JP2008196730A - Hot water supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem that efficiency of a heating means is degraded in boiling-up as a temperature rise occurs when the water of intermediate temperature flows to a lower portion of a hot water storage tank in bath reheating. <P>SOLUTION: This hot water supply device comprises a hot water storage tank 1, a heating means 2 for heating the water in the hot water storage tank 1, a partitioning wall 11 for vertically partitioning the inside of the hot water storage tank 1 into a first area 9 and a second area 10, and opened at its upper and lower portions, a hot water supply opening 3 formed on an upper portion of the hot water storage tank, a heat utilizing means 5 for taking out the hot water of high temperature stored in the hot water storage tank 1 to utilize its heat, and an inflow opening 8 formed in opposition to the second area 10 of the hot water storage tank 1 for returning the hot water after utilizing its heat, from the heat utilizing means 5 to the hot water storage tank 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a hot water supply apparatus having a hot water storage tank and having functions such as reheating a bath and floor heating using the amount of heat of the hot water in the hot water storage tank.

  Conventionally, there is a hot water supply apparatus of this type as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7, the conventional hot water supply apparatus includes a hot water storage tank 101, a heat pump unit 102 that heats the water in the hot water storage tank 101, a hot water outlet 103 provided on the hot water storage tank 101, and the hot water storage tank 101. The heat exchanger 105 for taking out the hot water stored in the hot water and heating the hot water in the bathtub 104 using the amount of heat is provided above the water supply port 106 and the heat pump outlet 107. It is comprised from the inflow port 108 which returns the passed hot water to the hot water storage tank 101 (for example, refer patent document 1).
JP 2004-101135 A

  However, in the above-described conventional configuration, the water temperature on the upper side from the inlet 108 is mixed with the medium-temperature water and the temperature rises, and the amount of water kept at a low temperature when the position of the inlet 108 is low. Therefore, the effect of improving the efficiency when boiling with the heat pump unit 102 is small. On the other hand, when the inlet 108 is set at a high position in order to secure low temperature water, there is a problem that the temperature of the high temperature hot water is lowered when a relatively large amount of high temperature hot water remains.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a hot water supply apparatus that minimizes an increase in medium temperature water in a hot water storage tank and does not impair the efficiency in boiling.

  In order to solve the conventional problems, a hot water supply apparatus of the present invention includes a hot water storage tank, heating means for heating the water in the hot water storage tank, and a first area and a second area in the hot water tank. A partition wall that is partitioned into upper and lower sides, a hot water outlet provided at the upper part of the hot water storage tank, and a heat utilization means for taking out hot water stored in the hot water storage tank and using the amount of heat. And an inflow port provided facing the second region of the hot water tank for returning the hot water after heat utilization to the hot water tank from the heat utilization means.

  As a result, the medium-temperature water flowing in from the inflow port once stays in the second region while being mixed with the low-temperature water in the hot water storage tank, so that the amount of low-temperature water in the first region is ensured. When boiling by the heating means is started, the medium-temperature water in the second region becomes an ascending water flow from the lower end of the partition wall and moves upward along the partition wall in the first region of the hot water tank. Mixing with low-temperature water is small, and it becomes possible to minimize the increase in medium-temperature water as a whole hot water tank.

  In the hot water supply apparatus of the present invention, medium temperature water returning from the heat utilization means to the hot water storage tank is caused to flow into a second region in the hot water tank vertically partitioned by a partition wall whose upper and lower sides are opened to increase the increase in the intermediate temperature water. In addition to securing low temperature water in the first region by restraining in the region, when the boiling water by the heating means is started and the medium temperature water in the second region is lowered to the lower part of the hot water tank, Since the medium-temperature water moving from the lower end to the first region forms an ascending water flow with a low flow rate and suppresses the temperature rise of the low-temperature water due to mixing, the inflowing medium-temperature water is less Therefore, it is possible to keep the efficiency at the time of boiling by the heating means high.

  The first invention is a hot water storage tank, heating means for heating the water in the hot water storage tank, a partition wall that vertically partitions the hot water storage tank into a first area and a second area, and is open at the top and bottom. A hot water outlet provided at the upper part of the hot water storage tank, high temperature hot water stored in the hot water storage tank, heat utilization means for utilizing the amount of heat, and heat utilization from the heat utilization means to the hot water storage tank And an inflow port provided facing the second region of the hot water tank for returning the hot water.

