Gas-fired storage water heaters for the production of domestic hot water

2000 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
MJ Booysen

Electric water heaters are responsible for a large portion of electricity consumption and water usage in the domestic sector. Smart water heaters alleviate the strain on the electricity supply grid and reduce water consumption through behavioural change, but the installation of in-line flow meters is inconvenient and expensive. A non-invasive water flow meter is proposed as an alternative. Non-invasive flow measurement is more common for high flow rates in the industrial sector than for domestic applications. Various non-invasive water measurement methods are investigated in the context of domestic hot water, and a combination of thermal- and vibration-sensing is proposed. The proposed solution uses inexpensive, easily installable, non-invasive sensors and a novel algorithm to provide the same flow measurement accuracy as existing in-line meters. The algorithm detects the beginning and end of water consumption events with an accuracy of 95.6%. Quantitative flow rate estimation was possible for flow rates greater than 5 L min⁻¹ with an accuracy of 89%, while volumetric usage estimation had an accuracy of more than 93%. The algorithm limitations were applied to field data, revealing that water consumption could be detected with an error of less than 12% within the limitations of the proposed algorithm. The paper presents a successful proof of concept for a non-invasive alternative to domestic hot water flow rate measurement.


1979 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-242
Author(s):  
Thomas H. Stevens ◽  
Matthew H. Baker ◽  
Steven Beyerlein

Since the 1973 oil embargo, substantial interest has focused upon the question of the cost competitiveness of solar space heating and domestic hot water systems for single family residences. As early as 1974, national surveys indicated that homeowners were seriously considering the use of solar systems (National Science Foundation). At the present time, several New England electric companies (Massachusetts Electric, Granite State and Narragansett) are testing commercially available solar domestic hot water heaters in 100 New England homes. Yet, the question of the cost competitiveness of solar systems remains unresolved. For example, a recent study by the Massachusetts Energy Policy Office suggests that solar systems are currently cost competitive with electric resistance heating in the Boston area. The interim findings reported by consultants to the New England Electric Companies conclude that “Solar energy is a victim of unreasonably high expectations … and that several problems must be resolved if solar domestic hot water heaters are to become economically viable.” (Little, p. 3). A number of other studies have also arrived at conflicting results (Bezdek, et al; G. Lof and R. Tybout; W.D. Schulze, et al).


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