JP4486859B2 - Hot water storage system and building that can reduce the energy required to supply hot water - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a hot water storage system and a building capable of reducing energy required for supplying hot water. In particular, the present invention relates to a hot water storage system and a building for transferring the amount of heat from a main hot water tank to a sub hot water tank when the amount of heat of hot water stored in the auxiliary hot water tank is insufficient.

In a distributed power source using a fuel cell or the like, there is a cogeneration system that uses exhaust heat accompanying power generation of the fuel cell or the like. In such a system, for example, hot water is accumulated in a hot water tank using heat generated by power generation such as a fuel cell, and the hot water accumulated in the hot water tank is supplied to heat demand (for example, patents). Reference 1).
JP 2003-199254 A

  However, in the conventional system, for example, when each house consumes hot water accumulated in one hot water tank installed in an apartment house or the like, a long pipe for supplying hot water to all the houses is required. Therefore, in order to supply hot water having a sufficient temperature also downstream of the piping path, it is necessary to always circulate the hot water. At this time, heat loss is constantly generated from the piping. Therefore, if the hot water temperature upstream of the piping path is kept high in order to maintain the hot water temperature downstream of the piping path, heat loss further increases. Moreover, the energy for driving the pump for circulating the hot water is constantly required, and the longer the piping for circulating the hot water, the more energy for driving the pump.

  Also, for example, when supplying hot water from a hot water tank installed on the lowest floor of an apartment house to all the houses, it is necessary to provide hot water with sufficient pressure to the upper floor house. It is necessary to supply at a higher pressure from the hot water tank. Therefore, even when hot water is consumed in the lowest floor, energy is required to maintain the pressure of the hot water supplied to the uppermost floor.

  In order to solve such a problem, the hot water storage system according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a main hot water tank for storing hot water, a heat source for generating hot water to be stored in the main hot water tank, and a position above the main hot water tank. The auxiliary hot water tank installed in the main hot water tank and the auxiliary hot water tank, the valve provided in the piping system, and the valve when the amount of hot water stored in the auxiliary hot water tank is insufficient. And a controller that moves the amount of heat from the main hot water storage tank to the auxiliary hot water storage tank by opening. For this reason, generation | occurrence | production of a heat loss becomes intermittent and the energy required in order to supply warm water can be reduced.

  The auxiliary hot water tank is provided on each of a plurality of floors of the building. The main hot water tank is provided on a floor below the floor where the auxiliary hot water tank in the building is installed. For this reason, the amount of heat can be easily transferred to the sub hot water tank on the floor above the floor where the main hot water tank is installed.

  Moreover, the hot water storage system in this embodiment is a fuel cell installed on each of a plurality of floors where sub-hot water storage tanks are installed, and hot water generated by the fuel cells is transferred to the sub-hot water tanks installed on the same floor as the fuel cells. And a fuel cell pipe to be delivered. For this reason, the heat loss during moving the amount of heat from the fuel cell piping to the auxiliary hot water storage tank can be reduced. Moreover, energy required to supply the amount of heat generated by the fuel cell to the auxiliary hot water tank can be reduced.

  The piping system has a lower main pipe that connects the lower portions of the main hot water tank and the auxiliary hot water tank, and an upper main pipe that connects the main hot water tank and the auxiliary hot water tank at a position above the lower portion. The valve is provided in at least one of the upper main pipe and the lower main pipe. For this reason, warm water can be easily moved between the main hot water tank and the auxiliary hot water tank.

  The hot water storage system according to the present embodiment further includes a sub pipe for supplying hot water stored in the sub hot water tank to hot water demand on a floor below the sub hot water tank. For this reason, energy required in order to supply warm water from a sub hot water tank to warm water demand can be reduced.

  Moreover, the hot water storage system in this embodiment connects the lower auxiliary pipe connecting the lower portions of the auxiliary hot water storage tank and other auxiliary hot water storage tanks, and the auxiliary hot water storage tank and other auxiliary hot water storage tanks at positions above the lower part. And a valve provided on at least one of the lower sub-pipe and the upper sub-pipe. The control unit opens the valve when the amount of heat of the hot water stored in the first sub hot water tank is insufficient, thereby opening the second sub hot water tank on the lower floor than the first sub hot water tank. The amount of heat is moved from to the first auxiliary hot water tank. For this reason, it can prevent beforehand that the calorie | heat amount which a sub hot water storage tank accumulate | stores is insufficient.

  Moreover, the hot water storage system in this embodiment is connected to the lower piping connecting the lower parts of the main hot water tank and all the auxiliary hot water tanks, and the main hot water tank and all the auxiliary hot water tanks at positions above the lower part. And an upper piping. By controlling a valve provided in at least one of the upper main pipe or the lower main pipe, when the main hot water tank and the auxiliary hot water tank are connected at positions above the lower and lower parts, the upper pipe Functions as the upper main pipe, and the lower pipe functions as the lower main pipe. In addition, by controlling a valve provided in at least one of the upper sub-piping or the lower sub-piping, the sub hot water tank and the other sub hot water tank are connected at positions above the lower and lower parts of each. In addition, the upper pipe functions as an upper sub pipe, and the lower pipe functions as a lower sub pipe. For this reason, calorie | heat amount can be moved by arbitrary combinations of a main hot water storage tank and a sub hot water storage tank.

