Water and energy conservation system for food serving establishments

Patent · Tue Jan 27 00:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:6459544

Papadakos, J

A water and energy conserving apparatus is described for supplying pre-heated water to a hot water heater and for cooling at least one refrigeration unit using a compressible medium in a food serving establishment comprising, a pre-heater tank adapted to receive water from a cold water source and having a cold water inlet line connected to the cold water source and a cold water outlet line. A heat exchanger which is associated with the refrigeration unit is connected to the cold water output line coming from the tank. A hot water output line is connected between the heat exchanger and the tank for returning water from the heat exchanger to the tank. The compressible medium which is hot is supplied from the refrigeration unit to the heat exchanger and the water flowing through the heat exchanger cools the compressible medium thus picking up heat. A circulator is connected into the hot water output line for circulating water from the tank to the heat exchanger and back. A drain line is connected to the heated water output line and includes a normally closed solenoid valve. The drain line is connected to a drain and is provided to vent water from the pre-heater tank. A thermostat is connected to the cold water output line coming from the tank to sense the temperature. The thermostat is connected to a power supply which powers the solenoid and when the temperature of water in the cold water output line rises above a selected value, which is preferably in the vicinity of 85 degrees Fahrenheit, the solenoid valve is energized to open the flow of water in the drain line and vent water from the pre-heater tank. A pre-heater water line is connected between the pre-heater tank and the hot water heater to supply pre-heated water to the hot water heater to conserve energy used in heating the otherwise cold water normally supplied to the hot water heater.

• Assignee: IFI; EDB-81-086050
• Patent Number(s): US 4246764
• OSTI ID: 6459544
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 16 Feb 1979
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
RESTAURANTS
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
ENERGY CONSERVATION
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HEAT TREATMENTS
HOT WATER
PIPES
REFRIGERATORS
THERMOSTATS
VALVES
BUILDINGS
COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
EFFICIENCY
EQUIPMENT
FLOW REGULATORS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
WATER
320104* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Commercial & Industrial Buildings- (-1987)