According to the present invention, a mobile system kit for hot water production, a system for at least one of hot water production, heating and cooling, and a method of providing at least one of hot water, heating and cooling is provided.

The provision of hot water, heating and/or cooling is considered necessary to ensure a certain standard of, for instance, a working place or a human’s home.

In particular, for mobile or temporary residences or housings, the provision of hot water, heating and/or cooling can be complex, for instance in case the temporary residences or housings are to be connected to a local infrastructure.

It has therefore been an object of the present invention, to provide a system for hot water production, heating and/or cooling, which is particularly suitable for mobile or temporary residences or housings, such as for construction sites, container villages, and/or military camps, and other applications.

According to a first aspect, a mobile system kit for hot water production is provided, comprising a) a container, in particular an intermodal container, more particularly a 20 or 40-foot container, b) a brine-water heat pump, c) a domestic hot water cylinder, the domestic hot water cylinder comprising a cold-water connection and a hot-water connection connected through an internal coil providing a fluid passage through the domestic hot water cylinder for heating drinking water, d) a re-cooler, e) a first heat transfer circuit coupled to a first heat exchanger of the brine-water heat pump, f) a second heat transfer circuit coupled to a second heat exchanger of the brine-water heat pump, and g) a controller for controlling the operation of the mobile system kit for hot water production, wherein in an operating state of the mobile system kit, the brine-water heat pump and the domestic hot water cylinder are mounted within the container, the re-cooler is mounted in air connection with the outside of the container, and is coupled to the first heat transfer circuit, the domestic hot water cylinder is coupled to the second heat transfer circuit and operates as a flow storage, wherein the controller is configured to, in a hot water operation mode for hot water production, control the mobile system kit for hot water production such that a first heat transfer fluid within the first heat transfer circuit transfers ambient heat exchanged within the re-cooler to the first heat exchanger operating as a heat source side heat exchanger of the brine-water heat pump, and a second heat transfer fluid within the second heat transfer circuit transfers heat exchanged with the second heat exchanger operating as a heat release heat exchanger of the brine-water heat pump to the domestic hot water cylinder.

The main component of the mobile system kit is the container, which is mobile and transportable, and can at the same time be employed to transport the remaining components of the system kit to its desired location. Once arrived at the target operating area, only minimum installation work is necessary.

In particular, a brine-water heat pump is employed, while the re-cooler is provided as a heat source for the heat pump. Thus, it is not necessary to, for instance, provide a probe system, e.g. a vertical or horizontal collector, as an energy source , thereby reducing installation work.

The re-cooler is the only essential component, which typically has to be mounted outside the container, for instance on the roof of the container. In other examples, it can be mounted within the container while the re-cooler can be brought into contact with ambient air, for instance through an opening in the container. The re-cooler is preferentially a typical dry cooler, which comprises one or more fans, which further preferentially are configured to be mounted horizontally on the container. In other examples, other forms of coolers are contemplated.

The term “kit” as employed in the “mobile system kit” is intended to refer to a package, which is configured and designed to be used as a system for hot water production at the operation location, while it is mobile in a transportation state. As mentioned above, for transforming the transportation state into the operating state, it is essentially only necessary to mount the re-cooler appropriately. Apart from that, it is preferred that all the remaining components, including wiring and tubing, is prepared and mounted within the container, such that installation efforts on site can be minimized. Further preferentially, also the control electronics, which include the controller and which are necessary to control the operation of the mobile system kit, are already prepared and provided within the container. Since a container is used, transportation is facilitated. More particularly, since preferentially a standard 20 or 40-foot intermodal container is provided, standard forms of transportation, such as container ships or trucks, can be used.

Both the domestic hot water cylinder and the brine-water heat pump are components or devices, which are readily available separately and known to the skilled person for different uses and applications. It is the particular and unusual combination of the components or devices, which creates the advantageous system according to the present invention.

Preferentially, both in the first heat transfer circuit and in the second heat transfer circuit a pump is installed for circulating the heat exchange fluid therethrough.

In a preferred embodiment, the system kit further comprises a solar system, configured to be mounted on top of the container, wherein the solar system is configured to be employed as an integrated solar heat exchanger for the domestic hot water cylinder. Since the solar system directly heats the liquid in the domestic hot water cylinder, the efficiency of the system kit can further be increased.

