JP2003302106A - Control device for heating medium flow to expansion tank and solar energy collector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent thermal deterioration of an expansion tank, to prevent failure of a float switch in the expansion tank and to relatively reduce a space for installation of the expansion tank. <P>SOLUTION: This device is disposed in a low part of the expansion tank of a solar energy collector and controls a flow of heating medium into the expansion tank. The device has a flow control tank 19 with a float chamber 19 in the inside and a float 21 disposed vertically movably in the float chamber 18 of the flow control tank 19. A heating medium inlet 12 and a heating medium outlet 25 are formed in a bottom wall 19c of the float chamber 18 of the flow control tank 19. A communication opening 22 to be communicated with the expansion tank is similarly formed in a top wall 19b. The float 21 is formed with a heating medium flowing hole 32 vertically penetrating the float. The inlet 24 of the flow control tank 19 is connected to a conduit pipe 14a extending from a heat exchanger, the outlet 25 is connected to a conduit pipe 14b extending to the solar energy collector, and the heating medium is circulated through the float chamber 18 of the flow control tank 19. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a heat medium flow control device for an expansion tank and a solar heat collector, and more particularly to a solar heat collector, a hot water tank, and a heat medium heated by the solar heat collector. And heat in a hot water storage tank, a heat exchanger for exchanging heat, an expansion tank, and a heat medium circulation pump for circulating a heat medium between the solar heat collector and the heat exchanger The present invention relates to a heat medium flow control device for controlling the flow of a circulating heat medium to an expansion tank, and a solar heat collector using the heat medium flow control device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, heat is exchanged between a solar heat collector, a hot water storage tank, and a heating medium heated by the solar heat collector and water in the hot water storage tank. A heat exchanger, a heat medium circulation path that circulates the heat medium between the solar heat collector and the heat exchanger, and a part that sends the heat medium from the heat exchanger to the solar heat collector in the heat medium circulation path. And an expansion tank that absorbs expansion and contraction of the heat medium and acts as a reserve tank when the heat medium amount decreases, and a part that also sends the heat medium from the heat exchanger to the solar heat collector in the heat medium circulation path. A solar heat collecting apparatus including a heat medium circulating pump provided in is widely used. As the heat medium, for example, an antifreeze liquid such as propylene glycol is used.

In this solar heat collecting apparatus, as shown in FIG.
As shown in, the hot water storage tank (1), the heat medium circulation pump (2), and the expansion tank (3) are arranged together in a rectangular parallelepiped housing (4). In addition, the housing (4) is provided with a control panel (5) for controlling the operation of the solar heat collector. The expansion tank (3) is arranged in a gap between one entry corner of the housing (4) and the outer peripheral surface of the hot water storage tank (1) for the purpose of space saving, and the peripheral wall of the expansion tank (3). Are two flat wall portions (3a) which are at right angles to each other and extend along two side wall portions of the housing (4), and curved wall portions (inwardly curved in an arc shape and along the outer peripheral surface of the hot water storage tank (1) ( 3b) and its cross-sectional shape is different.

However, in the above-described conventional solar heat collector, the heat medium sent from the heat exchanger to the solar heat collector always passes through the expansion tank (3), and the peripheral wall of the expansion tank (3) is crossed. Due to the irregular surface shape, there are the following problems. That is, during the daytime in summer, the amount of hot water used is small, and the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank (1) is 80 ° C. or higher. In this case, the heat medium that has passed through the heat exchanger is not so much. The heat is not taken away, and the temperature of the heating medium becomes about 80 ° C. Since the expansion tank (3) is formed of a thermoplastic resin having relatively low heat resistance such as polyethylene, when the high temperature heat medium as described above flows into the expansion tank (3), the expansion tank (3 ) Is deteriorated by heat. In addition, in the expansion tank (3),
Since the float switch that stops the heat medium circulation pump (2) when the amount of heat medium in the expansion tank (3) decreases below a certain amount, the heat medium flowing into the expansion tank (3) A high temperature causes failure of the float switch.

