JP2013224763A - Heat supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hybrid heat supply device that corresponds to a heat demand from a user as much as possible even though a gas type heat source machine cannot be used.SOLUTION: A heat supply device includes: an electric heat source that generates heat by consuming electricity; a gas type heat source that generates heat by consuming gas; a heat storage means that stores heat generated by at least the electric heat source; and a control means that controls the heat storage amount of the heat storage means by controlling at least the electric heat source. The control means performs operations only on the heat source of the electric heat source when the gas type heat source cannot be used, and increases a target value regarding the heat storage amount.

Description

  The technology disclosed here relates to a heat supply device such as a hot water supply device or a heating device. In particular, the present invention relates to a hybrid heat supply device that uses electricity and gas (in detail, combustible gas, the same applies hereinafter).

  Patent Document 1 discloses a hybrid hot water supply apparatus. The hot water supply apparatus includes an electric heat source that consumes electricity to generate heat, a gas heat source that consumes gas to generate heat, and a heat storage unit that stores heat generated by the electric heat source machine. . This type of heat supply apparatus achieves excellent thermal efficiency by using electricity and gas in combination, and secures a supply capacity that can cope with irregular heat demands.

JP 2004-125226 A

  The hybrid heat supply device is designed on the premise of using both electricity and gas. If one supply is interrupted, an error display is displayed to stop the operation. It is configured. However, considering the occurrence of natural disasters, for example, a situation where only one of electricity and gas can be used is sufficiently assumed, and even in such a situation, it is required to supply heat (hot water supply or heating). However, the heat generation capacity of the electric heat source is lower than that of the gas heat source machine. Therefore, the use of a gas heat source becomes impossible, and when heat is supplied only by an electric heat source, it is expected that the heat demand of the user cannot be met due to a lack of heat generation.

  Here, a technique capable of solving or at least reducing the above-described problems is provided.

  The technology disclosed herein is embodied in a heat supply device that uses both electricity and gas. The heat supply device includes an electric heat source that consumes electricity to generate heat, a gas heat source that consumes gas to generate heat, a heat storage unit that stores at least heat generated by the electric heat source, and at least an electric A control means for controlling the heat source of the heat storage means to adjust the amount of livestock heat of the heat storage means. This control means is characterized in that when the use of the gas heat source is impossible, the operation is performed using only the electric heat source as the heat source, and the target value related to the heat storage amount is increased. Here, “only an electric heat source is used as a heat source” means that only the electric heat source is used as the heat source among the electric heat source and the gas heat source described above, and other heat sources (for example, geothermal and solar heat sources). ) Is not excluded.

  In the above-described heat supply device, even if the use of the gas heat source becomes impossible, the heat generation amount that is insufficient with only the electric heat source can be supplemented by the heat storage of the heat storage means. However, if the heat storage of the heat storage means is exhausted, the user's heat demand can no longer be met. Therefore, in the above-described heat supply device, when the gas heat source cannot be used, the amount of livestock heat of the heat storage means can be temporarily increased.

  Although the target value regarding the amount of heat storage is an example, it can be set as the target temperature of the heat medium of the heat storage means. For example, if the heat storage means is a hot water storage tank that stores hot water, the target temperature of the hot water in the tank can be adopted as the target value related to the heat storage amount.

  It is preferable that the control means determines a target value related to the heat storage amount in accordance with a set value related to heat demand specified by the user. In this case, it is preferable that the control means change the relationship of the target value with respect to the set value depending on whether or not the gas heat source can be used.

  In the above-described configuration, the set value related to the heat demand is an example, but may be a hot water supply temperature or a heating temperature. For example, the set value related to the heat demand is set as the hot water supply temperature, and the set temperature specified by the user is set to 40 ° C. At this time, if the gas heat source can be used, the target temperature of the heat storage means can be set to 40 ° C., similarly to the set temperature. On the other hand, when the gas heat source cannot be used, the target temperature of the heat storage means can be set to 50 ° C., which is higher than the set temperature. These are merely examples, and the relationship of the target value to the set value can be determined as appropriate.

  Various situations are assumed as the situation where the use of the gas heat source becomes impossible. For example, the supply of gas may be suddenly interrupted due to the occurrence of a natural disaster or the like. Assuming such a situation, it is preferable that the control means perform an operation using only the electric heat source as a heat source when the gas supply is interrupted, and increase the target value related to the amount of heat storage.

