JP2017096582A - Hot water system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hot water system capable of restricting utilization quantity of electrical power supplied from commercial power supply more than that of the prior art and at the same time efficiently storing heat under application of surplus power.SOLUTION: A control device 90 operates a heat pump 10 under utilization of electrical power supplied from a commercial power supply path 80 upon arrival of a first heat pump operating time S0 and stores heat of estimated calorie to a tank 20. In addition, the control device 90 operates the heat pump 10 under utilization of surplus electrical power in which applied electrical power is excluded from the generated electrical power by a solar power generator 70 upon arrival of a surplus starting time PV1 after it and stores heat in the tank 20. The prescribed estimated calorie is a calorie utilized during a period from a hot water supply starting time S1 to the surplus starting time PV1 in the past prescribed period [for example, past seven days].SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a hot water supply system.

  Patent Document 1 can be operated using a solar power generator, power supplied from the solar power generator and power supplied from a commercial power source, a heat pump that absorbs heat from the outside air and heats the heat medium, A tank for storing heat, a supply means for supplying hot water to a hot water using location using heat stored in the tank, a tank circulation path for circulating a heat medium between the heat pump and the tank, a control device, There is disclosed a hot water supply system comprising: In this hot water supply system, the control device operates the heat pump with the electric power supplied from the commercial power source to store heat in the night charge time zone of the commercial power supply, and stores the heat in the daytime charge time zone of the commercial power supply. When there is surplus power obtained by removing the used power from the generated power generated by the generator, the heat pump is operated by the surplus power and heat is stored in the tank, thereby reducing the cost of energy for hot water supply. Yes.

JP 2004-194485 A

  In such a hot water supply system, the control device stores time information indicating at least one of a time at which the supply of hot water is started and a time at which the supply of hot water is ended within a predetermined period in the past. Based on the stored time information, the hot water supply start time at which the first hot water supply should be started in a unit time of 24 hours is specified, and the heat pump operation start time is a predetermined time before the hot water start time. In some cases, the heat pump is operated using electric power supplied from a commercial power source, and control is performed to store the maximum amount of heat in the tank.

  When the above control is performed, the maximum amount of heat stored in the tank is stored at the hot water supply start time. However, in order to store the maximum amount of heat stored in the tank at the time of hot water supply start time, it is necessary to use a large amount of electric power supplied from a commercial power source. In addition, it is unlikely that all the heat in the tank will be used between the start of hot water supply and the time when surplus power is generated, and even if a time zone in which surplus power exists is reached, It is likely that a lot of heat remains. Therefore, even in a time zone where surplus power exists, there is a case where heat cannot be stored in the tank sufficiently by operating the heat pump using surplus power, and surplus power cannot be used effectively.

  The present specification discloses a hot water supply system that can suppress the amount of electric power supplied from a commercial power source as compared with the conventional one and can efficiently store heat using surplus electric power.

  The hot water supply system disclosed in this specification can be operated using a solar power generator, power supplied from the solar power generator, and power supplied from a commercial power source, and heats the heat medium by absorbing heat from outside air. A heat pump, a tank for storing heat, a supply means for supplying hot water to a hot water use location using the heat stored in the tank, a tank circulation path for circulating a heat medium between the heat pump and the tank, And a control device. The control device stores hot water supply performance information related to the time when the supply of hot water is started to the hot water use location and the amount of heat used at that time within a predetermined period in the past, and based on the hot water supply performance information , The hot water supply start time at which the first hot water supply should start in a unit time of 24 hours, and the time after the hot water supply start time, and the power used from the generated power generated by the solar power generator The first time in the time zone in which surplus power is predicted to be excluded, and the amount of heat used between the hot water supply start time and the first time within a predetermined period in the past. When a certain amount of heat is specified and the heat pump operation start time, which is a specific time before the hot water supply start time, arrives, the heat pump is operated using at least the electric power supplied from the commercial power supply. With storing schedule heat of heat click, if the first time arrives, using the excess power preferentially to operate the heat pump, stores heat in the tank.

  In the above hot water supply system, when the heat pump operation start time arrives, the control device operates the heat pump using at least the electric power supplied from the commercial power source, and stores the heat of the predetermined heat amount in the tank. Further, when the first time arrives thereafter, the heat pump is operated using the surplus power preferentially, and heat is stored in the tank. The planned heat amount is the heat amount used between the hot water supply start time and the first time within a predetermined period in the past. That is, in the hot water supply system described above, the control device only needs to store in the tank only a predetermined amount of heat that is the amount of heat used between the hot water supply start time and the first time when the heat pump operation start time arrives. There is no need to store the maximum amount of heat in the tank. Therefore, according to the hot water supply system described above, when the heat pump operation start time arrives, it is supplied from the commercial power supply as compared to the conventional configuration in which the heat stored in the tank is stored using the power supplied from the commercial power supply. Use less power. Furthermore, if the heat in the tank is used approximately for the planned amount of heat before the first time arrives after the heat of the planned amount of heat is stored in the tank, the tank will be The heat inside is sufficiently low. As a result, sufficient heat can be stored in the tank by operating the heat pump using the surplus power preferentially. That is, the amount of heat stored in the tank using surplus power is greater than that of the conventional configuration. Therefore, according to the hot water supply system described above, the amount of electric power supplied from the commercial power supply can be suppressed as compared with the conventional one, and heat can be efficiently stored using surplus electric power.

The figure which shows the structure of the hot water supply system 2 typically. The figure which shows typically the usage-amount of warm water for every time slot | zone, and the electric power generation amount of a solar power generator in the specific household using the hot-water supply system 2 of a present Example. The flowchart which shows the heat storage heat processing before a hot-water supply start. The flowchart which shows normal heat storage heat processing. The flowchart which shows surplus electric power storage heat processing. The flowchart which shows the hot water storage heat processing before filling. The flowchart which shows a mode switching process.

  The main features of the embodiments described below are listed. The technical elements described below are independent technical elements and exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Absent.

(Characteristic 1) In the first period from the first time to the second time after the first time and before the sunset time, the control device has the heat in the tank When the heat amount is reduced by 1, the operation of the heat pump that preferentially uses the surplus power is started. In the second period, which is a period other than the first period in unit time, the heat in the tank is It is preferable to start the operation of the heat pump using at least the electric power supplied from the commercial power source when the amount of heat is reduced by a second amount of heat larger than the amount of heat of 1.

  According to this configuration, the heat pump can be operated earlier in the first period than in the second period. Therefore, heat storage using surplus power can be performed with a relatively high frequency, and heat storage using electric power supplied from a commercial power source can be performed with a relatively low frequency. Accordingly, the amount of power supplied from the commercial power source can be suppressed, and heat can be efficiently stored using surplus power.

(Feature 2) When the heat pump is to be operated during the first period, the control device sets the temperature of the heat medium after heating the heat pump so that the heat of the first maximum heat storage amount is stored in the tank. When the heat pump is operated at the first temperature and the heat pump is to be operated during the second period, the heat of the second maximum heat storage amount less than the first maximum heat storage amount is stored in the tank. As described above, it is preferable to operate the heat pump by setting the temperature of the heat medium after the heat pump is heated to a second temperature equal to or lower than the first temperature.

  According to this configuration, in the first period, more heat can be stored in the tank by setting the temperature of the heat medium after the heat pump is heated higher than in the second period. Since the amount of heat that can be stored in the tank by using the surplus power preferentially increases, the surplus power can be efficiently used to store heat.

(Feature 3) When the power supply from the commercial power supply is stopped while operating the heat pump in the operation mode in which the heat pump is operated without using surplus power, the control device uses the surplus power to heat pump. It is preferable to switch to an operation mode in which the is operated.

  According to this configuration, when the commercial power source cannot be used, heat can be stored using surplus power. Surplus power can be used efficiently.

(Example)
(System configuration: Fig. 1)
As shown in FIG. 1, the hot water supply system 2 of the present embodiment includes a heat pump 10, a tank 20, a tank circulation path 30, a tap water introduction path 40, a supply path 50, a burner heating device 60, solar light. A power generator 70, a commercial power supply path 80, and a control device 90 are provided.

  The heat pump 10 is a heat source that absorbs heat from outside air and heats water passing through the tank circulation path 30. The heat pump 10 can be operated using the power supplied from the solar power generator 70 and can be operated using the power supplied from the commercial power supply via the commercial power supply path 80. Although not shown, the heat pump 10 is configured to circulate a refrigerant (for example, a natural refrigerant R290, a chlorofluorocarbon refrigerant R32, etc.), an evaporator that exchanges heat between the outside air and the refrigerant, and a refrigerant from the evaporator. A compressor that compresses to high temperature and high pressure, a condenser that exchanges heat between water passing through the tank circulation path 30 and refrigerant from the compressor, and depressurizes the refrigerant from the condenser to low temperature and low pressure And an expansion valve.

  The tank 20 stores hot water heated by the heat pump 10. The tank 20 is a hermetically sealed type, and the outside is covered with a heat insulating material. Water is stored in the tank 20 until it is full. In this embodiment, the capacity of the tank 20 is 100L. The thermistors 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d are attached to the tank 20 at predetermined intervals in the height direction of the tank 20. Each thermistor 22a-22d measures the temperature of the water of the attachment position. For example, each thermistor 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d measures the temperature of water at positions 70L, 50L, 30L, 5L from the top of the tank, respectively.

  The tank circulation path 30 has an upstream end connected to the lower portion of the tank 20 and a downstream end connected to the upper portion of the tank 20. A circulation pump 36 is interposed in the tank circulation path 30. The circulation pump 36 sends the water in the tank circulation path 30 from the upstream side to the downstream side. The tank circulation path 30 passes through a condenser (not shown) of the heat pump 10. Therefore, when the heat pump 10 is operated, the water in the tank circulation path 30 is heated by the condenser of the heat pump 10. Therefore, when the circulation pump 36 and the heat pump 10 are operated, the water in the lower part of the tank 20 is heated by the heat pump 10, and the heated water is returned to the upper part of the tank 20. That is, the tank circulation path 30 is a water path for storing heat in the tank 20. Further, the thermistors 32 and 34 are interposed in the tank circulation path 30 on the inlet side (ie, upstream side) and outlet side (ie, downstream side) of the heat pump 10, respectively. The thermistor 32 is derived from the lower part of the tank 20 and measures the temperature of water before being heated by the heat pump 10. The thermistor 34 measures the temperature of the hot water after being heated by the heat pump 10.

  The tap water introduction path 40 has an upstream end connected to the water supply valve 42. The water supply valve 42 is connected to a tap water supply source (not shown). The water supply valve 42 is normally maintained in an open state. The downstream side of the tap water introduction path 40 is branched into a first introduction path 40a and a second introduction path 40b. The downstream end of the first introduction path 40 a is connected to the lower part of the tank 20. A downstream end of the second introduction path 40b is connected to a supply path 50 described later. A mixing valve 44 is provided at a connection portion between the downstream end of the second introduction path 40 b and the supply path 50. The mixing valve 44 adjusts the amount by which the water in the second introduction path 40 b is mixed with the hot water flowing through the supply path 50.

  The upstream end of the supply path 50 is connected to the upper part of the tank 20. As described above, the second introduction path 40b of the tap water introduction path 40 is connected in the middle of the supply path 50, and the mixing valve 44 is provided at the connection portion. A burner heating device 60 is interposed in the supply passage 50 on the downstream side of the connection portion with the second introduction passage 40b. In addition, a thermistor 52 is interposed in the supply path 50 downstream from the burner heating device 60. The thermistor 52 measures the temperature of the supplied hot water. The burner heating device 60 heats the water in the supply path 50 so that the temperature of the hot water measured by the thermistor 52 coincides with the hot water supply set temperature. The downstream end of the supply path 50 is connected to a hot water use location (for example, a kitchen, a bathtub, etc.).

  The solar power generator 70 is a device for generating electricity by receiving sunlight. The electric power generated by the solar power generator 70 is supplied to various devices including each component of the hot water supply system 2 via the control device 90. For example, the electric power generated by the solar power generator 70 is used for various purposes such as the operation of an air conditioner (not shown) in addition to the operation of the heat pump 10 and the circulation pump 36.

  The commercial power supply path 80 is a power cord for connecting to a commercial power supply and receiving power supply from the commercial power supply. The electric power supplied from the commercial power supply via the commercial power supply path 80 is supplied to various devices including each component of the hot water supply system 2 via the control device 90.

  The control device 90 is electrically connected to the above-described components of the hot water supply system 2 and controls the operations of the components. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the control device 90 is connected to a remote controller having an operation unit that allows a user to input various instructions and a display unit that can display various information. The control device 90 also includes power source switching means for switching between supplying power for operating each element of the hot water supply system 2 from the commercial power supply path 80 or from the solar power generator 70. ing. In addition, the control device 90 is connected to a network (not shown), and can acquire weather information (for example, weather forecast, past sunshine hours, etc.) stored in a server (not shown) via the network. .

  Next, the operation of the hot water supply system 2 of the present embodiment will be described. The hot water supply system 2 can execute a heat storage operation and a hot water supply operation. Hereinafter, each operation will be described.

(Heat storage operation)
The heat storage operation is an operation in which water in the tank 20 is heated by heat generated by the heat pump 10. When the heat storage operation is to be executed, the control device 90 operates the heat pump 10 and the circulation pump 36. When the circulation pump 36 operates, the water in the tank 20 circulates in the tank circulation path 30. That is, the water existing in the lower part of the tank 20 is introduced into the tank circulation path 30, and when the introduced water passes through the condenser in the heat pump 10, a preset target outlet temperature Tb is set by the heat of the refrigerant. Until heated. The water heated to the target outlet temperature Tb is returned to the upper part of the tank 20. As a result, water at the target outlet temperature Tb is stored in the tank 20. As a result, a high temperature water layer is formed in the upper part of the tank 20 and a low temperature water layer is formed in the lower part. In the present embodiment, the control device 90 can change the temperature of the heated hot water (target outlet temperature Tb) by changing the rotation speed of the compressor of the heat pump 10.

(Hot water operation)
The hot water supply operation is an operation in which the hot water in the tank 20 is supplied to the hot water use location. The hot water supply operation can also be executed during the above heat storage operation. When the hot water tap at the hot water use point is opened, the water supply valve 42 is maintained in an open state, so that the water pressure from the tap water supply source causes the tap water introduction path 40 (first introduction path 40a) to the lower part of the tank 20. Tap water flows in. At the same time, the hot water in the upper part of the tank 20 is supplied to the hot water use location via the supply path 50.

  When the temperature of the hot water supplied from the tank 20 to the supply path 50 (that is, the measured temperature of the thermistor 22d) is higher than the hot water supply set temperature Ts, the control device 90 opens the mixing valve 44 and the second introduction path 40b. Tap water is introduced into the supply channel 50. In this case, the hot water supplied from the tank 20 and the tap water supplied from the second introduction path 40 b are mixed in the supply path 50. The control device 90 adjusts the opening degree of the mixing valve 44 so that the temperature of the hot water supplied to the hot water use location (that is, the temperature of the hot water measured by the thermistor 52) matches the hot water supply set temperature Ts. On the other hand, when the temperature of the hot water supplied from the tank 20 to the supply path 50 is lower than the hot water supply set temperature Ts, the control device 90 operates the burner heating device 60. In this case, the hot water passing through the supply path 50 is heated by the burner heating device 60. The control device 90 controls the output of the burner heating device 60 so that the temperature of the hot water supplied to the hot water use location matches the hot water supply set temperature Ts.

(Tendency of hot water supply in specific household and trend of power generation amount of solar power generator 70; Fig. 2)
Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the tendency of hot water supply in a specific household when the life cycle of the specific household is viewed in units of 24 hours (one day) will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a time period during which hot water is supplied in a specific household during a certain day, and schematically showing a change in the amount of power generated by the solar power generator 70. The trend of hot water supply and the amount of power generation shown in FIG. 2 are specified based on the hot water supply history and power generation history in a specific household for the past seven days. In this embodiment, the control device 90 uses 24 hours starting from 2:00 as a unit time for specifying one day.

  In a specific household, for example, hot water is first supplied from 6:00 to 7:00 (6:00 in the example of FIG. 2). The first hot water supply is, for example, a hot water supply for breakfast preparation or a washbasin. In the first hot water supply, about 5 to 20 L of hot water is supplied. In a specific household, for example, a second hot water supply is performed at 11:00 to 12:00 (11:00 in the example of FIG. 2). The second hot water supply is, for example, a hot water supply for preparing lunch. Even in the second hot water supply, hot water of about 5 L to 20 L is supplied. In a specific household, for example, a third hot water supply is performed at 20:00 (20:00 in the example of FIG. 2). The third hot water supply is a hot water operation to the bathtub. In this embodiment, a specific household is set in advance to start a hot water operation every day at 20:00. In the hot water operation, hot water of about 150L to 180L is supplied. In a specific household, for example, the last hot water supply is performed from 23:00 to 0:00 (approximately 23:00 in the example of FIG. 2). The last hot water supply is, for example, a hot water supply for brushing teeth. In the last hot water supply, hot water of about 5 L to 10 L is supplied. The last hot water supply ends at about 0:00.

  Moreover, in the hot water supply system 2 installed in a specific household, the solar power generator 70 starts generating power at 6:00 sunrise. The amount of power generation increases so as to reach a peak every 12:00, and then decreases toward sunset around 19:00.

  In the present embodiment, the control device 90 obtains time information indicating the time when hot water supply is started and the time when hot water supply is completed and the amount of supplied hot water every time hot water is supplied in a specific household. The supply amount information shown and the temperature information showing the temperature of the supplied hot water are stored. The control device 90 stores time information, supply amount information, and temperature information for one day as an operation history for one day for a specific household. In the present embodiment, the control device 90 stores driving histories for a specific household for the past seven days. Similarly, the control apparatus 90 memorize | stores the electric power generation amount for every time slot | zone by the solar power generator 70 for the past seven days of a specific household as an electric power generation history.