In a preferred embodiment, the system kit further comprises a power supply, preferentially a power supply of at most 400 V, such as a 230 V or a 400 V power supply. A 230 V or 400 V grid power supply is easy to install, comparably simple to obtain and readily available even at most construction sites and the like. Accordingly, no special components are necessary.

In a preferred embodiment, the re-cooler is configured as an inverter controllable re-cooler. Thus, a heat transfer amount at the re-cooler can be controlled, thereby improving the efficiency of the heat pump. In a preferred embodiment, the system kit further comprises a de-icing circuit comprising a de-icing pump for de-icing the re-cooler, the de-icing circuit provided between the domestic hot water cylinder and the re-cooler. In case the re-cooler freezes, the necessary defrost energy will be taken from the domestic hot water cylinder via the de-icing circuit. Preferentially, the de-icing pump transports fluid, preferentially water, from the domestic hot water cylinder to a separate defrosting heat exchanger of the re-cooler. In a preferred embodiment, the system kit further comprises a cooling buffer, in an operating state of the mobile system kit mounted within the container and being provided between the re-cooler and the brine-water heat pump in the first heat transfer circuit and being connectable to a cooling system to provide cooling to outside of the container. In this embodiment, a cooling buffer is additionally provided in the container, thus allowing the integration of a cooling function into the mobile system kit according to the invention. During hot water preparation, the cooling buffer is used as a heat source for the brine-water heat pump, which cools the fluid, preferentially water or brine-water mixture, in the cooling buffer, while heating the fluid in the domestic hot water cylinder at the same time. Thus, a hot water production and cooling operation can be performed at the same time.

In a preferred embodiment, the controller is configured to switch between the hot water operation mode, in which cooling and hot water production can take place simultaneously, and a cooling operation mode, in which no hot water production takes place.

In a preferred embodiment, the controller is configured to operate the re-cooler as a heat sink in the cooling operation mode. In the hot water operation mode, the heat source is correspondingly the re-cooler and the cooling buffer.

If the hot water preparation is completed but the cooling function is still needed, the re-cooler will accordingly be used as a heat sink. Since the brine-water heat pump will continue to produce heat at the condenser side, this heat is transported via one or more circulation pumps and optionally an additional change-over valve to the re-cooler, where it is eventually released to the environment. In a preferred embodiment, the system kit further comprises a heating buffer, in an operating state of the mobile system kit mounted within the container and connectable to a heating system, the heating buffer being provided in the second heat transfer circuit parallel to the domestic hot water cylinder. Preferentially, two independent circulating pumps are provided in both of the parallel arms of the second heat transfer circuit. Thus, individual operation of the heating system and the hot water operation is possible.

In a preferred embodiment, the first heat transfer fluid and/or the second heat transfer fluid comprises water and/or brine, wherein in particular the first heat transfer circuit and the second heat transfer circuit are in fluid communication with each other.

Since the drinking water heated in the domestic hot water cylinder runs through an internal coil, compliance with hygiene rules and the like can be guaranteed.

According to a further aspect, a system for at least one of hot water production, heating and cooling, is suggested. The system comprises a plurality of mobile system kits according to the preceding aspect or a preferred embodiment thereof.

The system is flexible and easily scalable, since a plurality of containers can be joined together and thus the amount of hot water, cooling, and/or heating adapted to the requirements and needs of the application. According to a further aspect, a method of providing at least one of hot water, heating and cooling, is provided, comprising the steps of i) providing a mobile system kit according to any of the preceding claims, ii) transporting the container to a destination location, and iii) mounting the re-cooler on a roof of the container.

According to a further aspect, the use of a re-cooler as a heat sink and/or a heat source in a brine-water heat pump is suggested. According to a further aspect, the use of an intermodal container for at least one of hot water production, heating and cooling is suggested.

Further examples and advantages will be described with reference to the enclosed drawings. Fig. 1 shows a schematic sketch of a first mobile system kit 100.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic sketch of a second mobile system kit 200.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic sketch of a third mobile system kit 300.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic sketch of a fourth mobile system kit 400.

According to the present invention, a mobile and flexible energy center is suggested that can be used for hot water production, heating and/or cooling, particularly of existing and temporarily constructed properties. The energy center is implemented in the form of a mobile system kit 100, 200, 300, 400 in or on top of a container 2, of which several examples are described in the following figures with respect to a schematic and exemplary hydraulic sketch. In the exemplary drawings, roman numerals indicate connections or pipes to the outside of the system according to the invention, while elements referred to with arabic numerals indicate elements comprised by the system.

