Thermal gradient fluid header for multiple heating and cooling systems

摘要

Apparatus and method for heating/cooling buildings and other facilities. An elongate pipe filled with water or other fluid medium forms a thermal gradient header having temperature zones that are progressively warmer towards one end and cooler towards the other. Multiple heating/cooling systems are connected to the header so as to draw fluid from zones that are closest in temperature to the optimal intake temperature of each system, and to discharge fluid back to the header at zones that are closest to the temperature to the optimal output temperature of each system, allowing each heating/cooling system to take advantage of the thermal output of other systems. The pipe forming the thermal gradient header may be routed back and forth in the facility to define a series of legs containing the different temperature zones. A boiler or other source may supply makeup heat to the thermal gradient header, and excess heat may be sent from the header to a ground field or other thermal reservoir for later use.

主权项

1. Apparatus for increasing efficiency of heating and cooling systems for buildings and other facilities, said apparatus comprising:
an elongate thermal gradient header having at least one zone containing fluid at a relatively higher temperature and at least one zone containing fluid at a relatively lower temperature; and a plurality of heating/cooling systems that draw said fluid from said thermal gradient header and discharge said fluid back thereto, each of the heating/cooling systems having an intake connected to a first one of the zones of the header that contains said fluid at a temperature closer to an optimal intake temperature of the heating/cooling system, and a discharge connected to a second of said zones that contains said fluid at a temperature that is closer to an optimal discharge temperature of said system.