(Processing of control device 90)
Next, each process executed by the control device 90 will be described. Each process executed by the control device 90 includes a process executed by the control device 90 every 24 hours (every time becomes 2:00) and a process executed by the control device 90 at all times. As described above, in this embodiment, the control device 90 stores the driving history for the past seven days of a specific household. Therefore, the control device 90 erases the operation history of 8 days ago every 24 hours and newly stores the operation history of the previous day.

  Next, the control device 90 specifies the earliest time among the times when the first hot water supply is started in the past seven days from the operation history for the past seven days of the specific household. Hereinafter, this time is referred to as “hot water supply start time S1”. For example, the control device 90 specifies 6:00 as the hot water supply start time S1 (see FIG. 2).

  Moreover, the control apparatus 90 specifies the earliest time among the time when the hot water filling operation was started in the past seven days from the operation history for the past seven days of the specific household. Hereinafter, this time is referred to as “hot water start time B1”. As described above, in this embodiment, a specific household is set in advance to start a hot water filling operation at 20:00 every day. For example, the control device 90 specifies 20:00 as the hot water start time B1 (see FIG. 2).

  Moreover, the control apparatus 90 specifies the latest time among the time when the last hot water supply was completed in the past seven days from the operation history for the past seven days of the specific household. Hereinafter, this time is referred to as “hot water supply end time G1”. For example, the control device 90 specifies 0:00 as the hot water supply end time G1 (see FIG. 2).

  Further, the control device 90 specifies in advance a surplus start time PV1 (11:00 in FIG. 2), which is a time to trigger a surplus power storage heat treatment (see FIG. 5) described later. The surplus start time PV1 is after the hot water supply start time S1 and before the hot water start time B1, and is generated by the solar power generator 70 based on the past power generation history, power usage history, and the like. This is the time when surplus power obtained by subtracting the used power from the generated power is predicted to be generated (that is, the possibility that surplus power is generated is high). In this example, the surplus start time PV1 is 11:00.

  Furthermore, the control device 90 specifies in advance a surplus end time PV2 (17:30 in FIG. 2), which is a time to trigger a surplus power storage heat treatment (see FIG. 5) to be described later. The surplus end time PV2 is specified as 1 hour 30 minutes before the sunset time (around 19:00 in FIG. 2).

  Further, the control device 90 specifies the first predetermined time α, the second predetermined time β, and the third predetermined time γ based on the temperature of the tap water supplied to the tank 20. The control device 90 specifies a shorter time as the first predetermined time α and the second predetermined time β and specifies a longer time as the third predetermined time γ as the water temperature of the tap water is higher.

  Next, the control device 90 specifies the first heat pump operation time S0 that is a time before the specified first predetermined time α from the hot water supply start time S1. In the present embodiment, when the first heat pump operation time S0 arrives, the control device 90 starts a heat storage heat treatment before hot water supply that will be described later (see FIG. 3). That is, the first heat pump operation time S0 is a time that serves as a trigger for starting a heat storage heat treatment before hot water supply (described later) (see FIG. 3).

  In addition, the control device 90 specifies the second heat pump operation time B0 that is a time before the hot water filling start time B1 by the specified second predetermined time β. In the present embodiment, when the second heat pump operation time B0 arrives, the control device 90 starts a hot water storage heat treatment (see FIG. 6) described later. That is, the second heat pump operation time B0 is a time that serves as a trigger for starting a pre-filled heat storage heat treatment (see FIG. 6) described later.

  Furthermore, the control device 90 specifies the heat pump stop time G0 that is a time before the hot water supply end time G1 by the specified third predetermined time γ. In the present embodiment, when the heat pump stop time G0 arrives, the control device 90 starts a heat pump stop process described later. That is, the heat pump stop time G0 is a time serving as a trigger for starting a heat pump stop process described later.

  Further, the control device 90 always performs normal storage heat treatment (see FIG. 4) and mode switching processing (see FIG. 7), which will be described later. Details of each process will be described later. In addition, the user of the hot water supply system 2 according to the present embodiment operates the operation unit of the remote controller and selects one of the two operation modes of “normal heat storage operation mode” and “surplus power heat storage operation mode” in advance. be able to. The normal heat storage operation mode is a mode in which heat is stored using only the power supplied from the commercial power supply via the commercial power supply path 80 without using surplus power of the solar power generator 70. The surplus power heat storage operation mode is a mode in which heat is stored by further using surplus power of the solar power generator 70 in addition to power supplied from a commercial power source.

(Heat storage heat treatment before starting hot water supply; Fig. 3)
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the content of the hot water storage heat treatment before the start of hot water supply executed by the control device 90. As described above, when the first heat pump operation time S0 arrives, the control device 90 starts the process of FIG. First, in S10, the control device 90 calculates a scheduled amount of heat that is required between the hot water supply start time S1 and the surplus start time PV1. The control device 90 calculates the planned heat amount using the stored operation history (time information, supply amount information, and temperature information) for the past seven days.

  Subsequently, in S12, the control device 90 sets the target outlet temperature Tb to a temperature (Ts + 5 ° C.) that is 5 ° C. higher than the hot water supply set temperature Ts. For example, when the hot water supply set temperature Ts is 40 ° C., the target outlet temperature Tb is set to 45 ° C. in S12.

  Next, in S14, the control device 90, based on the planned heat amount calculated in S10 and the target outlet temperature Tb set in S12, hot water necessary to cover the planned heat amount with the hot water at the target outlet temperature Tb. Calculate the planned amount of warm water.

  Next, in S <b> 16, the control device 90 operates the heat pump 10 and the circulation pump 36 using the power supplied from the commercial power supply path 80. At this time, the control device 90 operates the heat pump 10 so that the outlet temperature of the heat pump 10 (that is, the detected temperature of the thermistor 34) becomes the target outlet temperature Tb set in S12. More specifically, the control device 90 adjusts the rotation speed of the compressor motor so that the outlet temperature of the heat pump 10 becomes the target outlet temperature Tb set in S12. Thereby, the water existing in the lower part of the tank 20 is introduced into the tank circulation path 30, heated to the target outlet temperature Tb when passing through the heat pump 10, and returned to the upper part of the tank 20. That is, water having the target outlet temperature Tb is stored in the tank 20. In another example, when surplus power exists at this time (that is, when the first heat pump operation time S0 has arrived), the control device 90 is supplied from the commercial power supply path 80 in S16. The heat pump 10 and the circulation pump 36 may be operated by using surplus power together with the power to be generated.

  After operating the heat pump 10 and the circulation pump 36 in S16, in S18, the control device 90 determines whether or not the currently selected operation mode is the “surplus power heat storage operation mode”. When the currently selected operation mode is the “surplus power heat storage operation mode”, the control device 90 determines YES in S18 and proceeds to S20. On the other hand, when the currently selected operation mode is the “normal heat storage operation mode”, the control device 90 determines NO in S18 and proceeds to S22.

  In S <b> 20, the control device 90 monitors that the warm water of the planned hot water amount calculated in S <b> 14 has been stored in the tank 20. Specifically, in S <b> 20, the control device 90 continuously monitors the detected temperatures of the thermistors 22 a to 22 d, thereby monitoring whether the warm water of the planned hot water amount is stored in the tank 20. As described above, the thermistors 22a to 22d detect the temperature of water at positions 70L, 50L, 30L, and 5L from the top of the tank 20, respectively. Therefore, the control device 90 can monitor the amount of hot water at the target outlet temperature Tb stored in the tank 20 by monitoring the transition of the water temperature detected by each of the thermistors 22a to 22d. When warm water of the scheduled amount of hot water is stored in the tank 20, the control device 90 determines YES in S20, and proceeds to S24.

  On the other hand, in S22, the control device 90 monitors whether the detected temperature of the thermistor 32 is equal to or higher than the hot water supply set temperature Ts. When the detected temperature of the thermistor 32 (that is, the temperature of water led out from the lower part of the tank 20 to the tank circulation path 30) is equal to or higher than the hot water supply set temperature Ts, the tank 20 is filled with hot water having a temperature equal to or higher than the hot water supply set temperature Ts. It means that it is in a state (so-called full storage state). Therefore, when the detected temperature of the thermistor 32 is equal to or higher than the hot water supply set temperature Ts, the control device 90 determines YES in S22, and proceeds to S24.

  In S24, the control device 90 stops the heat pump 10 and the circulation pump 36. When S24 is finished, the heat storage heat treatment before starting hot water supply in FIG. 3 is finished.

(Normal heat storage; Fig. 4)
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of the normal heat storage heat treatment executed by the control device 90. The normal heat storage heat treatment in FIG. 4 is a process that is always executed by the control device 90 while the hot water supply system 2 is in operation, except during a time when a later-described surplus power storage heat treatment is being executed.

  In S30, the control device 90 monitors whether the detected temperature of the thermistor 22c (that is, the temperature of water at a position 30L from the upper portion of the tank 20 (70L from the lower portion)) becomes equal to or lower than the hot water supply set temperature Ts. When the detected temperature of the thermistor 22c is equal to or lower than the hot water supply set temperature Ts, it means that the amount of hot water stored in the tank 20 at a temperature equal to or higher than the hot water supply set temperature Ts is 30L or lower. When the detected temperature of the thermistor 22c is equal to or lower than the hot water supply set temperature Ts, the control device 90 determines YES in S30, and proceeds to S32.

  In S32, control device 90 sets target outlet temperature Tb to a temperature (Ts + 5 ° C.) that is 5 ° C. higher than hot water supply set temperature Ts.

  Next, in S <b> 34, the control device 90 operates the heat pump 10 and the circulation pump 36 using the power supplied from the commercial power supply path 80. Thereby, the water existing in the lower part of the tank 20 is introduced into the tank circulation path 30, heated to the target outlet temperature Tb when passing through the heat pump 10, and returned to the upper part of the tank 20. That is, water having the target outlet temperature Tb is stored in the tank 20. In another example, if surplus power exists at the time of S34, the control device 90 uses the surplus power together with the power supplied from the commercial power supply path 80 in S34, and uses the heat pump. 10 and the circulation pump 36 may be operated.

  Next, in S36, the control device 90 monitors whether the detected temperature of the thermistor 32 is equal to or higher than the hot water supply set temperature Ts. When the detected temperature of the thermistor 32 is equal to or higher than the hot water supply set temperature Ts (that is, when the tank 20 is fully charged), the control device 90 determines YES in S36 and proceeds to S38.

  In S38, the control device 90 stops the heat pump 10 and the circulation pump 36. When S38 ends, the control device 90 returns to the monitoring of S30 again.

(Surplus power storage heat treatment; Fig. 5)
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the contents of the surplus power storage heat treatment executed by the control device 90. As described above, when the surplus start time PV1 arrives, the control device 90 starts the process of FIG. First, in S50, the control device 90 determines whether or not the currently selected operation mode is the “surplus power heat storage operation mode”. When the currently selected operation mode is the “surplus power heat storage operation mode”, the control device 90 determines YES in S50 and proceeds to S52. On the other hand, when the currently selected operation mode is the “normal heat storage operation mode”, the control device 90 determines NO in S50 and ends the surplus power storage heat treatment in FIG.

  In S52, control device 90 sets target outlet temperature Tb to a temperature (Ts + 15 ° C.) that is 15 ° C. higher than hot water supply set temperature Ts. For example, when the hot water supply set temperature Ts is 40 ° C., the control device 90 sets the target outlet temperature Tb to 55 ° C. in S52. In another example, in S52, the control device 90 may set the target outlet temperature Tb to an arbitrary temperature higher than the target outlet temperature of other processing such as normal heat storage heat treatment (see FIG. 4).

