JP2002130830A - Hot water supply apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hot water supply apparatus in which a neutralization agent can be replaced at an appropriate timing by detecting the extent of consumption thereof accurately. SOLUTION: The hot water supply apparatus comprises a combustion chamber 1, a combustion burner 2, a heat exchanger 3, a water supply channel 4 and a hot water delivery channel 5. The heat exchanger 3 comprises a main heat exchanger section 3a located on the upstream side of combustion exhaust gas flow, and a sub-heat exchanger section 3b located on the downstream side of combustion exhaust gas flow. A drain pan 6 for receiving condensate generated at the sub-heat exchanger section 3b is disposed in the combustion chamber 1. A channel 7 for discharging condensate in the drain pan 6 is coupled with the drain pan 6 and a unit 8 for neutralizing the condensate discharged through the condensate discharging channel 7 is disposed in the condensate discharging channel 7. Furthermore, means for detecting the extent of consumption of a neutralization agent in the neutralization unit 8 by detecting variation in the mass of the neutralization unit 8 is provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water heater for obtaining hot water by exchanging heat with combustion exhaust gas, and more particularly to a water heater for recovering even the latent heat of exhaust gas from combustion exhaust gas.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a water heater for recovering latent heat is configured as shown in FIG. A combustion burner 2 for burning fuel such as gas and a heat exchanger 3 for exchanging heat with the combustion exhaust gas of the combustion burner 2 are arranged in the combustion chamber 1. The heat exchanger 3 has a main heat exchanger section 3a located on the upstream side in the flow direction of the combustion exhaust gas, and a sub heat exchanger 3b located on the downstream side in the flow direction of the combustion exhaust gas. Heat exchanger 3
A water supply flow path 4 for supplying water to be heated is connected to the sub-heat exchanger section 3b, and the water heated by the heat exchanger 3 is connected to the main heat exchanger section 3a of the heat exchanger 3. Is connected to a tapping channel 5 for tapping. The combustion chamber 1 has a sub heat exchange section 3a
A drain pan 6 for receiving the condensed water generated by the drain pan 6 is disposed, and a drain discharge channel 7 for discharging the condensed water received by the drain pan 6 is connected to the drain pan 6. A neutralizer 8 is arranged in the middle of the drain drain passage 7, and the neutralizer 8 is loaded with a neutralizing agent such as CaCO ₃ .

In such a water heater, when fuel is burned by the combustion burner 2 and water is supplied from the water supply passage 4, when the water passes through the heat exchanger 3, the heat is exchanged with the heat of the combustion exhaust gas to heat the water. The hot water is supplied from the hot water flow path 5. When heat is exchanged in the heat exchanger 3, sensible heat is mainly exchanged in the main heat exchanger 3a, but latent heat is exchanged in the sub heat exchanger 3b in addition to sensible heat exchange. As described above, latent heat is recovered by the sub heat exchanger section 3b, so that thermal efficiency can be improved. At this time, condensed water is generated because the combustion exhaust gas is supercooled in the sub heat exchanger 3b to recover latent heat in the sub heat exchanger 3b, and the condensed water is received by the drain pan 6,
It is discharged from a drain pan 6 through a drain discharge channel 7.
The condensed water generated by supercooling the combustion exhaust gas cannot be discharged as it is because it is strongly acidic, and is discharged after passing through the neutralizer 8 to be neutralized.

[0004]

The neutralizer 8 neutralizes condensed water with a neutralizing agent charged therein.
Since the neutralizing agent is exhausted, the neutralizing agent must be replaced when exhausted. However, conventionally, there is a problem that it is not possible to accurately detect how much the neutralizing agent in the neutralizer 8 has been consumed, and it is not possible to appropriately replace the neutralizing agent.
In other words, in the past, the amount of consumption of the neutralizing agent was experimentally confirmed, the amount of consumption was predictively determined based on the operation time of the water heater, and the time for replacing the neutralizing agent was determined. There is a problem that the agent is replaced by the consumed amount of the agent. The amount of consumption of the neutralizing agent is not uniquely determined by the operation time of the water heater, but greatly varies depending on the operation mode of the water heater, weather conditions, and the like. For this reason, there is a waste that the neutralizing agent is replaced when the neutralizing agent is not consumed so much, or a problem that the operation is performed even though the processing capacity of the neutralizing agent is reduced occurs. There's a problem.