Among these problems, a solar heat collector which prevents the failure of the float switch has already been proposed (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-249522). In this solar heat collector, two expansion tanks are provided in parallel, the bottoms of both expansion tanks are communicated with each other via a thin tube,
The float switch as described above is provided in one of the expansion tanks. Also, the conduit extending from the heat exchanger and the conduit extending to the solar heat collector in the heat medium circulation path are connected to the other expansion tank, and the heat medium sent from the heat exchanger flows into the other expansion tank. After that, it is sent to the solar heat collector. Therefore, one of the expansion tanks provided with the float switch is located outside the heat medium circulation path, and the fruit float switch is not exposed to the high temperature heat medium for a long time. As a result, failure of the float switch due to exposure to a high temperature heat medium is prevented.

However, even in the solar heat collector described in the above publication, it is not possible to prevent the deformation of the expansion tank into which the heat medium directly flows when the high temperature heat medium flows and the occurrence of cracks due to this deformation. . Further, since the two expansion tanks are arranged in parallel, the space for installing the expansion tank becomes large.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems, prevent the expansion tank from being deteriorated by heat and prevent the failure of the float switch, and further provide a space for installing the expansion tank in the device described in the above publication. It is an object of the present invention to provide a heat medium flow control device for an expansion tank and a solar heat collecting device which can be made smaller than the above.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention A heat medium flow control device for an expansion tank according to the invention of claim 1 is a device for controlling the flow of the heat medium to the expansion tank, and has a float chamber inside. And a float arranged vertically movable in the float chamber of the flow control tank,
A heat medium inlet and a heat medium outlet are formed on the bottom wall of the float chamber of the flow control tank, and a communication port communicating with the expansion tank is also formed on the top wall.The heat medium flows through the float in the vertical direction. A hole is formed.

In the heat medium flow control device of the invention of claim 1, a conduit extending from the heat exchanger in the solar heat collector is connected to the heat medium inlet of the flow control tank, and the heat medium outlet extends to the solar heat collector. It is incorporated into a solar heat collector by connecting a conduit and connecting the expansion tank and the flow control tank via a conduit connected to a communication port of the flow control tank.

When the heat medium circulation pump is operating and the solar heat collector is operating, the heat medium sent from the heat exchanger flows into the float chamber of the flow control tank from the heat medium inlet. However, due to the fact that it is sucked by the heat medium circulation pump and the function of the float, it is sent to the solar heat collector from the heat medium outlet with almost no flow into the expansion tank,
The heat transfer medium circulates through the flow control tank without passing through the expansion tank. Therefore, even in the summer daytime, the high-temperature heat medium does not flow into the expansion tank, so that the deterioration of the expansion tank due to the inflow of the high-temperature heat medium due to the heat is prevented, and the heat medium is disposed in the expansion tank. The failure of the float switch is prevented. Also, when the heat medium expands,
A part of the heat medium that has flowed into the float chamber of the flow control tank flows into the expansion tank through the heat medium flow hole of the float, and further through the communication port and the conduit. On the contrary, when the heat medium contracts, the heat medium in the expansion tank flows into the float chamber of the flow control tank through the conduit and the communication port, and passes through the heat medium circulation hole of the float. It is sent from the outlet to the heat medium circulation path. Therefore, the effect of absorbing expansion and contraction of the heat medium by the expansion tank is not impaired. Since the amount of inflow into the expansion tank when the heat medium expands is not large, the temperature of the heat medium in the expansion tank does not rise so much that the expansion tank deforms. Further, when the amount of heat medium in the heat medium circulation path decreases, in the same manner as when the heat medium contracts,
The heat medium in the expansion tank is replenished in the heat medium circulation path. Further, even when the heat medium is injected from the expansion tank, the heat medium injected into the expansion tank flows into the float chamber of the flow control tank through the conduit and the communication port, and heat is transferred through the heat medium circulation hole of the float. It is sent out from the medium outlet to the heat medium circulation path.

