JP5206106B2 - Water heater - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a hot water supply apparatus including a heat pump type heat source device for storing the amount of heat for hot water supply in a hot water storage tank and a heat source device other than the heat pump type for supplementing the amount of heat for hot water supply.

  Conventionally, in a hot water supply device that stores hot water heated by a heat pump device in a hot water storage tank, a hot water supply path provided with a combustion-type auxiliary heat source (see, for example, Patent Document 1), or in a boiling circulation circuit by a heat pump device A combustion type auxiliary heat source is provided (for example, see Patent Document 2).

  In the former hot water supply system, when the hot water temperature in the hot water storage tank falls below a predetermined temperature, the heat pump device boils hot water in the hot water storage tank, and the hot water temperature in the hot water storage tank has dropped when the hot water is discharged. When high temperature hot water is necessary, the temperature of the hot water discharged from the auxiliary heat source is increased.

In the latter case, when the amount of remaining hot water in the hot water storage tank decreases, in addition to the heating operation by the heat pump device, the auxiliary heat source device also heats the hot water immediately after the heat pump operation starts, Has come to improve.
JP 2000-329401 A JP 2006-57865 A

  However, in the above-described conventional hot water supply device, the heat pump device is operated when the amount of heat for hot water supply in the hot water storage tank is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, and the auxiliary heat source device is operated as appropriate to compensate for the insufficient heat amount. The running costs of the two heating means of the auxiliary heat source are not considered.

  The present inventor conducted intensive studies focusing on the above points, and if two heat source devices, a heat pump type heat source device and a heat source device other than the heat pump type, are controlled in consideration of energy cost and operation efficiency, running It has been found that the cost can be reduced.

  This invention is made in view of the said point, and it aims at providing the hot-water supply apparatus which can reduce a running cost in what has a heat pump type heat source device and heat source devices other than a heat pump type. To do.

In order to achieve the above object, in the invention described in claim 1,
A hot water storage tank (2) for storing the amount of heat for hot water supply inside,
A heat pump-type first heat source device (1) for supplying hot water in the hot water storage tank (2);
A heat storage circulation circuit (6) for heating the water flowing out from the lower part of the hot water storage tank (2) with the first heat source device (1) and returning it to the upper part of the hot water storage tank (2);
A second heat source device (4) other than a heat pump type for generating heat for hot water supply;
Control means (100) for operating and controlling the first heat source device (1) and the second heat source device (4),
The control means (100)
While calculating the 1st running cost at the time of driving the 1st heat source unit (1) from the 1st energy cost of the energy which the 1st heat source unit (1) consumes, and the operation efficiency of the 1st heat source unit (1), From the second energy cost of the energy consumed by the second heat source device (4) and the operating efficiency of the second heat source device (4), the second running cost when the second heat source device (4) is operated is calculated,
Compare the first running cost and the second running cost,
When the first running cost is equal to or lower than the second running cost, the first heat source device (1) is operated when the amount of heat in the hot water storage tank (2) is equal to or less than a predetermined amount,
When the first running cost is larger than the second running cost, the operation of the first heat source device (1) is prohibited even when the amount of heat in the hot water storage tank (2) becomes a predetermined amount or less . ,
The 2nd heat source device (4) is provided in the distribution channel (13, 15) of the hot water for hot water discharged to a use side terminal,
The control means (100) operates the second heat source device (4) when the temperature of the hot water flowing through the flow path (13, 15) is lower than the predetermined hot water supply temperature,
Furthermore, the control means (100) calculates the operating efficiency of the first heat source device (1) based on at least information related to the temperature of the heat medium before being heated by the first heat source device (1). ,
The hot water storage tank (2) is provided with a plurality of temperature sensors (17) for detecting the hot water storage temperature at each water level, and the relationship between the temperature of the heat medium before being heated by the first heat source (1). The information is characterized in that it is temperature information detected by a temperature sensor provided in the lower part of the plurality of temperature sensors .

