Single-pipe thermal energy system

Use of a thermal energy system comprising:

• a) a single-pipe loop for circulating a two-phase refrigerant within the system;
• b) a central circulation mechanism for circulating the two-phase refrigerant through the single-pipe loop, said central circulation mechanism comprising a reservoir for said two-phase refrigerant, at least one compressor, and a plurality of expansion valves, said at least one compressor being at least one of:
• single-stage or multi-stage;
• and
• c) at least three local heat exchange stations, each of said at least three local heat exchange stations comprising at least one local heat exchanger and at least one local thermal unit, said at least one local heat exchanger forming a portion of the single-pipe loop and said at least one local heat exchanger being thermally connected to the at least one local thermal unit for thermal energy exchange between said two-phase refrigerant and said at least one local thermal unit;
• wherein at least one of said at least three local heat exchange stations is an internal unit for independently heating or cooling at least one zone of a built environment;
• wherein at least one of said at least three local heat exchange stations is an external unit connected to a thermal sink;
• wherein at least one of said at least three local heat exchange stations is a further external unit connected to a thermal source;
• wherein said central circulation mechanism controls at least one of:
• a temperature or a pressure of the two-phase refrigerant in said single-pipe loop to thereby control a circulation of the two-phase refrigerant for creating different working pressures in said single-pipe loop and for maintaining the two-phase refrigerant at a substantially constant state and temperature at an end of a circulation cycle through the single-pipe loop;
• wherein control of said temperature or said pressure of said two-phase refrigerant in said single-pipe loop is for thermally balancing said single-pipe loop;
• wherein the thermal energy is distributed and recovered within the system by the two-phase refrigerant;
• and wherein the use of the system is for distribution and recovery of thermal energy.

A method for distribution and recovery of thermal energy, the method comprising:

• a) providing a thermal energy system, wherein the thermal energy system comprises:
• a single-pipe loop for circulation of a two-phase refrigerant;
• a central circulation mechanism for circulating the two-phase refrigerant through the single-pipe loop, said central circulation mechanism comprising a reservoir for said two-phase refrigerant, at least one compressor, and a plurality of expansion valves, said at least one compressor being at least one of:
• single-stage or multi-stage;
• and
• at least three local heat exchange stations, each of said at least three local heat exchange stations comprising at least one local heat exchanger and at least one local thermal unit, said at least one local heat exchanger forming a portion of the single-pipe loop and said at least one local heat exchanger being thermally connected to the at least one local thermal unit for thermal energy exchange between said two-phase refrigerant and said at least one local thermal unit;
• wherein at least one of said at least three local heat exchange stations is an internal unit for independently heating or cooling at least one zone of a built environment;
• wherein at least one of said at least three local heat exchange stations is an external unit connected to a thermal sink;
• wherein at least one of said at least three local heat exchange stations is a further external unit connected to a thermal source;
• b) circulating the refrigerant within the thermal energy system;
• c) controlling the circulation of the refrigerant for distribution and recovery of the thermal energy between said at least three local heat exchange stations;
• wherein said central circulation mechanism controls at least one of:
• a temperature or a pressure of the two-phase refrigerant in said single-pipe loop to thereby control a circulation of the two-phase refrigerant for creating different working pressures in said single-pipe loop and for maintaining the two-phase refrigerant at a substantially constant state and temperature at an end of a circulation cycle through the single-pipe loop;
• wherein control of said temperature or said pressure of said two-phase refrigerant in said single-pipe loop is for thermally balancing said single-pipe loop;
• and
• wherein the thermal energy is distributed and recovered within the system by the two-phase refrigerant.