Since it is not necessary to store the heat medium in the float chamber of the flow control tank, the flow control tank can be made relatively small and can be arranged below the expansion tank. Therefore, it does not require a dedicated installation space. Therefore, the installation space of the expansion tank is the same as that of the conventional solar heat collector having one expansion tank, which is smaller than the installation space of the expansion tank of the solar heat collector described in the above publication.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the heat medium flow control device for the expansion tank, in the first aspect of the invention, two communication ports are formed in the top wall of the float chamber of the flow control tank. In this case, if the expansion tank and the flow control tank are communicated with each other via the conduits connected to the respective communication ports of the flow control tank, the air can be easily released when the heat medium is injected.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heat medium flow control device for an expansion tank according to the first or second aspect, wherein the upper limit position of the float is regulated in the float chamber of the flow control tank. An upper regulating member is provided between the top wall of the chamber and the float to secure a heat medium flow passage. In this case, since the upper limit position of the float is regulated by the upper regulation member and the heat medium flow passage is secured between the top wall of the float chamber of the flow control tank and the float, the flow control tank when the heat medium expands. The heat medium flows smoothly from the float chamber into the expansion tank.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heat medium flow control device for an expansion tank, wherein the lower limit position of the float is regulated in the float chamber of the flow control tank. A lower regulating member that secures a heat medium flow passage is provided between the bottom wall of the float chamber of the flow control tank and the float. In this case, since the lower limit position of the float is regulated by the lower regulation member and the heat medium flow passage is secured between the bottom wall of the float chamber of the flow control tank and the float,
The heat medium flows out smoothly from the float chamber of the flow control tank during the heat medium injection and the heat medium contraction.

A heat medium flow control device for an expansion tank according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the float is provided with a bubble passage hole extending vertically through the float. It is what In this case, the bubbles generated in the heat medium during operation of the solar heat collector are the bubble passage holes when the heat medium flows into the float chamber of the flow control tank,
It enters the expansion tank through the communication port and the conduit and is released into the atmosphere.

In the heat medium flow control device for the expansion tank according to the invention of claim 6, in the invention of claim 5, a heat medium flow hole is formed in the center of the float, and a plurality of bubbles are formed around the heat medium flow hole. A through hole is formed. In this case, when the heat medium expands, the heat medium smoothly flows into the expansion tank from the flow control tank, and the air bubbles smoothly flow into the expansion tank.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heat medium flow control device for an expansion tank, wherein the inner peripheral surface of the float chamber of the flow control tank has an axis line in the vertical direction. The float is shaped like a horizontal disk, and the peripheral edge of the float is close to the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall of the flow control tank. In this case, the inclination of the float in the float chamber of the flow control tank is prevented, the heat medium circulates through the float chamber of the flow control tank, the heat medium between the expansion chamber and the float chamber of the flow control tank is prevented. Distribution is smooth.

A heat medium flow control device for an expansion tank according to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, controls the flow of the heat medium to the expansion tank of the solar heat collector. It is a device.

A solar heat collecting apparatus according to the invention of claim 9 is
Solar heat collector, hot water storage tank, heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the heat medium heated by the solar heat collector and water in the hot water storage tank, expansion tank, solar heat collector and heat exchange A heat collecting device comprising a heat medium circulating pump for circulating a heat medium between the heat medium circulating device and the heat exchanger, the heat medium flow control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 below the expansion tank. Is installed, a conduit extending from the heat exchanger is connected to the heat medium inlet of the flow control tank, and a conduit extending to the solar heat collector is connected to the heat medium outlet, and the heat medium flows through the flow control tank. The expansion tank and the flow control tank are communicated with each other through a conduit connected to a communication port of the flow control tank.

According to the solar heat collector of the ninth aspect of the invention, the same effects as those of the first to seventh aspects of the invention can be obtained. In particular,
Since the flow control tank is arranged below the expansion tank, a dedicated installation space is not required, and the installation space of the expansion tank is the same as that of the conventional solar heat collector having one expansion tank. The effect is that it is smaller than the installation space of the expansion tank of the solar heat collector described in.

In the solar heat collector according to the invention of claim 10, in the invention of claim 9, the heat medium flow control device is one in which two communication ports are formed in the top wall of the flow control tank. It is a thing. In this case, the same effect as that of the second aspect of the invention is achieved.

The heat medium circulating method in the solar heat collector according to the invention of claim 11 is the solar heat collector according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the heat medium circulation pump is used to provide a solar heat collector via a flow control tank. The heat medium is circulated between the heat exchanger and the heat exchanger.