  According to this, when the 1st running cost at the time of operating the 1st heat source device (1) becomes larger than the 2nd running cost at the time of operating the 2nd heat source device (4), hot water storage tank (2) Since the first heat source device (1) having a relatively high running cost is not operated even when the amount of heat is reduced, the running cost can be reduced.

Also, the control means (100) calculates the operation efficiency of at least the first on the basis of the temperature of the relevant information of the heat medium before being boiled by the heat source unit (1), the first heat source unit (1) can do.

Moreover, according to this, regardless of the magnitude relationship between the first running cost and the second running cost, it is possible to heat hot water for hot water discharged to the use side terminal at a relatively low cost as needed.

Moreover, in invention of Claim 2 , it has the heat exchange means (31) which uses the heat quantity in a hot water storage tank (2) other than hot water supply by heat exchange, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  When the heat medium in the hot water storage tank (2) exchanges heat in the heat exchange means (31), a heat medium having an intermediate temperature that is slightly lower than that before the heat exchange is stored in the hot water storage tank (2). There are many cases. If the intermediate heat medium is boiled again by the first heat source device (1), the operating efficiency of the first heat source device (1) is likely to be greatly reduced. Therefore, if the present invention is applied to a hot water supply device provided with heat exchange means (31) that uses the amount of heat in the hot water storage tank (2) other than hot water supply by heat exchange, the effect of reducing running costs is extremely large.

Further, as in the third aspect of the invention, the control means (100) extracts from a plurality of supply contract conditions with the energy supply source consumed by the first heat source device (1) registered in advance. Based on the extracted conditions, the first energy cost is specified, based on the conditions extracted from the plurality of supply contract conditions with the energy supply source consumed by the second heat source device (4) registered in advance. Thus, the first running cost and the second running cost can be easily calculated by specifying the second energy cost.

  In addition, the code | symbol in the parenthesis attached | subjected to each said means is an example which shows a corresponding relationship with the specific means as described in embodiment mentioned later.

  A plurality of modes for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, parts corresponding to the matters described in the preceding embodiment may be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description may be omitted. In the case where only a part of the configuration is described in each embodiment, the other parts of the configuration are the same as those described previously. In addition to the combination of parts specifically described in each embodiment, the embodiments may be partially combined as long as the combination is not particularly troublesome.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. Drawing 1 is a mimetic diagram showing the schematic structure of the hot-water supply device of a 1st embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration related to the hot water supply apparatus.

  The hot water supply apparatus of the present embodiment is a hot water storage type heat pump type hot water supply apparatus, which is mainly used for general household use, and uses hot water for storing heat and hot water for hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 2 for hot water supply. Heat is exchanged by the heat exchanger 3 and the heated hot water is supplied to a hot water supply terminal (hand-washing faucet, currant, shower, bath, etc.) to the kitchen, washroom, bathroom, etc. The device 4 has a function of adjusting the temperature by further heating the hot water supply water.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the hot water supply apparatus includes a heat pump unit 1 (corresponding to a first heat source device) that is a heating unit that heats and exchanges heat with a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant, and hot water heated by the heat pump unit 1. A hot water storage tank 2, low temperature water in the lower part of the hot water storage tank 2 flows out, is heated by the heat pump unit 1, and is returned to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 2. A hot water supply heat exchanger 3 for exchanging heat between hot water and hot water supply water, an auxiliary heat source device 4 (corresponding to a second heat source device) capable of further heating the hot water supply water heated by the hot water supply heat exchanger 3, And a control device 100 (see FIG. 2) for controlling the operation of the hot water supply device.

  The heat pump unit 1 is configured such that at least refrigeration cycle functional components such as a compressor, a heat storage heat exchanger, an expansion valve, an evaporator, and an accumulator are connected in a ring shape. The heat pump unit 1 constitutes a supercritical heat pump cycle in which, for example, carbon dioxide having a low critical temperature is used as a refrigerant, whereby the refrigerant pressure on the high pressure side becomes equal to or higher than the critical pressure of the refrigerant.