  With this configuration, the medium temperature water returning from the heat utilization means to the hot water storage tank is caused to flow into the second area in the hot water storage tank, and the increase in the intermediate temperature water is suppressed in the second area, thereby reducing the low temperature water in the first area. In addition, when the heating by the heating means is started and the medium-temperature water in the second area is lowered to the lower part of the hot water storage tank, the medium-temperature water moving from the lower end of the partition wall to the first area has a low flow rate. Since it has the effect of suppressing the temperature rise of low-temperature water due to mixing by forming an ascending water flow, the degree of influence of the flowing medium-temperature water on the low-temperature water at the bottom of the hot water tank is suppressed as much as possible. It is possible to maintain high efficiency.

  In the second invention, in particular, since the partition wall of the first invention has a heat insulating function, heat exchange between the first region and the second region of the hot water tank is suppressed. It is difficult for the heat of the medium temperature water to move to the low temperature water, and the temperature rise of the low temperature water in the first region can be suppressed.

  In a configuration using a heat pump in which the efficiency decreases as the water temperature before boiling increases, in particular, the third invention is a configuration using a heat pump cycle as the heating means of the first or second invention. The greatest efficiency reduction suppression effect is obtained.

  In particular, the fourth invention is a supercritical refrigerant circuit in which the heat pump cycle of the third invention has a pressure equal to or higher than the critical pressure, and the water is heated by the refrigerant whose pressure is increased to the critical pressure or higher. Since the raising temperature can be increased, it is possible to increase the amount of heat that can be used and to prevent the hot water from running out.

  In the fifth invention, in particular, a second hot water outlet is provided above the inlet provided facing the second region of the hot water storage tank of the hot water supply device of any one of the first to fourth inventions. By using the medium temperature water in the second area preferentially for hot water supply and increasing the amount of medium temperature water stored in the second area, it is possible to secure low temperature water in the first area. It becomes easy to do.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by this embodiment.
(Embodiment 1)
1 and 2 are diagrams showing the configuration of a hot water supply apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a hot water supply apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a hot water tank 1, a heat pump unit 2 as a heating means for heating the water in the hot water tank 1, and the interior of the hot water tank 1. A partition wall 11 that is vertically partitioned into one region 9 and a second region 10 and that is open at the top and bottom, a hot water outlet 3 provided at the top of the hot water tank 1, and hot water stored in the hot water tank 1. The heat exchanger 5 as a heat utilization means for heating the hot water in the bathtub 4 using the amount of heat, and the hot water storage tank so that the hot water after heat exchange is returned from the heat exchanger 5 to the hot water storage tank 1 1 has an inflow port 8 provided facing the second region 10.

  Further, the hot water tank 1 is provided with a water supply port 6, a heat pump outlet 7 for feeding hot water in the hot water tank 1 to the heat pump unit 2 at the time of boiling, a heat pump return port 12 and a hot water supply port 13 for returning the heated water.

  Furthermore, the heating circulation pump 14 for circulating the hot water in the hot water tank 1 to the heat pump unit 2, the hot water circulation pump 15 for circulating the hot water in the hot water tank 1 at the time of bathing, and the hot water in the bathtub 4 are circulated. A bath water circulation pump 16 and a mixing valve 19 for mixing hot water from the hot water supply port 13 and water from the water supply pipe 17 and supplying hot water at a desired hot water supply set temperature to the hot water tap 18 are provided.

  FIG. 2 shows the structure of the hot water tank 1. As shown in the figure, the hot water tank 1 is partitioned vertically by a partition wall 11 to form a first region 9 and a second region 10. The upper and lower sides of the partition wall 11 are open, and the first region 9 and the second region 10 communicate with each other vertically. Further, the body of the hot water tank 1 is provided with an inlet 8 at a position slightly above the lower end of the partition wall 11 and facing the second region 10. Further, the first region 9 has a larger volume than the second region 10.