[0023]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 schematically shows the whole structure of a solar heat collector according to the present invention, and FIGS. 2 to 4 show a heat medium flow control device to an expansion tank.

In FIG. 1, the solar heat collector uses a heat medium composed of an antifreeze liquid such as propylene glycol. The solar heat collector (1) uses solar heat to heat the heat medium.
0), the hot water storage tank (11), and the high-temperature heat medium that is arranged in the hot water storage tank (11) and obtained by the solar heat collector (10) and the low-temperature water in the hot water storage tank (11). A heat exchanger (12) for exchanging heat with, a high temperature heat medium feed pipe (13) for sending the high temperature heat medium obtained by the solar heat collector (10) to the heat exchanger (12), and a heat exchanger (12) low-temperature heat medium return pipe (14) for returning the low-temperature heat medium that has passed through to the solar heat collector (10),
The low temperature heat medium return pipe (14) is provided with a heat medium circulation pump (15) which is provided in the middle and circulates the heat medium between the solar heat collector (10) and the heat exchanger (12). Water may be used as the heat medium.

In the vicinity of the hot water storage tank (11), an expansion tank (16) which absorbs expansion and contraction of the heat medium and serves as a reserve tank when the amount of the heat medium is reduced is shown in FIG. It is arranged. The expansion tank 16 is formed of a thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene in the same shape as that shown in FIG. 6, and has a capacity of about 20 liters and a height of about 50 to 100 cm. In addition,
Although not shown, a heat medium inlet is formed at the upper end of the expansion tank (16), and the amount of heat medium in the expansion tank (16) is less than a certain amount in the expansion tank (16). A float switch for stopping the heat medium circulation pump (15) in the case of doing so is provided.

A heat medium flow control device (17) according to the present invention, which is provided below the expansion tank (16), in the middle of the low temperature heat medium return pipe (14) and controls the flow of the heat medium to the expansion tank (16). ) Is placed. And solar heat collector (10), heat exchanger
(12) and the heat medium flow control device (17) including the high temperature heat medium feed pipe (13) and the low temperature heat medium return pipe (14)
(20) is formed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the heat medium flow controller (17)
Is a flow control tank (1
9) and a float (21) vertically movable in the float chamber (18) of the flow control tank (19).

The flow control tank (19) is made of a material having corrosion resistance and heat resistance to a heat medium, for example, stainless steel, and has a cylindrical peripheral wall (19a) whose axis extends vertically. Top wall that closes the upper and lower openings of the peripheral wall (19a)
(19b) and bottom wall (19c). Two communication ports (22) are formed in the top wall (19b) of the flow control tank (19). One end of the conduit (23) is connected to each of these communication ports (22), and the other end of the conduit (23) is connected to the bottom wall (19) of the expansion tank (16).
The communication port (22) is communicated with the expansion tank (16) by being connected to the communication port (not shown) formed in c), whereby the expansion tank (16) and the flow control tank (19) are connected. It is in communication. On the bottom wall (19c) of the flow control tank (19), the heat medium inlet (2
4) and the heat medium outlet (25) are formed. Heat medium inlet (24)
A conduit (14a) extending from the heat exchanger (12) in the low temperature heat medium return pipe (14) is connected to the low temperature heat medium returning pipe (14), and a conduit (14b) extending to the solar heat collector (10) is connected to the heat medium outlet (25). The heating medium is connected and circulates through the float chamber (18) of the flow control tank (19). Between the top wall (19b) and the float (21) of the flow control tank (19) by limiting the upper limit position of the float (21) at the upper end of the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall (19a) of the flow control tank (19). An annular upper regulating member (2) that secures the heat transfer passage (26) (see FIG. 4) in the
7) is provided. In addition, the peripheral wall (19) of the flow control tank (19)
a) In the lower part of the inner peripheral surface, the lower limit position of the float (21) is regulated, and the heat transfer passage (28) (Fig. (See 3))
(29) is provided. The upper end of the lower control member (29) is
It is located at a height slightly lower than the center of the height of (19a). The outer diameter of the flow control tank (19) is 15 to 20 cm.
About half the outer diameter is enough.

