ENERGY EFFICIENT HEATING/COOLING MODULE

Abstract

A heating/cooling module for interconnecting a heating/cooling system with a heating/cooling unit. The heating/cooling module including a solid-state energy conversion device, having a first side configured to receive a fluid flow preheated/precooled by the heating/cooling system to heat/cool the fluid flow to a higher/lower temperature while it flows through the first side of the solid-state energy conversion device, and to use the fluid flow with the higher/lower temperature for providing heat/cold to the heating/cooling unit. The solid-state energy conversion device having a second side that receives the fluid flow after being used for providing heat/cold to the heating/cooling unit to cool/heat the fluid flow to a lower/higher temperature and to reuse the fluid flow with the lower or higher temperature for preheating/precooling by the heating/cooling system.

Claims

1. A heating/cooling module for interconnecting a heating/cooling system with at least one and heating/cooling unit, the heating/cooling module comprising: a solid-state energy conversion device comprising: a first side configured to receive a fluid flow that is preheated/precooled by a heating/cooling system to heat/cool the fluid flow to a higher/lower temperature while the fluid flow flows through the first side of the solid-state energy conversion device, and to use the fluid flow with the higher/lower temperature for providing heat/cold to a heating/cooling unit: and a second side that is configured to receive the fluid flow after being used for providing heat/cold to the heating/cooling unit so as to cool/heat the fluid flow to a lower/higher temperature and to reuse the fluid flow with the lower or higher temperature for preheating/precooling again by the heating/cooling system.

2. The heating/cooling module of claim 1, wherein the solid-state energy conversion device is configured to receive the fluid flow from the heating/cooling system to provide the fluid flow with the higher/lower temperature to the heating/cooling unit to receive the fluid flow back from the heating/cooling unit and to provide the fluid flow with the lower/higher temperature back to the heating/cooling system.

3. The heating/cooling module of claim 1, wherein the heating/cooling module comprises a heat exchanger comprising: a first fluid passage providing an inlet for receiving the fluid flow from the heating/cooling system and an outlet for providing the fluid flow back to the heating/cooling system after it has passed through the first fluid passage; and a second fluid passage that is configured to output the fluid flow that is preheated/precooled indirectly by heat from the heating/cooling system and to receive the fluid flow with the lower/higher temperature; and wherein the first fluid passage and the second fluid passage are arranged such that heat is transferrable between the fluid flow in the second fluid passage and the fluid flow in the first fluid passage.

4. The heating/cooling module of claim 3, wherein the heating/cooling module comprises a fluid pump to drive the fluid flow through the heating/cooling module, and through the second fluid passage.

5. The heating/cooling module of claim 3, wherein the solid-state energy conversion device is configured to heat/cool the fluid flow that is preheated/precooled by the heating/cooling system to provide the fluid flow with the higher/lower temperature to the heating/cooling unit to receive the fluid flow back from the heating/cooling unit and to provide the fluid flow with the lower/higher temperature back to the heat exchanger.

6. The heating/cooling module of claim 2, wherein the heating or cooling module comprises a second heat exchanger comprising a third fluid passage that is configured to receive the fluid flow with the higher/lower temperature and to output the fluid flow after being used for providing heat/cold to the heating/cooling unit; wherein the second heat exchanger comprises a fourth fluid passage that provides an outlet for providing the fluid flow to the heating/cooling unit and an inlet for receiving the fluid flow back from the heating/cooling unit; and wherein the third fluid passage and the fourth fluid passage are arranged such that heat is transferrable between the fluid flow in the third fluid passage and the fluid flow in the fourth fluid passage.

7. The heating/cooling module of claim 6, wherein the heating/cooling module comprises a fluid pump to drive the fluid flow through the heating/cooling module and/or the heating/cooling unit, and through the fourth fluid passage.

