Hot water reservoir for district heating - pumps water over top of insulating cover to absorb solar radiation

摘要

A large water reservoir is formed in a lake to hold hot water between its production by the cooling system of a power station and its use by a district heating network. The water enters and leaves by pipes (6,7). The surface is covered by a floating lid (10) of thermally insulating plastic material. A pump (14) submersed in the reservoir lifts water through an opening (12) in the lid so that it flows over the top of the lid and returns by gravity through further openings (15) in the lid. The water absorbs solar radiation as a supplementary heating source while flowing over the lid. An outer cover (16) held above the lid (10) by supports (17) reduces heat loss by convection and radiation to the atmos.