Abstract

A heating system comprises a source of rotational motion, at least one pump, a primary heat storage system, and one or more loops of piping connected to the primary heat storage system. The source of rotational motion, which may be a wind turbine, is configured to drive the at least one pump. The at least one pump is configured to pump liquid to repeatedly circulate around the one or more loops of piping, resulting in frictional heating of the pumped liquid and transfer of heat to the primary heat storage system. The system may comprise a secondary heat storage system, the pump may have an efficiency of less than 20%, the wind turbine may have drag-style blades, and/or the system may comprise a flow valve to regulate a flow rate of the pumped liquid.

IPC Classes  ?

• F03D 9/18 - Combinations of wind motors with apparatus storing energy storing heat
• F03D 9/22 - Wind motors characterised by the driven apparatus the apparatus producing heat
• F03D 9/28 - Wind motors characterised by the driven apparatus the apparatus being a pump or a compressor
• F24D 11/00 - Central heating systems using heat accumulated in storage masses
• F24D 12/00 - Other central heating systems

Abstract

There is provided an apparatus (100) for heating a liquid, comprising a wind turbine (1), a pump (5), and a circuit of piping. The wind turbine (1) drives the pump (5) to pump the liquid around the circuit of piping, and the circuit of piping comprises a friction pipe (14) through which the liquid is forced by the pump (5). Friction between the liquid and an inside of the friction pipe (14) generates heat, which gradually raises the temperature of the liquid by at least 20 °C.

IPC Classes  ?

• F03D 9/22 - Wind motors characterised by the driven apparatus the apparatus producing heat
• F03D 9/28 - Wind motors characterised by the driven apparatus the apparatus being a pump or a compressor