JP4036581B2

JP4036581B2 - Hot water storage hot water supply equipment

Info

Publication number: JP4036581B2
Application number: JP24265799A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 善隆柴田; 真佐野; 明彦安田; 敬子坂本; 大輔小西
Original assignee: Osaka Gas Co Ltd
Current assignee: Osaka Gas Co Ltd
Priority date: 1999-08-30
Filing date: 1999-08-30
Publication date: 2008-01-23
Anticipated expiration: 2019-08-30
Also published as: JP2001065983A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、複数の貯湯タンクと、その複数の貯湯タンク内の湯水を湯水加熱手段により加熱するべく、前記複数の貯湯タンク内の湯水を前記湯水加熱手段に択一的に循環させる循環手段と、前記複数の貯湯タンク内の湯水を択一的に給湯路に供給する給湯手段と、前記複数の貯湯タンクの夫々について、湯水にて貯蔵する貯蔵熱量を各別に検出する貯蔵熱量検出手段と、給湯運転を実行する給湯制御手段とが設けられ、前記給湯制御手段は、給湯開始指令に伴って、前記複数の貯湯タンクのうちの一つを湯水供給源の貯湯タンクとして選択して、その貯湯タンクの湯水を給湯するように、前記給湯手段を作動させる給湯制御、および、前記複数の貯湯タンクのうちの湯水供給源に選択されていない貯湯タンクについて、その貯蔵熱量が設定最大貯蔵熱量になるまで湯水を加熱する加熱形態で、複数の貯湯タンク内の湯水を順次加熱するように、前記貯蔵熱量検出手段の検出情報に基づいて前記循環手段を作動させる熱量貯蔵制御を実行するように構成された貯湯式の給湯設備に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
このような構成の貯湯式の給湯設備は、例えば、特開平６−２２１６７３号公報により知られている。
この公報に記載の給湯設備によれば、複数の貯湯タンクにおいて、熱量貯蔵制御を実行する順番が予め決められていて、熱量貯蔵制御を実行する場合には、常に、その決められた順番に従って、各貯湯タンク内の湯水を順次加熱するように構成されている。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
したがって、上記公報に記載の給湯設備では、熱量貯蔵制御を実行する際、各貯湯タンクにおける貯蔵熱量の多少にかかわらず、常に、決められた順番に従って熱量貯蔵制御を実行するため、下記のような不都合があった。
【０００４】
すなわち、湯水加熱手段によって貯湯タンク内の湯水全体を所望の温度にまで加熱する場合、湯水をゆっくりと循環させならが加熱し、貯湯タンク内の湯水に温度成層を形成しながら、１回の循環で所望の温度にまで加熱する方法と、貯湯タンク内の湯水を高速で何度も何度も循環させながら所望の温度にまで加熱する方法とがある。
【０００５】
前記湯水加熱手段が、例えば、高熱量負荷のガスバーナのようなものであれば、前者の方法でも、貯湯タンク内の湯水を効率良く所望の温度にまで加熱することはできるが、湯水加熱手段が、例えば、８０℃程度の高温の湯を使用する熱交換器のようなものであると、湯水をゆっくりと循環させても、その循環湯水の全体を、つまり、循環湯水の表面から中心部までを所望の温度にまで加熱するのがむずかしく、そのような場合には、後者の方法により貯湯タンク内の湯水を何度も何度も循環させながら加熱する方が、貯湯タンク内の湯水を効率良く所望の温度にまで加熱することができる。
しかし、その反面、後者の方法によれば、貯湯タンク内の湯水を何度も何度も循環させるため、その循環によって貯湯タンク内の湯水が混合されて温度成層が形成されず、そのため、貯湯タンク内の湯水全体が所望の温度になるまで、その貯湯タンク内の湯水を使用することができないという事態が生じる。
【０００６】
つまり、湯水加熱手段が上述した熱交換器のような場合、貯蔵熱量の多い貯湯タンクの湯水を加熱すれば、比較的短時間で湯水の使用が可能となり、逆に、貯蔵熱量の少ない貯湯タンクの湯水を加熱すれば、湯水の使用が可能になるまでに比較的長時間を要することになるが、上記公報に記載の給湯設備では、各貯湯タンクにおける貯蔵熱量の多少にかかわらず、常に、決められた順番に従って熱量貯湯制御を実行することになるため、場合によっては、湯水の使用が可能になるまでにかなりの時間を要するという欠点があった。
【０００７】
本発明は、このような従来の欠点に着目したもので、その目的は、複数ある貯湯タンク内の湯水に対して効果的な熱量貯蔵制御を実行することで、比較的短時間のうちに湯水の使用を可能にする貯湯式の給湯設備の提供にある。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
この目的を達成するため、請求項１に記載の発明によれば、複数の貯湯タンクと、その複数の貯湯タンク内の湯水を湯水加熱手段により加熱するべく、前記複数の貯湯タンク内の湯水を前記湯水加熱手段に択一的に循環させる循環手段と、前記複数の貯湯タンク内の湯水を択一的に給湯路に供給する給湯手段と、前記複数の貯湯タンクの夫々について、湯水にて貯蔵する貯蔵熱量を各別に検出する貯蔵熱量検出手段と、給湯運転を実行する給湯制御手段とが設けられ、前記給湯制御手段は、給湯開始指令に伴って、前記複数の貯湯タンクのうちの一つを湯水供給源の貯湯タンクとして選択して、その貯湯タンクの湯水を給湯するように、前記給湯手段を作動させる給湯制御、および、前記複数の貯湯タンクのうちの湯水供給源に選択されていない貯湯タンクについて、その貯蔵熱量が設定最大貯蔵熱量になるまで湯水を加熱する加熱形態で、複数の貯湯タンク内の湯水を順次加熱するように、前記貯蔵熱量検出手段の検出情報に基づいて前記循環手段を作動させる熱量貯蔵制御を実行するように構成された貯湯式の給湯設備であって、前記給湯制御手段が、前記熱量貯蔵制御において、前記複数の貯湯タンクのうちで貯蔵熱量が最も多い貯湯タンクを加熱対象の貯湯タンクとして選択して、その貯湯タンクについての湯水を加熱する給湯優先加熱制御を行うように構成されている。
【０００９】
すなわち、複数の貯湯タンクのうちで貯蔵熱量が最も多い貯湯タンクを加熱対象の貯湯タンクとして選択し、その貯湯タンクの湯水を加熱する給湯優先加熱制御を行うように構成されているので、複数ある貯湯タンクのうち、最も短時間のうちに湯水の使用が可能となる貯湯タンクを選択して加熱することになり、したがって、湯水加熱手段が高温の湯を使用する熱交換器のようなものであっても、比較的短時間のうちに湯水の使用が可能となる。
【００１０】
請求項２に記載の発明によれば、前記給湯制御手段が、前記給湯制御において、前記給湯開始指令に伴って、前記湯水供給源として貯蔵熱量の最も多い貯湯タンクを選択し、かつ、一つの貯湯タンクを一旦選択したのちは、その選択した貯湯タンクの貯蔵熱量が設定下限熱量となるまで、または、湯水供給源として貯湯タンクを選択してからの経過時間が設定時間に達するまで、今回の給湯開始指令による給湯のみならず、それ以降の給湯開始指令による給湯においても、その選択した貯湯タンクの湯水を給湯してから、別の貯湯タンクを湯水供給源として選択する湯水使い切り制御を行うように構成され、かつ、前記熱量貯蔵制御において、前記貯湯タンクのうち、前記給湯制御の実行において湯水供給源としては選択されていない貯湯タンクを加熱対象の貯湯タンクとして選択するように構成されている。
【００１１】
すなわち、貯蔵熱量が最も多い貯湯タンクを湯水供給源の貯湯タンクとして選択して給湯する給湯制御において、給湯開始指令に伴って湯水供給源として一つの貯湯タンクを一旦選択したのちは、その選択した貯湯タンクの貯蔵熱量が設定下限熱量となるまで、または、湯水供給源として貯湯タンクを選択してからの経過時間が設定時間に達するまで、今回の給湯開始指令による給湯のみならず、それ以降の給湯開始指令による給湯においても、その選択した貯湯タンクの湯水を給湯してから、別の貯湯タンクを湯水供給源として選択する湯水使い切り制御を行うように構成されているので、湯水供給源として選択された貯湯タンクにおいては、給湯可能な温度の湯を残したままでその貯湯タンク内の湯水を循環させて加熱し、それによって、給湯可能な温度の湯を含めて湯水全体が混合されるような事態が極力回避され、たとえ湯水加熱手段が高温の湯を使用する熱交換器のようなものであっても、給湯可能な温度にまで加熱された湯については、極力無駄のない状態で効率良く給湯することができる。
また、湯水供給源に選択されていない貯湯タンクについて、貯蔵熱量が設定最大貯蔵熱量になるまで、貯湯タンク内の湯水を順次加熱する熱量貯蔵制御において、貯湯タンクのうち、前記給湯制御の実行において湯水供給源としては選択されていない貯湯タンクを加熱対象の貯湯タンクとして選択して、その貯湯タンクについての湯水を加熱する貯湯タンク選択加熱制御を行うように構成されているので、湯水供給源に選択されていない貯湯タンク内の湯水については、必要に応じて無駄無く加熱されることになり、湯水供給源に選択された貯湯タンクに対して湯水使い切り制御を実行した後においても、直ちに別の貯湯タンクを湯水供給源として選択して、連続した給湯を行うことが可能となる。