8. A heating/cooling module for interconnecting a heating/cooling system with a heating/cooling unit, the heating/cooling module comprising: a first heat exchanger comprising a first fluid passage with an inlet for receiving a fluid flow from a heating/cooling system and an outlet for providing the fluid flow with a higher/lower temperature to a second inlet of the heating/cooling unit; a second heat exchanger; a solid-state energy conversion device comprising: a first side that is configured to receive the fluid flow from an outlet of a second fluid passage of the first heat exchanger, to cool/heat the fluid flow to a lower/higher temperature while the fluid flow flows through the first side of the solid-state energy conversion device, and to provide the fluid flow with the lower/higher temperature to an inlet of a third fluid passage of the second heat exchanger; a second side that is configured to receive the fluid flow from an outlet of the third fluid passage of the second heat exchanger and to heat or cool the fluid flow to a higher/lower temperature while the fluid flow flows through the second side, and to provide the fluid flow with the higher/lower temperature to an inlet of the second fluid passage of the first heat exchanger; and the second heat exchanger comprising a fourth fluid passage with an inlet for receiving the fluid flow from the heating/cooling unit and with an outlet for providing the fluid flow back to the heating/cooling system.

9. The heating/cooling module of claim 8, wherein the first fluid passage and the second fluid passage are arranged in the first heat exchanger to exchange heat between the first fluid passage and the second fluid passage; and/or wherein the third fluid passage and the fourth fluid passage are arranged in the second heat exchanger to exchange heat between the third fluid passage and the fourth fluid passage.

10. The heating/cooling module of claim 8, further comprising a fluid pump for circulating the fluid flow through a closed loop comprising the second fluid passage and the third fluid passage and a fluid passage through the first side and a fluid passage through the second side.

11. The heating/cooling module of claim 8, wherein the solid-state energy conversion device comprises a solid-state energy conversion module assembly between the first side and the second side, wherein the solid-state energy conversion module assembly comprises a material or compound that provides temperature gradients or temperature changes within the material or compound as a response to an external stimulus.

12. The heating/cooling module of claim 8, wherein the solid-state energy conversion device comprises a solid-state energy conversion module assembly between the first side and the second side, wherein the solid-state energy conversion module assembly comprises a module, which is one of the following: a Peltier module, a caloric heat pump module, a thermionic heat pump module, a spin-caloritronic heat pump module, a magneto-thermoelectric heat pump module, a magnetocaloric heat pump module, an electrocaloric heat pump device, a mechanocaloric heat pump device, a multicaloric heat pump device, or a combination thereof.

13. The heating/cooling module of claim 12, further comprising between one additional module and 49 additional modules.

14. The heating/cooling module of claim 8 further comprising a power supply and/or a controller for the solid-state energy conversion device.

15. A heating/cooling arrangement comprising: a heating/cooling module comprising: a first heat exchanger comprising a first fluid passage with an inlet for receiving a fluid flow from a heating/cooling system and an outlet for providing the fluid flow with a higher/lower temperature to a second inlet of the heating/cooling unit; a second heat exchanger; a solid-state energy conversion device comprising: a first side that is configured to receive the fluid flow from an outlet of a second fluid passage of the first heat exchanger, to cool/heat the fluid flow to a lower/higher temperature while the fluid flow flows through the first side of the solid-state energy conversion device, and to provide the fluid flow with the lower/higher temperature to an inlet of a third fluid passage of the second heat exchanger; a second side that is configured to receive the fluid flow from an outlet of the third fluid passage of the second heat exchanger and to heat or cool the fluid flow to a higher/lower temperature while the fluid flow flows through the second side, and to provide the fluid flow with the higher/lower temperature to an inlet of the second fluid passage of the first heat exchanger; and the second heat exchanger comprising a fourth fluid passage with an inlet for receiving the fluid flow from the heating/cooling unit and with an outlet for providing the fluid flow back to the heating/cooling system; a heating/cooling system; and a heating/cooling unit, wherein the heating/cooling module fluidly interconnects the heating/cooling system and the heating/cooling unit.

16. The heating/cooling arrangement of claim 15, wherein the heating/cooling system operates at a lower/higher fluid temperature than the heating/cooling unit.

17. The heating/cooling module of claim 1, wherein the first side comprises a channel or multichannel that is configured such that the fluid flow from the heating/cooling system flows only through the channel or multichannel as one direction pass and/or wherein the second side comprises a channel or multichannel that is configured such that the fluid flow from the heating/cooling unit flows only through the channel or multichannel as one direction pass, wherein the fluid flow flowing through the first side is directed in an opposite flow direction as the fluid flow flowing through the second side.

18. The heating/cooling module of claim 2, wherein the first side comprises a channel or multichannel that is configured such that the fluid flow from the heating/cooling system flows only through the channel or multichannel as one direction pass and/or wherein the second side comprises a channel or multichannel that is configured such that the fluid flow from the heating/cooling unit flows only through the channel or multichannel as one direction pass, wherein the fluid flow flowing through the first side is directed in an opposite flow direction as the fluid flow flowing through the second side.

