HEATING UNIT

Abstract

A heating unit comprising: —a housing —amino-carrying fibres contained within the housing; —a conduit for water; —means for delivering carbon dioxide into the housing; and —means for supplying heat to the amino-carrying fibres.

Claims

1. A heating unit comprising: a housing amino-carrying fibres contained within the housing; a conduit for water; means for delivering carbon dioxide into the housing; and means for supplying heat to the amino-carrying fibres.

2. A heating unit according to claim 1 wherein the amino-carrying fibres are cellulose fibres.

3. A heating unit according to claim 1 wherein the amino compound carried on the fibres is an alkanolamine.

4. A heating unit according to claim 1 wherein the conduit passes through the fibres.

5. A heat unit according to claim 1 wherein the conduit for water is in contact with one or more heat tubes that pass through the fibres.

6. A heating unit according to claim 1 which is connected to a vessel containing carbon dioxide.

7. A heating unit according to claim 1 wherein the means for supplying heat to the amino-carrying fibres comprises a solar panel.

8. A heating unit according to claim 1 which comprises a closed loop for carbon dioxide.

9. A method of heating water, the method comprising: (a) providing a heating unit according to claim 1; (b) delivering carbon dioxide into the housing; and (c) passing water through the conduit.

10. A method according to claim 8 which further comprises a step (d) of heating the amino-carrying fibres.

Description

[0091] A heating unit of the invention is shown in FIG. 1. The unit is provided with an outer housing 1. This may be made from polyethylene, for example. The internal surface 2 is preferably made from a heat reflective material such as stainless steel. The outer surface 3 is preferably is weather resistant and may be made from polyethylene.

[0092] Located within the housing are fibres 4 coated with an amino compound. A grid 5 prevents the fibres entering a pipe 6 to valve 7. This is a two way valve connected to a cylinder of carbon dioxide 13.

[0093] Passing through the housing is a conduit 8 which bends multiple times through the fibres and presents a large surface area to the fibres. The fibres are packed around the bends of the conduit. Water enters the housing at inlet 9 and exits through outlet 10. Water is suitably supplied from and returned to the water heating system of a domestic supply with which the heating unit is integrated.

[0094] The unit is provided with a solar panel 11. A screen 12 can be remotely opened and closed when necessary to allow heat from the solar panel to be directed onto the fibres when desired.

[0095] Carbon dioxide that is driven off suitably passes back through valve 7 and is directed via channel 15 into chamber 14. From there it can be redirected into cylinder 13 via opening 16.

[0096] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of a further heating unit of the invention. Housing 21 is divided into four sub-chambers 22 each of which is packed with amine-carrying fibres (not shown). Internal dividing walls 23 are not heat reflective and gas-impermeable. The internal surface of the external wall 24 is heat reflective.

[0097] Carbon dioxide from a single source 25 can be directed via multiple channels 26 into any of the chambers via valves 27. Water enters from a single source 28 which is connected to the water supply and can be passed selectively through any of the chambers via a plurality of conduits 29 which join a single exit 30. Solar panel 31 can be moved across the different chambers as needed.