【００１２】
請求項３に記載の発明によれば、前記湯水加熱手段が、他装置を駆動するエンジンからの排熱を熱媒とする熱交換器で構成されている。
【００１３】
したがって、他装置を駆動するエンジンの排熱を利用して湯水を加熱することができるのは勿論、上述した給湯優先加熱制御や湯水使い切り制御の実行によって、エンジンの排熱を無駄無く回収して効率の良い給湯が可能となる。
【００１４】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明による貯湯式の給湯設備をコージェネレーションシステムに適用した実施の形態につき図面に基づいて説明する。
このコージェネレーションシステムは、ガスエンジンにより発電するとともに、ガスエンジンの排熱を利用して給湯するもので、図１に示すように、ガスエンジン１と、そのガスエンジン１により駆動される他装置としての発電機２を備え、ガス供給路３から供給される燃料ガスを燃焼させてガスエンジン１を駆動し、そのガスエンジン１により発電機２を駆動して、所望の箇所に電力を供給するとともに、燃焼後の排ガスを排気路４を介して装置外へ排出するように構成されている。
【００１５】
前記ガスエンジン１には、冷却水を供給する冷却水往き路５ａと、冷却水をラジエータ６に戻す冷却水戻り路５ｂとが設けられ、冷却水往き路５ａには、冷却水を循環させるための冷却水ポンプ７が設けられ、冷却水戻り路５ｂには、排気路４を通流する排ガスとの間で熱交換させて、冷却水を加熱するための排ガス熱交換器８が設けられている。
前記冷却水往き路５ａと冷却水戻り路５ｂとにわたっては、熱交換器用水路９を介してラジエータ６を迂回する状態で湯水加熱手段としての温水熱交換器１０が接続され、熱交換器用水路９と冷却水戻り路５ｂとの接続箇所には、切換え三方弁１１が設けられている。
【００１６】
この給湯設備は、第１と第２の２本の貯湯タンク１２Ａ，１２Ｂを備え、第１貯湯タンク１２Ａの底部には第１往き路１３ａが、第２貯湯タンク１２Ｂの底部には第２往き路１３ｂが接続され、第１往き路１３ａと第２往き路１３ｂとが、前記温水熱交換器１０への往き路１３に循環切換え三方弁１４を介して接続され、前記往き路１３には、循環ポンプ１５が設けられている。
前記温水熱交換器１０からの戻り路１６は、第１貯湯タンク１２Ａに接続された第１戻り路１６ａと、第２貯湯タンク１２Ｂに接続された第２戻り路１６ｂとに分岐され、第１貯湯タンク１２Ａが、第１往き路１３ａ、往き路１３、戻り路１６、第１戻り路１６ａを介して、第２貯湯タンク１２Ｂが、第２往き路１３ｂ、往き路１３、戻り路１６、第２戻り路１６ｂを介して、温水熱交換器１０に対して並列状態に接続されている。
【００１７】
前記第１貯湯タンク１２Ａの上部には第１給湯路１７ａが、第２貯湯タンク１２Ｂの上部には第２給湯路１７ｂが接続され、第１給湯路１７ａと第２給湯路１７ｂとが、給湯路１７に接続されるとともに、第１貯湯タンク１２Ａの底部には第１給水路１８ａが、第２貯湯タンク１２Ｂの底部には第２給水路１８ｂが接続されていて、第１給水路１８ａと第２給水路１８ｂとが、給水切換え三方弁１９を介して給水路１８に接続されている。
その給水路１８と前記給湯路１７とは、バイパス路２０で接続され、バイパス路２０と給湯路１７との接続箇所には、第１貯湯タンク１２Ａまたは第２貯湯タンク１２Ｂからの湯水と給水路１８からの水とを混合するための混合弁２１が設けられ、その混合弁２１よりも上流側の給湯路１７には、給湯サーミスタ２２が、下流側の給湯路１７には、混合後の湯水の温度を検出する湯温サーミスタ２３が設けられ、給水路１８には、給水温度を検出する給水サーミスタ２４が設けられている。
【００１８】
すなわち、第１往き路１３ａ、第２往き路１３ｂ、循環切換え三方弁１４、往き路１３、循環ポンプ１５、戻り路１６、第１戻り路１６ａ、ならびに、第２戻り路１６ｂによって、第１と第２の貯湯タンク１２Ａ，１２Ｂ内の湯水を温水熱交換器１０に択一的に循環させる循環手段Ａが構成されている。
また、給水路１８、給水切換え三方弁１９、第１給水路１８ａ、第２給水路１８ｂ、第１給湯路１７ａ、ならびに、第２給湯路１７ｂによって、第１と第２の貯湯タンク１２Ａ，１２Ｂ内の湯水を択一的に給湯路１７に供給する給湯手段Ｂが構成され、かつ、その給湯路１７には、ガス燃焼式の瞬間湯沸器２５が接続され、そのガス瞬間湯沸器２５には、給水路２６が接続されるとともに、給湯栓２７を備えた出湯路２８が接続されている。
【００１９】
前記第１貯湯タンク１２Ａには、その第１貯湯タンク１２Ａ内の湯水の温度を上下方向の３箇所で検出するための上部サーミスタ２９ａ、中間サーミスタ２９ｂ、下部サーミスタ２９ｃの３つのサーミスタが、上下方向での位置を異ならせた状態で設けられ、これら３つのサーミスタ２９ａ，２９ｂ，２９ｃによって、第１貯湯タンク１２Ａ内の湯水が貯蔵する貯蔵熱量を検出する第１貯蔵熱量検出手段２９が構成されている。
同様に、第２貯湯タンク１２Ｂには、その第２貯湯タンク１２Ｂ内の湯水の温度を上下方向の３箇所で検出するための上部サーミスタ３０ａ、中間サーミスタ３０ｂ、下部サーミスタ３０ｃの３つのサーミスタが、上下方向での位置を異ならせた状態で設けられ、これら３つのサーミスタ３０ａ，３０ｂ，３０ｃによって、第２貯湯タンク１２Ｂ内の湯水が貯蔵する貯蔵熱量を検出する第２貯蔵熱量検出手段３０が構成されている。
【００２０】
このような構成からなるコージェネレーションシステムの作動は、全てコンピュータ利用の制御装置Ｈによって制御されるように構成されている。
そのため、制御装置Ｈは、図２に示すように、給湯運転を実行する給湯制御手段Ｈ１とガスエンジン１の作動を制御するエンジン制御手段Ｈ２とを備え、給湯制御手段Ｈ１とエンジン制御手段Ｈ２とが、通信可能に構成されている。
前記給湯制御手段Ｈ１には、給湯サーミスタ２２、湯温サーミスタ２３、給水サーミスタ２４、第１と第２の貯蔵熱量検出手段２９，３０からの検出情報が入力されるように構成され、それら入力情報に基づいて、循環切換え三方弁１４、循環ポンプ１５、給水切換え三方弁１９、混合弁２０などの作動を制御するように構成されている。
また、前記エンジン制御手段Ｈ２には、電力要求に合わせてガスエンジン１を駆動する発電優先モードと、温水熱交換器１０への排熱要求に合わせてガスエンジン１を駆動する排熱優先モードとに切換えるモード切換えスイッチＳＷが接続され、ガスエンジン１、冷却水ポンプ７、切換え三方弁１１などの作動を制御するように構成されている。
【００２１】
つぎに、制御装置Ｈによる給湯制御の作動につき、図３のフローチャートに基づいて説明する。
図外リモコンの運転スイッチがＯＮされるか、タイマーの作動によって自動的に、給湯運転の開始が指令されると（ステップ１）、両貯湯タンク１２Ａ，１２Ｂ内の湯水を順次加熱する熱量貯蔵制御が実行される。
この熱量貯蔵制御において、前記モード切換えスイッチＳＷにより排熱優先モードが選択されていると、給湯優先加熱モードが選択されて給湯優先加熱制御が実行され、発電優先モードが選択されていると、熱量回収優先加熱モードが選択されて熱量回収優先加熱制御が実行される（ステップ２〜４）。
【００２２】
前記給湯優先加熱制御は、第１と第２の貯湯タンク１２Ａ，１２Ｂのうち、後述する給湯制御の実行において湯水供給源として選択されていない貯湯タンク１２Ａ，１２Ｂにおいて、貯蔵熱量が多い方の貯蔵タンク１２Ａ，１２Ｂが、加熱対象の貯湯タンク１２Ａ，１２Ｂとして選択され、その貯湯タンク１２Ａ，１２Ｂ内の湯水が加熱される。
例えば、両貯湯タンク１２Ａ，１２Ｂが、共に湯水供給源として選択されておらず、第１貯蔵熱量検出手段２９において、上部サーミスタ２９ａと中間サーミスタ２９ｂとが７５℃以上の温度を検出し、下部サーミスタ２９ｃが７５℃未満の温度を検出するとともに、第２貯蔵熱量検出手段３０において、上部サーミスタ３０ａ、中間サーミスタ３０ｂ、下部サーミスタ３０ｃの全てが７５℃以上の温度を検出すると、第２貯湯タンク１２Ｂの方が貯蔵熱量が多いものと判断して、第２貯湯タンク１２Ｂを加熱対象のタンクとして選択し、第２貯湯タンク１２Ｂ内の湯水が加熱される。
【００２３】
この第２貯湯タンク１２Ｂ内の湯水の加熱は、循環切換え三方弁１４が切換え操作されて、第２貯湯タンク１２Ｂ側の第２往き路１３ｂが往き路１３に連通されるとともに、循環ポンプ１５が作動され、第２貯湯タンク１２Ｂ内の湯水が、第２往き路１３ｂ、往き路１３、戻り路１６、第２戻り路１６ｂを介して温水熱交換器１０に循環供給される。
その温水熱交換器１０には、ガスエンジン１を冷却することより加熱され、更に、排ガス熱交換器８で加熱された後の冷却水が、冷却水ポンプ７の作動によって循環供給されているので、第２貯湯タンク１２Ｂ内の湯水は、温水熱交換器１０により加熱されながら循環される。
温水熱交換器１０に循環される加熱後の冷却水は、温度が８０℃程度であるため、第２貯湯タンク１２Ｂ内の湯水は、比較的高速で何度も何度も循環されて加熱され、第２貯蔵熱量検出手段３０における下部サーミスタ３０ｃが７５℃以上の温度を検出すると、その貯蔵熱量が設定最大貯蔵熱量に達したものと判断して、第２貯湯タンク１２Ｂに対する熱量貯蔵制御を終了し、その後、下部サーミスタ３０ｃが７５℃未満の温度を検出すると、第２貯湯タンク１２Ｂに対する熱量貯蔵制御が再開される。
【００２４】