19. The heating/cooling module of claim 8, wherein the third fluid passage and the fourth fluid passage are arranged in the second heat exchanger to exchange heat between the third fluid passage and the fourth fluid passage.

20. The heating/cooling module of claim 9, wherein the third fluid passage and the fourth fluid passage are arranged in the second heat exchanger to exchange heat between the third fluid passage and the fourth fluid passage.

21. The heating/cooling module of claim 11, wherein the external stimulus is selected from the group consisting of a voltage, an electrical current, a magnetic, electric, or pressure/force field change, or combinations thereof.

Description

[0103] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0104] FIG. 1 shows schematically a heating scenario of a heating/cooling module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention which is arranged between a heating/cooling system and a heating/cooling unit;

[0105] FIG. 2 shows schematically a heating scenario of a heating/cooling module in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention which is arranged between a heating/cooling system and a heating/cooling unit;

[0106] FIG. 3 shows schematically a heating scenario of a heating/cooling module in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention which is arranged between a heating/cooling system and a heating/cooling unit;

[0107] FIG. 4 shows schematically a heating scenario of a heating/cooling module in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention which is arranged between a heating/cooling system and a heating/cooling unit;

[0108] FIG. 5 is a diagram of a heat flux rate from an individual exemplary radiator at nominal flow rate versus different supply temperatures (along the x-axis) and return temperatures (along the y-axis) for a heating scenario;

[0109] FIG. 6 is a diagram for a heating scenario with solid-state energy conversion modules. The example shows temperature in Celsius over a series of Peltier modules, which operate with an example of temperature difference of 5 K between the hot and cold side, the temperature levels of the Peltier modules and the temperature of the fluid flowing across the hot and cold side of the Peltier modules;

[0110] FIG. 7 is a diagram for a heating scenario with solid-state energy conversion modules. The example shows temperature in Celsius over a series of Peltier modules, which operate with an example of temperature difference of 10 K between the hot and cold side, the temperature levels of the Peltier modules and the temperature of the fluid flowing across the hot and cold side of the Peltier modules;

[0111] FIG. 8 is a diagram for a heating scenario with solid-state energy conversion modules. The example shows temperature in Celsius over a series of Peltier modules, which operate with an example of temperature difference of 20 K between the hot and cold side, the temperature levels of the Peltier modules and the temperature of the fluid flowing across the hot and cold side of the Peltier modules;

[0112] FIG. 9 is a diagram for a heating scenario with solid-state energy conversion modules. The example shows the coefficient of performance (COP) over the temperature difference in Kelvin for the temperature difference between the hot and cold side of Peltier modules and an equivalent electric heater, both being connected to a heating/cooling unit. We have considered three different second law efficiencies (i.e. exergy efficiencies) of a Peltier module (from 5 to 10%), and the temperature of the heat sink being 70 C.

[0113] FIG. 10 shows schematically a cooling scenario of a heating/cooling module in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention which is arranged between a heating/cooling system and a heating/cooling unit;

[0114] FIG. 11 shows schematically an example where a heating module is used for heating of sanitary hot water in sanitary water heating unit;

[0115] FIG. 12 shows schematically another example where a heating module is used for heating of sanitary hot water in sanitary water heating unit;

[0116] FIG. 13 shows schematically an example of a solid-state energy conversion device, which comprises Peltier modules.

[0117] The heating/cooling module 11 shown in FIG. 1 connects a heating/cooling system 13 with one heating/cooling unit 15. The heating/cooling system 13, for example, can be a district heating/cooling system, a low temperature heat pump system, waste heat source, or renewable energy source. Other examples are given throughout the description.

[0118] The heating/cooling system 13 in the examples of FIGS. 1 to 9 is a heating system 13 that serves for heating purposes. Correspondingly, the heating/cooling module 11 is a heating module 11. FIG. 10 described further below addresses a cooling scenario, such that the heating/cooling system and the heating/cooling module described with regard to FIG. 10 is a cooling system and a cooling module, respectively.

