A smart boiler system, comprising:
- a first chamber (410) comprising a first inlet (4510), a second inlet (4515), a first outlet (4100), and a second outlet (4150);
- a second chamber (420) comprising a first inlet (4520), a second inlet (4525), a first outlet (4200), and a second outlet (4250);
- a first back pressure control valve (730) comprising:
- an inlet in fluid connection with said second outlet (4250) of said second chamber (420);
- an outlet in fluid connection with said second outlet (4150) of said first chamber (410);
- and
- a first one-way valve configured to open when pressure at said inlet exceeds pressure at said outlet by a predetermined amount;
- a second back pressure control valve (740) comprising:
- an inlet in fluid connection with said second outlet (4150) of said first chamber (410);
- and
- an outlet in fluid connection with said second outlet (4250) of said second chamber (420);
- said second back pressure control valve configured to open when pressure at said inlet exceeds pressure at said outlet by a predetermined amount;
- a flexible barrier (430) separating said first chamber and said second chamber;
- a first heater (451) in thermal contact with said inlets to said first chamber;
- a second heater (452) in thermal contact with said inlets to said second chamber;
- a first recirculating pump (101) configured to pump fluid from said first chamber outlet (4100) to said first chamber inlet (4515) through a normally-open first valve (301) via a conduit (2070);
- a second recirculating pump (102) configured to pump fluid from said second chamber outlet (4200) to said second chamber inlet (4525) through a normally-open second valve (302) via a conduit (2075);
- volume detection means for determining when said flexible barrier approaches within a predetermined distance of an interior surface of a chamber selected from said first chamber and said second chamber, said volume detection means configured to provide a signal when at least one condition selected from the following group of conditions is met:
- said flexible barrier is determined to have approached to within said predetermined distance of the interior surface of said selected chamber;
- said flexible barrier is determined to have reached a predetermined limit of its travel;
- said volume detection means determines that said selected chamber is characterized by a volume consistent with approach of said flexible barrier to within said predetermined distance of the interior surface of said selected chamber;
- and
- said volume detection means determines that one of said chambers is effectively empty;
- a normally closed third valve (303), one side of which is connected to conduit (2070) via conduit (2060) at a point downstream of said first recirculating pump (101), and a second side of which is connected to conduit (2075) via conduit (2065) at a point downstream of said second recirculating pump (102);
- a three-way inlet valve (304), comprising:
- an inlet;
- a first outlet in fluid connection with first chamber inlet (4510) via a conduit (2050);
- and
- a second outlet in fluid connection with second chamber inlet (4520) via a conduit (2055);
- a three-way outlet valve (305), comprising:
- a first inlet in fluid connection with first chamber outlet (4150) via a conduit (2080);
- a second inlet in fluid connection with second chamber outlet (4250) via a conduit (2085);
- and
- an outlet;
- a heating control subsystem, said heating control subsystem comprising:
- a first temperature control means (510) configured to measure temperature within said first chamber (410) and to control said first heater (451);
- and
- a second temperature control means (520) and configured to measure temperature within said second chamber (420) and to control said second heater (452);
- and,
- control means configured to set said valves (301), (302), (303), and (304) to conduct water to one of said first chamber and said second chamber in response to a signal either from said volume detection means or from a user.