  When the heat pump cycle is constituted by a supercritical heat pump, hot water having a temperature higher than that of a general heat pump cycle, for example, about 85 ° C. to 90 ° C. can be stored in the hot water storage tank 2. The heat pump cycle mainly performs a boiling operation in which hot water in the hot water storage tank 2 is boiled using late-night power in the late-night time zone, which is inexpensively set.

  The compressor of the heat pump cycle 1 is driven by electric energy in this example, but is not limited to this, and may be driven by gas, kerosene, or the like.

  In the heat storage circulation circuit 6, an incoming temperature thermistor for detecting the temperature of water supplied to the water-refrigerant heat exchanger, which is a heat storage heat exchanger in the heat pump unit 1, and a water-refrigerant heat exchanger outlet A boiling temperature thermistor for detecting the boiling temperature and an electric pump are provided. Further, the heat pump unit 1 is provided with an outside air temperature thermistor 23 for detecting the temperature of the outside air before passing through the outside of the evaporator. Then, the detected temperature signal of each thermistor is output to the control device 100.

  The hot water storage tank 2 is a vertically long container that stores hot water that is a heat storage fluid (corresponding to a heat medium) that heats hot water supply water, and is made of a metal excellent in corrosion resistance, for example, stainless steel. A material is provided, and hot water can be kept warm for a long time. In addition, the heat storage fluid is mainly composed of water, and may contain a preservative, an antifreezing agent, LLC, and the like. In addition, the heat storage fluid may be a mixture of heat storage materials having cross specific heat, such as microcapsules, dispersed in water and mixed, or may be mixed in a thriller form.

  The hot water in the hot water storage tank 2 is circulated by the operation of the electric pump of the heat storage circulation circuit 6. Thus, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 2 heated by the heat storage heat exchanger is sent to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 2 through the heat storage circulation circuit 6, so that the upper side in the hot water storage tank 2 is moved to the lower side. The heat is sequentially stored so as to form a plurality of temperature layers.

  The hot water supply heat exchanger 3 includes a primary side passage 3a and a secondary side passage 3b provided so that fluids flowing inside each other exchange heat. The primary side passage 3a is a flow path that communicates with the hot water storage tank 2 and through which hot water in the hot water storage tank 2 flows. The secondary side passage 3b is a flow path in which an upstream end is connected to the water supply pipe 10, and a downstream end is connected to the hot water supply pipe 13, and a flow path through which hot water supplied to the hot water supply terminal flows. is there. The primary side passage 3a and the secondary side passage 3b may have any form in which heat is exchanged between fluids flowing through the passages. For example, you may comprise by the double pipe structure in which one channel | path is formed in an inner side pipe | tube and the other channel | path is formed in the outer side pipe | tube which covers the outer side of an inner side pipe | tube. Moreover, it is preferable that the hot water supply heat exchanger 3 is an opposed heat exchanger in which the flow directions of the fluid flowing through the primary side passage 3a and the secondary side passage 3b are opposed to each other.

  The hot water storage tank 2 is connected to the primary side passage 3a so as to form a primary side circulation circuit 8 that is a circulation passage with the primary side passage 3a of the heat exchanger 3 for hot water supply. The primary side circulation circuit 8 is connected to a lead-out port provided at the uppermost part of the hot water storage tank 2, and detects the heat exchanger inlet temperature in a flow path connecting the lead-out port and the primary side passage 3a. A primary heat exchanger inlet temperature thermistor 18 is provided.

  Further, the primary side circulation circuit 8 is connected to an introduction port provided at the lowermost part of the hot water storage tank 2, and the hot water storage from the primary side passage 3 a is connected to a flow path connecting the introduction port and the primary side passage 3 a. A primary-side circulation return temperature thermistor 19 that detects the outlet temperature of the primary-side heat exchanger of the heat-storage fluid flowing out toward the lower part of the tank 2, and the heat-storage fluid is forcibly circulated to the primary-side circulation circuit 8. And a circulation pump 9 which is a fluid drive means for storing heat. The temperature signals detected by the primary heat exchanger inlet temperature thermistor 18 and the primary circulation return temperature thermistor 19 are input to the input circuit of the control device 100.

