Abstract:
A system for utilizing low energy includes a terminal, a heating circuit and a ground circuit, wherein heat bound to a medium circulating in the ground circuit is transferred with the terminal, such as a ground heat pump, to the heating circuit. The ground circuit is implemented with an inner pipe and outer pipe surrounding it in such a way that the outer end of the outer pipe is closed, wherein, depending on the flow direction, the medium can move at the end of the pipe from the inner pipe to the outer pipe and vice versa. Further, a pipe for utilizing low energy is provided.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a Section 371 of International Application No. PCT/FI2007/050040, filed Jan. 26, 2007, which was published in the English language on Aug. 2, 2007, under International Publication No. WO 2007/085700 A1 and the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to utilizing low energy, and particularly to a system in which thermal energy is transferred with a terminal, such as a heat pump, from the ground, rock or water via a mediating fluid. 
         [0003]    Low energy means here a low temperature of a heat source, which may be for instance +2 to +10 degrees. In this description, the ground heat provided by a heat source, such as the ground, rock or water, will be referred to as low energy. Utilization of the low energy of the ground, rock or water has usually been heating of a building or service water by means of, for example, a heat pump or a thermal collection circuit. The operating principle of such a ground heat system corresponds to that of a freezer but is inverse, whereby the system cools the ground and heats a water accumulator, for instance. Frequently, 2 to 4 units of heat are obtained per one electric energy unit used. The coefficient of utilization is remarkably better than in direct electric heating. In cold climates, the heating energy consumption of real estates is considerably high. Utilizing ground heat becomes more and more profitable as the costs of electricity and oil increase. 
         [0004]    This kind of low-energy system can also alternatively be utilized for cooling interiors, for instance by circulating mediating fluid from the ground via cooling bars or the like. 
         [0005]    One common way of recovering heat is a pipe system positioned horizontally at a depth of about 1 meter. However, such a pipe system requires a large area, whereby it can only be used in large sites. The collection circuit may be in the ground or in water. Positioning a horizontal pipe system in the ground requires digging a pipe trench for the whole area of the collection circuit. The pipe loops of the circuit must be at a distance of at least 1.5 m from each other, so that the adjacent loops do not impede each other&#39;s heat recovery. Positioning a horizontal pipe in a park, for example, is difficult without damaging roots of plants and trees. 
         [0006]    A second common way of recovering heat is a heat well. Here, a pipe system is embedded in a hole bored in rock. A heat well, i.e. a bore well, is usually bored in the vertical direction. Compared with a horizontal pipe system, a very small area is required for a heat well. However, there may be a considerable layer of overburden of dozens of meters upon the rock. The portion of the overburden must be provided with a protecting pipe, which increases the costs. Thus, the soil having a thick layer of overburden restricts the positioning of a heat well. The heat yield is usually greater in a heat well than in a horizontal pipe system. The heat yield from a heat well depends partly on the flow of ground water. It is, however, impossible to estimate the flow of groundwater without implementing expensive boring. 
         [0007]    A third common way of heat recovery is to position a heat recovery pipe system on the bottom of a lake or another waterway, whereby heat is transferred from the bottom sediment and water to the mediating solution. A pipe can be taken to water in the ground but in such a case there must be separate pits for supply and return pipes. It is easy to install a water-positioned pipe system on the bottom of a waterway. A solution-filled pipe is, however, lighter than water, whereby it tends to rise upwards. The risen pipe portions may cause air pockets impeding the circulation. Thus, the pipe must be anchored onto the bottom with a sufficient number of weights. A pipe system positioned on the bottom is also susceptible to breaking. An anchor of a boat or the like may stick to the pipe system and break a pipe. At the water edge, the supply and return pipes must be dug into the bottom so that the ice will not break the pipe system. 
         [0008]    Selection between these three ways depends, however, on the location, surface area and soil of the area that can be used. Low-energy networks have been designed to be implemented in such a way that several houses share one greater thermal collection circuit. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    An object of the invention is thus to provide a pipe and a system in such a way that above problems can be solved. The object of the invention is achieved with a pipe and a system that are characterized in what is stated in the independent claims. The preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims. 