Fig. 1 illustrates a first mobile system kit 100 for heating up of drinking water, Fig. 2 a second mobile system kit 200 for heating up of drinking water and a cooling function, Fig. 3 a third mobile system kit 300 for heating up of drinking water and a heating function, and Fig. 4 a fourth mobile system kit 400 for heating up of drinking water, a heating and a cooling function.

In all 4 system configurations, a brine-water heat pump is used as a heat or cold generator, which is connected on the source side to an inverter driven re-cooler that is functioning either as heat source or heat sink depending on the operation mode. A brine-water mixture is circulating on the source side. To operate the brine- water heat pump, a power supply such as a 230 V or 400 V power supply, and a heat pump controller are required.

The mobile system kit 100 of Fig. 1 comprises a container 2. The container is preferentially a standard intermodal container, which facilitates transportation using standard container transportation infrastructure. Most preferentially, the container is a 20 foot or 40-foot container. It should be emphasized that the container might have modifications, such as openings or doors, as long as it complies with the standard dimensions and/or layout required for transport.

The container 2 solution enables flexibility and scalability, since a pluarility of containers can be provided together and, for instance, mounted next to each other without difficulties.

Further, the mobile system kit 100 comprises a brine-water heat pump 10, a domestic hot water cylinder 20, a re-cooler 30, a first heat transfer circuit 40, a second heat transfer circuit 42, a controller 50, and a solar system 60. The brine-water heat pump 10 comprises a first heat exchanger 12, which is coupled to the re-cooler 30 via first heat transfer circuit 40, and a second heat exchanger 14, which is coupled to the brine-water heat pump 10 via second heat transfer circuit 42. The brine-water heat pump 10 is thus in this embodiment connected on the source or evaporator side to the re-cooler 30, and to the domestic hot water cylinder 20 on the heat release or condenser side. The internal refrigerating circuit and further components of the brine-water heat pump 10 are not illustrated and well-known to the skilled person.

In the first heat transfer circuit 40 and the second heat transfer circuit 42, a circulation pump 41 , 43 is provided, respectively. The domestic hot water cylinder 20 is working as a flow storage in an instantaneous way. It is preferentially filled with water and/or brine which circulates also through the second heat transfer circuit 42. Further, it comprises an internal coil 22, which provides a fluid path for water through the domestic hot water cylinder 20 from a cold-water connection 24 to a hot-water connection 26 to provide hot water. The drinking water to be heated is entering the domestic hot water cylinder 20 through the cold-water connection 24 via a pipe II and is running through the internal coil 22 that is implemented in the cylinder. Via a pipe III, the heated-up drinking water leaves the domestic hot water cylinder 20 through hot-water connection 26.

A circulation line I is further provided so that heated up water can be provided fast at the taping device. Additionally or alternatively, the circulation line I can be used to ensure, for instance, sufficient circulation in the hot water system such that the risk for legionellae can be reduced. For instance, a timer can be provided which automatically ensures a flushing of the entire pipe system at certain time intervals.

If the re-cooler 30 should freeze, then the necessary defrost energy will be taken from the domestic hot water cylinder 20. A de-icing circuit 32 comprising a de-icing pump 34 will transport warm water or other content of the domestic hot water cylinder 20 to the re-cooler 30. In this example, a heat exchanger 15 is provided in the de-icing circuit 32, while also other hydraulic arrangements are of course contemplated. Finally, the system kit 100 comprises an optional solar system 60, which is integrated into the domestic hot water cylinder 20 and converts solar energy to heat the domestic hot water cylinder 20. In this example, solar system 60 is linked to domestic hot water cylinder 20 through a solar circuit 62 comprising a circulation pump 64 and a second internal coil 23 through the domestic hot water cylinder 20.

