A processor for a controller of a water heater is configured to receive water heater control parameters and an output from a sensor indicating a measured temperature of water in the water heater. The processor is also configured to determine whether to enter an anti-stacking control mode or to enter a demand anticipation control mode. In the anti-stacking control mode the processor is configured to initiate a call for heat when the measured temperature reaches a trigger temperature, calculate a burner on delay value and set a second timer with the calculated value, and calculate a reduced activation time. In the demand anticipation control mode the processor is configured to increase the variable offset based on a frequency of the demand anticipation control mode being activated, initiate a call for heat, and control, based on the reduced activation time or the increased offset value, the burner.

A processor for a controller of a water heater is configured to receive water heater control parameters and an output from a sensor indicating a measured temperature of water in the water heater. The processor is also configured to determine whether to enter an anti-stacking control mode or to enter a demand anticipation control mode. In the anti-stacking control mode the processor is configured to initiate a call for heat when the measured temperature reaches a trigger temperature, calculate a burner on delay value and set a second timer with the calculated value, and calculate a reduced activation time. In the demand anticipation control mode the processor is configured to increase the variable offset based on a frequency of the demand anticipation control mode being activated, initiate a call for heat, and control, based on the reduced activation time or the increased offset value, the burner.

A method of transporting non-volatile bituminous materials from a first location to a second location involves carrying a plurality of irregular bricks formed by the bituminous material in transport chambers carried by vehicles. Bricks are defined by a plurality of non-planar surface, which create gaps between adjacent bricks, and can further include polymer skeletons and other features that help them float. The bricks can travel by land, sea, air, or rail and need not be heated while in transit. Transport chambers have active or preferably passive environmental control systems to circulate cooling air, water, or other substances through the transport chamber and the gaps between adjacent bricks. In a preferred embodiment, ambient air circulates among the bricks during travel by land and ambient water circulates among the bricks during marine travel. The vehicles carrying the transport chambers can be low-emissions or zero-emission vehicles including fuel-cell powered trains and ships.

A substantially solid brick of non-volatile bituminous material has a shape that is defined by an irregular outer surface to minimize surface contact with nearby bricks when shipped in bulk. The overall shape is preferably that of a modified tetrahedron having three non-planar face surfaces, a top surface, and a surface or point. Both the top and bottom surfaces are preferably modified domed shapes comprised of several sections. The face sections are preferably modified concave surfaces comprised of several triangular sections that can be planar, concave, or convex. Curved edges connect the face sections to each other and can include several planar edge sections. The bituminous material can include additives, and the brick can further include a skeleton distributed throughout. The skeleton can be a customizable matrix, framework of fiber groups, or other structure and can include customizable buoyant features such as air pockets or capsules.

A method of preparing non-volatile bituminous material in solid form includes first accessing molds having mold cavities defining an irregularly shaped brick having a plurality of non-planar surfaces and preparing the bituminous material for casting by heating it until it is suitably viscous for casting and optionally blending it with an additive. Then, the molds can be filled with the bituminous materials, preferably using a retractable conduit that progressively fills each mold cavity from its bottom to its top. Next, the bituminous material in the molds is solidified until substantially solid bricks are formed. Optionally, a skeleton with optional additional buoyant features can be placed in each mold cavity prior to casting so that the resulting brick has increased buoyancy throughout, and the skeleton and any buoyant features can be customized according to the needs of the customer. The resulting bricks can be removed for transport.

A receiver for irregularly shaped bricks cast from non-volatile bituminous material includes a receiver with a specialized storage chamber that can receive viscous bituminous material and a concave lid preferably modified with a radiant heating system that can accept and melt or soften arriving bricks. The lid includes multiple openings or other delivery routes that funnel the melted bituminous material to the chamber below. The radiant heating system can be electrical where cables or grids are embedded in the lid or where conductive materials coat or are distributed throughout the lid. Alternatively, the radiant heating system can be hydronic where channels or conduits are embedded in the lid to circulate heated liquid such as water or water mixed with propylene glycol. The receiver can also include blenders, skimmers, and additional heaters to further skim, blend, or process the bituminous material collected in the chamber.

A system and method for monitoring and managing water delivered to users hydraulically connected via a dedicated conduit loop to a water supply source and a water heating unit via a dedicated conduit loop, the system including a mixing valve(s) hydraulically connected to the dedicated conduit loop; a first set of sensing devices operatively coupled to an input and an output of the mixing valve, wherein each sensing device of the first set is adapted to generate and transmit sensed data signals; a recirculation pump hydraulically coupled to the dedicated conduit loop; a second set of sensing devices operatively coupled to selected portions of the dedicated conduit loop, wherein each sensing device of the second set is adapted to generate and transmit sensed data signals; a pressure regulating or balancing device(s) hydraulically coupled to the dedicated conduit loop; a data collection system for receiving and storing sensed data transmitted by the first set of sensing devices and/or the second set of sensing devices; and a system controller for comparing sensed data with rules, data patterns, data signatures, relationships between data, or mathematically calculated values associated with water event anomalies and generating and transmitting a notification, a warning, and/or an alert if the comparison is suggestive of a water event anomaly.

A system and method for monitoring and managing water delivered to users hydraulically connected via a dedicated conduit loop to a water supply source and a water heating unit via a dedicated conduit loop, the system including a mixing valve(s) hydraulically connected to the dedicated conduit loop; a first set of sensing devices operatively coupled to an input and an output of the mixing valve, wherein each sensing device of the first set is adapted to generate and transmit sensed data signals; a recirculation pump hydraulically coupled to the dedicated conduit loop; a second set of sensing devices operatively coupled to selected portions of the dedicated conduit loop, wherein each sensing device of the second set is adapted to generate and transmit sensed data signals; a pressure regulating or balancing device(s) hydraulically coupled to the dedicated conduit loop; a data collection system for receiving and storing sensed data transmitted by the first set of sensing devices and/or the second set of sensing devices; and a system controller for comparing sensed data with rules, data patterns, data signatures, relationships between data, or mathematically calculated values associated with water event anomalies and generating and transmitting a notification, a warning, and/or an alert if the comparison is suggestive of a water event anomaly.

Disclosed herein is a water heating system including a water heater having a tank, and a first temperature sensor disposed toward a top end of the tank to measure a first temperature and a second temperature sensor disposed toward a bottom end of the tank to measure a second temperature. The water heating system can further include a controller communicably coupled to the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor, where the controller determines an amount of heated water in the tank based on one or more algorithms and measurements made by the first and second temperature sensors.

Disclosed herein is a water heating system including a water heater having a tank, and a first temperature sensor disposed toward a top end of the tank to measure a first temperature and a second temperature sensor disposed toward a bottom end of the tank to measure a second temperature. The water heating system can further include a controller communicably coupled to the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor, where the controller determines an amount of heated water in the tank based on one or more algorithms and measurements made by the first and second temperature sensors.