         [0010]    The invention is based on the idea that the receiving circuit of low energy, such as a ground circuit of a ground heat pump, is implemented with a pipe, the outer periphery of which has recess portions extending inwards. The outer end of the pipe is closed, whereby the solution may, depending on the flow direction, move at the end of the pipe from the inner pipe portion to the outer pipe portion or vice versa. The inner and outer pipe portion may be provided with two separate pipes or with one pipe, in which the outer pipe is formed around the inner pipe. 
         [0011]    One object of the invention is to provide a system for implementing a receiving circuit of low energy of a terminal. 
         [0012]    Another object of the invention is to provide a pipe for implementing a receiving circuit of low energy of a terminal. 
         [0013]    In accordance with an embodiment of one object of the invention, the system comprises a terminal and a ground circuit, wherein heat bound to the mediating fluid circulating in the circuit is conveyed with a ground heat pump for example to a heating circuit of a real estate. The ground circuit is implemented with an inner pipe and with an outer pipe surrounding it in such a way that the outer end of the outer pipe is closed, whereby the solution may, depending on the flow direction, move at the end of the pipe from the inner pipe to the outer pipe and vice versa. 
         [0014]    The ground circuit of the system may be positioned horizontally by, for instance, digging it into a trench. The pipe according to the invention allows the circuit to be implemented without a separate return pipe. The length of the trench dug for the ground circuit decreases depending on the area of the outer surface of the outer pipe. 
         [0015]    The pipe may be positioned in the ground downwards from the horizontal plane by boring slantingly. The boring may also be implemented not only on rock but also between rock and the ground surface with a ground auger because no separate pit is needed for the return pipe of the circuit. The pipe according to the invention enables the positioning of the pipe under a waterway, where the pipe is protected. The hole for the pipe being bored obliquely downwards, the outer end of the pipe can be positioned deeper, where the temperature is also higher. Slanting the pipe downwards allows air to discharge from the pipe system. Slanting of the pipe may be varied according to the soil. The pipe needs not be straight but it can be turned and bent in a way enabled by the ground boring. The pipe according to the invention allows a ground circuit to be implemented under waterways, parks, roads or even buildings because no separate return pipe is needed. 
         [0016]    In accordance with a second embodiment, the ground circuit comprises a main pipe system connected to a terminal, two or more said pipes having an inner pipe and an outer pipe being joined to the main pipe system. The main pipe system may be implemented as a separate system but in such a case heat transfer must be minimized by separating the pipes from each other or by insulating the main pipe conveying heated mediating fluid. The number and length of the pipes may be varied according to the area and soil to be used. It is to be noted that not only a pipe according to the invention but also ground circuits implemented in conventional ways can be joined to the main pipe system. 
         [0017]    In accordance with an embodiment of a second object of the invention, mediating medium is conveyed away from the heat pump in the inner pipe of a pipe comprising an outer pipe and an inner pipe inside it, and mediating fluid heated by ground heat is received to the heat pump from the space between the outer surface of the inner pipe and the inner surface of the outer pipe surrounding it. In a hole bored obliquely or directly downwards, the temperature is higher at the final end of the pipe. Conveying the mediating medium as cold as possible to a lower location provides, at the end of the pipe, the greatest possible temperature difference between the mediating fluid and the substance outside the pipe, such as soil, water or filling material positioned outside the pipe. A great temperature difference enables efficient transfer of heat energy to the mediating medium. 
         [0018]    In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the pipe comprises an inner pipe, in the outside of which there are outer pipe portions that are separated with recess portions and form an outer pipe. The outer pipe provides, thanks to the recess portions in it, a greater area with which to transfer energy to the mediating solution because energy may also be transferred through the side walls of the recess portions. A greater area gives a good starting point for utilizing a phase change of the substance outside the pipes. The substance outside the pipe may freeze or melt, i.e. turn from liquid into solid and vice versa. Further, the recess portions allow the pipe to be bent without making the shape of the pipe disadvantageous with regard to the functioning of the pipe. The pipe can be bent more easily than a coaxial pipe with no recess portions at the outer periphery. The pipe is preferably manufactured on a coil in connection with the manufacture, whereby it is still warm and bends more easily. Heating makes the unbending of the pipe from the coil easier. The pipe may be heated by, for example, conveying warm liquid into both pipe portions, whereby the bending becomes easier. Thanks to the recess portions, it is also possible to heat the inner pipe with heating external to the pipe. In accordance with yet one embodiment of the invention, the pipe comprises an outer pipe, inside which an inner pipe is arranged. The outer surface of the inner pipe is arranged to be separate from the inner surface of the outer pipe by means of recess portions arranged in the outer pipe. The recess portions may be formations of the outer pipe that align the inner pipe to the center of the outer pipe. Furthermore, the recess portions allow the pipe to be bent without making the shape of the pipe disadvantageous with regard to the functioning of the pipe. The end of the pipe is arranged to receive the end section closing the end of the outer pipe in such a way that the mediating fluid conveyed in the pipe can, depending on the flow direction, move at the end from the inner pipe to the outer pipe or vice versa to implement a thermal collection circuit. Closing the pipe may be implemented in various ways, depending on the boring equipment and manners. It is essential, however, that the end section closes only the end of the outer pipe, whereby the solution can move from one pipe to another. Transfer of the mediating fluid can be facilitated for instance with end section shaping which guides the flow from the inner pipe outwards or vice versa. 
         [0019]    The material of the pipe is polyethylene, for example. The diameter of the outer pipe may be for instance 100 mm, and the diameter of the inner pipe may be for instance 40 mm. In this case, the outer pipe provides an outer periphery greater than the inner pipe and, due to the recess portions in it, a greater area, with which energy is transferred to the mediating solution. 
         [0020]    The volume between the inner surface of the outer pipe and the outer surface of the inner pipe in relation to the volume of the inner pipe can be increased by varying the ratio of the pipe diameters and the number and shape of recess portions. The number of elongated recess portions is preferably at least three, whereby an inner one can be concentrically positioned inside an outer one. The recess portions of the outer pipe may also be implemented in a thread-like manner, whereby the flow channels formed between the recess portions become longer than the flow channels of straight recess portions. Centering an inner pipe in an outer pipe can be implemented with a smaller number of recess portions when the recess portions are in the pipe in a thread-like manner. Centering an inner pipe may even be implemented with one recess portion having fine threading. Also a thread-like solution can be implemented as both a one-part and a two-part pipe structure in such a way that bending of the pipe is facilitated by recess portions. 
         [0021]    It is to be noted that the materials and diameters of pipes may vary. The inner pipe may also be insulated to reduce heat transfer between the inner and outer pipe (two-part structure) or between outer pipe portions (one-part structure). However, the area difference between the outer surface of the inner pipe and the outer surface of the outer pipe is great, whereby insulation is not necessary for the functioning of the pipe according to the invention. The inner pipe may, nevertheless, be insulated if it is desirable to reduce heat transfer between the pipes even further. Insulation of the inner pipe may be implemented in various ways, depending on the manufacturing technique of the pipes. Instead of or in addition to separate insulation material, the thickness, material etc. of the inner pipe may be varied. For example, the inner pipe may be made thicker or provided with two walls, whereby the inner pipe has better insulation properties than the outer pipe in such a way that there is less transfer of heat energy between the mediating fluids of the pipes than between the mediating fluid in the outer pipe and the ground or water surrounding it. 
         [0022]    The inner pipe may be insulated only at the start end, whereby the flow rate at the final end increases at that portion of the outer pipe. Thus, most of the energy transfer is performed where it is most efficient. Insulation of the start end can thus be implemented in connection with the installation, for example by pushing another pipe onto the inner pipe. 
