On-demand tankless high volume capable water heating system

Abstract

An on-demand high volume capable water heating system for supplying a total heating power at a high turndown ratio of at least about 33.3:1 and at a total flowrate of from about 0.6 GPM to about 50 GPM. The water heating system includes multiple heat exchangers where each heat exchanger includes a fluid conductor and a controller, an exhaust manifold configured to receive exhaust from the multiple heat exchangers, eliminating the need for an exhaust for each of the multiple heat exchangers, a recirculation circuit fluidly connected to each of the multiple heat exchangers and an enclosure. Each controller is adapted to determine the portion of heating power each heat exchanger is required to contribute to the total heating power and the portion of the total flowrate flowing through the fluid conductor. The heat exchangers and recirculation circuit are located within the enclosure.

What is claimed herein is: 
     
         1 . An on-demand high volume capable water heating system for supplying a total heating power at a turndown ratio and a total flowrate, said water heating system comprising:
 (a) more than one heat exchanger, each heat exchanger comprising:
 (i) a fluid conductor; and 
 (ii) a controller, 
 wherein said controller is adapted to determine the portion of heating power said each heat exchanger is required to contribute to said total heating power and the portion of said total flowrate flowing through said fluid conductor; 
   (b) an exhaust manifold configured to receive exhaust from said more than one heat exchanger, eliminating the need for an exhaust for each of said more than one heat exchanger;   (c) an internal recirculation circuit, said internal recirculation circuit is fluidly connected to each of said more than one heat exchanger; and   (d) an enclosure,   wherein said more than one heat exchanger and said recirculation circuit are located within said enclosure.   
     
     
         2 . The on-demand high volume capable water heating system of  claim 1  is tankless. 
     
     
         3 . The on-demand high volume capable water heating system of  claim 1 , said internal recirculation circuit comprises a pump and a check valve. 
     
     
         4 . The on-demand high volume capable water heating system of  claim 1 , said internal recirculation circuit comprises a pump and a modulating valve. 
     
     
         5 . The on-demand high volume capable water heating system of  claim 1 , further comprising a user interface operably connected to said each controller. 
     
     
         6 . The on-demand high volume capable water heating system of  claim 1 , wherein said enclosure comprises a pallet base having fork pockets adapted to facilitate the transport of said enclosure with a forklift. 
     
     
         7 . The on-demand high volume capable water heating system of  claim 1 , wherein each of said more than one heat exchanger further comprises a top casting having a backflow preventer. 
     
     
         8 . The on-demand high volume capable water heating system of  claim 1 , wherein said internal recirculation circuit is activated while supplying said total heating power. 
     
     
         9 . The on-demand high volume capable water heating system of  claim 1 , wherein said internal recirculation circuit is activated at least a portion of the time outside of supplying said total heating power. 
     
     
         10 . The on-demand high volume capable water heating system of  claim 1 , further comprising an external recirculation circuit. 
     
     
         11 . The on-demand high volume capable water heating system of  claim 1 , wherein said turndown ratio is at least about 33.3:1. 
     
     
         12 . The on-demand high volume capable water heating system of  claim 1 , wherein said total flowrate is up to about 50 Gallons Per Minute (GPM). 
     
     
         13 . An on-demand high volume capable water heating system for supplying a total heating power at a turndown ratio of at least about 33.3:1, said water heating system comprising:
 (a) more than one heat exchanger, each heat exchanger comprising:
 (i) a fluid conductor; and 
 (ii) a controller, 
 wherein said controller is adapted to determine the portion of heating power said each heat exchanger is required to contribute to said total heating power and the portion of said total flowrate flowing through said fluid conductor; 
   (b) an exhaust manifold configured to receive exhaust from said more than one heat exchanger, eliminating the need for an exhaust for each of said more than one heat exchanger;   (c) an internal recirculation circuit, said internal recirculation circuit is fluidly connected to each of said more than one heat exchanger; and   (d) an enclosure,   wherein said more than one heat exchanger and said recirculation circuit are located within said enclosure.   
     
     
         14 . The on-demand high volume capable water heating system of  claim 13  is tankless. 
     
     
         15 . The on-demand high volume capable water heating system of  claim 13 , said internal recirculation circuit comprises a pump and a check valve. 
     
     
         16 . The on-demand high volume capable water heating system of  claim 13 , said internal recirculation circuit comprises a pump and a modulating valve. 
     
     
         17 . The on-demand high volume capable water heating system of  claim 13 , further comprising a user interface operably connected to said each controller. 
     
     
         18 . The on-demand high volume capable water heating system of  claim 13 , wherein said enclosure comprises a pallet base having fork pockets adapted to facilitate the transport of said enclosure with a forklift. 
     
     
         19 . The on-demand high volume capable water heating system of  claim 13 , wherein each of said more than one heat exchanger further comprises a top casting having a backflow preventer. 
     
     
         20 . The on-demand high volume capable water heating system of  claim 13 , further comprising an external recirculation circuit.