Importance

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Abstract

Heating and/or cooling systems, related methods, particularly those utilized for the heating and/or cooling of large structures, areas, or environments are disclosed herein. In one example embodiment, such a system includes a stratified thermal storage tank (STST), heat exchanger, and heat pump. A first amount of a fluid can flow from the STST to a heating load and then to the heat exchanger, at which residual heat can be received, and which is configured to receive a medium from an external source. The medium can flow from the source through the heat exchanger to an evaporator of the heat pump and transport first heat to the evaporator, including the residual heat. A risk of ice formation at the evaporator is reduced/eliminated. The heat pump is configured to cycle a refrigerant, so that the first heat is transferred from the evaporator to a gas cooler, and then to the STST.

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First Claim