Innovative thermal energy storage technologies

Vincent O’BrienCopper Industries (Ireland) Ltd

Vincent@copperindustries.co.uk

Copper Industries and UU collaborations University of Ulster’s Centre for Sustainable Technologies

Copper Industries (Ireland) Ltd

• Based in Toome, Northern Ireland• Manufacturer of hot water

cylinders, buffer vessels and thermal stores from domestic to commercial/industrial scale with over 13 years of experience

Introduction to hot water systemsSystem types• Domestic hot water• Low temperature hot water heating

systems• Combined but separate systems

System options• Direct/indirect• Vented/unvented• Gravity fed/mechanically pump

Storage issues• Safe storage and supply

temperature• Legionnaire’s disease and bacterial

growth• Efficient energy transfer and storage• Material compatibility/suitability

The need for changeEnvironmental focus• A higher recognition of the need

for the responsible use of energy

Social focus• Fuel poverty and higher fuel costs

Customer focus• Quality product providing fast,

efficient hot water

Market focus• Effective integration of renewables

into new build and retrofit installations

Copper Industries and UU collaborations Invest NI Innovation vouchers:

• MaxiPod – thermal store• HotHead – stratifying cylinder

Knowledge Transfer Partnership to develop an innovative thermal energy storage system for future/renewable technologies through the establishment of a novel R&D facility

The MaxiPod thermal store - description• Maintains the store at temperature• Instantaneous response to heating

and hot water demand• Mains pressure hot water• Indirect hot water supply reduces

the risk of exposure to Legionella• Efficient multi-fuel system

The MaxiPod thermal store – performance• “Can provide up to 38 kW of

domestic hot water demand while still maintaining suitable flow rates and volumes that would be suitable to satisfy all appliances in a modern domestic setting.”

• “Simplifies the method by which conventional fossil fuel and renewable heating systems can be integrated to provide both space heating and domestic hot water, whilst reducing the potential of legionella infection.”

The HotHead stratifying cylinder - description• Rapid and efficient response to

varying levels energy inputs, durations and flow rates

• Energy is delivered where it is most useful

• Decreases start-up and recovery times

The HotHead stratifying cylinder - performance• “exhibits significantly increased

stratification”• When tested using an evacuated

tube solar collector, there was a “4% increase in the efficiency of the solar collector”

• More rapid response to input energy

• The hottest part of the cylinder is closer to the point of use and not the coil

KTP projectCurrently commissioning a comprehensive in-house test facility with the capacity to characterise:• Charging• Discharging• Re-charging• Storage• Heat exchanger performance

For:• Vented• Unvented• Direct• Indirect• Renewable integration

Where to next?Improved heat exchanger performance

• Faster response• Safer supply

Improved cylinder storage

• Stratified storage• Improved retention• Optimizing multi-fuel interactions

New materials and applications

• Potential of cost effective phase change materials

• Integrating renewable energies with combi-systems

Thank you for your attention

Vincent@copperindustries.co.uk