of layers are arranged cylindrically and concentrically in a vertical direction.   
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a first coupling disposed at a first terminal end of the device and a second coupling disposed at a second terminal end of the device;   wherein each coupling comprised of a clear PVC and configured to centrally receive one of the first and second terminal ends, and maintain a connection of the third insulating layer on the second outer layer; and   wherein the first coupling comprises an inlet and the second coupling comprises outlet, the inlet and outlet each fluidly connected to a corresponding end of the helical channel in the third insulating layer.   
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 12 , wherein the thermal exchange surface layer includes
 micro-dendritic structures resulting from deposition of the second outer layer on to the outer surface of the first inner layer such that a surface area of the second outer layer is increased, and   wherein the second outer layer has a thickness less than a thickness of the first inner layer.   
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 12 , wherein the first inner layer comprises a copper/graphene mixture, the second outer layer comprises a copper/graphene mixture and the third insulating layer comprises a PVC. 
     
     
         18 . A heat recovery system to enhance thermal energy transmission between non-potable water and potable water comprising:
 the device according to  claim 1 ;   a first connector having an entry side and an exit side, the entry side configured to engage with a non-potable water drainage stack, and the exit side configured to engage with a first end cap, wherein the first end cap receives the first end of the conduit through a first “O”-ring and through a first coupling and wherein the outlet housing end is disposed inside the first coupling, the first coupling including an outlet portal in fluid communication with the helical cut pathway at the outlet housing end;   an outlet connection configured to engage with the outlet portal and with a potable water outlet;   a second connector having receiving side and emitting side, the receiving side configured to engage with a second end cap, and the emitting side configured to engage with the non-potable water drainage stack, wherein the second end cap receives the second end of the conduit through a second “O”-ring and through a second coupling and wherein the inlet housing end is disposed inside the second coupling, the second coupling including an inlet portal in fluid communication with the helical cut pathway at the inlet housing end; and   an inlet connection configured to engage with the inlet portal and with a potable water inlet.   
     
     
         19 . A method for heat recovery between non-potable water and potable water using a heat recovery device comprising a conduit configured for non-potable flow in one direction and a jacket housing surrounding and positioned flush against an exterior surface of the conduit, wherein the jacket housing comprises a helical rectangular cut channel in an interior surface along a length of the jacket housing configured for potable water flow in another direction, the method comprising:
 guiding non-potable water through an inside of the conduit, the non-potable water received at a first end of the conduit and discharged through a second end of the conduit;   receiving potable water at an inlet end of the rectangular cut channel of the jacket housing, wherein the inlet end is at an opposite end from the first end of the conduit;   circulating the potable water through the rectangular cut channel, the circulating potable water having direct contact with the exterior surface of the conduit;   transferring thermal energy from the inside of the conduit to the exterior surface;   heating the potable water from the contact with the exterior surface; and   emitting the potable water at an outlet end of the rectangular cut channel of the jacket housing.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 ,
 wherein the step of receiving potable water is conducted through an inlet portal disposed on a first coupling engaged with the inlet end and the second end;   wherein the step of emitting the potable water is conducted through an outlet portal disposed on a second coupling engaged with the outlet end and the first end; and   wherein the first coupling and the second coupling maintaining a connection of the jacket housing with the conduit.