The present invention has been made in view of the above description, and has as its object to provide a water heater capable of accurately detecting the degree of consumption of a neutralizing agent and replacing the neutralizing agent at an appropriate time. And

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a water heater according to the present invention comprises a combustion burner 2 disposed in a combustion chamber 1.
A heat exchanger 3 for exchanging heat with the heat of the combustion exhaust gas of the combustion burner 2 to heat water; a water supply passage 4 for supplying water to be heated to the heat exchanger 3; A hot water supply path 5 for discharging the water heated in 3, wherein the heat exchanger 3 includes a main heat exchanger section 3a located upstream of the flow of the combustion exhaust gas and a main heat exchanger section 3a. A sub-heat exchanger section 3b positioned downstream of the flow of the combustion exhaust gas, and a drain pan 6 for receiving condensed water generated in the sub-heat exchanger section 3b is provided in the combustion chamber 1. Then, a drain drain passage 7 for draining condensed water of the drain pan 6 is connected to the drain pan 6 and a neutralizer 8 for neutralizing condensed water discharged in the drain drain passage 7 is connected to the drain. It is disposed in the drainage channel 7 and detects the change in the mass of the neutralizer 8 to detect Characterized in that it comprises providing a detecting means for detecting the exhaustion degree of the neutralizing agent in the vessel 8.

As described above, since the detecting means for detecting the degree of consumption of the neutralizing agent in the neutralizer 8 by detecting the change in the mass of the neutralizer 8 is provided, the neutralization existing in the neutralizer 8 is provided. It is possible to detect the degree of consumption of the neutralizing agent by quantitatively detecting the mass of the agent, to accurately detect the degree of consumption of the neutralizing agent, and to replace the neutralizing agent at an appropriate time.

The neutralizer 8 allows the condensed water to flow in from the inlet 10 and causes the treated water neutralized by the neutralizing agent in the neutralizer 8 to flow out from the outlet 11 by overflow. And the detecting means detects the change in the mass of the neutralizer 8 to detect the degree of consumption of the neutralizer by the difference in the specific gravity of the neutralizer and water. It is also preferable to have a feature. in this case,
Even when the change in the mass of the neutralizer 8 is detected in a state where the neutralizing agent and water are contained, the degree of consumption of the neutralizing agent can be accurately detected based on the specific gravity difference between the neutralizing agent and water. In addition, since the water level in the neutralizer 8 is detected with the water level kept constant, the degree of consumption of the neutralizer can be detected with high accuracy at any time, and the neutralizer can be replaced at a more appropriate time. Control for detecting the degree of consumption of the waving agent can also be easily performed.

The neutralizer 8 is supported by an elastic body such as a spring 12 so that the neutralizer 8 changes its position due to a change in its mass. It is also preferable to detect a change in mass of the neutralizer 8 by detecting a change. in this case,
By detecting the position of the neutralizer 8 when the neutralizer 8 changes its position vertically due to a change in the mass of the neutralizer 8, the neutralizer consumption can be detected, and the neutralizer consumption can be accurately detected with a simple structure. .

It is also preferable that the detecting means detects a change in the mass of the neutralizer 8 by means for replacing a change in pressure of the pressure sensor 13 or the like with an electric change. In this case, the change in mass of the neutralizer 8 can be accurately taken out as an electric change, and control can be easily performed.

It is also preferable that the neutralizer 8 is installed on the installation portion 14 so as to be rotatable up and down with one point support. In this case, even if the neutralizer 8 is installed to be able to move up and down, the neutralizer 8 can be made to move up and down at a predetermined position in a predetermined direction, and the change in mass of the neutralizer 8 can be detected more accurately.

