Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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HEATING SWIMMING POOLS VIA HEAT EXCHANGERS BY CYCLING POOL WATER THROUGH A
COMPOST-TYPE HEATER
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of methods and apparatuses
controlling water temperature. In particular, the present disclosure relates
to
apparatuses and methods for controlling the water temperature of a pool.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] There are many issues with the pool heaters that are available on
today's market. In general, they are very costly to buy and to maintain. On
average a pool heater will cost approximately 2500$ to 5000 $ or more to
purchase and approximately 800$ for installation costs. Also, they can cost
about 600$ to about 1200$ in energy costs (gas, propane, electricity) per year
to operate in addition to maintenance costs. This energy consumption
contributes to the green house gases that damage the atmosphere.
[0003] Another factor is the constant noise that most heaters produce. Indeed,
most heaters generate a perpetual unpleasant buzz that can be annoying
when enjoying the pool. They are also quite annoying for the neighbors as
well.
[0004] Also, if the heater is defective, a technician is usually required in
order
to repair the problem, which can be costly. Other costs are generated when
changing heating systems in order to go from fresh water to salt water. Also,
traditional pool heaters need to be covered or stored during winter months in
order to avoid damage to mechanical parts. However, even when well
maintained, the average pool heater only lasts about 7 to 10 years.
[0005] Some cost effective pool heaters have been introduced on the market,
but their main downfall remains that they are not efficient enough for
client's
needs. Indeed, since they rely on the sun to generate heat and have a
relatively low energy conversion rate, they often fail to provide sufficient
power
in order to heat a normal sized pool. Other types of pool heaters have also
been introduced on the market. Indeed, pool heaters relying on electricity or
fossil fuels although effective are sadly not cost efficient.
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SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0006] It would thus be highly desirable to be provided with an apparatus that
would at least partially solve one of the problems previously mentioned or
that
would be an alternative to the existing technologies.
[0007] According to one aspect there is provided method for controlling water
temperature of a pool, the method comprising passing the pool water through
a conduit having at least a portion disposed inside a recipient comprising
compost, wherein at least a portion of the compost is contacting an exterior
surface of the at least a portion of the conduit, and wherein for each about
1000 to about 2000 L of water contained in the pool, the at least a portion of
the conduit has a proportional capacity of about 0.2 to about 7.0 L and the
recipient contains a proportional volume of compost of about 5 to about 10 L.
[0008] According to another aspect, there is provided a method for controlling
water temperature of a pool, the method comprising passing the pool water
through a conduit having at least a portion disposed inside a recipient
comprising compost, wherein at least a portion of the compost is contacting
an exterior surface of the at least a portion of the conduit, and wherein for
each about 1000 to about 2000 L of water contained in the pool, a capacity of
about 0.2 to about 7.0 L is proportionally used for the at least a portion of
the
conduit, and a volume of about 5 to about 10 L of compost is proportionally
used.
[0009] According to another aspect, there is provided a method for controlling
water temperature of a pool, the method comprising passing the pool water
through a conduit having at least a portion disposed inside a recipient
comprising compost, wherein at least a portion of the compost is contacting
an exterior surface of the at least a portion of the conduit, and wherein the
method is carried out using:
a ratio pool water volume / capacity of the at least a portion of the
conduit of about 500 to about 10000; and
a ratio pool water volume / volume of compost in the recipient of about
50 to about 500.
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[0010] According to another aspect, there is provided an apparatus for
controlling a pool water temperature, the apparatus comprising:
a recipient adapted to receive compost; and
a conduit having at least a portion disposed inside the recipient, the
at least one portion of the conduit having an exterior surface
adapted to contact at least a portion of the compost, the conduit
being effective for passing the pool water therethrough and for
transferring to the pool water heat generated by the compost.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] In the appended drawings which represent various examples:
[0012] Figure 1 is a front elevation view of an example of an apparatus as
disclosed in the present document wherein a lid is shown in an open position
and a trap door is shown in an open position;
[0013] Figure 2 is a front elevation view of another example of an apparatus
as disclosed in the present document wherein a lid is shown in an open
position and a trap door is shown in an open position;
[0014] Figure 3 is a front elevation view of another example of an apparatus
as disclosed in the present document wherein a lid is shown in an open
position and a drawer is shown in an open position;
[0015] Figure 4 is top view of the apparatus shown in Figure 3, wherein the
lid
has been omitted for illustration purposes; and
[0016] Figure 5 is a front elevation view of another example of an apparatus
as disclosed in the present document wherein a lid is shown in an open
position and a side drawer is shown in an open position and wherein a portion
of a housing wall and a portion of a coil have been omitted for illustration
purposes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0017] The following examples are presented in a non-limitative manner.