[0119] The heating/cooling module 11 comprises a solid-state energy conversion device 17. With regard to the exemplary description of the figures, the solid-state energy conversion device 17 has a first side 19 which is configured to receive a fluid flow 23 that is preheated by the heating system 13, to heat the fluid flow 23 to a higher temperature while it flows through the first side 19 of the solid-state energy conversion device 17, and to use the fluid flow with the higher temperature 25 for providing heat to the heating unit 15.

[0120] The solid-state energy conversion device 17 has a second side 21, which is configured to receive the fluid flow 27 after being used for providing heat to the heating unit 15, to cool the fluid flow 27 to a lower temperature and to reuse the fluid flow 29 with the lower temperature for preheating again by the heating system 13.

[0121] A solid-state energy conversion module assembly 18 can be arranged between the first side 19 and the second side 21. The assembly 18 can include one or more modules. The solid-state energy conversion modules can for example be one of the following: Peltier modules, caloric heat pump modules, thermionic heat pump modules, spin-caloritronic heat pump modules, magneto-thermoelectric heat pump modules. For the example presented below, we mainly refer to Peltier modules.

[0122] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the heating module 11 and the heating unit 15 are connected to the heating system 13 such that there is a single loop of fluid flow. The heating module 11 comprises an inlet 31 for connecting an outlet of the heating system 13 to receive the fluid flow 23, at for example a temperature of 35 C., from the heating system 13. A valve 33, which can be an element of the heating module 11 or the heating system 13, can be arranged to be able to close the fluid flow, for example in case of an emergency or repair.

[0123] The fluid flow 23 passes through the first side 19 of the heating module 13. The first side 19 comprises a fluid passage for the fluid flow through the first side 19. In the heating module 11, the fluid flow is heated to the higher temperature, for example to 55 C. The fluid flow 25 with the higher temperature is provided to the heating unit 15. An outlet 35 of the heating module 11 is connected to an inlet of the heating unit 15. The fluid flow 25 can be directly provided to the heating unit 15. The fluid flow circulates in the heating unit 15 and exits at an outlet which is connected to a further inlet 37 of the heating module 11. The fluid flow 27 re-enters the heating module 11 at a temperature of about 45 C., for example. The fluid flow 27 passes through a fluid passage, which extends through the second side 21, where the fluid flow is cooled to a lower temperature, for example 25 C. The fluid flow 29 with the lower temperature is provided back to the heating system 13 via an outlet 39 of the heating module 11 which is connected to an inlet of the heating system 13. The further valves 33, 41, 43, 45 are arranged between inlets and outlets of the heating module 11, heating system 13, and heating unit 15, respectively, as shown in FIG. 1, and they serve to open or close the fluid loop as necessary.

[0124] The solid-state energy conversion device 17, comprising solid-state energy conversion module assembly 18, is configured to receive the preheated fluid flow 23 directly from the heating system 13, to provide the fluid flow 25 with the higher temperature directly to the heating unit 15, to receive the fluid flow back from the heating unit 15 where it has been cooled and to provide the fluid flow 29 with the lower temperature directly back to the heating system 13.

[0125] In some embodiments, the first side 19 comprises only a channel or multichannel which is configured such that the fluid flow 23 flows only through the channel or multichannel as one direction pass. The second side 21 comprises only a channel or multichannel which is configured such that the fluid flow 27 flows only through the channel or multichannel as one direction pass. Preferably, the fluid flow 23 through the first side 19 is directed in the opposite flow direction as the fluid flow 27 through the second side 21.

[0126] Therefore, the first side 19 can be configured such that the fluid flow 23 through the first side 19 only flows once through the first side 19, and the second side 21 can be configured such that the fluid flow 27 through the second side 21 only flows once through the second side. The fluid flow 23 through the first side 19 can be directed in the opposite flow direction as the fluid flow 27 through the second side 21.

[0127] The valves 33, 41, 43, and 45 can be arranged on a housing 47 of the heating module 11. The housing 47 can house the solid-state energy conversion device 17. A power supply 49 can provide electric power to the solid-state energy conversion device 17, and a controller 51 can control operation of the solid-state energy conversion device 17. The power supply 49 also can provide electric power to valves and pumps. The controller 51 can also control the valves and pumps. Each of the power supply 49 and the controller 51 can be arranged in a separate housing or in the housing 47.

[0128] The heating module of FIG. 2 differs from the heating module of FIG. 1 in that the heating module 11 of FIG. 2 comprises a first heat exchanger 53, which allows decoupling the fluid flow of the heating system 13 from the fluid flow in the heating module 11 and the heating unit 15.