  Upstream of the water supply pipe 10 is connected to a water pipe, and city water (tap water) is introduced into the secondary passage 3b of the heat exchanger 3 for hot water supply. The water supply pipe 10 is provided with a flow rate detector 16 and a water supply temperature thermistor 20. The flow rate detector 16 is detection means for detecting a flow rate (secondary flow rate) in the direction of the secondary passage 3b, and the feed water temperature thermistor 20 detects the temperature of city water, and the detected flow rate signal and temperature signal. Is input to the input circuit of the control device 100.

  The hot water supply pipe 13 is a pipe that connects the outlet of the secondary side passage 3b of the hot water supply heat exchanger 3 and a hot water supply terminal (hand-washing faucet, currant, shower, bath, etc.) to the kitchen, washroom, bathroom, and the like. A hot water supply thermistor 22 that detects a hot water supply temperature and a flow rate counter (not shown) are provided on the downstream side of the hot water supply pipe 13. The hot water supply temperature signal and the flow rate signal detected by the hot water supply thermistor 22 and the flow rate counter are input to the input circuit of the control device 100.

  The hot water supply pipe 13 includes a secondary side outlet temperature thermistor 21 (secondary outlet temperature detection) that detects the temperature of hot water at the outlet of the secondary side passage 3b of the hot water supply heat exchanger 3 (heat exchanger secondary outlet temperature). Device). The detected heat exchanger secondary outlet temperature is input to the input circuit of the control device 100. Further, the hot water supply pipe 13 includes a branch portion where the hot water supply pipe 13 branches to the auxiliary heat source passage 15 on the downstream side of the secondary side outlet temperature thermistor 21, and the heat source switching valve 11 is provided in the branch portion. Is provided. The heat source switching valve 11 can switch the hot water supply water that has flowed out of the secondary side passage 3b to flow through either the hot water supply pipe 13 side or the auxiliary heat source side passage 15 side.

  In the middle of the auxiliary heat source passage 15, there is provided an auxiliary heat source device 4 for reheating the hot water supply water flowing through the auxiliary heat source side passage 15, and the downstream end of the auxiliary heat source passage 15 joins the hot water supply pipe 13. ing. In this example, the auxiliary heat source device 4 heats hot water supply water with city gas, but is not particularly limited as long as it is a device capable of heating hot water supply water passing therethrough. For example, a combustion flame using fuel such as gas It is possible to employ a small gas water heater that heats hot water that passes through the interior using a gas, a small petroleum water heater that heats hot water that passes through the interior using a combustion flame of liquid fuel such as kerosene, and an electric heater. .

  The hot water supply pipe 13 and the auxiliary heat source side passage 15 correspond to a distribution path of hot water for hot water discharged to the use side terminal, and the auxiliary heat source device 4 as a second heat source device is provided in the distribution path of the hot water supply water. Become.

  The water supply pipe 10 branches before the secondary passage 3 b of the hot water supply heat exchanger 3, and the branched pipe joins the hot water supply pipe 13. A pipe from the branch portion of the water supply pipe 10 to the junction of the hot water supply pipe 13 is a secondary bypass passage 14 that bypasses the hot water supply heat exchanger 3. A hot water supply mixing valve 12 is provided at the junction of the secondary bypass passage 14 and the hot water supply pipe 13.

  This hot water supply mixing valve 12 is a temperature adjustment valve that adjusts the temperature of hot water discharged to the hot water supply terminal side, and by adjusting the opening area ratio between the hot water supply pipe 13 side and the secondary side bypass passage 14 side, Control is performed to adjust the mixing ratio of the hot water supply water heated by the heat exchanger 3 and the city water to the set temperature. The control device 100 controls the hot water mixing valve 12 based on the temperature set by the remote controller 110 or the like and the temperature information detected by the feed water temperature thermistor 20, the secondary outlet temperature thermistor 21 and the hot water temperature thermistor 22. To do.