The float (21) is in the shape of a horizontal disc, and a heat medium flow hole (31) is formed in the center of the float (21) in a penetrating manner. The outer diameter of the float (21) is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the peripheral wall (19a) of the flow control tank (19), and the peripheral edge of the float (21) is the float chamber (1
It is close to the inner surface of 8). The distance between the peripheral edge of the float (21) and the inner peripheral surface of the float chamber (18) is smaller than the radial thickness of the upper regulating member (27) and the lower regulating member (29). The float (21) is made of the same material as the float of the float switch.

In this solar heat collector, the injection of the heat medium at the initial stage of operation is performed as follows.

That is, the required amount of heat medium is injected into the expansion tank (16) from the heat medium inlet of the expansion tank (16), and the heat medium is circulated before the amount of injected heat medium reaches the required amount. Operate the pump (15). The heat medium injected into the expansion tank (16) flows into the float chamber (18) of the flow control tank (19) through the conduit (23) and the communication port (22), and the heat of the float (21) is heated. The heat medium flow passage (2) below the medium flow hole (31) and float (21).
8), through the heat medium outlet (25) and the conduit (14b) into the heat medium circulation path (20) (see arrow in FIG. 3). Float room (18)
When the heat medium flows into the inside, the float (21) tries to float, but due to the pressure difference due to the suction of the heat medium circulation pump (15), the float (21) is suppressed from floating and the float (2)
Since the peripheral portion of 1) is supported by the lower regulating member (29) to secure the heat medium flow passage (28), the heat medium can be smoothly injected. At this time, the air in the heat medium circulation path (20) is the conduit (14a), the heat medium inlet (24), the float chamber (18), the heat medium circulation hole (31), at least one of the communication ports (22 ), A conduit (23) connected to this communication port (22) and an expansion tank (1
After 6), it escapes from the heat medium inlet into the atmosphere. In this way, the heat medium is injected at the initial stage of operation, and the preparation for operation of the solar heat collector is completed.

During normal operation of the solar heat collector, the heat medium is heated by the solar heat while passing through the solar heat collector (10), and the heated high temperature heat medium flows through the high temperature heat medium feed pipe (13). It is passed through to the heat exchanger (12), where it exchanges heat with the low temperature water in the hot water storage tank (11), and the water in the hot water storage tank (11) is heated. The low temperature heat medium passing through the heat exchanger (12) is cooled by the low temperature heat medium return pipe (1
4) through the heat medium inlet (24) into the float chamber (18) of the flow control tank (19) and out of the heat medium outlet (25) to return to the heat medium circulation path (20). , Flow control tanks (19)
Return to the solar heat collector (10) via. When the heat medium flows into the float chamber (18) of the flow control tank (19) from the heat medium inlet (24), the float (21) floats and its peripheral portion is pressed against the upper regulating member (27). Then, due to being sucked by the heat medium circulation pump (15) and the action of the float (21), most of the heat medium does not pass through the heat medium circulation hole (31) of the float (21), that is, almost It is sent to the solar heat collector (10) from the heat medium outlet (25) without flowing into the expansion tank (16) (see solid line arrow in Fig. 4). Therefore, the heat medium is the expansion tank
It does not pass through (16) but circulates through the flow control tank (19). As a result, the expansion tank can be used even during the summer daytime.
The high-temperature heat medium does not flow into the inside of the (16), so that the deterioration of the expansion tank (16) due to the inflow of the high-temperature heat medium due to the heat and the failure of the float switch in the expansion tank are prevented.

When the heat medium expands, a part of the heat medium which has flowed into the float chamber (18) of the flow control tank (19) is partially floated.
Through the heat medium circulation hole (31), the communication port (22) and the conduit (23) into the expansion tank (16) (see the broken line arrow in FIG. 4). On the contrary, when the heat medium contracts, the heat medium in the expansion tank (16) flows through the conduit (23) and the communication port (22).
The heat medium circulation path (2) flows into the float chamber (18) of (19) and passes through the heat medium circulation hole (31) and the heat medium outlet (25) of the float (21).
Sent to 0). Therefore, the effect of absorbing expansion and contraction of the heat medium by the expansion tank (16) is not impaired.