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[0018] The term "pool" as used herein refers to a swimming pool, a hot tub,
spa, swimming bath, wading pool or any water basin for similar purposes.
[0019] For example, the at least a portion of the conduit has a proportional
capacity of about 0.5 to about 1.5 L, about 0.8 to about 1.2 L, about 6 to
about
9 L, or about 7 or 8 L.
[0020] For example, the ratio pool water volume / capacity of the at least a
portion of the conduit can be about 700 to about 4000, about 800 to about
3750, or about 1000 to about 2000.
[0021] For example, the ratio pool water volume / volume of compost in the
recipient can be of about 100 to about 400 or about 125 to about 300.
[0022] For example, the method can comprise passing about 100 to about
300 L/min, about 150 to about 250 L/min, about 175 to about 225 L/min, about
190 to about 210 Umin of pool water through the at least a portion of the
conduit.
[0023] For example, the method can be effective for providing from about 40
000 to about 80 000, about 50 000 to about 70 000, from about 50 000 to
about 60 000 or about 55 000 British Thermal Unit (BTU) per hour.
[0024] For example, the at least a portion of the conduit can have a capacity
of about 10 L to about 200 L, about 10 L to about 185 L, about 20 L to about
50 L, about 20 L to about 30 L, or about 40 L to about 50 L.
[0025] For example, the recipient can contain a volume of compost of about
200 L to about 300 L or about 240 L to about 290 L.
[0026] For example, the pool can be a swimming pool that contains about 40
000 L to about 80 000 L of water or about 35 000 L to about 75 000 L of
water.
[0027] For example, the at least one portion of the conduit can be a coiled
pipe. The pipe can be chosen from a rubber pipe, a metal pipe, a fiberglass
pipe and a plastic pipe. The coiled pipe can be a molded coiled pipe.
[0028] For example, the pipe can have a diameter of about 2 cm to about 6
cm or about 2 cm to about 3 cm.
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[0029] For example, water can be controlled by heating the water. Water can
be heated up to a temperature of about 20 C to about 45 C, about 20 C to
about 40 C, about 20 C to about 35 C, about 24 C to about 33 C, about 25 C
to about 32 C, about 26 C to about 30 C, or about 27 C to about 29 C.
[0030] For example, the apparatus can further comprise a pump for circulating
the pool water through the at least a portion of the conduit. The pump can
effective for passing about 100 to about 300 L/min, about 175 to about 225
L/min, about 150 to about 250 Umin, or about 190 to about 210 L/min of pool
water through the at least a portion of the conduit.
[0031] For example, the apparatus can have a ratio recipient capacity /
capacity of the at least a portion of the conduit of about 1.5 to about 50,
about
4 to about 20, or about 5 to about 15.
[0032] For example, the apparatus can further comprise a temperature
sensor. The temperature sensor can be coupled with a valve that is coupled
to the at least a portion of the conduit.
[0033] For example, the apparatus can be effective for providing from about
40 000 to about 80 000, about 50 000 to about 70 000, from about 50 000 to
about 60 000 or about 55 000 British Thermal Unit (BTU) per hour.
[0034] For example, the recipient can comprise a cover disposed on a top
portion of the recipient and a drawer disposed at a bottom portion, the bottom
portion being provided with an outlet for removing the compost from the
recipient.
[0035] For example, the apparatus can be further provided with a supporting
member provided with apertures and disposed above the drawer.
[0036] For example, the apparatus can further comprise at least one spacer
sheet. The spacer sheet can be provided with apertures.
[0037] For example, the apparatus can further comprise a conduit support, the
conduit being a coil rolled around the support. The support can also be
provided with apertures.