  The outer wall surface of the hot water storage tank 2 is provided with a plurality of hot water storage thermistors 17 which are water temperature sensors for detecting the amount of hot water for storing hot water and the temperature of the hot water storage. Five thermistors TH1, TH2, TH3, TH4, and TH5 are arranged in order from the top. The detected temperature signals of these five thermistors are respectively input to the input circuit of the control device 100, and can detect the temperature of the heat storage fluid and the amount of hot water at each water level. Moreover, TH1 located in the uppermost part among the plurality of hot water storage thermistors 17 can detect the temperature of hot water discharged from the hot storage fluid.

  An indirect tank 5 for supplying city water in the hot water storage tank 5 is placed on the top surface of the hot water storage tank 2. A water supply pipe through which city water flows and an escape pipe are connected to the upper part of the indirect tank 5, and a circulation pipe 7 connected to the lower part of the hot water storage tank 2 is connected to the lower part of the indirect tank 5. . A water level sensor is provided in the indirect tank 5, and water is automatically supplied into the indirect tank 5 by a detection signal of the water level sensor transmitted to the control device 100. When the water flowing through the water supply pipe is stored in the indirect tank 5, the water in the indirect tank 5 flows into the lower part of the hot water storage tank 2 through the circulation pipe 7, and excess water is released through the pipe for escape. It is discharged to the outside through.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 100 that is a control means includes an input circuit to which signals from various switches on the remote controller 110, communication signals from the flow rate detector 16 and various thermistors 17 to 23 are input, A microcomputer that executes various calculations using signals from the circuit, and controls the heat pump unit 1, the auxiliary heat source unit 4, the circulation pump 9, the heat source switching valve 11, the hot water supply mixing valve 12, and the like based on the calculation by the microcomputer. An output circuit for outputting a communication signal. The microcomputer incorporates a ROM or RAM as storage means and has a preset control program and an updatable control program.

  Next, the operation of the hot water supply apparatus having the above configuration will be described. First, boiling control of the hot water supply device will be described. When the hot water supply switch of the remote controller 110 is turned on by the user, the control device 100 mainly uses a heat pump in the late-night time zone (for example, the time zone from 23:00 on the current day to 7 o'clock on the next day) where the power rate is inexpensive. The unit 1 is operated, the heat storage fluid in the hot water storage tank 2 is heated, and a necessary amount of heat is stored.

  That is, when the hot water storage thermistor detects that the necessary amount of heat does not remain in the hot water storage tank 2 the next day in the midnight power time zone, the control device 100 instructs the heat pump unit 1 to start boiling. The heat pump unit 1 that has received the command starts driving the circulation pump of the heat storage circulation circuit 6 after starting the compressor, and the low-temperature water taken out from the lower part of the hot water storage tank 2 is about 70 to 90 ° C. with a water-refrigerant heat exchanger. The hot water is heated to a high temperature, returned to the hot water storage tank 2 from the upper part of the hot water storage tank 2 through the heat storage circulation circuit 6, and sequentially stacked from the upper part of the hot water storage tank 2 to store the hot water. When the hot water storage thermistor 17 detects that the necessary amount of heat has been stored, the control device 100 commands the heat pump unit 1 to stop boiling, and the heat pump unit 1 stops the compressor and also stops the circulation pump. End boiling operation.

  Next, control when hot water is used at a hot water supply terminal (use side terminal) will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing hot water storage control processing in a daytime time zone (other than midnight time zone) of the hot water supply apparatus, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing auxiliary heat source heating control processing.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 100 monitors whether or not the amount of stored hot water in the hot water storage tank 2, that is, the amount of stored heat is equal to or less than a predetermined amount (step S <b> 130). In step S160, the heat pump unit 1 is instructed to stop the boiling operation (continuation of the stopped state if stopped) (step S160), and the process returns to step S130. Here, the predetermined amount of hot water storage is a predetermined minimum required amount of heat or a predetermined amount of heat determined by learning a past amount of heat consumption.