FIG. 5 shows a heat medium flow control device (1
7 shows another embodiment of 7).

In this case, a plurality of bubble passage holes (40) are penetratingly formed around the heat medium circulation hole (31) in the float (21). Bubbles generated in the heat medium during operation of the solar heat collector pass through the bubble passage hole (40) and float (2
It is located above 1), enters the expansion tank (16) through the communication port (22) and the conduit (23), and is released into the atmosphere from the heat medium injection port.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of a solar heat collector having a heat medium flow control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a heat medium flow control device.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state of the heat medium flow control device at the time of injecting the heat medium into the solar heat collector.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state of the heat medium flow control device during normal operation of the solar heat collector and when the heat medium expands.

FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing another embodiment of the heat medium flow control device.

FIG. 6 is a horizontal sectional view showing how to install a conventional expansion tank.

[Explanation of symbols]

(10): Solar collector (11): Hot water storage tank (12): Heat exchanger (14a) (14b): Conduit (15): Heat medium circulation pump (16): Expansion tank (17): Heat medium flow controller (18): Float room (19): Flow control tank (19b): Top wall (19c): Bottom wall (21): Float (22): Communication port (24): Heat medium inlet (25): Heat medium outlet (26): Heat transfer path (27): Upper regulation member (28): Heat transfer path (29): Lower regulation member (31): Heat medium flow hole (40): Bubble passage hole

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A device for controlling the flow of a heat medium to an expansion tank, the flow control tank having a float chamber therein,
The float chamber of the flow control tank is equipped with a float that can move up and down.The heat medium inlet and the heat medium outlet are formed on the bottom wall of the float chamber of the flow control tank, and the expansion tank also communicates with the top wall. A heat medium flow control device to an expansion tank having a communication port formed therein, and a heat medium circulation hole penetrating the float in the up-down direction. 2. The heat medium flow control device for an expansion tank according to claim 1, wherein two communication ports are formed on the top wall of the float chamber of the flow control tank. 3. An upper restriction member for restricting an upper limit position of the float to secure a heat transfer passage between the top wall of the float chamber of the flow control tank and the float is provided in the float chamber of the flow control tank. The heat medium flow control device to the expansion tank according to claim 1 or 2. 4. A lower regulating member for regulating a lower limit position of the float to secure a heat medium flow passage between a bottom wall of the float chamber of the flow control tank and the float is provided in the float chamber of the flow control tank. The heat medium flow control device to the expansion tank according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. The heat medium flow control device for an expansion tank according to claim 1, wherein a bubble passage hole is formed in the float so as to pass through the float in a vertical direction. 6. The heat medium flow control device for an expansion tank according to claim 5, wherein a heat medium flow hole is formed in a central portion of the float, and a plurality of bubble passage holes are formed around the heat medium flow hole. 7. The inner peripheral surface of the float chamber of the flow control tank has a cylindrical shape with its axis extending in the vertical direction, and the float has a horizontal disk shape, and the peripheral edge of the float is inside the float chamber. The heat medium flow control device to the expansion tank according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which is arranged close to the peripheral surface. 8. The heat medium flow control device for an expansion tank according to claim 1, which is a device for controlling the flow of the heat medium to the expansion tank of the solar heat collector. 9. A solar heat collector, a hot water storage tank, a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the heat medium heated by the solar heat collector and the water in the hot water storage tank, an expansion tank, and a solar heat collector. It is a solar heat collection device provided with the heat medium circulation pump which circulates a heat medium between a heat machine and a heat exchanger, Comprising: Below the expansion tank, it is any one of Claims 1-7. A heat medium flow control device is installed, a conduit extending from the heat exchanger is connected to the heat medium inlet of the flow control tank, and a conduit extending to the solar heat collector is connected to the heat medium outlet. Is circulated through the flow control tank, and the expansion tank and the flow control tank are communicated with each other through a conduit connected to a communication port of the flow control tank. 10. The solar heat collecting apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the heat medium flow control device is one in which two communication ports are formed on the top wall of the flow control tank. 11. The solar heat collector according to claim 9, wherein the heat medium circulation pump circulates the heat medium between the solar heat collector and the heat exchanger via a flow control tank. Heat medium circulation method in equipment.