  A building in another form of the present invention includes a main hot water tank for storing hot water, a heat source for generating hot water to be stored in the main hot water tank, an auxiliary hot water tank installed above the main hot water tank, and a main hot water tank. Piping system that connects the tank and auxiliary hot water tank, a valve provided in the piping system, and the hot water stored in the auxiliary hot water tank when the amount of hot water is insufficient, the valve is opened to turn the auxiliary hot water tank from the main hot water tank. And a controller that moves the amount of heat.

  The building in this embodiment further includes a plurality of houses, and the fuel cell is provided in each of the plurality of houses.

  The above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the necessary features of the present invention, and sub-combinations of these feature groups can also be the invention.

  According to the present invention, energy required for supplying hot water can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are included. It is not necessarily essential for the development means of the invention.

  Drawing 1 is a figure showing an example of composition of building 32 provided with a hot water storage system concerning an embodiment of the present invention. An object of the present embodiment is to provide a hot water storage system that can reduce energy required for supplying hot water.

  The building 32 is, for example, an apartment house having a plurality of residences, and has a plurality of floors (66a to 66d, hereinafter collectively referred to as 66), and a house 68 is provided on each floor 66. Each house 68 is provided with a heat load 60 that consumes hot water and a power load 62 that is driven by electric power. In the building 32, the floor 66a is the lowest floor, and the floor 66d is the top floor.

  The hot water storage system for supplying hot water to the heat load 60 includes a heat source 42, a plurality of fuel cells 40, a plurality of fuel cell pipes 58, a main hot water tank 44, a plurality of sub hot water tanks 46, a piping system 52, A plurality of auxiliary pipes 64 and a control unit 50 are provided. The piping system 52 includes a lower piping 56, an upper piping 54, and a plurality of valves 48.

  The fuel cell 40 is provided in each of the plurality of houses 68 and supplies power to the power load 62 provided in each house 68. Further, the amount of heat generated by the power generation of the fuel cell 40 is conveyed via the fuel cell pipe 58 to the auxiliary hot water tank 46 or the main hot water tank 44 installed on the same floor 66 as the fuel cell 40. The main hot water tank 44 or the auxiliary hot water tank 46 receives the exhaust heat from the fuel cell 40 by circulating cooling water for cooling the fuel cell 40, for example. The fuel cell piping 58 of the hot water storage system of the present embodiment may connect the fuel cell 40 installed on each floor 66 and the sub-hot water storage tank 46 or the main hot water storage tank 44 installed on the same floor 66 as the fuel cell 40. Therefore, for example, the path of the fuel cell pipe 58 can be shortened as compared with the case where a pipe for supplying the amount of heat generated by the fuel cell 40 is installed in one hot water tank provided in the building 32.

  The main hot water tank 44 is provided on the floor 66a, and the auxiliary hot water tank 46 is provided on each of a plurality of floors 66 other than the floor 66a. The auxiliary hot water tank 46 is also provided above the floor 66d. That is, the main hot water storage tank 44 is provided on a floor 66 below the floor 66 on which any of the auxiliary hot water storage tanks 46 is installed. The main hot water storage tank 44 stores hot water generated by the heat source 42 and hot water generated by the fuel cell 40 provided on the floor 66a. The auxiliary hot water tank 46 accumulates hot water generated by the fuel cell 40 installed on the same floor 66 as the auxiliary hot water tank 46. The heat source 42 is, for example, a burner, and the main hot water tank 44 may store hot water heated by the burner combustion. The heat source 42 may be a fuel cell that is a power source for a common device of the building 32, and the main hot water tank 44 may store hot water heated by exhaust heat of the fuel cell. Thus, since the heat source 42 generates hot water to be stored in the main hot water tank 44, the heat source 42 can be used to supply heat to the main hot water tank 44 when the amount of heat generated by the fuel cell 40 of the floor 66a is small. .

  The auxiliary pipes 64 are provided with hot water stored in the respective auxiliary hot water storage tanks 46 on the floor 66 below the auxiliary hot water storage tanks 46 and other sub hot water tanks 46 provided on the floor 66 below the auxiliary hot water storage tanks 46. The hot water storage tank 46 or the main hot water storage tank 44 is provided so as to supply hot water to the heat load 60 on the floor 66 above the heat load 60 that supplies hot water. In the hot water storage system of the present embodiment, each sub hot water tank 46 supplies hot water to the heat load 60 on the floor 66 immediately below the floor 66 where the sub hot water tank 46 is installed. In the hot water storage system of the present embodiment, the auxiliary hot water tank 46 supplies the hot water supplied from the auxiliary hot water tank 46 to the heat load 60 without circulating it. Thereby, since the length of the whole path | route of the subpipe 64 in the building 32 can be shortened, a heat loss reduces. Moreover, the energy which drives the pump for circulating the hot water supplied to the heat load 60 becomes unnecessary. It is desirable that the sub-pipe 64 is insulated.

  The main hot water tank 44 and the auxiliary hot water tank 46 are connected to each other by a piping system 52. In addition, any auxiliary hot water tank 46 is connected to another auxiliary hot water tank 46 by the piping system 52. The piping system 52 includes a lower piping 56 and an upper piping 54. The lower pipe 56 connects the lower portions of the main hot water storage tank 44 and the auxiliary hot water storage tank 46. The upper pipe 54 connects the main hot water tank 44 and the sub hot water tank 46 at a position above the position where the lower pipe 56 is connected. The upper pipe 54 and the lower pipe 56 are provided with valves 48. By providing such a piping system 52, by controlling the valve 48, the main hot water storage tank 44 and any of the auxiliary hot water storage tanks 46 are arranged in the flow path at the respective lower portions and positions above the lower portions. Connected. Further, the auxiliary hot water tank 46 and any other auxiliary hot water tank 46 are connected to each other by a flow path at the lower part and at a position above the lower part. Therefore, the amount of heat accumulated in the main hot water storage tank 44 can be provided to any sub hot water storage tank 46. Further, the amount of heat accumulated in any of the auxiliary hot water storage tanks 46 can be provided to all the other auxiliary hot water storage tanks 46. Moreover, the flow path between the sub hot water storage tank 46 and the other sub hot water storage tank 46 or the main hot water storage tank 44 can be cut | disconnected as needed.

  The control unit 50 is based on the heat accumulation amount of the main hot water tank 44, the heat accumulation amount of the sub hot water tank 46, the heat generation amount of the fuel cell 40, the heat consumption amount of the heat load 60, and the power consumption amount of the power load 62. The main hot water tank 44, the auxiliary hot water tank 46, and the valve 48 are controlled. That is, the controller 50 moves the amount of heat from the main hot water tank 44 to the auxiliary hot water tank 46 by opening the valve 48 when the amount of heat of the hot water stored in the auxiliary hot water tank 46 is insufficient. For example, the control unit 50 determines that the amount of heat consumed by the heat load 60 is greater than the amount of heat provided by the fuel cell 40 to the auxiliary hot water tank 46 and the amount of heat accumulated in the auxiliary hot water tank 46 is not sufficient. The valve 48 is controlled so as to supply heat from the main hot water tank 44 to the auxiliary hot water tank 46. As a result, since the amount of heat is intermittently moved only when the amount of heat accumulated in the auxiliary hot water storage tank 46 is insufficient, the amount of heat lost can be reduced as compared with the case where hot water is circulated constantly. In addition, an appropriate amount of heat can be accumulated in the auxiliary hot water storage tank 46 of each floor 66 according to the amount of heat consumed by the heat load 60 of each floor 66.

  With the configuration as described above, in the hot water storage system of this embodiment, the fuel cell 40 supplies heat to the main hot water tank 44 or the sub hot water tank 46 provided on the same floor 66 as the fuel cell 40. Therefore, the route of the fuel cell pipe 58 can be shortened. Accordingly, the amount of heat lost while the hot water generated by the fuel cell 40 moves through the fuel cell pipe 58 can be reduced, and the pressure lost while passing through the fuel cell pipe 58 can be reduced. The energy for driving the pump or the like can be reduced. That is, the amount of heat generated by the fuel cell 40 can be provided to the auxiliary hot water tank 46 or the main hot water tank 44 with high energy efficiency.

  Further, the auxiliary piping 64 is provided so that the auxiliary hot water storage tanks 46 provided on the plurality of floors 66 of the building 32 supply hot water to the heat load 60 of the floor 66 immediately below the floor 66 including the auxiliary hot water storage tanks 46. Since it only needs to be installed, the path of the sub-pipe 64 can be shortened. Therefore, since the heat loss which occurs while moving the hot water to the heat load 60 can be reduced, the temperature of the hot water supplied from the sub hot water tank 46 can be lowered. Furthermore, since the amount of heat loss from the sub-pipe 64 can be reduced, it is not necessary to always circulate hot water supplied to the heat load 60. Moreover, since hot water is supplied to the heat load 60 provided below the sub hot water storage tank 46, a pump or the like for supplying the hot water to the heat load 60 becomes unnecessary. Even when a pump or the like is required, energy for driving the pump or the like can be reduced.

  Moreover, when the heat load 60 consumes the hot water in the auxiliary hot water tank 46, the amount of energy for maintaining the water pressure supplied by the auxiliary hot water tank 46 can be reduced. For example, when it is necessary to supply hot water to the heat load 60 of each floor 66 at a water pressure of 3 atm, for example, hot water is circulated from one hot water tank installed in the floor 66a to In order to supply hot water to the floor 66d at 3 atm, it is necessary to make the pressure of the hot water supplied from the floor 66a higher than 3 atm. For example, in the building 32 having a height of about 20 meters, the pressure of the hot water supplied from the lowest floor 66 needs to be about 5 atmospheres. Therefore, even if the heat load 60 on any floor 66 consumes hot water, energy is required to maintain a water pressure of about 5 atmospheres.

  However, in the hot water storage system of the present embodiment, hot water may be supplied from the sub hot water tank 46 or the main hot water tank 44 of each floor 66 at a water pressure of about 3 atm. Therefore, when the heat load 60 consumes hot water, the water pressure is reduced. The amount of energy required to maintain the energy may be the amount of energy required for the sub-hot water storage tank 46 on each floor 66 to supply hot water at about 3 atm. That is, in the sub hot water storage tank 46 of the floor 66 below the uppermost floor 66d, the amount of energy required to maintain the water pressure can be reduced.

  Thus, in the hot water storage system of this embodiment, hot water can be provided from the auxiliary hot water storage tank 46 to the heat load 60 with high energy efficiency.

  Each of the auxiliary hot water storage tanks 46 is provided on the floor 66 above the main hot water storage tank 44, and the auxiliary hot water storage tank 46 and the main hot water storage tank 44 are connected by the piping system 52. The accumulated hot water is moved to the auxiliary hot water tank 46 by convection. Thereby, the amount of heat can be moved to the auxiliary hot water tank 46 without requiring a pump. The auxiliary hot water tank 46 and the main hot water tank 44 are connected by a lower pipe 56 and an upper pipe 54, and the relatively low temperature portions of the main hot water tank 44 and the auxiliary hot water tank 46 are connected by the lower pipe 56. In addition, the upper pipe 54 connects the high temperature portion of the main hot water storage tank 44 to the high temperature portion of the sub hot water storage tank 46. Therefore, the movement of the amount of heat between the main hot water tank 44 and the auxiliary hot water tank 46 is promoted.

  In addition, since the valve 48 is provided in the piping system 52, the amount of heat can be transferred from the main hot water tank 44 only to the auxiliary hot water tank 46 where the amount of heat is insufficient. Further, only the sub-hot water tank 46 having a shortage of heat and the sub-hot water tank 46 on the floor 66 below the sub-hot water tank 46 are connected by a flow path, and the heat quantity is transferred to the sub-hot water tank 46. You can also. Further, since the flow path between the main hot water tank 44 and each of the auxiliary hot water tanks 46 can be blocked by the valve 48, when the auxiliary hot water tank 46 supplies hot water to the thermal load 60, the other auxiliary hot water tank 46 or The main hot water tank 44 can be prevented from losing pressure. Therefore, when the heat load 60 consumes hot water, the amount of energy for maintaining the pressure of the hot water supplied to the heat load 60 can be reduced. Thus, in the hot water storage system of the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce energy loss that occurs when maintaining the hot water accumulated in the auxiliary hot water tank 46.

  Thus, in the hot water storage system of the present embodiment, the process of providing the amount of heat generated by the fuel cell 40 to the main hot water tank 44 or the auxiliary hot water tank 46 and the hot water accumulated in the main hot water tank 44 or the auxiliary hot water tank 46 are obtained. The amount of energy loss can be reduced in each of the maintaining process and the process of providing warm water from the auxiliary hot water tank 46 to the heat load 60.

  Moreover, according to this embodiment, the following problems can also be solved. In a conventional cogeneration system, for example, the amount of heat produced by a fuel cell is accumulated in a hot water storage tank provided in each fuel cell, and the amount of heat is supplied only to the heat demand connected to the hot water storage tank. Therefore, when the amount of heat stored in the hot water tank reaches the upper limit of the amount of heat that can be stored in the hot water tank, the operation of the fuel cell is stopped or the heat amount is discarded from the hot water tank in order to continue the operation of the fuel cell. There was a need to do. For this reason, energy efficiency may fall. Moreover, since the amount of heat accumulated in the hot water storage tank is insufficient as compared with the amount of heat required for heat demand, the amount of heat required for heat demand may not be consumed.

  However, according to the present embodiment, the amount of heat can be moved between the main hot water tank 44 and any of the auxiliary hot water tanks 46. Further, the amount of heat can be moved between the auxiliary hot water tank 46 and any other auxiliary hot water tank 46. Therefore, by moving the amount of heat to the auxiliary hot water tank 46 on the upper floor 66 so as not to reach the upper limit of the amount of heat that can be stored in the auxiliary hot water tank 46, the amount of heat from the auxiliary hot water tank 46 is not discarded. Driving can be continued. Moreover, the heat load 60 can continue to consume the heat amount by moving the heat amount from the lower sub hot water tank 46 or the main hot water tank 44 so that the heat amount stored in the sub hot water tank 46 is not insufficient.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating details of the operation of the control unit 50 when the amount of heat is moved from below to the auxiliary hot water storage tank 46. Hereinafter, the details of the operation of the control unit 50 when the amount of heat stored in the auxiliary hot water tank 46 is insufficient as compared with the amount of heat consumed by the heat load 60 will be described. The control unit 50 selects the main hot water tank 44 or the auxiliary hot water tank 46 from which the amount of heat is transferred (S202). At this time, the first condition may be that the control unit 50 selects the main hot water tank 44 or the auxiliary hot water tank 46 provided on the nearest floor 66 below the auxiliary hot water tank 46 in which the amount of heat is insufficient. In addition, the control unit 50 selects the main hot water tank 44 or the auxiliary hot water tank 46 having the most room for the accumulated heat amount from the main hot water tank 44 or the auxiliary hot water tank 46 located below the auxiliary hot water tank 46 having a shortage of heat. This may be the second condition.

  The controller 50 calculates the amount of heat to be moved from the main hot water tank 44 or the sub hot water tank 46 selected in S202 (S204). The control unit 50 opens the valve 48 so that the main hot water storage tank 44 or the auxiliary hot water storage tank 46 selected in S202 and the auxiliary hot water storage tank 46 having a shortage of heat are coupled by the flow path (S206).