  If it is determined in step S130 that the amount of stored hot water is equal to or less than the predetermined amount, the running cost when operating the heat pump unit 1 (corresponding to the first running cost) and the running cost when operating the auxiliary heat source unit 4 (Corresponding to the second running cost) is compared (step S140), and when the running cost of the heat pump unit 1 is smaller than the running cost of the auxiliary heat source unit 4, the heat pump unit 1 is instructed to perform a boiling operation (step S150) When the running cost of the heat pump unit 1 is larger than the running cost of the auxiliary heat source unit 4, the heat pump unit 1 is instructed to stop the boiling operation (step S160), and the process returns to step S130.

  In step S140, while calculating the running cost at the time of operating the heat pump unit 1 from the cost of energy consumed by the heat pump unit 1 (corresponding to the first energy cost) and the operating efficiency (coefficient of performance COP) of the heat pump unit 1, The running cost when the auxiliary heat source unit 4 is operated is calculated from the cost of energy consumed by the auxiliary heat source unit 4 (corresponding to the second energy cost) and the operation efficiency (gas combustion efficiency) of the auxiliary heat source unit 4. Compare running costs.

  Specifically, the control device 100 outputs the outside temperature information input from the outside temperature thermistor 23, the boiling temperature indication value when operating the heat pump unit 1, and the lowest temperature thermistor TH 5 among the hot water storage thermistors 17. From the temperature information, the COP which is the heating efficiency of the heat pump unit 1 is estimated and calculated, and the running cost of the heat pump unit 1 is calculated from the heating efficiency and the power rate inputted in advance.

  Since the boiling efficiency of the heat pump unit 1 varies depending on the outside air temperature and the hot water temperature before and after the boiling, the outside air temperature information, the boiling temperature indication value which is related information of the heated water temperature, and before the boiling The COP, which is the heating efficiency of the heat pump unit 1, is estimated and calculated from the water temperature information at the bottom of the hot water storage tank 2 detected by the thermistor TH5, which is related information on the water temperature.

  On the other hand, the control device 100 calculates the running cost of the auxiliary heat source unit 4 from the gas combustion efficiency set and input in advance and the gas fee input in advance.

  Next, the auxiliary heat source heating control process performed by the control device 100 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 100 determines whether or not there is a hot water flow rate from the terminal based on an input signal from the flow rate detector 16 (step S170). When it is determined that there is no hot water flow rate, that is, when hot water is not detected, the auxiliary heat source device 4 is instructed to stop the combustion heating operation (continue in the stopped state when stopped) (step S200), and step S170 is executed. Return.

  In step S170, when it is determined that there is a hot water flow rate, that is, when hot water is detected, it is determined whether or not the switching instruction of the heat source switching valve 11 is on the auxiliary heat source side passage 15 side (step S180). The heat source switching valve 11 flows through the hot water supply piping side 13 when the temperature of the hot water supply water after the heat exchange detected by the secondary side outlet temperature thermistor 21 is higher than the temperature obtained by adding a predetermined value to the preset hot water temperature at the terminal. When the temperature is lower than the temperature obtained by adding a predetermined value to the hot water set temperature, switching control is performed so that the auxiliary heat source side passage 15 is a flow path.

  If it is determined in step S180 that the heat source switching valve 11 has the auxiliary heat source side passage 15 as a flow path, the auxiliary heat source unit 4 is instructed to perform a heating operation (step S190), and the heat source switching valve 11 is on the auxiliary heat source side. If the passage 15 is not a flow path, the auxiliary heat source unit 4 is instructed to stop the heating operation (step S200), and the process returns to step S170.

  In step S180, depending on the switching instruction state of the heat source switching valve 11, either step S190 or S200 is executed, but the hot water supply water after heat exchange detected by the secondary outlet temperature thermistor 21 is used. Control switching may be performed based on temperature. The temperature value used as the reference for the switching instruction of the heat source switching valve 11 or the temperature value used as the direct determination reference is not limited to the temperature obtained by adding a predetermined value to the hot water set temperature at the terminal, and may be a constant temperature value.