  About the hot water supply apparatus comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  When the boiling operation is started, the water in the hot water tank 1 is sent from the heat pump outlet 7 to the heat pump unit 2 by the boiling circulation pump 14, and is heated there, and hot water is supplied from the heat pump return port 12 to the hot water tank 1. Returned.

  When boiling is completed, the hot water tank 1 is filled with hot water. After that, when hot water is used, hot water is supplied from the hot water supply port 13, mixed with water from the water supply pipe 17 by the mixing valve 19, and supplied to the desired set temperature from the hot water tap 18. At the same time, water is supplied from the water supply port 6 to the hot water tank 1 according to the amount of hot water supplied.

  The temperature distribution of the hot water stored in the hot water tank 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 (a) shows the temperature distribution in the hot water tank 1 after the hot water supply is used. The hot water remains in the upper part and the lower part is filled with the low temperature water supplied from the water supply port 6 at the time of hot water supply. In between them, there is medium temperature water that is intermediate in temperature between high temperature water and low temperature water produced by heat conduction and heat convection.

  When the reheating of the bathtub 4 (not shown) is started in this state, the bath recirculation pump 15 (not shown) and the bath water circulation pump 16 (not shown) are activated, and the hot water outlet at the upper part of the hot water tank 1 is activated. The hot water is sent from 3 to the heat exchanger 5 (not shown), and the bath water is heated by exchanging heat with hot water sent from the bathtub 4 (not shown).

  Hot water from the hot water tank 1 that has exited the heat exchanger 5 (not shown) becomes intermediate temperature water similar to bath water, returns to the hot water tank 1 from the inlet 8, and is generally above the inlet. Mix with the cold water in the second region 10.

  The state at this time is shown in FIG. 3 (b). The amount of hot water decreases by the amount used for chasing, the amount of low-temperature water increases in the first region 9, and the position of intermediate-temperature water rises. In the second region 10, since the upper part of the partition wall 11 is open, the high-temperature water decreases in the same manner as the first region 9, but the intermediate-temperature water from the inlet 8 is low-temperature water below the position of the intermediate-temperature water. And become water at a temperature between the original low-temperature water and the flowing medium-temperature water.

  In addition, it is the effect | action of the buoyancy with respect to the low temperature water of intermediate temperature water that the intermediate temperature water from the heat exchanger 5 (not shown) mixes with the water above the inflow port 8.

  Next, the case where boiling is started again from the state of the temperature distribution of FIG. 3B will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the low temperature water in the lower part of the hot water tank 1 is heated from the heat pump outlet 7 by the heat pump unit 2 (not shown) and returns to the upper part of the hot water tank 1 through the heat pump return port 12. At that time, as a result of the hot water in the hot water tank 1 being pushed down as a whole, the medium-temperature water in the second region 10 is also lowered accordingly.

  After that, when the medium temperature water reaches the lower end of the partition wall 11, due to the density difference from the low temperature water in the first region 9, the intermediate temperature water wraps around the lower end of the partition wall 11 as indicated by the arrow A and along the partition wall 11. It rises up to a medium temperature water at the same temperature. During this time, the medium-temperature water exiting the second region 10 and the low-temperature water in the first region 9 are mixed somewhat, but the flow rate of the boiling circulation pump 14 (not shown) in this type of hot water supply device is usually normal. Since the flow velocity from the lower end of the partition 11 is very small, the degree of mixing is small.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 4B, the medium temperature water in the first region 9 increases by the amount flowing out of the second region 10, but the low temperature water in the first region 9 is almost secured as it is, and the heat pump goes out. Since the medium-temperature water sent from the port 7 to the heat pump unit 2 (not shown) is suppressed to a low level, a low-efficiency medium-temperature water boiling operation can be avoided.

  As described above, low temperature water in the first region 9 is secured by suppressing the increase in the medium temperature water in the second region 10, and boiling by the heat pump unit 2 (not shown) is started. When the medium temperature water in the second region 10 has dropped to the lower part of the hot water tank 1, the medium temperature water moving from the lower end of the partition wall 11 to the first region 9 forms a low flow rate ascending water flow to produce low temperature water by mixing. Therefore, it is possible to keep the boiling efficiency of the heat pump unit 2 (not shown) high by suppressing the degree of influence of the flowing medium warm water on the low temperature water in the lower part of the hot water tank 1 as much as possible. It becomes possible.