また、第１貯湯タンク１２Ａが加熱対象の貯湯タンクとして選択されて、第１貯湯タンク１２Ａ内の湯水を加熱する場合であれば、循環切換え三方弁１４が切換え操作されて、第１貯湯タンク１２Ａ側の第１往き路１３ａが往き路１３に連通され、第１貯湯タンク１２Ａ内の湯水が、第１往き路１３ａ、往き路１３、戻り路１６、第１戻り路１６ａを介して温水熱交換器１０に循環供給されて加熱される。
そして、第１貯蔵熱量検出手段２９の下部サーミスタ２９ｃが７５℃以上の温度を検出すると、第１貯湯タンク１２Ａの貯蔵熱量が設定最大貯蔵熱量に達したものと判断して、熱量貯蔵制御を終了するとともに、切換え三方弁１１が切換え操作されて、ガスエンジン１の冷却水が、ラジエータ６側に循環供給される。
【００２５】
前記熱量回収優先加熱制御は、第１と第２の貯湯タンク１２Ａ，１２Ｂのうち、給湯制御の実行において湯水供給源として選択されていない貯湯タンク１２Ａ，１２Ｂにおいて、貯蔵熱量が少ない方の貯蔵タンク１２Ａ，１２Ｂが、加熱対象の貯湯タンク１２Ａ，１２Ｂとして選択され、その貯湯タンク１２Ａ，１２Ｂ内の湯水が加熱される。
例えば、上述した例のように、両貯湯タンク１２Ａ，１２Ｂが、共に湯水供給源として選択されておらず、第１貯蔵熱量検出手段２９において、上部サーミスタ２９ａと中間サーミスタ２９ｂとが７５℃以上の温度を検出するとともに、下部サーミスタ２９Ｃが７５℃未満の温度を検出し、第２貯蔵熱量検出手段３０において、上部サーミスタ３０ａ、中間サーミスタ３０ｂ、下部サーミスタの全てが７５℃以上の温度を検出すると、第１貯湯タンク１２Ａの方が貯蔵熱量が少ないものと判断して、第１貯湯タンク１２Ａを加熱対象のタンクとして選択し、第１貯湯タンク１２Ａ内の湯水が加熱される。
【００２６】
このようにして、エンジン制御手段Ｈ２が排熱優先モードのときには、熱量貯蔵制御において、給湯優先加熱モードが選択されて、第１と第２の貯湯タンク１２Ａ，１２Ｂのうちで貯蔵熱量が多い方の貯蔵タンク１２Ａ，１２Ｂが加熱対象の貯湯タンク１２Ａ，１２Ｂとして選択され、その貯湯タンク１２Ａ，１２Ｂ内の湯水が加熱され、エンジン制御手段Ｈ２が発電優先モードのときには、熱量貯蔵制御において、熱量回収優先加熱モードが選択されて、第１と第２の貯湯タンク１２Ａ，１２Ｂのうちで貯蔵熱量が少ない方の貯湯タンク１２Ａ，１２Ｂが加熱対象の貯湯タンク１２Ａ，１２Ｂとして選択されて、その貯湯タンク１２Ａ，１２Ｂの湯水が加熱される。
【００２７】
前記給湯栓２７の開操作によって給湯の開始が指令されると（ステップ５）、両貯湯タンク１２Ａ，１２Ｂ内の湯水を給湯する給湯制御が実行され、その際、排熱優先モードが選択されていると、湯水使い切り制御が、発電優先モードが選択されていると、貯蔵熱量優先制御が実行される（ステップ６〜８）。
【００２８】
前記湯水使い切り制御は、第１と第２の貯湯タンク１２Ａ，１２Ｂのうちで貯蔵熱量が多い方の貯湯タンク１２Ａ，１２Ｂ、例えば、第１貯蔵熱量検出手段２９において、上部サーミスタ２９ａ、中間サーミスタ２９ｂ、下部サーミスタ２９ｃの全てが７５℃以上の温度を検出し、第２貯蔵熱量検出手段３０において、上部サーミスタ３０ａが７５℃以上の温度を検出し、中間サーミスタ３０ｂと下部サーミスタ３０ｃとが７５℃未満の温度を検出すると、第１貯湯タンク１２Ａの方が貯蔵熱量が多いものと判断して、第１貯湯タンク１２Ａを湯水供給源のタンクとして選択し、第１貯湯タンク１２Ａ内の湯水が給湯される。
【００２９】
具体的には、給水切換え三方弁１９が切換え操作されて、第１貯湯タンク１２Ａ側の第１給水路１８ａが給水路１８に連通され、給水路１８からの給水圧によって第１貯湯タンク１２Ａ内の湯水が上方に押し上げられて給湯路１７に供給される。
その際、給湯サーミスタ２２と給水サーミスタ２４からの検出情報に基づいて、混合弁２１の開度が調整されるとともに、湯温サーミスタ２３からの検出情報に基づいて、混合弁２１の開度が微調整されて、例えば、７０℃に調整された湯水が、ガス瞬間湯沸器２５に供給される。
ガス瞬間湯沸器２５に供給された湯水は、必要に応じて、ガス瞬間湯沸器２５により更に加熱され、かつ、給水路２６からの水が混合されて、図外のリモコンにより設定された温度の湯水が給湯栓２７から吐出される。
【００３０】
前記給湯栓２７の閉操作によって給湯の停止が指令されても、第１貯蔵熱量検出手段２９の上部サーミスタ２９ａが７５℃以上の温度を検出していると、第１貯湯タンク１２Ａの貯蔵熱量が設定下限熱量以上であると判断して、給水切換え三方弁１９は切換え操作されず、第１貯湯タンク１２Ａ側の第１給水路１８ａが給水路１８に連通された状態に維持される。
したがって、その後、給湯栓２７が開操作されて給湯の開始が指令されると、再度、第１貯湯タンク１２Ａ内の湯水が給湯され、第１貯蔵熱量検出手段２９の上部サーミスタ２９ａが７５℃未満の温度を検出すると、第１貯湯タンク１２Ａの貯蔵熱量が設定下限貯蔵熱量に達したものと判断し、第２貯湯タンク１２Ｂを湯水供給源のタンクとして選択する。
具体的には、給水切換え三方弁１９が切換え操作されて、第２貯湯タンク１２Ｂ側の第２給水路１８ｂが給水路１８に連通され、給水路１８からの給水圧によって第２貯湯タンク１２Ｂ内の湯水が給湯路１７に供給される。
【００３１】
つまり、給湯開始指令に伴って湯水供給源として一つの貯湯タンク、例えば、第１貯湯タンク１２Ａを湯水供給源として一旦選択したのちは、その選択した第１貯湯タンク１２Ａの貯蔵熱量が設定下限熱量となるまで、今回の給湯開始指令による給湯のみならず、それ以降の給湯開始指令による給湯においても、その選択した第１貯湯タンク１２Ａの湯水を給湯してから、別の貯湯タンク、つまり、第２貯湯タンク１２Ｂを湯水供給源として選択する湯水使い切り制御を行うように構成されている。
【００３２】
上述した湯水使い切り制御において、給湯栓２７の開操作によって給湯の開始が指令されたとき、第１と第２の貯蔵熱量検出手段２９，３０において、両下部サーミスタ２９ｃ，３０ｃが共に７５℃未満の温度を検出すると、貯蔵熱量が設定最大貯蔵熱量にまで達している貯湯タンクが存在しないと判断し、給水切換え三方弁１９が切換え操作され、第１貯湯タンク１２Ａ側の第１給水路１８ａも第２貯湯タンク１２Ｂ側の第２給水路１８ｂも、共に給水路１８への連通が断たれる。その場合には、給水路１８からの水が、バイパス路２０を介してガス瞬間湯沸器２５に直接供給され、ガス瞬間湯沸器２５で加熱された後、給水路２６からの水が混合されて、図外のリモコンにより設定された温度の湯水が給湯栓２７から吐出される。
つまり、給湯制御において、給湯開始指令が指令されたときに、貯蔵熱量が設定最大貯蔵熱量になるまで湯水を加熱した貯湯タンクが存在しないときには、給湯を開始しないように構成されている。
【００３３】
ただし、上述したように、例えば、第１貯湯タンク１２Ａを湯水供給源のタンクとして選択し、第１貯湯タンク１２Ａ内の湯水が給湯されている状態で、第１貯蔵熱量検出手段２９の上部サーミスタ２９ａが７５℃未満の温度を検出し、第１貯湯タンク１２Ａの貯蔵熱量が設定下限貯蔵熱量に達したものと判断した場合には、たとえ第２貯湯タンク１２Ｂの貯蔵熱量が設定上限貯蔵熱量未満であっても、第２貯湯タンク１２Ｂを湯水供給源のタンクとして選択して、第２貯湯タンク１２Ｂからの給湯を継続する。
つまり、給湯制御において、給湯を継続するに伴って、湯水供給源として選択した貯湯タンクの湯水を設定下限貯蔵熱量まで消費したときに、別の貯湯タンクが設定上限貯蔵熱量未満の加熱途中であっても、その貯湯タンクからの湯水を給湯するように構成されている。
【００３４】
前記貯蔵熱量優先制御は、両貯湯タンク１２Ａ，１２Ｂのうちで貯蔵熱量が多い方の貯湯タンク１２Ａ，１２Ｂ、例えば、第１貯蔵熱量検出手段２９において、上部サーミスタ２９ａ、中間サーミスタ２９ｂ、下部サーミスタ２９ｃの全てが７５℃以上の温度を検出し、第２貯蔵熱量検出手段３０において、上部サーミスタ３０ａと中間サーミスタ３０ｂとが７５℃以上の温度を検出し、下部サーミスタ３０ｃが７５℃未満の温度を検出すると、第１貯湯タンク１２Ａの方が貯蔵熱量が多いものと判断して、第１貯湯タンク１２Ａを湯水供給源のタンクとして選択し、第１貯湯タンク１２Ａ内の湯水が給湯される。
そして、次の給湯開始指令があると、そのときに貯蔵熱量が多い方の貯湯タンク１２Ａ，１２Ｂ、例えば、第１貯蔵熱量検出手段２９において、上部サーミスタ２９ａのみが７５℃以上の温度を検出し、第２貯蔵熱量検出手段３０において、上部サーミスタ３０ａと中間サーミスタ３０ｂとが７５℃以上の温度を検出すると、第２貯湯タンク１２Ｂの方が貯蔵熱量が多いものと判断して、第２貯湯タンク１２Ｂを湯水供給源のタンクとして選択し、第２貯湯タンク１２Ｂ内の湯水が給湯される。
【００３５】
つまり、エンジン制御手段Ｈ２が発電優先モードのときには、給湯制御において、給湯が一旦中断すれば、次の給湯開始指令に伴って、そのときの最も貯蔵熱量が多い貯湯タンク、上述の例では第２貯湯タンク１２Ｂを湯水供給源として選択して給湯する貯蔵熱量優先制御を行うように構成されている。
【００３６】
そして、この貯蔵熱量優先制御においても、上述したように、給湯開始指令が指令されたときに、貯蔵熱量が設定最大貯蔵熱量になるまで湯水を加熱した貯湯タンクが存在しないときには、給湯を開始しないように構成され、また、給湯を継続するに伴って、湯水供給源として選択した貯湯タンクの湯水を設定下限貯蔵熱量まで消費したときに、別の貯湯タンクが設定上限貯蔵熱量未満の加熱途中であっても、その貯湯タンクからの湯水を給湯するように構成されている。
【００３７】
〔別実施形態〕
（１）先の実施形態では、貯湯タンクを２本設けた例を示したが、３本以上の貯湯タンクを使用して実施することもできる。
その場合、熱量貯蔵制御において、給湯優先加熱モードが選択されて給湯優先加熱制御が実行される際には、３本以上の貯湯タンクのうちで貯蔵熱量が最も多い貯湯タンクが加熱対象の貯湯タンクとして選択され、また、熱量回収優先加熱モードが選択されて熱量回収優先加熱制御が実行される際には、３本以上の貯湯タンクのうちで貯蔵熱量が最も少ない貯湯タンクが加熱対象の貯湯タンクとして選択されるように構成することになる。
また、給湯優先加熱制御については、エンジン制御手段Ｈ２が排熱優先モードに設定されているときにのみ実行するように構成した例を示したが、エンジン制御手段Ｈ２が発電優先モードに設定されているときにも、給湯優先加熱制御を実行するように構成することもできる。
【００３８】
（２）先の実施形態では、熱量貯蔵制御において、エンジン制御手段Ｈ２が排熱優先モードにあると、給湯優先加熱モードが選択され、エンジン制御手段Ｈ２が発電優先モードにあると、熱量回収優先加熱モードが選択される構成を示したが、例えば、モード切換えスイッチなどを設けて、エンジン制御手段Ｈ２のモードとは無関係に、給湯優先加熱モードと熱量回収優先加熱モードとを自由に選択できるように構成することもできる。
【００３９】
（３）先の実施形態では、湯水使い切り制御において、湯水供給源として選択した貯湯タンクの貯蔵熱量が設定下限熱量となるまで、その選択した貯湯タンクからの給湯を実行し、その後、別の貯湯タンクを湯水供給源として選択するように構成した例を示したが、湯水供給源として貯湯タンクを選択してからの経過時間に基づいて、その経過時間が設定時間に達するまで、その選択した貯湯タンクからの給湯を実行し、その後、別の貯湯タンクを湯水供給源として選択するように構成することもできる。
【００４０】
（４）先の実施形態では、給湯制御における湯水使い切り制御と貯蔵熱量優先制御において、給湯開始指令が指令されたときに、貯蔵熱量が設定最大貯蔵熱量になるまで湯水を加熱した貯湯タンクが存在しないときには、給湯を開始しないように構成した例を示したが、貯蔵熱量が設定最大貯蔵熱量に達した貯湯タンクが存在しないときにも、貯湯タンクからの給湯を開始するように構成することもできる。
例えば、第１貯湯タンク１２Ａの第１貯蔵熱量検出手段２９において、下部サーミスタ２９ｃが７５℃未満の温度を検出しても、中間サーミスタ２９ｂまたは上部サーミスタ２９ａが７５℃以上の温度を検出すれば、第１貯湯タンク１２Ａ内に７５℃以上の湯が存在すると判断して、第１貯湯タンク１２Ａからの給湯を開始するように構成することもできる。
【００４１】
（５）先の実施形態では、給湯制御における湯水使い切り制御と貯蔵熱量優先制御において、給湯を継続するに伴って、湯水供給源として選択した貯湯タンクの湯水を設定下限貯蔵熱量まで消費したときに、別の貯湯タンクが設定上限貯蔵熱量未満の加熱途中であっても、その貯湯タンクからの湯水を給湯するように構成した例を示したが、湯水供給源として選択した貯湯タンクの湯水を設定下限貯蔵熱量まで消費したときに、別の貯湯タンクが設定上限貯蔵熱量未満であれば、別の貯湯タンクからの給湯を行わないように構成することもできる。
【００４２】
（６）先の実施形態では、貯湯タンクの貯蔵熱量が設定最大貯蔵熱量に達して熱量貯蔵制御を終了した後、その貯湯タンクの貯蔵熱量が設定最大貯蔵熱量未満になると、熱量貯蔵制御を再開するように構成した例を示したが、この熱量貯蔵制御の再開時期については、種々の変更が可能である。
例えば、第１貯湯タンク１２Ａであれば、第１貯蔵熱量検出手段２９の中間サーミスタ２９ｂが７５℃未満の温度を検出すると、熱量貯蔵制御を再開するように構成したり、あるいは、上部サーミスタ２９ａが７５℃未満の温度を検出すると、熱量貯蔵制御を再開するように構成することもできる。
【００４３】
（７）先の実施形態では、湯水加熱手段として、発電機２を駆動するガスエンジン１からの排熱を熱媒とする温水熱交換器１０を使用した例を示したが、例えば、ガスエンジンを使用したエンジンヒートポンプ式冷暖房装置に適用して、そのガスエンジンや凝縮器からの排熱を熱媒とする温水熱交換器に置き換えることもでき、また、湯水加熱手段の数もひとつに限るものではなく、複数の湯水加熱手段を直列に接続したり、並列に接続して実施することもできる。
また、給湯路１７にガス瞬間湯沸器２５を接続して、ガス瞬間湯沸器２５の出湯路２８に設けた給湯栓２７から所望温度の湯水を供給するように構成した例を示したが、ガス瞬間湯沸器２５を無くして、給湯路１７からの湯水によって、床暖房装置の熱媒を加熱したり、風呂の浴槽内湯水を加熱するように構成するなど、給湯路１７からの湯水の使用態様については、種々の変更が可能である。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】コージェネレーションシステムの全体構成図
【図２】制御装置のブロック図
【図３】給湯制御の作動を示すフローチャート
【符号の説明】
１エンジン
２他装置
１０湯水加熱手段としての熱交換器
１２Ａ，１２Ｂ貯湯タンク
１７給湯路
２９，３０貯蔵熱量検出手段
Ａ循環手段
Ｂ給湯手段
Ｈ１給湯制御手段[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a plurality of hot water storage tanks, and circulation means for selectively circulating hot water in the plurality of hot water storage tanks to the hot water heating means in order to heat the hot water in the plurality of hot water storage tanks by the hot water heating means. A hot water supply means for selectively supplying hot water in the plurality of hot water storage tanks to a hot water supply passage, and a stored heat amount detection means for detecting a stored heat amount stored in the hot water for each of the plurality of hot water storage tanks; Hot water supply control means for executing a hot water supply operation is provided, and the hot water supply control means selects one of the plurality of hot water storage tanks as a hot water storage tank of a hot water supply source in response to a hot water supply start command, The hot water control for operating the hot water supply means so as to supply hot water in the tank, and the hot water storage tank that is not selected as the hot water supply source among the plurality of hot water storage tanks, the stored heat amount is set to the maximum. In a heating mode in which hot water is heated until the stored heat amount is reached, heat storage control for operating the circulation unit is executed based on detection information of the stored heat amount detection unit so as to sequentially heat the hot water in a plurality of hot water storage tanks. It relates to a hot water storage type hot water supply equipment configured as described above.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A hot water storage type hot water supply facility having such a configuration is known from, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-221673.
According to the hot water supply facility described in this publication, in a plurality of hot water storage tanks, the order of executing the heat storage control is determined in advance, and when executing the heat storage control, always according to the determined order, The hot water in each hot water storage tank is sequentially heated.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Therefore, in the hot water supply facility described in the above publication, when performing heat storage control, regardless of the amount of stored heat in each hot water storage tank, the heat storage control is always performed according to a predetermined order. There was an inconvenience.
[0004]
That is, when the entire hot water in the hot water storage tank is heated to a desired temperature by the hot water heating means, the hot water is circulated slowly while forming a temperature stratification in the hot water in the hot water tank. There are a method of heating to a desired temperature and a method of heating to a desired temperature while circulating hot water in the hot water storage tank over and over again at high speed.
[0005]
If the hot water heating means is, for example, a gas burner having a high heat load, the former method can efficiently heat the hot water in the hot water storage tank to a desired temperature. For example, in the case of a heat exchanger using hot water of about 80 ° C., even if the hot water is circulated slowly, the entire circulating hot water, that is, from the surface of the circulating hot water to the center In such a case, it is difficult to heat the hot water in the hot water tank by heating the hot water in the hot water tank repeatedly and repeatedly by the latter method. It can be heated to the desired temperature well.
However, according to the latter method, the hot water in the hot water storage tank is circulated over and over again, so that the hot water in the hot water storage tank is not mixed by the circulation and temperature stratification is not formed. There arises a situation in which the hot water in the hot water storage tank cannot be used until the entire hot water in the tank reaches a desired temperature.
[0006]
In other words, when the hot water heating means is like the heat exchanger described above, if the hot water in the hot water storage tank with a large amount of stored heat is heated, the hot water can be used in a relatively short time, and conversely, the hot water storage tank with a small amount of stored heat. If the hot water is heated, it takes a relatively long time before the hot water can be used. However, in the hot water supply equipment described in the above publication, regardless of the amount of stored heat in each hot water tank, Since heat quantity hot water storage control is executed according to a predetermined order, there is a drawback that it takes a considerable time before the hot water can be used.
[0007]
The present invention pays attention to such conventional drawbacks, and its purpose is to execute effective heat storage control for hot water in a plurality of hot water storage tanks, so that the hot water is supplied in a relatively short time. It is in the provision of hot water storage type hot water supply equipment that makes it possible to use.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve this object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of hot water storage tanks and hot water in the plurality of hot water storage tanks are heated to be heated by hot water heating means. Circulating means for selectively circulating to the hot water heating means, hot water supply means for selectively supplying hot water in the plurality of hot water storage tanks to the hot water supply passage, and each of the plurality of hot water storage tanks are stored in hot water. A storage heat quantity detecting means for detecting the stored heat quantity separately and a hot water supply control means for executing a hot water supply operation, wherein the hot water control means is one of the plurality of hot water storage tanks in response to a hot water supply start command. Is selected as the hot water storage tank of the hot water supply source, hot water control for operating the hot water supply means to supply hot water in the hot water storage tank, and the hot water supply source of the plurality of hot water storage tanks. The hot water storage tank is configured to heat the hot water until the stored heat amount reaches the set maximum stored heat amount, and sequentially heats the hot water in the plurality of hot water storage tanks based on the detection information of the stored heat amount detection means. A hot water storage type hot water supply facility configured to execute a heat storage control for operating a circulation means, wherein the hot water control means has the largest amount of stored heat among the plurality of hot water storage tanks in the heat storage control. A hot water storage tank is selected as a hot water storage tank to be heated, and hot water supply priority heating control for heating hot water for the hot water storage tank is performed.
[0009]
That is, since the hot water storage tank having the largest amount of stored heat is selected as the hot water storage tank to be heated from among the multiple hot water storage tanks and the hot water supply priority heating control for heating the hot water in the hot water storage tank is performed, there are multiple Of the hot water storage tanks, the hot water storage tank that can use hot water in the shortest time is selected and heated. Therefore, the hot water heating means is like a heat exchanger that uses hot water. Even in such a case, hot water can be used in a relatively short time.
[0010]
According to the invention described in claim 2, the hot water control means selects a hot water storage tank having the largest amount of stored heat as the hot water supply source in accordance with the hot water supply start command in the hot water supply control, and Once a hot water storage tank is selected, this time until the storage heat amount of the selected hot water storage tank reaches the set lower limit heat amount, or until the elapsed time after selecting the hot water storage tank as the hot water supply source reaches the set time. Not only for hot water supply by hot water supply start command, but also for hot water supply by hot water supply start command after that, hot water supply control is performed to supply hot water from the selected hot water storage tank and then select another hot water storage tank as the hot water supply source. In the heat storage control, the hot water storage tank that is not selected as a hot water supply source in the execution of the hot water supply control among the hot water storage tanks. It is configured to select a click as the hot water storage tank to be heated.
[0011]
That is, in hot water supply control in which hot water storage tank with the largest amount of stored heat is selected as a hot water supply source hot water storage tank to supply hot water, after selecting one hot water storage tank as a hot water supply source in response to a hot water supply start command, the selected hot water storage tank is selected. Until the stored heat amount of the hot water tank reaches the set lower limit heat amount, or until the elapsed time after selecting the hot water storage tank as the hot water supply source reaches the set time, not only hot water supply by this hot water supply start command but also after that In hot water supply by hot water supply start command, it is configured to perform hot water use control that selects hot water from the selected hot water storage tank and then selects another hot water storage tank as the hot water supply source. In the hot water storage tank, the hot water in the hot water storage tank is circulated and heated while leaving hot water at a temperature that allows hot water supply. The situation where the entire hot water including hot water that can be supplied is mixed is avoided as much as possible, and even if the hot water heating means is like a heat exchanger that uses hot water, the temperature at which hot water can be supplied The hot water heated up to can be efficiently supplied with as little waste as possible.
In addition, in the heat storage control for sequentially heating the hot water in the hot water storage tank until the stored heat amount reaches the set maximum storage heat amount for the hot water storage tank not selected as the hot water supply source, in the execution of the hot water supply control among the hot water storage tanks, A hot water storage tank that is not selected as a hot water supply source is selected as a hot water storage tank to be heated, and hot water storage tank selective heating control for heating the hot water for the hot water storage tank is performed. The hot water in the hot water storage tank that has not been selected will be heated without waste as necessary, and immediately after the hot water use control is performed on the hot water storage tank selected as the hot water supply source, It is possible to select a hot water storage tank as a hot water supply source and perform continuous hot water supply.
[0012]
According to invention of Claim 3, the said hot-water heating means is comprised with the heat exchanger which uses the exhaust heat from the engine which drives another apparatus as a heat carrier.
[0013]
Therefore, the exhaust heat of the engine that drives the other device can be used to heat the hot water and water, and the exhaust heat of the engine can be recovered without waste by executing the hot water supply priority heating control and hot water exhaustion control described above. Efficient hot water supply is possible.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment in which a hot water storage type hot water supply facility according to the present invention is applied to a cogeneration system will be described with reference to the drawings.
This cogeneration system generates power by a gas engine and supplies hot water using exhaust heat of the gas engine. As shown in FIG. 1, as a gas engine 1 and other devices driven by the gas engine 1 The generator 2 is combusted, the fuel gas supplied from the gas supply path 3 is burned to drive the gas engine 1, and the generator 2 is driven by the gas engine 1 to supply power to a desired location. The exhaust gas after combustion is configured to be discharged out of the apparatus through the exhaust passage 4.
[0015]
The gas engine 1 is provided with a cooling water return path 5a for supplying cooling water and a cooling water return path 5b for returning the cooling water to the radiator 6. The cooling water return path 5a is used for circulating the cooling water. The cooling water pump 7 is provided, and the cooling water return path 5b is provided with an exhaust gas heat exchanger 8 for heating the cooling water by exchanging heat with the exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust path 4. Yes.
A hot water heat exchanger 10 serving as hot water heating means is connected across the cooling water going-out path 5a and the cooling water return path 5b while bypassing the radiator 6 via the heat exchanger water path 9, and the heat exchanger water path 9 A switching three-way valve 11 is provided at a connection point between the cooling water return path 5b and the cooling water return path 5b.
[0016]
This hot water supply facility includes first and second hot water storage tanks 12A and 12B. A first forward passage 13a is provided at the bottom of the first hot water storage tank 12A, and a second forward passage is provided at the bottom of the second hot water storage tank 12B. A path 13b is connected, and the first outbound path 13a and the second outbound path 13b are connected to the outbound path 13 to the hot water heat exchanger 10 via a circulation switching three-way valve 14, and the outbound path 13 includes A circulation pump 15 is provided.
The return path 16 from the hot water heat exchanger 10 is branched into a first return path 16a connected to the first hot water storage tank 12A and a second return path 16b connected to the second hot water storage tank 12B. The hot water storage tank 12A passes through the first outgoing path 13a, the outgoing path 13, the return path 16, and the first return path 16a, and the second hot water storage tank 12B becomes the second outgoing path 13b, the outgoing path 13, the return path 16, and the first return path 16a. It is connected in parallel to the hot water heat exchanger 10 via the two return paths 16b.
[0017]
A first hot water supply path 17a is connected to the upper part of the first hot water storage tank 12A, a second hot water supply path 17b is connected to the upper part of the second hot water storage tank 12B, and the first hot water supply path 17a and the second hot water supply path 17b are connected to the hot water supply. A first water supply path 18a is connected to the bottom of the first hot water storage tank 12A, and a second water supply path 18b is connected to the bottom of the second hot water storage tank 12B, and is connected to the first water supply path 18a. The second water supply path 18 b is connected to the water supply path 18 via the water supply switching three-way valve 19.
The water supply path 18 and the hot water supply path 17 are connected by a bypass path 20, and the hot water and the water supply path from the first hot water storage tank 12 </ b> A or the second hot water storage tank 12 </ b> B are connected to the bypass passage 20 and the hot water supply path 17. A mixing valve 21 for mixing water from 18 is provided, a hot water supply thermistor 22 is provided in the hot water supply passage 17 upstream of the mixing valve 21, and hot water after mixing is provided in the hot water supply passage 17 downstream. A hot water temperature thermistor 23 for detecting the temperature of the water is provided, and a water supply thermistor 24 for detecting the temperature of the water supply is provided in the water supply channel 18.
[0018]
That is, the first forward path 13a, the second forward path 13b, the circulation switching three-way valve 14, the forward path 13, the circulation pump 15, the return path 16, the first return path 16a, and the second return path 16b, Circulating means A is configured to selectively circulate hot water in the second hot water storage tanks 12A and 12B to the hot water heat exchanger 10.
Further, the first and second hot water storage tanks 12A and 12B are provided by the water supply passage 18, the water supply switching three-way valve 19, the first water supply passage 18a, the second water supply passage 18b, the first hot water supply passage 17a, and the second hot water supply passage 17b. A hot water supply means B for selectively supplying hot water in the hot water supply path 17 is configured, and a gas combustion type instantaneous water heater 25 is connected to the hot water supply path 17. A water supply path 26 is connected to the hot water outlet 27 and a hot water supply path 28 having a hot water tap 27 is connected thereto.
[0019]
In the first hot water storage tank 12A, three thermistors of an upper thermistor 29a, an intermediate thermistor 29b, and a lower thermistor 29c for detecting the temperature of hot water in the first hot water storage tank 12A in the vertical direction are provided in the vertical direction. The three thermistors 29a, 29b and 29c constitute a first stored heat quantity detecting means 29 for detecting the stored heat quantity stored in the hot water in the first hot water storage tank 12A. Yes.
Similarly, in the second hot water storage tank 12B, there are three thermistors: an upper thermistor 30a, an intermediate thermistor 30b, and a lower thermistor 30c for detecting the temperature of hot water in the second hot water storage tank 12B in three locations in the vertical direction. A second stored heat quantity detection means 30 is provided which is provided in a state where the positions in the vertical direction are different, and detects the stored heat quantity stored by the hot water in the second hot water storage tank 12B by these three thermistors 30a, 30b, 30c. Has been.
[0020]
The operation of the cogeneration system having such a configuration is configured to be controlled by a computer-based control device H.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the control device H includes a hot water supply control means H1 that executes a hot water supply operation and an engine control means H2 that controls the operation of the gas engine 1, and includes a hot water supply control means H1 and an engine control means H2. Are configured to be communicable.
Detection information from the hot water supply thermistor 22, the hot water temperature thermistor 23, the hot water thermistor 24, and the first and second stored heat quantity detection means 29, 30 is input to the hot water supply control means H1, and the input information thereof. Based on the above, the operation of the circulation switching three-way valve 14, the circulation pump 15, the water supply switching three-way valve 19, the mixing valve 20, and the like are controlled.
The engine control means H2 includes a power generation priority mode in which the gas engine 1 is driven in accordance with an electric power request, and an exhaust heat priority mode in which the gas engine 1 is driven in accordance with an exhaust heat request to the hot water heat exchanger 10. A mode changeover switch SW for switching to is connected to control the operations of the gas engine 1, the cooling water pump 7, the changeover three-way valve 11, and the like.
[0021]
Next, the operation of hot water supply control by the control device H will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.
When the operation switch of the remote controller (not shown) is turned on or the start of a hot water supply operation is instructed automatically by the operation of a timer (step 1), the heat storage control for sequentially heating the hot water in both hot water storage tanks 12A and 12B Is executed.
In this heat amount storage control, if the exhaust heat priority mode is selected by the mode switch SW, the hot water priority heating mode is selected and the hot water priority heating control is executed, and if the power generation priority mode is selected, the amount of heat The recovery priority heating mode is selected and the heat recovery priority heating control is executed (steps 2 to 4).
[0022]
In the hot water supply priority heating control, the hot water storage tanks 12A and 12B, which are not selected as hot water supply sources in the execution of hot water supply control described later, of the first and second hot water storage tanks 12A and 12B, are stored with the larger amount of stored heat. The tanks 12A and 12B are selected as the hot water storage tanks 12A and 12B to be heated, and the hot water in the hot water storage tanks 12A and 12B is heated.
For example, both the hot water storage tanks 12A and 12B are not selected as hot water supply sources, and in the first stored heat quantity detection means 29, the upper thermistor 29a and the intermediate thermistor 29b detect temperatures of 75 ° C. or higher, and the lower thermistor When 29c detects a temperature of less than 75 ° C. and the second stored heat quantity detection means 30 detects that all of the upper thermistor 30a, the intermediate thermistor 30b, and the lower thermistor 30c have a temperature of 75 ° C. or more, the second hot water storage tank 12B Therefore, the second hot water storage tank 12B is selected as a tank to be heated, and the hot water in the second hot water storage tank 12B is heated.
[0023]
The heating of the hot water in the second hot water storage tank 12B is performed by switching the circulation switching three-way valve 14 so that the second forward path 13b on the second hot water storage tank 12B side is communicated with the forward path 13 and the circulation pump 15 is turned on. Actuated, the hot water in the second hot water storage tank 12B is circulated and supplied to the hot water heat exchanger 10 via the second forward path 13b, the forward path 13, the return path 16, and the second return path 16b.
The hot water heat exchanger 10 is heated by cooling the gas engine 1, and further, the cooling water heated by the exhaust gas heat exchanger 8 is circulated and supplied by the operation of the cooling water pump 7. The hot water in the second hot water storage tank 12B is circulated while being heated by the hot water heat exchanger 10.
Since the heated cooling water circulated to the hot water heat exchanger 10 has a temperature of about 80 ° C., the hot water in the second hot water storage tank 12B is circulated and heated many times at a relatively high speed. When the lower thermistor 30c in the second stored heat quantity detection means 30 detects a temperature of 75 ° C. or higher, it is determined that the stored heat quantity has reached the set maximum stored heat quantity, and the heat quantity storage control for the second hot water storage tank 12B is terminated. Then, when the lower thermistor 30c detects a temperature lower than 75 ° C., the heat storage control for the second hot water storage tank 12B is resumed.