  Alternatively, the gas supply may be interrupted at a fixed time. Assuming such a situation, the control means can set a time zone in which the use of the gas heat source is prohibited, and performs an operation using only the electric heat source as a heat source according to the set time zone. It is preferable to increase the target value related to the heat storage amount. In this case, in consideration of the time required for heat storage, the target value related to the heat storage amount may be increased in advance prior to the set time.

  Furthermore, for the purpose of reducing gas consumption, it is conceivable that the user voluntarily uses the gas heat source. Assuming such a situation, the control means can select an operation mode in which the use of the gas heat source is prohibited. When the operation mode is selected, the control means performs an operation using only the electric heat source as a heat source. It is preferable to increase the target value related to the heat storage amount.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the hot-water supply heating apparatus of an Example. The flowchart which concerns on the operation mode change process is shown. The flowchart which concerns on the setting change of heat storage temperature is shown.

  In one Embodiment of this invention, it is preferable that a heat supply apparatus has a heat pump as an electric heat source. However, the electric heat source is not limited to the heat pump, and may be, for example, an electric heater.

  In one Embodiment of this invention, it is preferable that a heat supply apparatus has a hot water storage tank which stores warm water as a thermal storage means. However, the heat storage means is not limited to the hot water storage tank, and may be a tank or a container for storing another heat medium.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the heat storage means may store only heat generated by the electric heat source, or store heat generated by both the electric heat source and the gas heat source. May be. In addition to the heat generated by the electric heat source, the heat storage means may store other heat such as geothermal heat, solar heat, and power generation heat.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the heat supply device may be a hot water supply device that supplies hot water, may be a heating device that performs heating, or may be a hot water supply and heating device that performs both hot water supply and heating. Good.

  The hot water supply / room heating device 10 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the hot water supply and heating device 10 is a heat supply device that performs both hot water supply and heating. The hot water heater 10 is mainly provided with a heat pump 40, a hot water heater / unit 50, a hot water storage tank 30, a heating terminal 70, a controller 14, and a remote controller 12. The controller 14 is a control unit that controls the operation of the hot water supply / room heating device 10. The controller 14 of the present embodiment is not a single independent unit, but includes a plurality of electronic control units distributed in the heat pump 40 and the hot water supply / heating unit 50, various sensors disposed in each pipe, and the like. ing. The various sensors referred to here include a temperature sensor and a flow rate sensor.

  The hot water storage tank 30 is a sealed container for storing hot water. Although the capacity | capacitance of the hot water storage tank 30 is an example, it is 50 liters. Connected to the hot water storage tank 30 are a water supply pipe 28 for supplying clean water to the hot water storage tank 30 and a hot water discharge pipe 22 for discharging hot water from the hot water storage tank 30. The hot water discharge pipe 22 is connected to the hot water supply / heating unit 50, and sends hot water from the hot water storage tank 30 to the hot water supply / heating unit 50. In the hot water storage tank 30, a plurality of temperature sensors (not shown) are arranged along the height direction. The plurality of temperature sensors are connected to the controller 14, and based on the detection results, the controller 14 can grasp the hot water temperature and the amount of hot water (that is, the amount of heat) in the hot water storage tank 30.

  A water supply pipe 28 is connected to the hot water discharge pipe 22 through a water supply bypass pipe 26. The water supply bypass pipe 26 mixes the clean water of the water supply pipe 28 with the warm water of the hot water discharge pipe 22. A hot water supply side mixing valve 24 is provided at a connection position between the water supply bypass pipe 26 and the hot water discharge pipe 22. The hot water supply side mixing valve 24 is connected to the controller 14, and its operation is controlled by the controller 14. The controller 14 can lower the hot water temperature from the hot water storage tank 30 to the hot water supply set temperature designated by the user by controlling the hot water supply side mixing valve 24.

  The heat pump 40 is a kind of electric heat source that generates electricity by consuming electricity. The heat pump 40 collects heat from the atmosphere and heats the hot water in the hot water storage tank 30. Strictly speaking, the heat pump 40 moves heat between two heat media and does not generate heat. However, for the sake of convenience in this specification, the heat pump 40 is also treated as a heat source that generates heat. The heat pump 40 is connected to the hot water storage tank 30 via a heat storage feed pipe 32 and a heat storage return pipe 34. Hot water in the hot water storage tank 30 is sent to the heat pump 40 through the heat storage feed pipe 32. The sent hot water is heated by the heat pump 40 and then returned to the hot water storage tank 30 through the heat storage return pipe 34. Thereby, hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank 30. The hot water in the hot water storage tank 30 is not limited to the heat pump 40, and may be configured to be heated by a hot water supply / heating unit 50, which will be described later, or another heat source such as a fuel cell, a generator, sunlight, or an electric heater.