  Further, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the movement of the heat amount is completed (S208). In S208, when the movement of the heat amount is not completed, the determination in S208 is repeated. In S208, when the movement of the amount of heat is completed, the valve 48 is closed so that the flow path between the main hot water tank 44 or the sub hot water tank 46 selected in S202 is blocked (S210). Further, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the shortage of heat has been resolved (S212). If the shortage of heat is resolved in S212, the process is terminated. If the shortage of heat has not been resolved in S212, the process proceeds to S202.

  In addition, when the amount of heat accumulated in the main hot water tank 44 or the auxiliary hot water tank 46 is excessive, the control unit 50 converts the amount of heat accumulated in the main hot water tank 44 or the auxiliary hot water tank 46 into the main hot water tank 44 or The amount of heat may be transferred to the auxiliary hot water storage tank 46 installed on the floor 66 above the floor 66 where the auxiliary hot water storage tank 46 is installed. In this case, the steps other than S202 and S212 perform the same control as the control shown in FIG. Moreover, in S202 of FIG. 2, the sub hot water storage tank 46 of the movement amount of heat is selected. In S212, it is determined whether or not the excess of heat has been eliminated.

  As described above, the controller 50 opens and closes the valve 48 when the amount of heat accumulated in the auxiliary hot water tank 46 is insufficient, or when the amount of heat accumulated in the main hot water tank 44 or the auxiliary hot water tank 46 is excessive. By controlling, the excess or deficiency of the heat amount in the main hot water tank 44 or the auxiliary hot water tank 46 is eliminated. In addition, when the amount of heat is supplied from the main hot water tank 44 to the auxiliary hot water tank 46, the control unit 50 increases the amount of heat supplied from the heat source 42 to the main hot water tank 44 if the amount of heat stored in the main hot water tank 44 is insufficient. In order to achieve this, the heat source 42 is controlled.

  In addition, when the amount of heat accumulated in the auxiliary hot water tank 46 is excessive, the control unit 50 changes the amount of heat accumulated in the auxiliary hot water tank 46 to a floor below the floor 66 where the auxiliary hot water tank 46 is installed. The amount of heat may be transferred to the auxiliary hot water tank 46 or the main hot water tank 44 installed in 66.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing details of the operation of the control unit 50 when the amount of heat is moved downward from the sub hot water tank 46. When the amount of heat stored in the auxiliary hot water tank 46 exceeds a predetermined amount of heat, the control unit 50 selects the main hot water tank 44 or the auxiliary hot water tank 46 to which the heat amount is moved (S222). At this time, the first condition may be that the control unit 50 selects the main hot water tank 44 or the auxiliary hot water tank 46 provided in the nearest floor 66 below the auxiliary hot water tank 46 in which the amount of heat is excessive. The second condition may be to select the main hot water tank 44 or the auxiliary hot water tank 46 with the least amount of accumulated heat.

  The controller 50 calculates the amount of heat to be moved to the main hot water tank 44 or the sub hot water tank 46 selected in S222 (S224). The control unit 50 opens the upper part of the main hot water tank 44 or the auxiliary hot water tank 46 selected in S222 (S226). In S226, the control unit 50 may open the upper part of the main hot water tank 44 or the auxiliary hot water tank 46 selected in S222 to the atmosphere, for example. Further, the control unit 50 opens the valve 48 so that the main hot water tank 44 or the auxiliary hot water tank 46 selected in S222 and the auxiliary hot water tank 46 having an excessive amount of heat are connected by a flow path, and the amount of heat is excessive. The hot water is moved from the auxiliary hot water storage tank 46 (S228).

  Further, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the movement of the heat amount is completed (S230). In S230, when the movement of the heat amount is not completed, the determination in S230 is repeated. In S230, when the movement of the amount of heat is completed, the valve 48 is closed so that the flow path between the main hot water tank 44 or the sub hot water tank 46 selected in S222 is blocked (S232). Furthermore, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the excess of heat has been eliminated (S236). If the excess amount of heat is resolved in S236, the process is terminated. If the excess of heat has not been resolved in S236, the process proceeds to S222.

  In addition, when the amount of heat stored in the auxiliary hot water tank 46 is insufficient, the control unit 50 receives supply of heat from the main hot water tank 44 or the auxiliary hot water tank 46 installed on the floor 66 below the auxiliary hot water tank 46. If this is not possible, the amount of heat may be transferred from the auxiliary hot water tank 46 installed on the floor 66 above the floor 66 where the auxiliary hot water tank 46 is installed. In this case, the steps other than S222 and S236 perform the same control as the control shown in FIG. Moreover, in S222 of FIG. 3, the sub hot water storage tank 46 from which the amount of heat is transferred is selected. In S236, it is determined whether the shortage of heat has been resolved.

  Further, the control unit 50 determines whether the amount of heat accumulated in the sub hot water tank 46 in the future is excessive or insufficient based on the prediction of the future heat consumption of the heat load 60 and the prediction of the future power consumption of the power load 62. You can do it. Further, when it is determined that the amount of heat accumulated in the future in the auxiliary hot water storage tank 46 is excessive or insufficient, the control unit 50 may perform control so as to eliminate the future excess or deficiency in advance. For example, the control unit 50 moves the amount of heat from the main hot water tank 44 or the auxiliary hot water tank 46 that has the most margin in the predicted heat accumulation amount to the auxiliary hot water tank 46 in which the predicted heat accumulation amount is insufficient. You may control to make it. Further, the control unit 50 moves the amount of heat from the auxiliary hot water tank 46 in which the amount of accumulated heat predicted in the future is excessive to the main hot water tank 44 or the auxiliary hot water tank 46 having the smallest amount of predicted heat in the future. It may be controlled as follows.

  Based on the past heat consumption history of the heat load 60 and the past power consumption history of the power load 62, the control unit 50 predicts the heat consumption and power consumption predicted in a predetermined period in the future. By predicting the amount, the amount of heat accumulated in the future in a predetermined period in the future is calculated to determine whether the amount of heat is excessive or insufficient.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating details of the operation of the control unit 50 when determining whether the future heat quantity is excessive or insufficient. The control unit 50 performs the operation shown in FIG. 4 on the sub hot water storage tank 46 of each floor 66. The control unit 50 calculates the integrated amount of heat supplied to the auxiliary hot water tank 46 within a predetermined period, and calculates the sum of the integrated amount and the heat amount currently stored in the auxiliary hot water tank 46 in the future. The accumulated amount of heat is calculated over a predetermined period (S242). In S242, the control unit 50 calculates the future power consumption consumed by the power load 62 within a predetermined period and calculates the amount of heat generated by the fuel cell 40, so that the sub-period within the predetermined period is calculated. The integrated amount of heat supplied to the hot water tank 46 is calculated.

  The controller 50 calculates the integrated amount of heat consumed by the heat load 60 within a predetermined period (S244). Further, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the cumulative amount of heat consumed by the thermal load 60 calculated in S244 exceeds the accumulated amount of heat in the auxiliary hot water tank 46 calculated in S242 within a predetermined period. (S246). In S246, when the accumulated amount of heat consumed by the heat load 60 exceeds the accumulated amount of heat in the auxiliary hot water tank 46 within a predetermined period, the process proceeds to S202 or S222. That is, when the amount of heat is transferred from the main hot water tank 44 or the sub hot water tank 46 on the floor 66 below the sub hot water tank 46, the process proceeds to S202, and the sub hot water tank on the floor 66 above the sub hot water tank 46 is transferred. When the amount of heat is transferred from 46, the process proceeds to S222.

  In S246, when the accumulated amount of heat consumed by the heat load 60 does not exceed the accumulated amount of heat in the auxiliary hot water storage tank 46 within a predetermined period, the control unit 50 performs the auxiliary hot water storage tank 46 within the predetermined period. It is determined whether or not the amount of heat stored in is excessive (S248). In S248, when determining whether or not the amount of heat accumulated in the auxiliary hot water tank 46 is excessive, the control unit 50, for example, when the amount of heat accumulated in the auxiliary hot water tank 46 exceeds a predetermined reference value. On the other hand, when it is determined that the amount of accumulated heat is excessive and the amount of heat accumulated in the auxiliary hot water storage tank 46 does not exceed a predetermined reference value, it is determined that the amount of accumulated heat is not excessive.

  When it is determined in S248 that the amount of accumulated heat is excessive, the control unit 50 shifts the process to S202 or S222. That is, when the amount of heat is transferred to the sub hot water tank 46 on the floor 66 above the sub hot water tank 46, the process is shifted to S202, and the main hot water tank 44 or the sub hot water tank on the floor 66 below the sub hot water tank 46 is transferred. When the amount of heat is transferred to 46, the process proceeds to S222. If it is determined in S248 that the amount of accumulated heat does not become excessive, the process ends.

  The controller 50 predicts the amount of heat stored in the main hot water tank 44 or the sub hot water tank 46 of each floor 66 in the future, so that the heat consumption history of the heat load 60 and the power consumption history of the power load 62 are May be managed for each floor 66. For example, the control unit 50 divides the day into a plurality of time zones, and for each time zone, the history of the heat consumption of the heat load 60 and the power consumption of the power load 62 in each floor 66. You may manage your history.

  Further, the control unit 50 calculates the predicted heat in the heat load 60 on the current day based on the heat consumption history and the power consumption history on the same day of the previous year or the previous month among the heat consumption and power consumption history. The consumption amount and the predicted power consumption amount in the power load 62 may be calculated. In addition, the control unit 50 calculates the average value of the predetermined number of days of the history of heat consumption and the history of power consumption in each time zone obtained by dividing the day into a plurality of time zones for each time zone of the current day. The predicted heat consumption of the heat load 60 and the predicted power consumption of the power load 62 may be calculated. Further, the control unit 50 may classify the history of heat consumption and the history of power consumption during a predetermined period for each day of the week, and calculate the predicted heat consumption and the predicted power consumption for each day of the week. Also in this case, the predicted heat consumption and the predicted power consumption in each time zone obtained by dividing each day of the week into a plurality of time zones may be calculated.

  As described above, the control unit 50 determines whether the main hot water tank 44 or the sub hot water tank 46 in the future is based on the past history of the heat consumption of the heat load 60 and the past history of the power consumption of the power load 62. By predicting the excess or deficiency of the amount of heat, the amount of heat can be moved in advance so that an excess or deficiency of the amount of heat in the future does not occur.