[0129] The heat exchanger 53 comprises a first fluid passage 54, which provides an inlet 31 for receiving a fluid flow 57 from the heating system 13 and an outlet 39 for providing the fluid flow 59 back to the heating system 13 after it has flown through the first fluid passage 54. Moreover, the first heat exchanger 53 has a second fluid passage 55 which is configured to output the fluid flow 23 that is preheated by the heat from heating system 13, for example to 30 C., and to receive the fluid flow 29 with the lower temperature, for example at 20 C. The first fluid passage 54 and the second fluid passage 55 are arranged such that heat is transferred from the fluid flow in the first fluid passage 54 to the fluid flow in the second fluid passage 55. Thus, the fluid flow 23 that is preheated by the heating system 13 is not directly provided by the heating system 13, but heated in the heat exchanger 53 via the fluid flow from the heating system 13.

[0130] The heating module 11 of FIG. 2 can comprise a fluid pump 61 to drive the fluid flow through the heating module 11 and through the heating unit 15. Although not shown in FIG. 1, such a fluid pump could also be integrated into the fluid system of the heating module 17 of FIG. 1.

[0131] The heating module of FIG. 3 differs from the heating module of FIG. 2 in that the heating module of FIG. 3 further comprises a second heat exchanger 63, which allows decoupling the fluid flow of the heating module 17 from the fluid flow of the heating unit 15.

[0132] The solid-state energy conversion device 17, comprising solid-state energy conversion module assembly 18, is configured to receive the fluid flow 23 and to heat it. The solid-state energy conversion device 17 is further configured to provide the fluid flow 25 with the higher temperature to the second heat exchanger 63 which has a third fluid passage 65 which is configured to receive the fluid flow 25 with the higher temperature and to output the fluid flow 27 after being used for providing heat to the heating unit.

[0133] The second heat exchanger 63 has a fourth fluid passage 67, which is connected to outlet 35 for providing a fluid flow 69 to the heating unit 15, for example at 55 C., and to inlet 37 for receiving the fluid flow 71 back from the heating unit after it has run through the heating unit 15 and, thus, cooled down, for example to 45 C.

[0134] The third fluid passage 65 and the fourth fluid passage 67 are arranged such that heat is transferred from the fluid flow 25 with the higher temperature in the third fluid passage 65 to the fluid flow in the fourth fluid passage 67.

[0135] A fluid pump 73 can be arranged in the heating module 11 to drive the fluid flow through the heating module 11, and in particular through the fourth fluid passage 67, and through the heating unit 15.

[0136] The heating module 101 shown in FIG. 4 interconnects a heating system 103, e.g. a DH system, a low temperature heat system, a low temperature heat pump system, waste heat source, or renewable energy source with a heating unit 105. The heating module 101 comprises a first heat exchanger 107 having a first fluid passage 109 with an inlet 111 for receiving a fluid flow 113 from the heating system 103 and an outlet 115 for providing the fluid flow 117 with a higher temperature to an inlet of the heating unit 105.

[0137] A solid-state energy conversion device 121, comprising solid-state energy conversion module assembly 122, of the heating module 101 has a first side 123 which is configured to receive a fluid flow 127 from an outlet 131 of a second fluid passage 129 of the first heat exchanger 107, for example having temperature 50 C., to cool the fluid flow to a lower temperature, for example to 20 C., while it flows through the first side 123 of the solid-state energy conversion device 121, and to provide the fluid flow 135 with the cooler temperature to an inlet 137 of a third fluid passage 139 of a second heat exchanger 141.

[0138] The solid-state energy conversion device 121 has a second side 125, which is configured to receive the fluid flow 143 from an outlet 145 of the third fluid passage 139 of the second heat exchanger 141 and to heat the fluid flow to a higher temperature, for example 60 C., while it flows through the second side 125, in particular through a fluid passage extending through the second side. The fluid flow 147 with the higher temperature is provided to an inlet 133 of the second fluid passage 129 of the first heat exchanger 107.

[0139] The second heat exchanger 141 comprises a fourth fluid passage 149 with an inlet 151 for receiving a fluid flow 155, for example at 35 C., from the heating unit 105 and with an outlet 153 for providing the fluid flow 157 back to the heating system, for example at 25 C.