Further, it is determined that the neutralizing agent has reached a predetermined consumption state when the neutralizing agent has reached a predetermined value or more after detecting that the degree of consumption of the neutralizing agent has exceeded a predetermined value. It is also preferable to be characterized by the following. In other words, if the degree of consumption of the neutralizing agent is continuously detected even after a certain period of time after detecting that the degree of consumption of the neutralizing agent has exceeded a predetermined value,
Even if it is measured again after a certain period of time after detecting that the degree of consumption of the neutralizing agent has reached a predetermined value or more, if it is detected again, it is determined that the neutralizing agent has reached the predetermined consumption state. It has become. This may cause a malfunction in detecting the mass of the neutralizer 8 due to an earthquake, vibration of a pump, or the like.
By doing as described above, such a malfunction can be eliminated.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The overall structure of a water heater is the same as that described in the prior art, so a detailed description is omitted.
Only the part of the neutralizer 8 which is the main part will be described. Conventionally, the neutralizer 8 is fixedly installed in the middle of the drain drain passage 7, but in the present invention, the neutralizer 8 is installed so as to be movable up and down, and The vessel 8 is connected by a flexible conduit.

In the example of FIG. 2, the neutralizer 8 is arranged to be vertically movable, and an elastic body is interposed between the neutralizer 8 and the installation portion 14 to move the neutralizer 8 vertically. It is freely supported. In the case of this example, a spring 12 is interposed as the elastic body. Displacement detector 15 for detecting the amount of rise and fall of neutralizer 8 is arranged on the side of neutralizer 8, and displacement detector 15 is connected to control board 16. When the mass of the neutralizer 8 is large, the neutralizer 8 is lowered, and when the mass of the neutralizer 8 is small, the neutralizer 8 is raised, and the displacement detector 15 detects the mass of the neutralizer 8.

As shown in FIG. 3, the neutralizer 8 is provided with an inlet 10 through which condensed water flows and an outlet 11 through which neutralized treated water flows out. In the example of FIG. 3, the treated water flows out of the outlet 11 by overflow, and the inside of the neutralizer 8 is maintained at a constant water level. Incidentally, the neutralizing agent loaded into the neutralizer 8 is CaCO ₃ or the like, and the neutralizing agent has a higher specific gravity than water. For this reason, when the water level in the neutralizer 8 is kept constant, the mass of the neutralizer 8 changes depending on the amount of the neutralizer 8 due to the specific gravity difference between the water and the neutralizer. Thus, when the mass of the neutralizer 8 is known, the consumed amount of the neutralizing agent can be known. Therefore, the displacement detector 15 detects the position where the neutralizer 8 moves up and down based on the mass of the neutralizer 8 and detects that the consumption amount of the neutralizing agent in the neutralizer 8 has become predetermined. At this time, with the water level in the neutralizer 8 kept constant, the mass of the neutralizer 8 is measured to detect the consumption of the neutralizing agent. Even if it is detected, it can be accurately detected.

In the example shown in FIG. 4 as well, the condensed water flows into the neutralizer 8 from the inlet 10 and the treated water flows out from the outlet 11. In the present embodiment, the neutralized water overflows from the outlet 11. In this way, the water level is not kept constant, but during operation, water is flowed out of the outlet 11 by a predetermined amount at a time, and the water level in the neutralizer 8 is changed within a predetermined fluctuation range Δh.
It is kept almost constant within. Also in this case, the consumption of the neutralizing agent can be detected by detecting the mass of the neutralizer 8.

The neutralizer 8 may be of a type in which water is collected to a predetermined water level in the neutralizer 8 for neutralization, and the water in the neutralizer 8 is discharged at a time. In this case, if the mass of the neutralizer 8 is detected when water is collected up to a predetermined water level in the neutralizer 8 or when all the water in the neutralizer 8 is drained, the consumption amount of the neutralizer is reduced. Can be accurately detected.

When the consumption of the neutralizing agent in the neutralizer 8 becomes equal to or more than a predetermined amount, the neutralizing agent is replaced. That is, when the neutralizing agent is consumed, the neutralizing agent is not replenished (if the neutralizing agent is replenished, impurities may enter the replenishing agent), and the part loaded with the neutralizing agent is replaced as a cassette. You. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a container 8b is detachably mounted on a base 8a of the neutralizer 8, and a neutralizing agent is previously loaded in the container 8b. With this configuration, the container 8b can be replaced as a cassette. Also, as shown in FIG.
Is provided, and the labyrinth structure is used, the short path of the condensed water is eliminated, and the neutralization treatment is reliably performed.