         [0023]    The most usual additives to be added into the mediating fluid include alcohol or potassium formate. The primary task of an additive is to lower the freezing point. The new method enabled by a pipe according to the invention allows the use of a more dilute solution with regard to its alcohol proof because colder mediating fluid is conveyed in the inner pipe, which is surrounded by the mediating fluid of the outer pipe, already warmed up. Thus, the invention even allows the use of water with no additives as the mediating fluid. When the pipe end is positioned at a depth lower than the start level, there prevails a higher temperature at the lower depth than at the start level. Hereby, the difference between the temperature of the soil at the pipe end and the temperature of the mediating fluid of the inner pipe is the greatest possible. A great temperature difference accelerates the heat transfer to the solution conveyed along the outer pipe. The mediating fluid warmed up in the outer pipe surrounds the mediating fluid conveyed in the inner pipe and prevents it from freezing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
           [0025]    In the drawings: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of the system according to the invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  shows a second embodiment of the system according to the invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  shows a third embodiment of the system according to the invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  shows a fourth embodiment of the system according to the invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  shows a fifth embodiment of the system according to the invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  shows a sixth embodiment of the system according to the invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  shows an end view of an embodiment of the pipe according to the invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 8  shows an end view of the pipe of  FIG. 7 , having an inner pipe positioned in it; 
           [0034]      FIG. 9  shows an end view of a second embodiment of the pipe according to the invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 10  shows an end view of the pipe of  FIG. 9 , having an inner pipe positioned in it; 
           [0036]      FIG. 11  shows a front view of the pipe of  FIG. 9  in the horizontal direction; 
           [0037]      FIG. 12  shows an end view of a third embodiment of the pipe according to the invention; 
           [0038]      FIG. 13  shows an end view of a pipe according to  FIG. 12 , having an inner pipe positioned in it; 
           [0039]      FIG. 14  shows an end view of a fourth embodiment of the pipe according to the invention; 
           [0040]      FIG. 15  shows an end view of the pipe of  FIG. 14 , having an inner pipe positioned in it. 
           [0041]      FIG. 16  shows one embodiment of the pipe according to the invention, seen directly from one side; 
           [0042]      FIG. 17  is a principled view in which the connection piece is attached to the pipe of  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 18  is a principled view in which the connection piece is attached to the pipe of  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 19  shows an end view of a second embodiment of the pipe according to  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 20  shows an end view of a second embodiment of the pipe of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0046]      FIG. 21  shows an end view of a second embodiment of the pipe of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0047]      FIG. 22  shows an end view of a second embodiment of the pipe of  FIG. 14 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0048]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , which shows an embodiment of the system according to the invention, where a pipe  1  is positioned horizontally below the ground surface. The pipe is at a depth d, which may be 1.2 to 2 m, for example. A terminal  3  utilizes low energy accumulated in the pipe system  1  and transfers it to a house  2  with a transfer pipe  31 , in which it circulates through a heating circuit  7  and returns along a transfer pipe  32  back to the collection pipe system. The pipe  1  is here connected directly to a terminal  3 . The terminal  3  may be a ground heat pump, for example. The figure shows a principled view of the pipe  1 , in which the cooled mediating fluid is transferred along an inner pipe  10  having a smaller diameter away from the terminal. The mediating medium moves at the outer end of the pipe to an outer pipe  20 , the diameter of which is greater than the diameter of the inner pipe  10 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 2  shows a second embodiment of the system according to the invention, in which the pipe  1  of  FIG. 1  is positioned obliquely downwards. The pipe  1  is here separate from the terminal  3 . Thus, both the pipe  1  and the terminal  3  can be positioned at suitable locations. The pipe  1  is connected to the terminal  3  with transfer pipes  41  and  42 . In the figure the start end of the pipe  1  is at a depth of two meters, and the outer end is in the vicinity of the rock at a depth of 50 meters. The difference between the temperatures at the depth of the start end and at the depth of the final end may be several degrees. The inclination of the pipe can be varied in accordance with the depth of the rock. It is to be noted that the pipe  1  according to the invention can also be positioned in a hole bored in rock, and in a hole bored in the ground and partly in rock. 