[0140] The heating module 101 of FIG. 4 heats the incoming fluid flow 113, which is for heating example at 35 C., while it passes through the first heat exchanger 107, to the fluid flow 117 with a higher temperature, for example 45 C., which is provided to the heating unit 105. The fluid flow 155 from the heating unit 105, which is for example at 35 C., is cooled down to 25 C. in the heating example and provided back to the heating system 103, see fluid flow 157.

[0141] The heating modules described above with regard to FIGS. 1 to 4 enable the use of modern low temperature heating systems in conjunction with conventional heating units that are designed to operate in a higher temperature regime. Further advantages and benefits are described in the following.

[0142] For example, the thermal performance of a heating module connected or embodied to an e.g. individual radiator unit can be evaluated separately. First, the heat flux transferred from the radiator to ambient depends on nominal flow rate, supply and return temperature. For example, a radiator in FIG. 5 transfers 418 W of nominal heat flux at a nominal flow rate, a supply temperature of 55 C., and a return temperature of 48 C. If the supply temperature is decreased while maintaining the same fluid flow rate, the heat flux decreases accordingly. Reducing supply temperature from 55 to 45 C. results in 36% lower heat flux or 67% lower heat flux when decreasing from 55 to 35 C.

[0143] Embodiments of the heating module can be used to raise the temperature of each individual radiator to a higher temperature to maintain the required comfort level in the room without radiator replacement.

[0144] FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 show three exemplary cases, where multiple Peltier modules are used in a solid-state energy conversion module assembly. The Peltier modules are only an example. They are connected hydraulically in series. They are preferably connected electrically in parallel in preferred embodiments of the heating module. The supply and return temperatures from a heating system are 35 C. and 25 C., while Peltier modules can raise the temperature to 55 C. before entering the radiator. This enables the radiator to transfer nominal heat flux.

[0145] The Peltier modules for example operate with 5 K (FIG. 6), 10 K (FIG. 7) and 20 K (FIG. 8) temperature difference between the hot and cold sides of the Peltier modules. Each graph shows the temperatures of the hot and the cold sides of Peltier modules and temperatures of fluid flowing across the hot and the cold sides. Fluid that flows across the hot and cold side of Peltier modules heats up to the temperature of individual Peltier module. An ideal heat transfer is considered in this evaluation. The temperature change between two neighbouring Peltier modules is set to half of the total temperature difference between the hot and cold side, which results in different number of required Peltier modules (i.e. 8 modules at 5 K, 4 modules at 10 K and 2 modules at 20 K). In each case, fluid inlet to the hot side of the Peltier modules assembly from the heating system heats up from 35 to 55 C., while the outlet from the radiator that enters the cold side of Peltier modules assembly depends on the temperature difference of the case.

[0146] FIG. 9 shows a COP, the maximum coefficient of performance, of two different devices that can be used to increase temperature level of working fluid before entering the radiator. One device is an electric heater, which heats the working fluid via resistance heating. The COP of an electric heater is therefore assumed to be equal to 1. On the other hand, the COP is higher for a second device, which can be an embodiment of a heating module in accordance with the present invention. COP for heating mode of the latter device is calculated as a sum of absorbed heat of a Peltier modules assembly and input electric power to the Peltier modules assembly, divided by the input electric power to the Peltier modules assembly. Multiple Peltier modules operating with smaller temperature difference enable more energy efficient way of heating the fluid. We have considered three different second law efficiencies (i.e. exergy efficiencies) of a Peltier module (from 5 to 10%), and the temperature of the heat sink being 70 C. The COP was estimated for different temperature differences between the hot and cold side of Peltier modules inside the Peltier modules assembly. If the temperature difference between the hot and cold side is 12 K, COP is 4.3, whereas if the temperature difference is 36 K, COP is 1.75.

[0147] The heating/cooling module 11 of FIG. 10 differs from the one of FIG. 1 in that the heating/cooling module 11 is used for cooling, and thus it is a cooling module. Correspondingly, the heating/cooling system 13 is a cooling system.

[0148] The solid-state energy conversion device 17, comprising solid-state energy conversion module assembly 18, shown in FIG. 10 has a first side 19 which is configured to receive a fluid flow 23 that is precooled by the cooling system 13, for example to about 12 C. The solid-state energy conversion device 17 and in particular the first side 19 is further configured to cool the fluid flow 23 to a lower temperature (here to 7 C.) while it flows through the first side 19 of the solid-state energy conversion device 17, and to use the fluid flow with the lower temperature 25 for providing cold to the cooling unit 15.