The refrigeration cycle of the heat pump unit 2 (not shown) preferably uses carbon dioxide as a refrigerant and is operated at a pressure exceeding the critical pressure. Since the boiling temperature can be increased by using carbon dioxide as a refrigerant, it is possible to increase the amount of heat that can be used and to prevent the hot water from running out.
(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the hot water supply apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 5, as a different point from the first embodiment, a second hot water outlet 20 is provided above the inlet 8 facing the second region 10 of the hot water tank 1, and the partition wall 11 is further insulated. A foamed resin material having Moreover, the 2nd mixing valve 21 which mixes the hot water from the two places of the 2nd hot water outlet 20 and the hot water supply opening 13 at the time of hot water supply utilization is provided. The mixing temperature of the second mixing valve 21 is set higher than the desired hot water supply set temperature by the mixing valve 19.

  About the hot water supply apparatus comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  FIG. 6A shows a state where the bath is reheated and the second region 10 is filled with medium-temperature water. If there is a hot water supply request from this state, the second outlet 20 and Hot water is supplied using hot water from both hot water outlets 13.

  The hot water that has reached the set temperature by the second mixing valve 21 (not shown) is mixed with the feed water by the mixing valve 19 (not shown) to reach a desired hot water supply set temperature. When there is no second hot water outlet 20, the hot water in the hot water tank 1 is simply pushed upward while maintaining the temperature distribution by the hot water supplied from the hot water outlet 13. By discharging the hot water, the medium temperature water in the second region 10 is used more quickly and is refilled with the low temperature water from the feed water as shown in FIG. 4 (b). Therefore, the chance of the rising water flow of the medium-temperature water from the lower end of the partition wall 11 described in the first embodiment during re-boiling is reduced, and low-temperature water is more easily secured.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the medium temperature water stored in the second region 10 of the hot water tank 1 is discharged by using the hot water supply earlier, and the low temperature water at the lower part of the hot water tank 1 is heated. By suppressing the action, it is possible to more effectively suppress a decrease in efficiency in the boiling operation.

  In the present embodiment, the partition wall 11 is made of a foamed resin material plate in order to provide heat insulation, but it may be formed by providing an air layer between metal plates so as to be hollow.

  As described above, the hot water supply apparatus according to the present invention is close to the intended state of the temperature distribution of the hot water storage tank so that the heating means can be operated under efficient conditions. In addition, it can also be applied to large-scale applications such as business use in a system having a heat source and a hot water tank.

Configuration diagram of hot water supply apparatus in Embodiment 1 of the present invention (A) is a vertical step view of the hot water tank, (b) is a horizontal step view of the hot water tank. Figure showing the temperature distribution in the hot water tank when the medium hot water flows Figure showing the temperature distribution in the hot water tank during re-boiling The block diagram of the hot-water supply apparatus in Embodiment 2 of this invention Figure showing the temperature distribution in the hot water tank during the hot water supply Configuration diagram of conventional hot water supply equipment

Explanation of symbols

1 Hot water storage tank 2 Heat pump unit (heating means)
3 Outlet 5 Heat exchanger (heat utilization means)
8 Inlet 9 First area 10 Second area 11 Bulkhead 20 Second outlet

Claims (5)

A hot water storage tank, heating means for heating the water in the hot water storage tank, a partition in which the inside of the hot water storage tank is vertically divided into a first area and a second area, and an upper and lower partition, and an upper part of the hot water tank The hot water outlet provided, the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank, heat utilization means for using the amount of heat, and the hot water storage for returning the hot water after heat utilization from the heat utilization means to the hot water storage tank The hot water supply apparatus comprised from the inflow port provided facing the 2nd area | region of the tank. The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the partition wall has a heat insulating function. The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heating means uses a heat pump cycle. The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the heat pump cycle is a supercritical refrigerant circuit in which a pressure is equal to or higher than a critical pressure, and water is heated by a refrigerant whose pressure is increased to the critical pressure or higher. The hot water supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a second hot water outlet is provided above the inflow port provided facing the second region of the hot water tank.

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