FIG. 6 shows another example of detecting the mass of the neutralizer 8, in which a change in pressure of the neutralizer 8 is detected by means for replacing a change in pressure with an electrical change. In the case of this example, the pressure sensor 13 is used as a means for replacing a pressure change with an electrical change, and the neutralizer 8 is supported via the pressure sensor 13.
3 is connected to the control board 16. Also in this case, the amount of consumption of the neutralizing agent can be detected by detecting a change in the mass of the neutralizer 8 with the pressure sensor 13.

FIG. 7 shows another example of detecting the mass of the neutralizer 8. The neutralizer 8 is arranged on the installation part 14. One end of the bottom of the neutralizer 8 is rotatably supported at a fulcrum 18 to support the neutralizer 8 at one point on the installation part 14. The other end of the neutralizer 8 is vertically movable. A spring 12 is provided as an elastic body between the other end of the bottom of the neutralizer 8 and the installation part 14, and the amount of movement of the neutralizer 8 is detected on the side of the neutralizer 8. Displacement detector 15
Are arranged, and the displacement detection unit 15 is connected to the control board 16. In this case as well, the mass of the neutralizer 8 can be detected by detecting the upper and lower positions of the neutralizer 8 by the displacement detection unit 15, and the consumption amount of the neutralizing agent in the neutralizer 8 can be detected. in this case,
Even if the neutralizer 8 is installed to be vertically movable, the neutralizer 8 can be vertically moved at a predetermined position in a predetermined direction, and the change in the mass of the neutralizer 8 can be detected more accurately. In place of the spring 12 and the displacement detection unit 15 in such an example, a unit for replacing a pressure change of the pressure sensor 13 or the like with an electrical change may be used.

In the present invention, the amount of the neutralizer consumed in the neutralizer 8 is detected by detecting the mass of the neutralizer 8, for example, when the consumed amount of the neutralizer reaches a predetermined amount. Is detected, a message such as a lamp is displayed to inform the user that the neutralizing agent has been exhausted, prompting the user to replace the neutralizing agent, and continuing the operation after this notification to detect that the neutralizing agent has been further consumed. When the neutralizing agent has been exhausted by a buzzer or the like, the replacement of the neutralizing agent is prompted, and after the notification, the operation is continued and it is detected that the neutralizing agent has been exhausted. The operation is not restarted unless the neutralizing agent is replaced by being forcibly stopped. When the notification is given in a stepwise manner and the operation is finally stopped, the neutralizing agent is reliably exchanged and the water that is not subjected to the neutralization treatment is not discharged.

In the present invention, when it is detected that the consumption amount of the neutralizing agent has become less than the predetermined amount, the above-mentioned notification is made. It is controlled to determine that the consumption amount has reached the predetermined amount and to notify the user. In other words, there is a possibility that an erroneous operation may occur in the detection of the mass of the neutralizer 8 due to an earthquake, a vibration of a pump, or the like. You will be notified exactly when it becomes.

[0023]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the detecting means for detecting the degree of consumption of the neutralizing agent in the neutralizer by detecting a change in the mass of the neutralizer as described above is provided. Therefore, the mass of the neutralizing agent present in the neutralizer can be quantitatively detected to detect the degree of neutralizing agent consumption, and the degree of neutralizing agent consumption can be accurately detected, and the neutralizing agent can be detected at an appropriate time. Can be exchanged.

Further, the invention of claim 2 of the present invention is directed to claim 1
In the above, the neutralizer is always kept at a constant water level so that the condensed water flows in from the inlet and the treated water neutralized by the neutralizing agent of the neutralizer flows out from the outlet by overflow. And the detecting means detects the degree of consumption of the neutralizing agent by the difference in the specific gravity of the neutralizing agent and water by detecting a change in the mass of the neutralizing device. To detect changes in the neutralizer mass with
It can accurately detect the degree of consumption of the neutralizing agent based on the difference in specific gravity between the neutralizing agent and water.In addition, the water level in the neutralizer can be detected while maintaining a constant water level. The neutralizing agent can be replaced at a more appropriate time by detecting the degree of consumption of the waving agent, and control for detecting the degree of neutralizing agent consumption can be easily performed.