The re-cooler 30 is preferentially any suitable cooler comprising a fan for circulating air. Most preferably, the re-cooler 30 comprises a horizontal fan, which is to be mounted on top of the container 2, however, the re-cooler 30 is not limited to a horizontal fan cooler. The re-cooler 30 has to be provided, in an operation state of the system, in fluid communication with ambient air, in order to efficiently exchange heat with the environment. Thus, it can be mounted outside of container 2, or within container 2 and in communication with ambient air, for instance, through suitable air conducts or openings in the container. Mounting a horizontal fan re-cooler 30 on top of the container 2 The controller 50 can be any controller or arrangement of a plurality of controllers, which can control the operation of the re-cooler 30, which is preferentially inverter controlled, the brine-water heat pump 10, and all circulation pumps of the system, including circulation pumps 41 , 43, 34, 64 and the further circulation pumps and components illustrated in Figs. 2-4, which will be described later.

Fig. 2 illustrates a mobile system kit 200, which comprises all elements of mobile system kit 100 and has additionally a cooling buffer 70 integrated between the re cooler 30 and the brine-water heat pump 10. The cooling buffer 70 is connected to a cooling circuit 72 comprising a cooling circulation pump 74. Via pipes V a cooling connection is provided.

In addition, a heat transfer circuit 44 comprising an additional circulation pump 45 is provided between the cooling buffer 70 and the re-cooler 30, in addition to the first heat transfer circuit 40 between brine-water heat pump 10 and cooling buffer 70. During hot water preparation the brine-water heat pump 10 uses the cooling buffer 70 as a source and thereby cools down the brine-water mixture. So, it creates the situation that hot water and cooling can take place simultaneously.

If the hot water preparation is completed, but the cooling function is still needed, the re-cooler 30 will be used as a heat sink. To this end, an additional circuit 46 comprising a circulation pump 47 is provided between the heat-release side of the brine-water heat pump 10 and the re-cooler 30. Via the circulation pump 47 and the circulation pump 45, a changeover valve 35 and, in this example, an additional heat exchanger 15, the produced heat at the condenser side 14 will be transported to the re-cooler 30 and released to the environment.

Fig. 3 illustrates a mobile system kit 300, which comprises all elements of mobile system kit 100 and has additionally a heating buffer 80 is installed to the heat delivery side (condenser). This heating buffer 80 can be connected via pipes IV to a heating system and supplied heat via a heating circuit 82 comprising a circulation pump 84 to a distribution system. The loading of the heating buffer 80 takes place via a further circulation pump 49 provided parallel to circulation pump 43 in the second heat exchange circuit 42. The parallel arrangement of circulation pump 49 - IQ - and circulation pump 43 allows heating and hot water production either simultaneously or individually.

In this example, only the heat of the domestic hot water cylinder 20 can be used to de-ice the re-cooler 30 if necessary. In other examples, also the heat of the heating buffer 80 could be employed by providing suitable connections.

Fig. 4 illustrates a mobile system kit 400, which additionally to mobile system kit 200 of Fig. 2 comprises heating buffer 80 installed to the heat delivery side (condenser) of brine-water heat pump 10. This heating buffer 80 is, just as in mobile system kit 300, connected to a heating system and supplied heat via the circulation pump 49.

During heating-up drinking water and using heating operation, the brine-water heat pump 10 uses the cooling buffer 60 as a source and thereby cools down the brine- water mixture. So, it creates the situation that all three operations like heating up drinking hot water, heating and cooling can take place simultaneously. In the event that there will be no demand for hot drinking water and heating anymore, but cooling is still needed, the re-cooler 30 will be converted into a heat sink. Via circulation pump 47 as well as circulation pump 45, a change-over valve 48 and an additional heat exchanger 15 the produced heat at the condenser side will be transported to the re-cooler 30 and released to the environment.

List of reference signs

2 container

10 brine-water heat pump

12 first heat exchanger 14 second heat exchanger

15 heat exchanger 20 domestic hot water cylinder 22 internal coil 23 internal coil solar 24 cold-water connection

26 hot-water connection 30 re-cooler 32 de-icing circuit 34 circulation pump 35 change over valve

40 first heat transfer circuit

41 circulation pump

42 second heat transfer circuit

43 circulation pump 44 cooling circuit

45 circulation pump

47 circulation pump

48 change over valve

49 circulation pump 50 controller

60 solar system 62 solar circuit 64 circulation pump 70 cooling buffer 72 cooling circuit

74 circulation pump 80 heating buffer 82 heating circuit 84 circulation pump 100 system kit 200 system kit 300 system kit 400 system kit circulation line cold water inlet

III hot water outlet IV heating circuit V cooling circuit