[0024]
Further, if the first hot water storage tank 12A is selected as the hot water storage tank to be heated and the hot water in the first hot water storage tank 12A is heated, the circulation switching three-way valve 14 is switched to operate the first hot water storage tank 12A. The first outgoing path 13a on the side is connected to the outgoing path 13, and hot water in the first hot water storage tank 12A is exchanged with hot water through the first outgoing path 13a, the outgoing path 13, the return path 16, and the first return path 16a. Circulatingly supplied to the vessel 10 and heated.
When the lower thermistor 29c of the first stored heat quantity detecting means 29 detects a temperature of 75 ° C. or higher, it is determined that the stored heat quantity of the first hot water storage tank 12A has reached the set maximum stored heat quantity, and the heat quantity storage control is finished. At the same time, the switching three-way valve 11 is switched and the cooling water of the gas engine 1 is circulated and supplied to the radiator 6 side.
[0025]
In the heat recovery priority heating control, among the first and second hot water storage tanks 12A and 12B, the hot water storage tanks 12A and 12B that are not selected as hot water supply sources in the execution of hot water supply control have the smaller storage heat amount. 12A and 12B are selected as hot water storage tanks 12A and 12B to be heated, and hot water in the hot water storage tanks 12A and 12B is heated.
For example, as in the example described above, both the hot water storage tanks 12A and 12B are not selected as hot water supply sources, and in the first stored heat quantity detection means 29, the upper thermistor 29a and the intermediate thermistor 29b are 75 ° C. or higher. While detecting the temperature, the lower thermistor 29C detects a temperature of less than 75 ° C., and in the second stored heat quantity detection means 30, when the upper thermistor 30a, the intermediate thermistor 30b, and the lower thermistor all detect a temperature of 75 ° C. or higher, It is determined that the first hot water storage tank 12A has a smaller amount of stored heat, the first hot water storage tank 12A is selected as a tank to be heated, and the hot water in the first hot water storage tank 12A is heated.
[0026]
In this way, when the engine control means H2 is in the exhaust heat priority mode, the hot water supply priority heating mode is selected in the heat amount storage control, and the stored heat amount is larger between the first and second hot water storage tanks 12A and 12B. When the storage tanks 12A and 12B are selected as the hot water storage tanks 12A and 12B to be heated, the hot water in the hot water storage tanks 12A and 12B is heated, and the engine control means H2 is in the power generation priority mode, the heat recovery is performed in the heat storage control. The priority heating mode is selected, and the hot water storage tank 12A, 12B having the smaller stored heat amount among the first and second hot water storage tanks 12A, 12B is selected as the hot water storage tank 12A, 12B to be heated. The hot water of 12A and 12B is heated.
[0027]
When the start of hot water supply is instructed by opening the hot water tap 27 (step 5), hot water supply control for supplying hot water in both hot water storage tanks 12A and 12B is executed, and in this case, the exhaust heat priority mode is selected. If the power generation priority mode is selected, the stored heat amount priority control is executed (steps 6 to 8).
[0028]
The hot water use-up control is performed in the hot water storage tanks 12A and 12B having the larger stored heat amount of the first and second hot water storage tanks 12A and 12B, for example, in the first stored heat amount detection means 29, the upper thermistor 29a and the intermediate thermistor 29b. All of the lower thermistors 29c detect a temperature of 75 ° C. or higher, and in the second stored heat quantity detection means 30, the upper thermistor 30a detects a temperature of 75 ° C. or higher, and the intermediate thermistor 30b and the lower thermistor 30c are less than 75 ° C. When the temperature of the first hot water storage tank 12A is detected, it is determined that the first hot water storage tank 12A has a larger amount of stored heat, the first hot water storage tank 12A is selected as a hot water supply source tank, and hot water in the first hot water storage tank 12A is supplied. The
[0029]
Specifically, the water supply switching three-way valve 19 is switched, the first water supply path 18a on the first hot water storage tank 12A side is communicated with the water supply path 18, and the inside of the first hot water storage tank 12A is supplied by the water supply pressure from the water supply path 18. Hot water is pushed upward and supplied to the hot water supply passage 17.
At that time, the opening degree of the mixing valve 21 is adjusted based on the detection information from the hot water supply thermistor 22 and the water supply thermistor 24, and the opening degree of the mixing valve 21 is slightly adjusted based on the detection information from the hot water temperature thermistor 23. Hot water adjusted to, for example, 70 ° C. is supplied to the gas instantaneous water heater 25.
The hot water supplied to the gas instantaneous water heater 25 is further heated by the gas instantaneous water heater 25 as necessary, and the water from the water supply channel 26 is mixed and set by a remote controller (not shown). Hot water of a temperature is discharged from the hot water tap 27.
[0030]
Even if the hot water supply stop 27 is instructed to stop the hot water supply, if the upper thermistor 29a of the first stored heat quantity detecting means 29 detects a temperature of 75 ° C. or higher, the stored heat quantity of the first hot water storage tank 12A is increased. The water supply switching three-way valve 19 is not switched and the first water supply path 18a on the first hot water storage tank 12A side is maintained in a state where it is communicated with the water supply path 18 because it is determined that the amount of heat is greater than the set lower limit heat amount.
Accordingly, when the hot water tap 27 is subsequently opened and the start of hot water supply is instructed, the hot water in the first hot water storage tank 12A is supplied again, and the upper thermistor 29a of the first stored heat quantity detecting means 29 is less than 75 ° C. When the temperature is detected, it is determined that the stored heat amount of the first hot water storage tank 12A has reached the set lower limit stored heat amount, and the second hot water storage tank 12B is selected as the tank of the hot water supply source.
Specifically, the water supply switching three-way valve 19 is switched, the second water supply path 18b on the second hot water storage tank 12B side is communicated with the water supply path 18, and the inside of the second hot water storage tank 12B is supplied by the supply water pressure from the water supply path 18. Hot water is supplied to the hot water supply passage 17.
[0031]
That is, once a hot water supply source, for example, the first hot water storage tank 12A is selected as the hot water supply source in accordance with the hot water supply start command, the stored heat amount of the selected first hot water storage tank 12A is the set lower limit heat amount. In the hot water supply not only with the hot water supply start command this time but also with the hot water supply start command thereafter, the hot water in the selected first hot water storage tank 12A is supplied and then another hot water storage tank, that is, Two hot water storage tanks 12 </ b> B are selected as hot water supply sources, and are configured to perform hot water use-up control.
[0032]
In the hot water use-up control described above, when the start of hot water supply is instructed by opening the hot water tap 27, both the lower thermistors 29c, 30c are less than 75 ° C. in the first and second stored heat quantity detection means 29, 30. When the temperature is detected, it is determined that there is no hot water storage tank whose stored heat amount reaches the set maximum stored heat amount, the water supply switching three-way valve 19 is switched, and the first water supply path 18a on the first hot water storage tank 12A side is also in the first state. The second water supply path 18b on the 2 hot water storage tank 12B side is also disconnected from the water supply path 18 together. In that case, water from the water supply path 18 is directly supplied to the gas instantaneous water heater 25 via the bypass path 20 and heated by the gas instantaneous water heater 25, and then the water from the water supply path 26 is mixed. Then, hot water having a temperature set by a remote controller (not shown) is discharged from the hot water tap 27.
That is, in the hot water supply control, when a hot water supply start command is instructed, hot water supply is not started when there is no hot water storage tank in which hot water is heated until the stored heat amount reaches the set maximum stored heat amount.
[0033]
However, as described above, for example, when the first hot water storage tank 12A is selected as a hot water supply source tank and the hot water in the first hot water storage tank 12A is supplied, the upper thermistor of the first stored heat quantity detecting means 29 is used. When 29a detects a temperature of less than 75 ° C. and determines that the stored heat quantity of the first hot water storage tank 12A has reached the set lower limit stored heat quantity, the stored heat quantity of the second hot water storage tank 12B is less than the set upper limit stored heat quantity. Even so, the second hot water storage tank 12B is selected as a hot water supply source tank, and the hot water supply from the second hot water storage tank 12B is continued.
In other words, in hot water control, when hot water in the hot water storage tank selected as the hot water supply source is consumed up to the set lower limit storage heat amount as hot water supply continues, another hot water storage tank is in the middle of heating below the set upper limit storage heat amount. However, it is configured to supply hot water from the hot water storage tank.
[0034]
In the stored heat amount priority control, the hot water storage tanks 12A and 12B having the larger stored heat amount of the two hot water storage tanks 12A and 12B, for example, in the first stored heat amount detecting means 29, the upper thermistor 29a, the intermediate thermistor 29b, the lower thermistor 29c. All detect a temperature of 75 ° C. or more, and in the second stored heat quantity detection means 30, the upper thermistor 30a and the intermediate thermistor 30b detect a temperature of 75 ° C. or more, and the lower thermistor 30c detects a temperature of less than 75 ° C. Then, it is determined that the first hot water storage tank 12A has a larger amount of stored heat, the first hot water storage tank 12A is selected as a hot water supply source tank, and hot water in the first hot water storage tank 12A is supplied.
