Method and apparatus for utilizing waste heat in hot water heaters

Patent · Tue Oct 13 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:5777688

Waters, L G

A water preheating system is described for a hot water heater having a main tank, a fuel fired main burner for heating the water in the main tank, and a fuel fired pilot burner for igniting the main burner when the latter is supplied with fuel. The system comprises: a storage tank for holding preheated water. The storage tank is connected with a supply of incoming water to be heated; a heat exchanger mounted in proximity to the pilot burner at a location to be heated by the heat from the pilot burner. The heat exchanger includes a hood member mounted above the pilot burner and presenting a heat exchange chamber located and oriented to receive and concentrate heat generated by the pilot burner; conduit means extending from the storage tank to the heat exchanger and back to the storage tank for receiving water which circulates through the conduit means and is preheated by the heat exchanger prior to being returned to the storage tank. The conduit means extend through the heat exchange chamber to extract heat therefrom; and a transfer conduit extending from the storage tank to the main tank to deliver the preheated water to the main tank when hot water is drawn therefrom.

• Assignee: NOV; EDB-88-009169; NOV-88-086451
• Patent Number(s): US 4699091
• OSTI ID: 5777688
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320106* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Building Equipment-- (1987-)
320304 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Waste Heat Recovery & Utilization
APPLIANCES
BURNERS
CONTAINERS
DESIGN
DUCTS
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HEATERS
TANKS
WASTE HEAT UTILIZATION
WASTE PRODUCT UTILIZATION
WATER HEATERS