Further, the invention of claim 3 of the present invention is directed to claim 1
Alternatively, in claim 2, the neutralizer is supported by an elastic body such as a spring so that the neutralizer changes its position due to a change in mass thereof, and the detecting unit detects a change in the position of the neutralizer. Since the mass change of the neutralizer is detected by detecting, the consumption of the neutralizer can be detected by detecting the position when the neutralizer changes its position vertically or the like due to the mass change of the neutralizer. With a simple structure, the consumption of the neutralizing agent can be accurately detected.

The invention of claim 4 of the present invention provides the method of claim 1
Alternatively, in claim 2, since the detecting means detects the mass change of the neutralizer by means of replacing a pressure change of a pressure sensor or the like with an electric change, the mass change of the neutralizer is accurately regarded as an electric change. It can be taken out and controlled easily.

Further, the invention of claim 5 of the present invention is directed to claim 1
In Claim 4, since the neutralizer is installed on the installation part so as to be rotatable up and down by one point support, even if the neutralizer is installed so as to be movable up and down in a predetermined direction at a predetermined position. The change in the mass of the neutralizer can be detected more accurately.

The invention of claim 6 of the present invention provides the method of claim 1
In Claim 5 or Claim 5, it is determined that the neutralizing agent has reached the predetermined consumption state when the degree of consumption of the neutralizing agent has been detected after a certain period of time after the fact that the degree of consumption of the neutralizing agent has reached a predetermined value or more. With this configuration, it is possible to eliminate the influence of a malfunction in detecting the mass of the neutralizer due to an earthquake, vibration of a pump, or the like, and to accurately determine the degree of consumption of the neutralizer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing the overall structure of a water heater.

FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing a structure for detecting the mass of a neutralizer according to an example of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing the structure of a neutralizer according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view showing the structure of another example of the neutralizer according to the embodiment.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic cross-sectional views showing the structure of another example of the neutralizer.

FIG. 6 is a schematic front view of another example of the structure for detecting the mass of the neutralizer of the above.

FIG. 7 is a schematic front view of another example of the structure for detecting the mass of the neutralizer of the above.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Combustion chamber 2 Combustion burner 3 Heat exchanger 3a Main heat exchanger part 3b Sub heat exchanger part 4 Water supply channel 5 Hot water supply channel 6 Drain pan 7 Drain drainage channel 8 Neutralizer 10 Inlet 11 Outlet 13 Pressure sensor 14 Installation section

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A combustion burner disposed in a combustion chamber, a heat exchanger for exchanging heat with heat of combustion exhaust gas of the combustion burner to heat water, and supplying water to be heated to the heat exchanger. A water heater comprising a water supply flow path and a hot water supply path for discharging hot water heated by the heat exchanger, wherein the heat exchanger includes a main heat source located upstream of a flow of combustion exhaust gas. An exchange unit and a sub heat exchanger unit located downstream of the flow of the combustion exhaust gas, and a drain pan for receiving condensed water generated in the sub heat exchanger unit is provided in the combustion chamber. A drain outlet for draining the condensed water of the drain pan is connected to the drain pan, and a neutralizer for neutralizing the condensed water drained in the drain drain passage is provided in the drain drain passage. Arranged in the neutralizer by detecting a change in the mass of the neutralizer. A water heater comprising a detecting means for detecting a degree of consumption of the neutralizing agent. 2. The neutralizer according to claim 1, wherein the condensed water flows in from an inlet, and the treated water neutralized by a neutralizing agent in the neutralizer flows out from an outlet through an overflow. The water level is maintained, and the detecting means detects a degree of consumption of the neutralizer by detecting a change in the mass of the neutralizer and a difference in specific gravity of the neutralizer and water. Item 2. The water heater according to item 1. 3. The neutralizer is supported by an elastic body such as a spring so that the position of the neutralizer changes according to a change in mass of the neutralizer. The detecting unit detects a change in the position of the neutralizer. The water heater according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a change in mass of the neutralizer is detected by performing the operation. 4. The water heater according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means detects a change in mass of said neutralizer by means for replacing a change in pressure with an electric change such as a pressure sensor. . 5. The water heater according to claim 1, wherein the neutralizer is installed on the installation portion so as to be rotatable up and down by one point support. 6. A method for determining that the neutralizing agent has reached a predetermined consumable state when the neutralizing agent has reached a predetermined value or more after detecting that the degree of consumption of the neutralizing agent has exceeded a predetermined value. The water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: