On Demand Water HeaterAn Improvement on the Existing Electric Heater

Introduction• Our team

– Antonio DiCianni– Christopher Kaskoun– Vincent Tancredi– Daniel Taurone– Dung Truong

• Our advisor– Dr. Giuseppe Palmese

• Problem Introduction

Problem Background• Existing water heating methods

• Traditional Tank Heater

• Tankless Water Heater• Gas• Electric

• Resistance Heating

Traditional Water Tank Heaters

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Foam Insulation

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Electric-Resistance Instantaneous Water Heater

FLOW OUT FLOW IN

Tankless Water Heater

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• An electric-resistance water heater has electric heating elements submerged in its storage tank.

• Expensive – Electricity costs more per unit of delivered heat than

gas.– require a large power supply.

Electric-Resistance Tankless Water Heater

ENERGY SOURCE ELECTRICITY

MINIMUM EFFICIENCY RECOMMENDED .94 EF

MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY AVAILABLE .96 EF

EXPECTED LIFE 13 years

ARROXIMATE COST TO INSTALL $400-$800

http://hes.lbl.gov/hes/makingithappen/no_regrets/waterheaterelectric.html

• Size Constraints • Electrical Consumption• Viability

• Installation• Lifespan• Maintenance

• Cost• Safety

Criteria for Success

Possible Solutions: More Insulated Pipes

Currently• For tanks and exposed pipes• InefficientModified solution • Insulate ALL pipes• Materials

– Polyethylene, Neoprene Foam, Fiberglass Wrap, Polyurethane

– Inexpensive– Self Installation

Cold Water Flow

Hot Water Flow

KEY

Tank Water Heater

AppliancesHeat Lose

Primary Source of Shower Temp Fluctuations

Typical Plumbing Schematic for a Single Family Dwelling

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Ground Water Inlet

Possible Solutions: Modified Mixer Valve

Currently• Manually set to mix hot and cold water• Fluctuating temperatureModified Solution• New mixer to automatically detect

fluctuation and adjust to keep proportion• Changes:

– Laser detection– Software system

• Monitor• Adjust

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Possible Solutions: Pros and Cons Thus Far

Pros ConsMore Insulated Pipes

- Easy to buy and install- Less wait time for hot water

- Tearing down parts of walls in kitchen, bath, adjoining rooms where pipes may be found- Still fluctuation- about 4º F retention

Modified Mixer Valve

- No fluctuation- Installation in one place

- Still wasted water and energy- Existing simpler version

Possible Solutions: To the Source

Analyzing point of energy usage• On all the time• Where most energy is lostMission: Design New Heating system for

the shower• Pros

– Will not be on all the time– Heat at the point of usage: no wasted water

• Problem: Heat and Power source

Possible Solutions: Types of Hot Water Tanks

Top Choice: Electric

Possible Solution: On Demand Water Heater

Currently• Electric showers and tank-less water

heater• Inefficient, slow, power usageSolution• Heating in or through pipes by electric

power• Possible methods

– Block (outside)– Coil (outside)– Electric Cartridge (Inside)

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The Ideal Solution• On Demand Water Heater

• Design• Improved heating mechanism • Fin System

• Benefits• Easy Installation• Maintenance• Safety Device• Energy Conservation• Cost Efficiency

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Implication of fin system stemming off of the cartridge heater

The Ideal Solution

Pre-manufactured Cartridge with Fin System Easy Installation into Piping

The Ideal Solution

Schematic of our Design

Research Conducted P = (m/t)C∆T

Temperature OutMax Energy

needed Minimun Specific

HeatH2OJ/g◦C

Flow Rate (gram/sec)

Temperature ◦C

Min (ground water ◦C)

Max ◦C J/sec J/sec

4.148 63.0902 12.7 12.7 45 8452.850232 0

4.148 126.1804 12.7 12.7 45 16905.70046 0

4.148 189.2706 12.7 12.7 45 25358.5507 0

4.148 252.3608 12.7 12.7 45 33811.40093 0

4.148 315.451 12.7 12.7 45 42264.25116 0

4.148 378.5412 12.7 12.7 45 50717.10139 0

4.148 441.6314 12.7 12.7 45 59169.95162 0

P Power

m Mass

t Time

C Specific Heat

∆T Change in Temperature

Amperage

• Digital Interface

• Calculations to determine effective materials

• Optimal Fin design

• Most Effective Cartridge Heater

Recommendations for Future Work

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• Flaws of previously existing designs

• The ideal design– Meets economic, safety, and comfort standards– Primary design goal

• Decrease energy lose• Increase annual savings

Conclusions & Discussion

Tank Heater

Instantaneous Block

Heater

On-Demand

Fin System

Questions?

Acknowledgments and References

"Electric Tankless Water Heaters." Tankless Water Heaters. 2007. American Tankless Water Heaters. 28 Apr 2007 <http://www.e-tankless.com/tank-water-heater.php>.

"Top-Rated Water Heaters." Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings: Condensed Online Version. December, 2006. American Council for an Energy-Efficient Ecconomy. 28 Apr 2007 <http://www.aceee.org/consumerguide/topwater.htm>.

"EERE Consumer's Guide: Insulate Hot Water Pipes for Energy Savings." U.S. Department of Energy: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. 12 September 2005. 25 Feb 2007 <http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/water_heating/index.cfm/mytopic=13060>.

“Estimating Water Usage Guidelines.” Wholly Water. 2003. 1 Mar 2007 <http://www.wholywater.com/waterusage.html>.

Ground Water & Drinking Water. 28 Nov 2006. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 6 Mar 2007 <http://www.wholywater.com/waterusage.html>.

"Tankless Water Heaters ." Tool Base Services . 25 Feb 2007 <http://www.toolbase.org/TechInventory/TechDetails.aspx?ContentDetailID=599>.

"Water Heating." Energy Efficiancy and Renewable Energy. U.S. Department of Energy. 1 Feb. 2007 <eere.energy.gov>.

"Water Heating." Minnesota Propane Gas Association. 2003. 4 Feb. 2007 <mnpropane.org/homebuilder_water>.