         [0050]      FIG. 3  shows a fifth embodiment of the system according to the invention, in which the pipe  1  is positioned obliquely downwards under another building  2 . The pipe  1  is positioned in a hole bored with a ground auger partly in the ground and partly in rock. In connection with the pipe  1 , a separating part  110 , such as a seal or the like, that separates the rock and the ground is positioned to prevent the ground from mixing with groundwater. In this way, low energy provided by both the ground and rock can be utilized, for example in the case of relatively thick soil. 
         [0051]      FIG. 4  shows a sixth embodiment of the system according to the invention, in which the pipe  1  is positioned under a waterway in a sediment layer, from which it is advantageous to receive low energy. The pipe  1  is thus, over its whole length, protected under the bottom. Naturally, the pipe  1  according to the invention can also be positioned in a waterway in a conventional manner with weights. 
         [0052]      FIG. 5  shows a third embodiment of the system according to the invention, in which there are three pipes  1  connected to the terminal. The pipes  1  are joined in a distribution tank  80 , from where they are connected to the terminal  3  via transfer pipes  41  and  42 . The number, length and inclination of the pipes  1  can vary according to the energy requirement and/or the soil. 
         [0053]      FIG. 6  shows a fourth embodiment of the system according to the invention, in which several houses  2  or real estates are connected to the system. The pipes  1  are connected to the terminals  3  via a main pipe system. The size of the main pipe system  1000 ,  2000  may vary according to the pressure drag. The pipes  1  are connected to the main pipe system  1000 ,  2000  with suitable connecting means  81  or via a distribution tank  80 . The mediating fluid returns to the pipe system  1  via distribution tanks  80  or direct connecting means. 
         [0054]      FIG. 7  shows an embodiment of the pipe  20  according to the invention, having five recess portions  220 . A recess portion has two side walls  222  and a locating wall  221  forming the bottom of the recess. 
         [0055]      FIG. 8  shows the pipe  20  of  FIG. 7 , in which the inner pipe  10  is positioned. The locating walls  221  become positioned around the inner pipe  10 , aligning it approximately to the center of the outer pipe  20 . Between the locating walls  221  and the inner pipe, there is a small clearance T to facilitate the installing of the inner pipe  10  into the outer pipe. The inner pipe  10  forms one flow channel, and the spaces between the recesses of the outer pipe  20  form five outer pipe portions  200 , i.e. flow channels. 
         [0056]    After the installation, this clearance T may disappear due to the outer pipe being pressed inwards. The pipe system according to the invention thus provides a uniform pipe structure, in which the inner pipe  10  also functions as a structure making the outer pipe  20  more solid. Thus, the pipe  20  cannot completely collapse by the effect of external pressure. 
         [0057]      FIG. 9  shows a second embodiment of the pipe  20  according to the invention, in which the number of recesses  220  is six. 
         [0058]      FIG. 10  shows the pipe  20  of  FIG. 9 , in which the inner pipe  10  is positioned. The inner pipe forms one flow channel, and the spaces between the recesses of the outer pipe  20  form six outer pipe portions  200 , i.e. flow channels. 
         [0059]      FIG. 11  shows the pipe of  FIG. 9 , in which the recesses  220  are in the longitudinal direction of the pipe  20 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 12  shows a third embodiment of the pipe  20  according to the invention, in which the number of recesses  220  is six. 
         [0061]      FIG. 13  shows the pipe  20  according to  FIG. 12 , in which the inner pipe  10  is positioned. Here, the inner pipe  10  has insulation properties different from those of the outer pipe  20 . The inner pipe  10  may be provided with insulating material, but this is not necessary with regard to the functioning of the invention. The special properties of the inner pipe  10  may, however, be changed according to the manufacturing technique. The thickness and structure of the inner pipe  10  may be changed if the pipes are manufactured of the same material. Thus, the amount of heat energy transferred between the pipes can be reduced. 