[0038] As shown in Figure 1, the apparatus 10 comprises a recipient 12
adapted to receive compost. The recipient 12 can be of different sizes and
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shapes. The recipient 12 comprises walls that define an internal chamber for
receiving the compost. A conduit 16 is disposed inside the recipient 12. For
example, the conduit 16 can be in the form of a coil as shown in Figure 1. The
conduit 16 is provided with an inlet 18 for receiving water from a pool and an
outlet 20 for exiting water that went through the conduit 16. The inlet 18
disposed at a bottom portion of the recipient 12 could also be disposed at a
top portion of the recipient 12 and therefore the outlet 20 disposed at a top
portion of the recipient 12 could also be disposed at a bottom portion of the
recipient 12.
[0039] The compost can comprise various organic materials. For example, it
can comprise common organic waste materials such as table wastes, lawn
clipping, dried leaves, etc. It can also comprises various other ingredients
such as sawdust, chicken manure and poultry wastes, brewery wastes,
seaweed and kelp, tobacco stems and waste, wool clippings, sewerage
sludge, straw, hay, cattails, weeds and discarded plants from the garden,
cotton nolls and wastes, paper scraps etc.
[0040] The apparatus 10 can also comprise a lid 24 on top of the recipient 12
to avoid spillage of the enclosed compost, prevent water from contacting the
compost or to avoid animals or insects from having access to the inside of the
recipient 12. The lid 12 can be connected or not to at least one of the
housing
wall 12. Moreover, the apparatus 10 can comprise a trap door 22 for
discharging the compost. The apparatus can also comprise a stand 26 in
order to elevate the apparatus from the ground. This stand 26 can be adapted
to avoid any contact between the recipient 12 and the ground, which could
lead to contamination of the compost by mold or insects. The stand 26 can be
in the form of one of more foot under the apparatus 10 or any type of platform
that is adapted to elevate the recipient 12. For example, the at least one
foot
or platform can elevate the apparatus 12 from about 1 cm to about 40 cm
above the ground. Moreover, the apparatus 10 can comprise a tap 28 for
discarding any liquids produced by the compost for example during
fermentation. The apparatus 10 can also comprise at least one spacer (not
shown) that allows for an easier oxygenation of the compost. Such a spacer
can be provided with apertures. The at least one spacer can be a
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biodegradable sheet of organic matter which is disposed in the compost at a
predetermined distance from at least one housing wall. In an embodiment, the
apparatus 10 can comprise a valve coupled with a temperature sensor. This
temperature sensor allows monitoring of the water temperature coming from
the pool. When the incoming pool water has reached a desired temperature,
the sensor will close the valve. For example, the desired temperature of the
pool water can be of about 24 C to about 35 C, about 24 C to about 32 C,
about 26 C to about 32 C, about 26 C to about 29 C, about 26 C to about
27 C, about 28 C, or about 29 C.
[0041] A conduit support 14 can also be further provided. The conduit support
can be disposed inside the recipient 12. The conduit support 14 can be of
various shapes. In an embodiment, the conduit support can have a general
cylindrical shape. The conduit support 14 can be open on one or both sides,
therefore allowing compost to enter into the conduit support 14. The conduit
support 14 can be made of a material having high heat conduction, which
therefore absorbs and transfers thermal energy rapidly. For example, the
conduit support 14 can comprise brass or copper or any metal known as a
thermal conductor. The conduit member 14 can be made of a perforated
material for allowing oxygenation of the compost. The conduit support 14 is
adapted to support the conduit 16 which is in the form of a coiled pipe in
Figure 1.
[0042] In the apparatus 10, the pool water is being circulated inside the
recipient 12. The water coming from the pool flows through the inlet 18, the
conduit 16, and the outlet 20. The conduit 16, for example a coiled pipe, can
be wrapped at least once around the conduit support 14 inside the recipient
12. The outlet 20 is used to exit the heated water outside of the recipient 12
and eventually back to the pool. The heat generated during fermentation of
the compost will be at least partially transferred to the water circulating
through the conduit 16 since the material of the conduit allows for conducting
heat. Therefore, water passing through the conduit 16 will get warmer as it
goes along the conduit 16. The coiled pipe, inlet and outlet can be made of a
same or a different material. They can be made of plastic, rubber, fiberglass
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or metal or any types of materials that are good heat conductors. For
example, aluminum or copper pipes can be used.