  As described above, in the hot water storage system of the present embodiment, only when the amount of heat is transferred between the auxiliary hot water tank 46 installed on each floor 66 and the main hot water tank 44 or another auxiliary hot water tank 46. Since heat loss occurs, hot water can be provided to the heat load 60 while reducing the heat loss. For example, when supplying hot water from one hot water tank provided in the building 32 to the heat load 60, it is necessary to constantly circulate the hot water in order to immediately provide the amount of heat required by the heat load 60. In such a case, heat loss occurs regularly. However, in the hot water storage system of the present embodiment, for example, the control unit 50 appropriately determines whether the amount of heat accumulated in the auxiliary hot water storage tank 46 from the present time to one hour later, The frequency of transferring the amount of heat between the main hot water tank 44 or the other auxiliary hot water tank 46 can be reduced to a rate of about once per hour. Therefore, the loss of heat is intermittent.

  In the hot water storage system of the present embodiment, the auxiliary hot water tank 46 supplies hot water to the heat load 60 without circulating the hot water, but in other methods, hot water supplied from the auxiliary hot water tank 46 to the heat load 60 is supplied. It may be circulated. Even in such a case, the auxiliary hot water tanks 46 of each floor 66 may circulate hot water in the vicinity of the floor 66 provided with the respective auxiliary hot water tanks 46. The difference is less than the amount of heat lost while circulating hot water through all floors 66. Therefore, the temperature of the circulating hot water can be set lower. In addition, when the hot water in the auxiliary hot water tank 46 is consumed, the amount of energy replenished to maintain the pressure of the hot water supplied to the heat load 60 can also be reduced.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a computer 500 that causes the hot water storage system to function. In this example, the computer 500 stores a program that causes the hot water storage system to function as the hot water storage system described with reference to FIGS. Further, the computer 500 may further function as the control unit 50 of the hot water storage system.

  The computer 500 includes a CPU 700, a ROM 702, a RAM 704, a communication interface 706, a hard disk drive 710, a flexible disk drive 712, and a CD-ROM drive 714. The CPU 700 operates based on programs stored in the ROM 702, the RAM 704, the hard disk drive 710, the flexible disk 720, and / or the CD-ROM 722.

  For example, a program for causing the hot water storage system to function causes the computer 500 to function as the control unit 50 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, and the main hot water tank 44, the auxiliary hot water tank 46, the valve 48, and the heat source 42 are The hot water storage system is caused to function by controlling as described in relation to FIGS.

  The communication interface 706 communicates with, for example, the main hot water tank 44, the auxiliary hot water tank 46, the valve 48, the heat source 42, the fuel cell 40, the power load 62, and the heat load 60, and receives information on the respective states and the like. A control signal to be controlled is transmitted. The hard disk drive 710, the ROM 702, or the RAM 704 as an example of a storage device stores setting information, a program for operating the CPU 700, and the like. The program may be stored in a recording medium such as the flexible disk 720 and the CD-ROM 722.

  When the flexible disk 720 stores a program, the flexible disk drive 712 reads the program from the flexible disk 720 and provides it to the CPU 700. When the CD-ROM 722 stores a program, the CD-ROM drive 714 reads the program from the CD-ROM 722 and provides it to the CPU 700.

  Further, the program may be read directly from the recording medium into the RAM and executed, or once installed in the hard disk drive 710, the program may be read into the RAM 704 and executed. Further, the program may be stored in a single recording medium or a plurality of recording media. The program stored in the recording medium may provide each function in cooperation with the operating system. For example, the program may request the operating system to perform a part or all of the function and provide the function based on a response from the operating system.

  As a recording medium for storing the program, in addition to a flexible disk and a CD-ROM, an optical recording medium such as DVD and PD, a magneto-optical recording medium such as MD, a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, a flash memory, an IC card, A semiconductor memory such as a miniature card can be used. A storage device such as a hard disk or a RAM provided in a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet may be used as a recording medium.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment. It is apparent from the scope of the claims that the embodiments added with such changes or improvements are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

An example of the structure of the hot water storage system which concerns on embodiment of this invention is shown. The detail of operation | movement of the control part 50 when moving the amount of heat to the sub hot water storage tank 46 from the downward direction is shown. The detail of operation | movement of the control part 50 in the case of moving calorie | heat amount downward from the sub hot water tank 46 is shown. Details of the operation of the control unit 50 when determining whether the future heat quantity is excessive or insufficient will be described. An example of the structure of the computer 500 which functions a hot water storage system is shown.

Explanation of symbols

  32 ... Building, 40 ... Fuel cell, 42 ... Heat source, 44 ... Main hot water tank, 46 ... Sub hot water tank, 48 ... Valve, 50 ... Control part, 52 ... Piping system, 54 ... Upper piping, 56 ... Lower piping, 58 ... Fuel cell piping, 60 ... Heat load, 62 ... Power load, 64 ... Sub piping, 66 ... Floor, 500 ... Computer, 700 ... CPU, 702 ... ROM, 704 ... RAM, 706 ... Communication interface, 710 ... Hard disk drive, 712 ... Flexible disk drive 714 ... CD-ROM drive, 720 ... flexible disk, 722 ... CD-ROM

Claims (9)