  Next, in S54, the control device 90 operates the heat pump 10 and the circulation pump 36 by preferentially using the surplus power. That is, when the necessary power can be covered only by the surplus power, the control device 90 operates the heat pump 10 and the circulation pump 36 using only the surplus power. On the other hand, if surplus power exists but the surplus power alone cannot cover the required power, the control device 90 uses the power supplied from the commercial power supply path 80 in addition to the surplus power to generate a heat pump. 10 and the circulation pump 36 are activated. As described above, the surplus power is the power obtained by subtracting the used power from the generated power generated by the solar power generator 70. Here, the electric power used is electric power used for applications other than the operation of the heat pump 10 and the circulation pump 36, such as the operation of an air conditioner (not shown). In S54, the control device 90 operates the heat pump 10 so that the outlet temperature of the heat pump 10 becomes the target outlet temperature Tb (Ts + 15 ° C.) set in S52. Thereby, the water existing in the lower part of the tank 20 is introduced into the tank circulation path 30, heated to the target outlet temperature Tb when passing through the heat pump 10, and returned to the upper part of the tank 20. That is, water having the target outlet temperature Tb (Ts + 15 ° C.) is stored in the tank 20. Note that if there is no surplus power at the time of S54 due to factors such as deterioration in weather conditions, the control device 90 ends the surplus power storage heat treatment in FIG. 5 without executing the process of S54. In another example, if there is no surplus power at the time of S54, the control device 90 may not operate the heat pump 10 and the circulation pump 36 until surplus power is generated.

  In continuing S56, the control apparatus 90 monitors that the detected temperature of the thermistor 32 becomes more than the hot water supply preset temperature Ts. When the detected temperature of the thermistor 32 is equal to or higher than the hot water supply set temperature Ts (that is, when the tank 20 is fully charged), the control device 90 determines YES in S56 and proceeds to S58.

  In S58, the control device 90 stops the heat pump 10 and the circulation pump 36. When S58 ends, the control device 90 proceeds to the monitoring of S60 and S62.

  In S60 and S62, the control device 90 monitors the arrival of the surplus end time PV2 (see FIG. 2), and at the temperature detected by the thermistor 22a (ie, at a position 70L from the top of the tank 20 (30L from the bottom)). It is monitored that the temperature of the water falls below the hot water supply set temperature Ts. When the detected temperature of the thermistor 22a is equal to or lower than the hot water supply set temperature Ts, it means that the amount of hot water stored in the tank 20 at a temperature equal to or higher than the hot water supply set temperature Ts is 70L or lower. If the detected temperature of the thermistor 22a becomes equal to or lower than the hot water supply set temperature Ts before the surplus end time PV2 arrives, the control device 90 determines YES in S62 and re-executes the processing of S52 to S56 (that is, the tank 20 is boiled up again). On the other hand, when the surplus end time PV2 arrives, the control device 90 determines YES in S60 and ends the surplus power storage heat treatment in FIG.

(Storage heat treatment before filling with water; Fig. 6)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the content of the pre-filling heat treatment performed by the control device 90. As described above, when the second heat pump operation time B0 arrives, the control device 90 starts the process of FIG. First, in S70, whether or not the detected temperature of the thermistor 32 (that is, the temperature of water that is derived from the lower portion of the tank 20 and passes through the heat pump 10) is equal to or higher than the hot water supply set temperature Ts (that is, the tank 20 is full). Judgment is made or not. When the detected temperature of the thermistor 32 is equal to or higher than the hot water supply set temperature Ts, the control device 90 determines YES in S70, and proceeds to S75. On the other hand, when the detected temperature of the thermistor 32 is lower than the hot water supply set temperature Ts, the control device 90 determines NO in S70, and proceeds to S72.

  In S72, control device 90 sets target outlet temperature Tb to a temperature (Ts + 5 ° C.) that is 5 ° C. higher than hot water supply set temperature Ts.

  Next, in S <b> 74, the control device 90 operates the heat pump 10 and the circulation pump 36 using the electric power supplied from the commercial power supply path 80. Thereby, the water existing in the lower part of the tank 20 is introduced into the tank circulation path 30, heated to the target outlet temperature Tb when passing through the heat pump 10, and returned to the upper part of the tank 20. That is, water having the target outlet temperature Tb is stored in the tank 20. When S74 ends, the process proceeds to S76. In another example, if surplus power exists at the time of S74, the control device 90 uses the surplus power together with the power supplied from the commercial power supply path 80 in S74. The heat pump 10 and the circulation pump 36 may be operated.

  On the other hand, in S75, the control device 90 stops the heat pump 10 and the circulation pump 36. As described above, when YES is determined in S <b> 70, the tank 20 is in a fully stored state, so that it is not necessary to operate the heat pump 10 and the circulation pump 36 any more. When the heat pump 10 and the circulation pump 36 are already stopped at the time of S75, the control device 90 maintains the state where the heat pump 10 and the circulation pump 36 are stopped. When S75 is finished, the process proceeds to S76.

  In S76, the control device 90 determines whether or not the hot water start time B1 has arrived. When the hot water filling start time B1 has arrived, the control device 90 determines YES in S76 and proceeds to S78. On the other hand, when the hot water filling start time B1 has not yet arrived, the control device 90 determines NO in S76 and returns to the determination in S70.

  In S78, the control device 90 starts the hot water filling process. That is, in S78, the control device 90 opens the hot water tap of the bathtub, starts supplying hot water to the bathtub, and operates the heat pump 10, the circulation pump 36, and the burner heating device 60 as necessary. A predetermined amount of hot water is supplied to the bathtub. When the hot water filling process of S78 is started, the control device 90 ends the hot water storage heat treatment before hot water filling of FIG.

(Mode switching process; FIG. 7)
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the contents of the mode switching process executed by the control device 90. The mode switching process of FIG. 7 is a process that is always executed by the control device 90 while the hot water supply system 2 is in operation.

  In S90, the control device 90 monitors that power supply from the commercial power supply path 80 is stopped. For example, the power supply from the commercial power supply path 80 may stop due to a power failure or the like. In such a case, the control device 90 determines YES in S90, and proceeds to S92.