[0043] Wrapping the conduit 16 more than once around the conduit support
14 increases the surface of the conduit 16 that is in contact with the
surrounding compost and the conduit support 14. Since both the compost and
the conduit support 14 are hot when being in use, the conduit support 14
being heated by a heat transfer from the compost during fermentation, they
will both play a role in controlling and/or heating the temperature of the
water
circulating through the conduit 16.
[0044] In Figure 2, there is shown an apparatus 110 that is similar to the
apparatus 10 of Figure 1. In fact, the main difference between these two
apparatuses is the type of conduit used. In apparatus 110, a conduit 116 is
used rather than the conduit 16 (having a coiled pipe configuration) as it is
the
case in Figure 1. The apparatus 110 thus also comprises a recipient 112
adapted to receive compost, the conduit 116, an inlet 118 for receiving water
from a pool and an outlet 120 for exiting water that went through the conduit
116. The apparatus 110 that also comprises a trap door 122, a lid 124, a
stand 126 and a tap 128 is intended to be used in the same manner as
described above for apparatus 10.
[0045] In another embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4, the apparatus 210
comprises a recipient 212 adapted to receive compost and having a conduit
216 disposed therein. In general, it can be said that the apparatus 210 works
in a similar manner than apparatuses 10 and 110.
[0046] One of the main differences between the apparatus 210 and
apparatuses 10 and 110 is the shape of the conduit. In apparatus 210 the
conduit 216 can have a general shape of a square prism or square
parallepiped shape as opposed to a general cylindrical shape as it is the case
for the conduit 16 in apparatus 10.
[0047] Moreover, the apparatus 210 can comprise an inlet 218 provided with
an inlet valve 217 as well as an outlet 220 provided with an outlet valve 219.
The inlet 218 and the outlet 220 are in fluid flow communication with the
conduit 216. This inlet valve 217 allows for stopping the water from entering
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the apparatus 210, which therefore stops the water circulation inside the
conduit 216 and thus in the apparatus 210. The outlet valve 219 allows for
stopping water from coming out of the apparatus 210. Moreover, the
apparatus 210 can also comprise a bypass conduit 222 coupled to a bypass
valve 221. The bypass valve 221 and bypass conduit can be used for
preventing water from circulating inside the apparatus 210. For example, it
the
temperature of the pool water reaches a desired or predetermined value,
valves 217 and 219 can be closed and valve 221 open thereby preventing
pool water from circulating inside the apparatus 210. However, when using
the apparatus 210 for heating pool water, the valve 221 is closed.
[0048] The apparatus 210 can also comprise a lid 224 on top of the recipient
212 to avoid spillage of the compost, water from contacting the compost, or to
avoid animals or insects from having access to the inside of the recipient
212,
a stand 226 in order to elevate the apparatus 210 from the ground.
[0049] The apparatus 210 can also comprise a drawer 229 in order to
recuperate all debris produced by the decomposing compost. Indeed, as the
compost ferments and is degraded juices and fine particles can be produced,
which need to be removed from the apparatus 210. The presence, for
example, of a bottom drawer therefore allows for cleaning out any of those
resulting juices and particles.
[0050] As it can be seen in Figure 4, the apparatus 210 defines, inside the
recipient 212, a chamber inside the conduit 216 and a chamber outside the
conduit 216 (between the conduit 216 and the walls of the recipient 212). A
compost support 231 provided with apertures (for example a grid or mesh
type material) can be disposed above the drawer 229 for maintaining the
juices or liquid and particles separate from the compost.
[0051] In Figure 5, an apparatus 310 similar to apparatus 210 is shown. The
apparatus 310 however has a drawer 329 disposed on a side as opposed to a
front drawer as it is the case for apparatus 210 (drawer 229).
[0052] The apparatus 310 that works in the same way as apparatus 210, also
comprises a recipient 312, a lid 324, a stand 326, and a compost support 331.
The inlet, inlet valve, outlet, and outlet valves are not shown.