  The hot water supply / heating unit 50 is a type of gas heat source that generates heat by consuming a combustible gas (also simply referred to as gas) such as city gas. As described above, hot water from the hot water storage tank 30 is sent to the hot water supply / heating unit 50 through the hot water discharge pipe 22. When the hot water temperature from the hot water storage tank 30 is lower than the hot water supply set temperature specified by the user, the hot water supply / heating unit 50 ignites a burner (not shown) to heat the hot water. The heated hot water is supplied to a hot water supply location such as a currant through the hot water supply pipe 16. Alternatively, it is supplied to the bathtub 90 through the bath outlet pipe 84. That is, the bathtub 90 is one of hot water supply points.

  The hot water supply / heating unit 50 includes a gas detection sensor 52. The gas detection sensor 52 is provided in the gas supply path, and can detect that the gas supply is interrupted. The gas detection sensor 52 is connected to the controller 14, and the detection result of the gas detection sensor 52 is transmitted to the controller 14. As will be described in detail later, the hot water supply and heating apparatus 10 of the present embodiment can perform hot water supply and heating only by the heat pump 40 even when the gas supply is interrupted and the hot water supply and heating unit 50 cannot be used. . The configuration of the gas detection sensor 52 is not particularly limited. For example, the gas detection sensor 52 may monitor the pressure of the gas supply path. Alternatively, the gas detection sensor 52 may indirectly detect that the gas supply is interrupted, for example, a sensor having a seismometer, or a means for receiving an emergency earthquake warning.

  A hot water supply pipe 22 is connected to the hot water supply pipe 16 through a hot water supply bypass pipe 18. The hot water supply bypass pipe 18 can directly send the hot water from the hot water supply pipe 22 to the hot water supply pipe 16. The hot water supply bypass pipe 18 is provided with a bypass control valve 20. The bypass control valve 20 is connected to the controller 14, and its operation is controlled by the controller 14. If heating in the hot water supply / heating unit 50 is unnecessary, the controller 14 can open the bypass control valve 20 to bypass the hot water supply / heating unit 50. Thereby, useless heat dissipation in the hot water supply / heating unit 50 can be avoided. Further, the controller 14 adjusts the opening degree of the bypass control valve 20 to send a part of the hot water to the hot water supply / heating unit 50, and the other part finely adjusts the hot water supply temperature by bypassing the hot water supply / heating unit 50. You can also

  The hot water supply / heating unit 50 can also circulate and heat (warm) the hot water in the bathtub 90. The hot water supply / heating unit 50 is connected to the bathtub 90 via a bath return pipe 82 and a bath outlet pipe 84. The hot water in the bathtub 90 is sent to the hot water supply / heating unit 50 through the bath return pipe 82, heated in the hot water supply / heating unit 50, and then returned to the bathtub 90 through the bath outlet pipe 84. The circulation of the hot water is performed by a bath pump (not shown) of the hot water supply / heating unit 50. In addition, the path | route which circulates the hot water of the bathtub 90 in the hot water supply heating apparatus 10 is provided independently from the path | route connected to the hot water supply pipe | tube 16 mentioned above in consideration of the hygiene aspect.

  The hot water supply / heating unit 50 is connected to the heating terminal 70 and sends the heated heating medium to the heating terminal 70. The heating terminal 70 is, for example, a hot water floor heating panel or a bathroom heater. Moreover, although the heating medium for heating is an example, it is antifreeze. The heating medium is heated by the burner of the hot water supply / heating unit 50 and then sent to the heating terminal 70 through the heating feed pipe 60. The heating medium radiated from the heating terminal 70 is sent to the heat pump 40 through the first heating return pipe 62 and then returned to the hot water supply / heating unit 50 through the second heating return pipe 64. That is, primary heating of the heating medium is performed in the heat pump 40. A first heating return pipe 62 is connected to the second heating return pipe 64 through a heating bypass pipe 66. A heating side mixing valve 68 is provided at a connection position between the heating bypass pipe 66 and the second heating return pipe 64. The heating side mixing valve 68 is connected to the controller 14, and its operation is controlled by the controller 14. For example, when the operation of the heat pump 40 is stopped, the controller 14 can directly send the heating heat medium from the heating terminal 70 back to the hot water supply / heating unit 50 by controlling the heating side mixing valve 68. .