         [0062]      FIG. 14  shows a fourth embodiment of the pipe  20  according to the invention, in which the number of recesses  220  is six.  FIG. 15  shows the pipe  20  according to  FIG. 14 , in which the inner pipe  10  is positioned. 
         [0063]      FIG. 16  shows one embodiment of the pipe according to the invention, in which the recesses  220  are in the longitudinal direction of the pipe  20  in a thread-like manner. Thus, the travel distance of the fluid flowing in the outer pipe  20  is increased depending on the number of threads. In the case of a fine thread, the fluid can be conveyed along one or two flow channels  200  to the other end of the pipe. 
         [0064]      FIG. 17  is a partial view of an embodiment of an end part  5  of the pipe according to the invention, in which the flow is from the inner pipe  10  to the outer pipe  20  having the recess portions  220  according to the invention. The arrows indicate the flow direction. It is to be noted that the flow direction can also be implemented reversely. The end part can be attached to the pipe in suitable ways, for example by welding. 
         [0065]      FIG. 18  is a partial view of an embodiment of the end part  5  of the pipe according to the invention, in which the flow is from the inner pipe to the outer pipe  20  having the recess portions  220  according to the invention. The recess portions  220  are here in the longitudinal direction of the pipe. The arrows indicate the flow direction in the flow channels  200 . It is to be noted that the flow direction can also be implemented reversely. 
         [0066]      FIG. 19  indicates an embodiment of the pipe according to the invention, in which there are five recess portions  220 . In each recess portion, there are two side walls  222  and locating walls  221  forming the bottom of the recess. The locating walls  221  are joined to each other via walls  223 , this forming the inner pipe  10 . In other words, the outer pipe portions  200 , i.e. the flow channels, are formed around the inner pipe  10 . The inner pipe  10  forms one flow channel, and the spaces formed between the recess portions  220  of the outer pipe  20  form five outer flow channels around the inner pipe  10 . 
         [0067]      FIG. 20  shows an embodiment of the pipe according to the invention, in which the number of recesses  220  is six. The inner pipe  10  forms one flow channel, and the spaces formed between the recess portions  220  of the outer pipe  20  form six outer flow channels. The arrows in the figure indicate the transfer of energy in the outer pipe portion  200 . It can be seen from the figure that energy is transferred between the mediating medium conveyed in the pipe portion  200  and the substance surrounding the pipe both from the outer periphery of the pipe  20  and through the walls  222  of the recess portion  220  positioned closer to the axis of revolution of the pipe. 
         [0068]      FIG. 21  shows an embodiment of the pipe according to the invention, in which the number of recess portions  220  is six. 
         [0069]      FIG. 22  shows an embodiment of the pipe according to the invention, in which the number of recesses  220  is five. In the structures of  FIGS. 19 ,  21  and  22  the outer pipe portions  200  are formed in the inner pipe  10  in such a way that they are joined to each other only over a narrow portion. Thus, the bending of the pipe is further facilitated, and the amount of heat energy transferred between the inner pipe  10  and the outer pipe portions is reduced because there is less common space. 
         [0070]    In accordance with  FIGS. 19 to 22 , it can be noted that the shape and number of the outer pipe portions  200  may vary. Further, the inner pipe  10  may have insulation properties different from those of the outer pipe portions  200 . The inner pipe  10  may be provided with insulating material, or the thickness or structure of the inner pipe  10  may be changed. Hence, the amount of heat energy transferred between the pipes can be reduced, but this is not necessary with regard to the functioning of the invention. For example in the solution according to  FIGS. 19 to 22 , it is possible for energy to be transferred between the mediating medium conveyed in the inner pipe and the substance surrounding the pipe because the recess portions extend to the outer periphery of the inner pipe  10 . It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that as the technology advances, the basic idea of the invention can be implemented in many different ways. The invention and its embodiments are thus not confined to the above examples but may vary within the scope of the claims. 
         [0071]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.