[0149] The second side 21 of the solid-state energy conversion device 17 is configured to receive the fluid flow 27 after being used for providing cold to the cooling unit 15 (here with a temperature of about 13 C.), to heat the fluid flow 27 to a higher temperature (here to about 18 C.) and to reuse the fluid flow 29 with the higher temperature for precooling again by the cooling system 13.

[0150] Correspondingly, the heating modules as described with regard to FIGS. 2 to 4 in conjunction with a heating system could be used as cooling modules and could be operated in conjunction with a cooling system.

[0151] As described before, embodiments of a heating module in accordance with the invention can be used to raise the temperature of a fluid provided to an individual standard or old-type radiator to a higher temperature to obtain a desired comfort level in a room without radiator replacement. Correspondingly, embodiments of the cooling module in accordance with the invention can be used to lower the temperature of a fluid provided to an individual standard or older-type cooling unit to obtain a required comfort level, in particular during hot summer days, in a room without the need for a replacement of the cooling unit.

[0152] In a particular case, the embodiments of a heating module in accordance with the invention can be used to raise the temperature of a sanitary water. In this particular case, the heating/cooling unit can represent a storage of the sanitary hot water.

[0153] The heating module can be used for heating of sanitary hot water in sanitary water heating unit, as given in the example of FIG. 11. As for example the heating module 11 of FIG. 11 comprises a first heat exchanger 53, which allows decoupling the fluid flow of the heating system 13 from the fluid flow in the heating module 11 and the sanitary hot water heating unit 16.

[0154] The heat exchanger 53 comprises a first fluid passage 54, which provides an inlet 31 for receiving a fluid flow 57 from the heating system 13 and an outlet 39 for providing the fluid flow 59 back to the heating system 13 after it has flown through the first fluid passage 54. Moreover, the first heat exchanger 53 has a second fluid passage 55 which is configured to output the fluid flow 23 that is preheated by the heat from heating system 13, for example to 30 C., and to receive the fluid flow 29 with the lower temperature, for example at 20 C. The first fluid passage 54 and the second fluid passage 55 are arranged such that heat is transferred from the fluid flow in the first fluid passage 54 to the fluid flow in the second fluid passage 55. Thus, the fluid flow 23 that is preheated by the heating system 13 is not directly provided by the heating system 13, but heated in the heat exchanger 53 via the fluid flow from the heating system 13.

[0155] The heating module 11 of FIG. 11 can comprise a fluid pump 61 to drive the fluid flow through the heating module 11 and through the sanitary hot water heating unit 16. The sanitary hot water heating unit comprises sanitary cold water inlet 56 and sanitary hot water outlet 58.

[0156] Another example for heating the sanitary hot water via the heating module is shown in the FIG. 12.

[0157] The heating module of FIG. 12 differs from the heating module of FIG. 11 in that the heating module of FIG. 12 further comprises a second heat exchanger 63, which allows decoupling the fluid flow of the heating module 17 from the fluid flow of the sanitary hot water heating unit 16.

[0158] The solid-state energy conversion device 17, comprising solid-state energy conversion module assembly 18, is configured to receive the fluid flow 23 and to heat it. The solid-state energy conversion device 17 is further configured to provide the fluid flow 25 with the higher temperature to the second heat exchanger 63 which has a third fluid passage 65 which is configured to receive the fluid flow 25 with the higher temperature and to output the fluid flow 27 after being used for providing heat to the sanitary hot water heating unit.

[0159] The second heat exchanger 63 has a fourth fluid passage 67, which is connected to outlet 35 for providing a fluid flow 69 to the top part of the sanitary hot water heating unit 15, for example at 55 C., and to inlet 37 for receiving the fluid flow 71 back from the sanitary hot water heating unit from the bottom part of the sanitary hot water heating unit 15 and, thus, cooled down, for example to 45 C.

[0160] The third fluid passage 65 and the fourth fluid passage 67 are arranged such that heat is transferred from the fluid flow 25 with the higher temperature in the third fluid passage 65 to the fluid flow in the fourth fluid passage 67.