A main hot water tank for storing hot water provided in a building having a plurality of floors ,
A heat source that is provided on the same floor as the main hot water tank and generates hot water to be stored in the main hot water tank;
A plurality of sub-hot water storage tank of the building, the main hot water tank is installed in a plurality of floors above the the installed floor,
Hot water supply piping for supplying hot water stored in the plurality of auxiliary hot water tanks to a plurality of hot water demands respectively provided on a plurality of floors of the building;
A piping system for connecting the main hot water tank and the plurality of auxiliary hot water tanks to each other ;
A valve provided in the piping system;
When the amount of heat of hot water stored in at least one of the plurality of sub hot water storage tanks is insufficient, the main valve installed on the floor below the sub hot water tank where the heat amount is insufficient by opening the valve. A controller that moves the amount of heat from the hot water storage tank or the auxiliary hot water tank to the auxiliary hot water tank where the amount of heat is insufficient ,
The hot water supply pipe connects each of the plurality of hot water demands to the sub hot water tank installed on a floor above the floor where the respective hot water demands are provided,
The hot water storage system in which hot water supplied to each of the plurality of hot water demands is stored in the auxiliary hot water storage tank installed on a floor above the floor where the respective hot water demands are provided . On the plurality of floors where the plurality of hot water demands are provided, either the main hot water tank or the plurality of sub hot water tanks are installed,
The hot water storage according to claim 1, wherein hot water supplied to each of the plurality of hot water demands is stored in the auxiliary hot water storage tank installed on a floor one floor above which the respective hot water demands are provided. system.   The control unit is installed on the lower floor closest to the floor where the sub hot water tank with insufficient heat is installed when the heat of hot water stored in at least one of the sub hot water tanks is insufficient. The selected main hot water tank or the auxiliary hot water tank is selected, and the amount of heat is transferred from the selected main hot water tank or the auxiliary hot water tank to the auxiliary hot water tank where the amount of heat is insufficient.
The hot water storage system according to claim 1 or 2. A plurality of fuel cells installed on each of a plurality of floors where the plurality of sub hot water tanks are installed;
The hot water storage according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a fuel cell pipe for transferring the hot water generated by each of the plurality of fuel cells to a sub hot water storage tank installed on a floor where the respective fuel cells are installed. system.   Each of the plurality of fuel cells generates hot water by generating electric power consumed by a plurality of power loads installed on the floor where each fuel cell is installed,
  The control unit is based on prediction of heat consumption due to the plurality of hot water demands in a predetermined period in the future and prediction of power consumption of the plurality of power loads in the predetermined period. Determining whether or not the amount of heat of hot water stored in each of the plurality of sub hot water storage tanks is excessive or insufficient within the predetermined period, and determining that the amount of heat is insufficient within the predetermined period. The amount of heat is transferred in advance from the main hot water tank or the auxiliary hot water tank installed on the floor below the floor where the auxiliary hot water tank is installed, and the amount of heat is excessive within the predetermined period. The amount of heat is transferred in advance from the auxiliary hot water tank determined to be to the auxiliary hot water tank installed on the floor above the floor where the auxiliary hot water tank is installed.
The hot water storage system according to claim 4.   The control unit manages a history of heat consumption by the plurality of hot water demands in the past and a history of power consumption of the plurality of power loads in the past for each of the plurality of floors of the building, and the heat consumption Predicting heat consumption due to the plurality of hot water demands within the predetermined period based on a history of quantity, and the plurality of power loads within the predetermined period based on the history of power consumption Based on the predicted heat consumption due to the hot water demand, the predicted power consumption of the plurality of power loads, and the amount of heat currently stored in each of the plurality of auxiliary hot water tanks And determining whether or not the amount of heat of hot water stored in each of the plurality of sub hot water tanks is excessive or insufficient within the predetermined period.
The hot water storage system according to claim 5. The piping system is
Yes and lower main pipe connecting the respective lower portion of the main hot water tank and the sub hot water storage tank, each of the main hot water tank and the sub hot water tank, an upper main pipe connected at a position above the said lower And
The hot water storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the valve is provided in at least one of the upper main pipe and the lower main pipe. The piping system is
A lower auxiliary pipe connecting lower portions of the auxiliary hot water storage tank and the other auxiliary hot water storage tank, and an upper auxiliary pipe connecting each of the auxiliary hot water storage tank and the other auxiliary hot water storage tank at a position above the lower portion. And further having piping,
The valve is further provided in at least one of the lower auxiliary pipe or the upper auxiliary pipe,
When the amount of heat of the hot water stored in the first sub hot water tank is insufficient, the control unit opens the valve so that a second floor located below the first sub hot water tank is located. The hot water storage system according to claim 7 , wherein the amount of heat is transferred from the auxiliary hot water storage tank to the first auxiliary hot water storage tank. The piping system is
A lower pipe that connects the lower portions of the main hot water tank and all the sub hot water tanks, and an upper portion that connects each of the main hot water tank and all the auxiliary hot water tanks at a position above the lower portion. And further having piping,
By controlling the valve provided in at least one of the upper main pipe or the lower main pipe, the main hot water tank and the auxiliary hot water tank are connected to each other at a position above the lower part and the lower part. The upper pipe functions as the upper main pipe, the lower pipe functions as the lower main pipe,
By controlling the valve provided in at least one of the upper auxiliary pipe or the lower auxiliary pipe, the auxiliary hot water tank and the other auxiliary hot water tanks are positioned above the lower part and the lower part, respectively. The hot water storage system according to claim 8 , wherein, when connected, the upper pipe functions as the upper sub pipe and the lower pipe functions as the lower sub pipe.

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