  In S92, the control device 90 forcibly switches the operation mode to the surplus power heat storage operation mode. In S92, the control device 90 sets the operation mode to the surplus power heat storage operation mode regardless of whether the currently selected operation mode is the “normal heat storage operation mode” or the “surplus power heat storage operation mode”. Thereby, even when the power supply from the commercial power supply path 80 is stopped, if surplus power exists, heat can be stored using the surplus power. When S92 ends, the control device 90 returns to the monitoring of S90.

  The configuration and operation content of the hot water supply system 2 according to the present embodiment have been described above. In the present embodiment, when the first heat pump operation time S0 arrives, the control device 90 executes a heat storage heat treatment before starting hot water supply (see FIG. 3), and uses the power supplied from the commercial power supply path 80 to heat pump. 10 and the circulation pump 36 are operated (S16), and hot water of a predetermined amount of hot water (that is, heat of a predetermined amount of heat) is stored in the tank (YES in S20). In addition, when the surplus start time PV1 arrives thereafter, the control device 90 executes surplus power storage heat treatment (see FIG. 5), and operates the heat pump 10 and the circulation pump 36 by using surplus power preferentially. (S54), heat is stored until the tank 20 is fully stored (YES in S56). The above-mentioned scheduled heat amount is the heat amount used between the hot water supply start time S1 (see FIG. 2) and the surplus start time PV1 within the past predetermined period (for example, the past seven days). That is, in the present embodiment, the control device 90 supplies the tank 20 with a predetermined amount of heat that is the amount of heat used between the hot water supply start time S1 and the surplus start time PV1 when the first heat pump operation time S0 arrives. What is necessary is just to store, and it is not necessary to store heat until the tank 20 becomes a full storage state. Therefore, according to the hot water supply system 2 of the present embodiment, when the first heat pump operation time S0 arrives, the conventional configuration for storing heat until the tank 20 is fully charged using the power supplied from the commercial power supply. Compared with the above, the amount of power supplied from the commercial power supply is small. Furthermore, if the amount of heat in the tank 20 is used for the planned amount of heat after the heat of the planned amount of heat is stored in the tank 20 until the surplus start time PV1 arrives, the tank starts when the surplus start time PV1 arrives. The heat in 20 is sufficiently reduced. That is, a lot of heat can be stored in the tank 20. As a result, sufficient heat can be stored in the tank 20 by operating the heat pump 10 and the circulation pump 36 using the surplus power preferentially. That is, the amount of heat that can be stored in the tank 20 using surplus power is greater than in the conventional configuration. Therefore, according to the hot water supply system 2 of the present embodiment, the amount of electric power supplied from the commercial power source can be suppressed as compared with the conventional one, and heat can be efficiently stored using surplus electric power.

  In the present embodiment, the controller 90 detects the temperature detected by the thermistor 22a (that is, the tank 20) during the period from the surplus start time PV1 to the surplus end time PV2 (that is, during execution of the surplus power storage heat treatment in FIG. 5). When the temperature of the water 70L from the top (30L from the bottom) is equal to or lower than the hot water supply set temperature Ts (YES in S62 in FIG. 5), the heat pump 10 and the circulation pump 36 preferentially use the surplus power. Is operated (S54). On the other hand, in the control device 90, the detected temperature of the thermistor 22 c (that is, the temperature of water at a position 30 L from the top of the tank 20 (70 L from the bottom)) is in a period other than the period in which the surplus power storage heat treatment is performed. When the temperature is lower than the hot water supply set temperature Ts (YES in S30 of FIG. 4), the heat pump 10 and the circulation pump 36 are operated using the power supplied from the commercial power supply path 80 (S34). That is, in the present embodiment, the heat pump 10 can be operated earlier during the execution of the surplus power storage heat treatment as compared with other periods. Therefore, heat storage using surplus electric power can be performed with a relatively high frequency, and heat storage using electric power supplied from the commercial power supply path 80 can be performed with a relatively low frequency. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of power supplied from the commercial power supply path 80 and efficiently store heat using surplus power.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the control device 90 sets the target outlet temperature Tb to a temperature that is 15 ° C. higher than the hot water supply set temperature Ts (S52 in FIG. 5) during the execution of the surplus power storage heat treatment, and the heat pump 10 and The circulation pump 36 is operated. On the other hand, the control device 90 sets the target outlet temperature Tb to a temperature 5 ° C. higher than the hot water supply set temperature Ts (S32 in FIG. 4 and the like) during a period other than during the execution of the surplus power storage heat treatment, and the heat pump 10 and the circulation The pump 36 is operated. That is, in the present embodiment, during the execution of the surplus power storage heat treatment, more heat can be stored in the tank 20 by setting the target outlet temperature Tb higher than in other periods. Since the amount of heat that can be stored in the tank 20 by using surplus power increases, heat can be stored by efficiently using surplus power.

  In the present embodiment, the control device 90 forcibly switches the operation mode to the surplus power heat storage operation mode when the power supply from the commercial power supply path 80 is stopped due to a power failure or the like (FIG. 7). YES in S90, S92). Therefore, when commercial power cannot be used, heat can be stored using surplus power. Surplus power can be used efficiently.

  The correspondence between the description of the present embodiment and the description of the claims will be described. The operation history stored in the control device 90 is an example of “hot water supply performance information”. The surplus start time PV1 and the surplus end time PV2 are examples of “first time” and “second time”, respectively. The first heat pump operation time S0 is an example of the “heat pump operation start time”. The target outlet temperature Tb set in S52 in FIG. 5 (that is, a temperature 15 ° C. higher than the hot water supply set temperature Ts) is an example of “first temperature”, and the target outlet temperature Tb (set in S32 in FIG. That is, a temperature 5 ° C. higher than the hot water supply set temperature Ts) is an example of the “second temperature”.

  As mentioned above, although the Example 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.