  The remote controller 12 is an operation terminal on which a user performs various operations. The user operates the remote controller 12 to turn on / off the hot water heater 10, specify the hot water set temperature, supply hot water to the bathtub 90 (so-called hot water filling), heat the hot water in the bathtub 90 (so-called reheating), heating Various operations related to driving can be performed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the hot water supply / room heating device 10 of the present embodiment has a plurality of operation modes, and is configured such that the user can select an arbitrary operation mode (S50). The first operation mode is a normal operation mode (S52), which is a normal operation mode in which the heat pump 40 and the hot water supply / heating unit 50 are used in combination. The second operation mode is a gas prohibition mode (S54), which is an operation mode in which use of the hot water supply / heating unit 50 is prohibited and only the heat pump 40 is used as a heat source. The third operation mode is a gas designation prohibition mode (S56), which is an operation mode in which use of the hot water supply / heating unit 50 is prohibited only in the time zone designated by the user, and only the heat pump 40 is used as a heat source. When the gas designation prohibition mode (S56) is selected, the user can arbitrarily set a time period during which use of the hot water supply / heating unit 50 is prohibited (S58). The time zone specified here can be set for every month, every day of the week, and further every calendar (every day). The selected operation mode is displayed on the display unit of the remote controller 12 (S60).

  In recent years, there are concerns about the occurrence of natural disasters such as the Great East Japan Earthquake. And when such a situation occurs, it may happen that the gas supply is stopped at a fixed time. Assuming such a situation, the hot water heater 10 of this embodiment is provided with a gas designation prohibition mode (S56). Alternatively, for the purpose of reducing gas consumption, the user may voluntarily use the gas heat source. Assuming such a situation, in the hot water supply and heating apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, a gas prohibition mode (S54) is prepared. Furthermore, even when the normal operation mode (S52) is selected, if it is detected that the gas supply is interrupted as described above, the use of the hot water supply / heating unit 50 is prohibited, and only the heat pump 40 is used. With hot water supply and heating can be carried out.

  However, the heat generation capacity of the heat pump 40 that is an electric heat source is lower than that of the hot water supply and heating unit 50 that is a gas heat source. Therefore, if the use of the hot water supply / heating unit 50 is simply prohibited and the hot water supply or heating is carried out in the same manner using only the heat pump 40, it is expected that the heat demand of the user cannot be met due to the lack of heat generation. Therefore, the hot water supply / room heating device 10 of the present embodiment is configured to change the target temperature of the hot water storage tank 30 in the heat storage operation according to whether the hot water supply / heating unit 50 can be used.

  With reference to FIG. 3, the heat storage operation of a present Example is demonstrated. The heat storage operation shown in FIG. 3 is started when the hot water supply / room heating device 10 is turned on. First, in step S12, the controller 14 checks the hot water supply set temperature (T1) designated by the user. Next, in step S14, the controller 14 determines whether or not the current operation mode is the gas inhibition mode. If YES in this determination, the process proceeds to step S22, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S16.

  In step S <b> 16, the controller 14 determines whether or not the current time is the time zone designated by the user in the gas designation prohibition mode. If YES in this determination, the process proceeds to step S22, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S18. In step S <b> 18, the controller 14 determines whether or not the gas supply is interrupted based on the detection result of the gas detection sensor 52. If YES in this determination, the process proceeds to step S22, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S20. Note that this determination is not limited to the case where the current time is in the time zone designated by the user, and the process proceeds to step S22 including the case where the current time zone comes within a predetermined time (for example, within 30 minutes). It is good.

  When it progresses to step S20, about the hot water supply heating unit 50 which is a gas type heat source, the operation | movement is not prohibited. Therefore, when the amount of stored heat (hot water) in the hot water storage tank 30 is insufficient, the insufficient amount of heat can be supplemented by the hot water supply / heating unit 50. Therefore, the controller 14 sets the target temperature (T2) of hot water in the hot water storage tank 30 to the same value as the hot water supply set temperature T1 designated by the user. Thereby, excessive heat radiation from the hot water storage tank 30 is suppressed. However, the target temperature T2 may be a value different from the hot water supply set temperature T1. Depending on the structure, application, and function of the apparatus, the relationship between the two temperatures can be determined as appropriate.