[0161] A fluid pump 73 can be arranged in the heating module 11 to drive the fluid flow through the heating module 11, and in particular through the fourth fluid passage 67, and for the circulation of the water from the sanitary hot water heating unit 16. The sanitary hot water unit comprises sanitary cold water inlet 56 and sanitary hot water outlet 58.

[0162] A component of a heating/cooling module in accordance with the present invention is a solid-state energy conversion device. An example of a solid-state energy conversion device is shown schematically in FIG. 13.

[0163] At least in some embodiments, the solid-state energy conversion device can have an arrangement of one or more solid-state energy conversion modules 183. The solid-state energy conversion modules 183 can be arranged side by side and all can face upwards. A first fluid flow 179 is arranged along a top surface of solid-state energy conversion modules 183 and a second fluid flow 181 is arranged along a bottom surface of solid-state energy conversion modules.

[0164] Each of the solid-state energy conversion modules 183 comprises several solid-state energy conversion elements. In an example of Peltier element, heat is transported from cold to hot side by the thermoelectric effect or Peltier effect which arises when a direct electric current flows through two oppositely doped (N and P-doped) semiconducting materials with different Peltier coefficients. The Peltier elements in Peltier module 183 are preferably electrically connected in series and thermally in parallel. Therefore, one surface heats up and the other cools down. If the direction of electric current is switched, the hot and cold sides of a Peltier module also change.

[0165] A solution for the increase (in case of a heating scenario) or decrease (in case of a cooling scenario) of the temperature of the working fluid supplied to a heating/cooling unit using embodiments of a heating/cooling module in accordance with the present invention has been described. The heating/cooling modules are environmentally friendly, as no harmful refrigerants with global warming potential or ozone depletion potential are used, and more energy efficient than equivalent electric heaters. The operating conditions of thermoelectric devices that include Peltier modules enable operation of Peltier modules with a small temperature difference between the hot and cold side, which increases their COP as shown for example in FIG. 9. Therefore, the expected operation can be up to several times more energy efficient than by using a conventional electric heater. Other solid-state energy conversion devices can be used instead of thermoelectric devices that include Peltier modules.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0166] 11 heating/cooling module [0167] 13 heating/cooling system [0168] 15 heating/cooling unit [0169] 16 sanitary hot water heating unit [0170] 17 solid-state energy conversion device [0171] 18 solid-state energy conversion module assembly [0172] 19 first side [0173] 21 second side [0174] 23 fluid flow [0175] 25 fluid flow [0176] 27 fluid flow [0177] 29 fluid flow [0178] 31 inlet [0179] 33 valve [0180] 35 outlet [0181] 37 inlet [0182] 39 outlet [0183] 41 valve [0184] 43 valve [0185] 45 valve [0186] 47 housing [0187] 49 power supply [0188] 51 controller [0189] 53 first heat exchanger [0190] 54 first fluid passage [0191] 55 second fluid passage [0192] 56 sanitary cold water inlet [0193] 57 fluid flow [0194] 58 sanitary hot water outlet [0195] 59 fluid flow [0196] 61 fluid pump [0197] 63 second heat exchanger [0198] 65 third fluid passage [0199] 67 fourth fluid passage [0200] 69 fluid flow [0201] 71 fluid flow [0202] 73 fluid pump [0203] 101 heating/cooling module [0204] 103 heating/cooling system [0205] 105 heating/cooling unit [0206] 107 first heat exchanger [0207] 109 first fluid passage [0208] 111 inlet [0209] 113 fluid flow [0210] 115 outlet [0211] 117 fluid flow [0212] 119 inlet [0213] 121 solid-state energy conversion device [0214] 122 solid-state energy conversion module assembly [0215] 123 first side [0216] 125 second side [0217] 127 fluid flow [0218] 129 second fluid passage [0219] 131 outlet [0220] 133 inlet [0221] 135 fluid flow [0222] 137 inlet [0223] 139 third fluid passage [0224] 141 second heat exchanger [0225] 143 fluid flow [0226] 145 outlet [0227] 147 fluid flow [0228] 149 fourth fluid passage [0229] 151 inlet [0230] 153 outlet [0231] 155 fluid flow [0232] 157 fluid flow [0233] 171 fluid pump [0234] 173 power supply [0235] 175 controller [0236] 177 fluid flow [0237] 179 first fluid flow [0238] 181 second fluid flow [0239] 183 solid-state energy conversion module [0240] 185 first side [0241] 187 second side