Post on 19-Dec-2014
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Innovative thermal energy storage technologies
Vincent O’BrienCopper Industries (Ireland) Ltd
Vincent@copperindustries.co.uk
Copper Industries and UU collaborations University of Ulster’s Centre for Sustainable Technologies
Copper Industries (Ireland) Ltd
• Based in Toome, Northern Ireland• Manufacturer of hot water
cylinders, buffer vessels and thermal stores from domestic to commercial/industrial scale with over 13 years of experience
Introduction to hot water systemsSystem types• Domestic hot water• Low temperature hot water heating
systems• Combined but separate systems
System options• Direct/indirect• Vented/unvented• Gravity fed/mechanically pump
Storage issues• Safe storage and supply
temperature• Legionnaire’s disease and bacterial
growth• Efficient energy transfer and storage• Material compatibility/suitability
The need for changeEnvironmental focus• A higher recognition of the need
for the responsible use of energy
Social focus• Fuel poverty and higher fuel costs
Customer focus• Quality product providing fast,
efficient hot water
Market focus• Effective integration of renewables
into new build and retrofit installations
Copper Industries and UU collaborations Invest NI Innovation vouchers:
• MaxiPod – thermal store• HotHead – stratifying cylinder
Knowledge Transfer Partnership to develop an innovative thermal energy storage system for future/renewable technologies through the establishment of a novel R&D facility
The MaxiPod thermal store - description• Maintains the store at temperature• Instantaneous response to heating
and hot water demand• Mains pressure hot water• Indirect hot water supply reduces
the risk of exposure to Legionella• Efficient multi-fuel system
The MaxiPod thermal store – performance• “Can provide up to 38 kW of
domestic hot water demand while still maintaining suitable flow rates and volumes that would be suitable to satisfy all appliances in a modern domestic setting.”
• “Simplifies the method by which conventional fossil fuel and renewable heating systems can be integrated to provide both space heating and domestic hot water, whilst reducing the potential of legionella infection.”
The HotHead stratifying cylinder - description• Rapid and efficient response to
varying levels energy inputs, durations and flow rates
• Energy is delivered where it is most useful
• Decreases start-up and recovery times
The HotHead stratifying cylinder - performance• “exhibits significantly increased
stratification”• When tested using an evacuated
tube solar collector, there was a “4% increase in the efficiency of the solar collector”
• More rapid response to input energy
• The hottest part of the cylinder is closer to the point of use and not the coil
KTP projectCurrently commissioning a comprehensive in-house test facility with the capacity to characterise:• Charging• Discharging• Re-charging• Storage• Heat exchanger performance
For:• Vented• Unvented• Direct• Indirect• Renewable integration
Where to next?Improved heat exchanger performance
• Faster response• Safer supply
Improved cylinder storage
• Stratified storage• Improved retention• Optimizing multi-fuel interactions
New materials and applications
• Potential of cost effective phase change materials
• Integrating renewable energies with combi-systems
Thank you for your attention
Vincent@copperindustries.co.uk