  On the other hand, when it progresses to step S22, the operation | movement is prohibited about the hot water supply heating unit 50 which is a gas type heat source. Therefore, even when the heat storage amount (hot water) of the hot water storage tank 30 is insufficient, the hot water supply / heating unit 50 cannot compensate for the insufficient heat amount. Therefore, the controller 14 sets the target temperature (T2) of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 30 to a value higher than the hot water supply set temperature T1 designated by the user, for example, by a predetermined temperature α (that is, T2 = T1 + α). As a result, the hot water storage tank 30 accumulates a larger amount of heat than usual, and responds to the user's heat demand (hot water supply or heating) as much as possible even when the hot water supply / heating unit 50 cannot be used.

  After setting the target temperature, the controller 14 obtains the detected temperature (T3) of the hot water storage tank 30 in step S24, and compares the detected temperature T3 with the aforementioned target temperature T2 in step S26. If the detected temperature T3 is lower than the target temperature T2 (T3 <T2), the process proceeds to step S28 to start or continue the operation of the heat pump 40. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S28 and the operation of the heat pump 40 is stopped.

  As described above, the controller 14 determines the target temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 30 according to the hot water supply set temperature specified by the user, and determines the relationship of the target temperature T2 with respect to the hot water supply set temperature T1 as a gas heat source. It can be changed according to whether or not the (hot water supply / heating unit 50) can be used. With such a configuration, unnecessary heat radiation from the hot water storage tank 30 is suppressed during normal times, and the maximum response to the user's heat demand (hot water supply or heating) is possible even when the hot water supply / heating unit 50 is unavailable. can do.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was described in detail, these are only illustrations and do not limit a claim. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above. The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technology exemplified in this specification or the drawings can achieve a plurality of objects at the same time, and achieving one of the objects itself has technical utility.

10: Hot water heater / heater 12: Remote controller 14: Controller 16: Hot water supply pipe 18: Hot water supply bypass pipe 20: Bypass control valve 22: Hot water supply pipe 24: Hot water supply side mixing valve 26: Water supply bypass pipe 28: Water supply pipe 30: Hot water storage tank 32: Heat storage feed pipe 34: Heat storage return pipe 40: Heat pump 50: Hot water supply / heating unit 52: Gas detection sensor 60: Heating feed pipe 62: First heating return pipe 64: Second heating return pipe 66: Heating bypass pipe 68: Heating side mixing Valve 70: Heating terminal 82: Bath return pipe 84: Bath outlet pipe 90: Bathtub

Claims (7)

A heat supply device using both electricity and gas,
An electric heat source that consumes electricity and generates heat;
A gas heat source that consumes gas and generates heat;
Heat storage means for storing heat generated by at least the electric heat source;
Control means for controlling at least the electric heat source and adjusting the amount of livestock heat of the heat storage means,
The control means performs an operation using only the electric heat source as a heat source when the use of the gas heat source is impossible, and increases a target value related to the heat storage amount.   The heat supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the target value related to the heat storage amount is a target temperature of a heat medium of the heat storage means.   The control means determines a target value related to the heat storage amount according to a set value related to heat demand specified by a user, and determines a relationship of the target value with respect to the set value according to whether or not a gas heat source can be used. The heat supply device according to claim 1, wherein the heat supply device is changed.   The heat supply device according to claim 1, wherein the set value related to the heat demand is a hot water supply temperature or a heating temperature.   5. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the gas supply is interrupted, the control unit performs an operation using only the electric heat source as a heat source and increases a target value related to the heat storage amount. Or heat supply device.   The control means can set a time zone in which the use of the gas heat source is prohibited, performs an operation using only the electric heat source as a heat source according to the set time zone, and a target value related to the heat storage amount. The heat supply device according to claim 1, wherein the heat supply device is increased.   The control means is capable of selecting an operation mode that prohibits the use of a gas heat source. When the operation mode is selected, the control means performs an operation using only the electric heat source as a heat source and a target related to the heat storage amount. The heat supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the value is increased.

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