(Modification 1) In the above-described embodiment, the control device 90 performs the case where the detected temperature of the thermistor 22a is equal to or lower than the hot water supply set temperature Ts during the execution of the surplus power storage heat treatment of FIG. 5 (in S62 of FIG. 5). YES), the heat pump 10 and the circulation pump 36 are operated using surplus power (S54). On the other hand, in the period other than the period in which the surplus power storage heat treatment is being performed, the control device 90 performs commercial power supply when the detected temperature of the thermistor 22c is equal to or lower than the hot water supply set temperature Ts (YES in S30 of FIG. 4). The heat pump 10 and the circulation pump 36 are operated using the power supplied from the supply path 80 (S34). However, the control device 90 is not limited to the heat pump 10 when the detected temperature of the thermistor (for example, the thermistor 22c) at the predetermined position is equal to or lower than the hot water supply set temperature Ts regardless of whether or not the surplus power storage heat treatment is being performed. The circulation pump 36 may be operated.

(Modification 2) In the above embodiment, the surplus end time PV2 is set to a time 1 hour 30 minutes before the sunset time. The surplus end time PV2 is not limited to this, and may be set to any time as long as it is after the surplus start time PV1 and before the sunset time. For example, the surplus end time PV2 may be the same time as the sunset time. In addition, the control device 90 identifies a time zone in which there is a high possibility that surplus power exists based on the stored operation history and power generation history, and weather information acquired from the server. The start period may be set as the surplus start time PV1, and the end period of the time zone may be set as the surplus end time PV2.

(Modification 3) In the above embodiment, the control device 90 sets the target outlet temperature Tb to a temperature 15 ° C. higher than the hot water supply set temperature Ts during the execution of the surplus power storage heat treatment (S52 in FIG. 5). In a period other than during the execution of surplus power storage heat treatment, the target outlet temperature Tb is set to a temperature 5 ° C. higher than the hot water supply set temperature Ts (S32 in FIG. 4 and the like). Without being limited thereto, the control device 90 may set the target outlet temperature Tb to a predetermined temperature (for example, a temperature 5 ° C. higher than the hot water supply set temperature Ts) regardless of whether or not the surplus power storage heat treatment is being performed. Good.

(Modification 4) In the above embodiment, the control device 90 forcibly switches the operation mode to the surplus power operation mode when the power supply from the commercial power supply path 80 is stopped due to a power failure or the like. (YES in S90 of FIG. 7, S92). Without being limited thereto, the control device 90 forcibly switches the operation mode to the surplus power operation mode when the normal heat storage operation mode is selected when the power supply from the commercial power supply path 80 is stopped. Without stopping, the heat storage operation may be forcibly stopped.

(Modification 5) In the above embodiment, the “normal heat storage operation mode” uses only the power supplied from the commercial power supply via the commercial power supply path 80 without using the surplus power of the solar power generator 70. However, this is a mode for storing heat, but is not limited thereto. The “normal heat storage operation mode” is a mode in which heat is stored without using surplus power of the solar power generator 70, and is not limited to only power supplied from a commercial power supply, but other power (for example, other power generation not shown) It may be a mode in which heat is stored using electric power supplied from the apparatus together.

  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 has technical usefulness by achieving one of the objects.

2: Hot water supply system 10: Heat pump 20: Tanks 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d: Thermistor 30: Tank circulation path 32: Thermistor 34: Thermistor 36: Circulation pump 40: Tap water introduction path 40a: First introduction path 40b: Second Introduction path 42: Tap water supply source 44: Mixing valve 50: Supply path 52: Thermistor 60: Burner heating device 70: Solar power generator 80: Commercial power supply path 90: Control device S0: First heat pump operating time S1: Hot water supply start time B0: second heat pump operation time B1: Hot water filling start time G0: Heat pump stop time G1: Hot water supply end time PV1: Surplus start time PV2: Surplus end time α: First predetermined time β: Second predetermined Time γ: Third predetermined time

Claims (4)

A solar power generator,
A heat pump that can be operated using electric power supplied from a solar power generator and electric power supplied from a commercial power source, and absorbs heat from outside air to heat the heat medium;
A tank that stores heat,
Supply means for supplying hot water to the hot water use location using the heat stored in the tank;
A tank circulation path for circulating a heat medium between the heat pump and the tank;
A control device,
The control device
Stores hot water supply performance information related to the time when the supply of hot water was started to the hot water use location in the past predetermined period and the amount of heat used at that time,
Based on the hot water supply performance information, a hot water supply start time at which the first hot water supply should be started in a unit time of 24 hours and a time after the hot water supply start time are generated by the solar power generator. A first time in a time zone in which surplus power obtained by removing used power from the generated power is predicted to exist,
Within a predetermined period in the past, the planned amount of heat that is the amount of heat used between the hot water supply start time and the first time is specified,
When the heat pump operation start time, which is a specific time before the hot water supply start time, arrives, the heat pump is operated using at least the power supplied from the commercial power source, and the heat of the planned heat amount is stored in the tank,
When the first time arrives, surplus power is preferentially used to operate the heat pump and heat is stored in the tank.
Hot water system. The control device
In the first period from the first time to the second time after the first time and before the sunset time, the heat in the tank has decreased by the first amount of heat. To start the operation of the heat pump that preferentially uses surplus power,
In the second period, which is a period other than the first period in unit time, when the heat in the tank is reduced by a second amount of heat larger than the first amount of heat, at least electric power supplied from the commercial power source Start the operation of the heat pump using
The hot water supply system according to claim 1. The control device
When the heat pump should be operated during the first period, the temperature of the heat medium after heating the heat pump is set to the first temperature so that the heat of the first maximum heat storage amount is stored in the tank. Operate the heat pump,
When the heat pump is to be operated during the second period, the temperature of the heat medium after heating the heat pump so that the heat of the second maximum heat storage amount less than the first maximum heat storage amount is stored in the tank. To set the second temperature below the first temperature to operate the heat pump,
The hot water supply system according to claim 2. The control device
When the power supply from the commercial power supply is stopped while operating the heat pump in the operation mode in which the heat pump is operated without using surplus power, the operation mode is switched to the operation mode in which the heat pump is operated using the surplus power.
The hot water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images