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[0053] For example, the compost can be composed of organic materials
derived from plant and/or animal matter that has been decomposed largely
through aerobic decomposition. The process of composting is simple and can
be practiced by individuals in their homes, by farmers on their land, and
industrially by industries and cities.
[0054] The heat required to control the pool water temperature can be
provided by hot composting. The latter is a process of rapid decomposition
that takes place at high temperatures. This decomposition is performed, for
example, mostly by bacteria, which are adapted to work at high temperatures
in order to break down organic materials quickly and efficiently. Hot
composting allows for fast production of compost with well-managed piles
decomposing completely in approximately few weeks for example 8 to 15
weeks. Thermophilic composting involves an important heating stage. This
heat is caused by microbial metabolism and can depend on carbon:nitrogen
ratio of the materials, moisture content and aeration. During this heating
stage, temperatures can be in the 55 to 65 C range, but will often be higher
or lower. This type of composting can typically follow a model for which all
the
materials for the heap are piled up at one time and no more is added.
[0055] The hot composting can allow production of thermal energy, which is
used to control the water temperature of a pool by heat transfer. More
precisely, heat transfer is the transfer of heat from one place to another.
When an object is at a different temperature from its surroundings or another
object, transfer of thermal energy, also known as heat flow, or heat exchange,
occurs. Heat transfer occurs from a higher-temperature object to a cooler-
temperature one as described by the second law of thermodynamics or the
Clausius statement. The pool water can be transported inside the apparatus
in order to be heated through heat transfer from the surrounding hot compost.
[0056] For example, the pool water can be discharged into the conduit.
Indeed, the inlet is adapted to transport the pool water into the conduit. The
conduit being surrounded by the compost, at least a portion of its external
surface is in direct contact with the heated compost. Therefore, the
temperature of the conduit and of the enclosed water will slowly increase by
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simple heat transfer. The outlet will collect the warm water and transport it
back to the pool.
[0057] The conduit that carries the pool water can take on various forms,
including those described and shown herein. Indeed, the cross-sections of the
conduit can vary. The conduit can be laid out within the recipient in various
configurations, such the cylindrical configuration of the conduit 16 in Figure
1,
the rectangular tubular configuration of the conduit 216 in Figures 3 and 4,
and the square tubular configuration of the conduit 316 in Figure 5.
[0058] The heating apparatus, including those described and shown herein,
can include a mechanism extending through the middle of the recipient and
provided with forks or paddles etc., the mechanism being adapted to turn and
thus mix the compost in the recipient. The heating apparatus can be provided
with a type of cork screw so when it is rotated it will mix the compost. Such
mixing mechanisms can be removable or permanently mounted to the
recipient, and they can manually-operated by the user or they can be
motorized, and in the latter case, a timer may be provided so that the compost
is automatically mixed at pre-selected time periods or intervals.
[0059] The heating apparatus can also be adapted so that the recipient itself
can be rotated, as a tumbler, so as to mix the compost therein. In such cases,
the recipient can be manually rotated by the user or in a motorized fashion,
and in the latter case, a timer may be provided so that the compost is
automatically mixed at pre-selected time periods or intervals. Accordingly,
various arrangements can be contemplated so that the compost can be mixed
or tumbled as required to ensure good compost.
[0060] The apparatuses and methods described in the present application
comprise several advantages compared to traditional pool heaters. Indeed,
heat being provided by only composting, very low costs are necessary to
operate the apparatuses and methods. Indeed, the apparatuses and methods
necessitate very simple components. Compost comes from organic materials
derived from plant and/or animal matter, which are produced as wastes by
every household on a regular basis. No other energy sources in addition to
the existing elements of the pool are required to heat the pool water.
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Repairing should not be required and if so, it should be mainly maintenance or
very simple repairing steps. Finally, no noise is associated with use of such
methods and apparatuses.
[0061] The person skilled in the art would understand that the various
properties or features presented in a given embodiment can be added and/or
used, when applicable, to any other embodiment covered by the general
scope of the present disclosure.
[0062] The scope of the claims should not be limited by specific embodiments
and examples provided in the disclosure, but should be given the broadest
interpretation consistent with the disclosure as a whole.