Then, when there is a next hot water supply start command, only the upper thermistor 29a detects a temperature of 75 ° C. or higher in the hot water storage tanks 12A and 12B having the larger stored heat amount, for example, the first stored heat amount detecting means 29 at that time. In the second stored heat quantity detection means 30, when the upper thermistor 30a and the intermediate thermistor 30b detect a temperature of 75 ° C. or higher, the second hot water storage tank 12B determines that the stored heat quantity is larger, and the second hot water storage tank 12B is selected as a hot water supply source tank, and hot water in the second hot water storage tank 12B is supplied.
[0035]
That is, when the engine control means H2 is in the power generation priority mode, once hot water supply is interrupted in the hot water supply control, the hot water storage tank with the largest amount of stored heat at that time is associated with the next hot water supply start command. The hot water storage tank 12B is selected as a hot water supply source, and storage heat amount priority control for supplying hot water is performed.
[0036]
In this stored heat amount priority control, as described above, when a hot water supply start command is commanded, hot water supply is not started when there is no hot water storage tank that has heated hot water until the stored heat amount reaches the set maximum stored heat amount. In addition, when hot water in the hot water storage tank selected as the hot water supply source is consumed up to the set lower limit storage heat amount as the hot water supply is continued, another hot water storage tank is in the middle of heating below the set upper limit storage heat amount. Even if it exists, it is comprised so that the hot water from the hot water storage tank may be supplied.
[0037]
[Another embodiment]
(1) Although the example which provided two hot water storage tanks was shown in previous embodiment, it can also implement using three or more hot water storage tanks.
In this case, when the hot water supply priority heating mode is selected and the hot water supply priority heating control is executed in the heat amount storage control, the hot water storage tank having the largest stored heat amount among the three or more hot water storage tanks is the hot water storage tank to be heated. In addition, when the heat recovery priority heating mode is selected and the heat recovery priority heating control is executed, the hot water storage tank with the smallest stored heat amount among the three or more hot water storage tanks is the hot water storage tank to be heated. Will be selected.
Further, although the example in which the hot water supply priority heating control is executed only when the engine control unit H2 is set to the exhaust heat priority mode is shown, the engine control unit H2 is set to the power generation priority mode. The hot water supply priority heating control can be executed even when the vehicle is on.
[0038]
(2) In the previous embodiment, in the heat storage control, when the engine control means H2 is in the exhaust heat priority mode, the hot water supply priority heating mode is selected, and when the engine control means H2 is in the power generation priority mode, heat recovery priority is given. Although the configuration in which the heating mode is selected is shown, for example, a mode changeover switch is provided so that the hot water supply priority heating mode and the heat recovery priority heating mode can be freely selected regardless of the mode of the engine control means H2. It can also be configured.
[0039]
(3) In the previous embodiment, in the hot water use-up control, hot water supply from the selected hot water storage tank is executed until the stored heat amount of the hot water storage tank selected as the hot water supply source reaches the set lower limit heat amount. Although an example is shown in which the tank is selected as the hot water supply source, based on the elapsed time since the hot water storage tank was selected as the hot water supply source, the selected hot water storage until the elapsed time reaches the set time. It is also possible to perform the hot water supply from the tank and then select another hot water storage tank as the hot water supply source.
[0040]
(4) In the previous embodiment, there is a hot water storage tank in which hot water is heated until the stored heat amount reaches the set maximum stored heat amount when the hot water supply start command is commanded in the hot water exhaustion control and the stored heat amount priority control in the hot water supply control. In the case where the hot water supply is not started, the example in which the hot water supply is not started is shown. However, the hot water supply from the hot water storage tank may be started even when there is no hot water storage tank whose stored heat amount reaches the set maximum stored heat amount. it can.
For example, in the first stored heat quantity detection means 29 of the first hot water storage tank 12A, even if the lower thermistor 29c detects a temperature lower than 75 ° C., the intermediate thermistor 29b or the upper thermistor 29a detects a temperature higher than 75 ° C. It may be configured that hot water of 75 ° C. or higher is present in the first hot water storage tank 12A and hot water supply from the first hot water storage tank 12A is started.
[0041]
(5) In the previous embodiment, in hot water use-up control and stored heat amount priority control in hot water supply control, when hot water in the hot water storage tank selected as the hot water supply source is consumed up to the set lower limit storage heat amount as hot water is continued Even though another hot water storage tank was configured to supply hot water from the hot water storage tank even when it was heating less than the upper limit storage heat amount, the hot water of the hot water storage tank selected as the hot water supply source was set. If the other hot water storage tank is less than the set upper limit heat storage amount when consumed up to the lower limit storage heat amount, the hot water supply from the other hot water storage tank may not be performed.
[0042]
(6) In the previous embodiment, after the stored heat amount of the hot water storage tank reaches the set maximum stored heat amount and the heat storage control is terminated, when the stored heat amount of the hot water storage tank becomes less than the set maximum stored heat amount, the heat storage control is resumed. Although the example comprised so that it did was shown, various changes are possible about the resumption time of this heat storage control.
For example, in the case of the first hot water storage tank 12A, when the intermediate thermistor 29b of the first stored heat quantity detection means 29 detects a temperature lower than 75 ° C., the heat quantity storage control is resumed, or the upper thermistor 29a It can also be configured to resume the heat storage control when a temperature of less than 75 ° C. is detected.
[0043]
(7) In the previous embodiment, an example in which the hot water heat exchanger 10 using the exhaust heat from the gas engine 1 driving the generator 2 as a heat medium is used as the hot water heating means. It can be applied to an engine heat pump type air conditioner using a heat exchanger and can be replaced with a hot water heat exchanger that uses exhaust heat from the gas engine or condenser as a heat medium, and the number of hot water heating means is limited to one. Instead, a plurality of hot water heating means may be connected in series or connected in parallel.
Moreover, although the gas instantaneous water heater 25 is connected to the hot water supply path 17, an example in which hot water at a desired temperature is supplied from the hot water tap 27 provided in the hot water discharge path 28 of the gas instantaneous water heater 25 is shown. The hot water from the hot water supply path 17 is configured such that the gas instantaneous water heater 25 is eliminated and the heating medium of the floor heating device is heated by the hot water from the hot water supply path 17 or the hot water in the bath tub is heated. Various changes can be made to the use mode.
[Brief description of the drawings]
[Fig. 1] Overall configuration diagram of a cogeneration system
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control device.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of hot water supply control.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 engine
2 Other devices
10 Heat exchanger as hot water heating means
12A, 12B Hot water storage tank
17 Hot water supply path
29, 30 Storage heat quantity detection means
A Circulation means
B Hot water supply means
H1 hot water supply control means

Claims

Multiple hot water tanks,
Circulating means for selectively circulating hot water in the plurality of hot water storage tanks to the hot water heating means in order to heat the hot water in the plurality of hot water storage tanks by hot water heating means;
Hot water supply means for alternatively supplying hot water in the plurality of hot water storage tanks to the hot water supply path;
For each of the plurality of hot water storage tanks, a stored heat amount detecting means for separately detecting a stored heat amount stored in hot water,
A hot water supply control means for performing a hot water supply operation,
The hot water supply control means includes:
Hot water control for operating the hot water supply means to select one of the plurality of hot water storage tanks as a hot water storage tank of the hot water supply source and supply hot water from the hot water storage tank in accordance with a hot water supply start command; and ,
For hot water storage tanks that are not selected as the hot water supply source among the plurality of hot water storage tanks, the hot water in the multiple hot water storage tanks is sequentially heated in a heating mode in which the hot water is heated until the stored heat amount reaches the set maximum stored heat amount. Thus, a hot water storage type hot water supply facility configured to execute heat amount storage control for operating the circulation means based on detection information of the stored heat quantity detection means,
The hot water control means is
In the heat storage control, the hot water storage tank having the largest stored heat amount among the plurality of hot water storage tanks is selected as a hot water storage tank to be heated, and hot water supply priority heating control for heating the hot water for the hot water storage tank is performed. There are hot water storage facilities.

The hot water control means is
In the hot water supply control, in accordance with the hot water supply start command, after selecting a hot water storage tank with the largest amount of stored heat as the hot water supply source and once selecting one hot water storage tank, the stored heat amount of the selected hot water storage tank Until the set lower limit calorific value is reached, or until the elapsed time after selecting the hot water storage tank as the hot water supply source reaches the set time, not only hot water supply by the current hot water supply start command but also hot water supply by the subsequent hot water supply start command The hot water supply control is performed to supply hot water from the selected hot water storage tank and then select another hot water storage tank as the hot water supply source, and
2. The heat storage control according to claim 1, wherein, in the heat storage control, a hot water storage tank that is not selected as a hot water supply source in the execution of the hot water supply control is selected as a hot water storage tank to be heated. Hot water storage type hot water supply equipment.

The hot water storage hot water supply facility according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hot water heating means is constituted by a heat exchanger using exhaust heat from an engine driving another device as a heat medium.