  According to the above-described configuration and operation, the control device 100 compares the running cost of the heat pump unit 1 with the running cost of the auxiliary heat source unit 4 during the daytime period, and the running cost of the heat pump unit 1 is higher. In this case, the operation of the heat pump unit 1 is prohibited even when the amount of heat in the hot water storage tank 2 becomes a predetermined amount or less, and the shortage of the amount of heat for hot water supply is an auxiliary heat source whose running cost is relatively low. It can be compensated by the operation of the vessel 4.

  Therefore, when the running cost of the heat pump unit 1 is higher than the running cost of the auxiliary heat source 4, the heat pump unit 1 having a relatively high running cost is not operated even if the amount of heat in the hot water storage tank 2 is reduced. Can be reduced.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the COP, which is the operating efficiency of the heat pump unit 1, varies depending on environmental conditions and the like. The running cost is calculated by incorporating this, and the running cost of the heat pump unit 1 operated by electric power is The running cost of the auxiliary heat source device 4 operated by gas is compared.

  Further, the control device 100 determines the heating efficiency of the heat pump unit 1 from the outside air temperature, the boiling temperature instruction value when operating the heat pump unit 1 and the temperature information from the thermistor TH5 at the bottom of the hot water storage thermistor 17. COP is estimated and calculated, and the running cost of the heat pump unit 1 is calculated from the boiling efficiency and the power rate inputted in advance.

  The operating efficiency of the heat pump unit 1 varies depending on the outside air temperature and the hot water temperature before and after boiling, but the operating efficiency can be accurately calculated based on the value of each factor or related information. Therefore, it is possible to accurately calculate the running cost of the heat pump unit 1 from the calculated operation efficiency and the electricity bill.

  The outside air temperature is a value directly detected by the outside temperature thermistor 23. Therefore, it is possible to accurately detect the temperature of the outside air that is the external fluid temperature on the heat source side in the heat pump cycle that greatly affects the operation efficiency. Further, the temperature detected by the thermistor TH5 of the hot water storage tank 2 is used as the heat medium temperature before boiling, and the boiling temperature instruction value is used as the heat medium temperature after boiling. Therefore, it is less susceptible to temperature fluctuations than in the case of directly adopting the detected temperature of the heat medium before and after boiling, and the control can be stabilized. Specifically, for example, the operation in which the heat pump unit 1 repeatedly starts and stops can be suppressed.

  Moreover, although description was abbreviate | omitted in the said embodiment, in the control apparatus 100, several supply contract conditions with the electric power company and electric power company which are the supply sources of electric power energy are registered beforehand, From those By selecting the user or the like via the remote controller 110, the electricity charge that is the energy cost of the heat pump unit 1 can be easily specified. In addition, a gas supply source and a plurality of supply contract conditions (gas type, unit price, etc.) with the supply source are registered in advance, and the auxiliary heat source is selected by the user via the remote controller 110 from among them. The gas charge which is the energy cost of the container 4 can be easily specified.

  Further, the selection from the plurality of conditions may be performed directly in the control device 100 without using the remote controller 110.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the one selected in advance from the options registered in the control device 100, and the control unit 100 may input a power charge or a gas charge via the remote controller 110 or directly. When inputting the power charge or gas charge via the remote controller 110, the remote controller 110 corresponds to an input means. When inputting directly to the control apparatus 100, the input operation unit of the control apparatus 100 This corresponds to input means.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of power charges and gas charges (values at the left end in FIG. 6 (values when COP = 1)), which are energy costs necessary for comparing running costs, are registered in advance. These may be selected from the above conditions, or may be input directly.

  The control means has input means for inputting the first energy cost and the second energy cost, and easily calculates the first running cost and the second running cost from the directly input first energy cost and second energy cost. I can say that.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described based on FIG. 7 and FIG.

  The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that an auxiliary heat source device is provided in the boiling circuit. In addition, about the part similar to 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in this embodiment, the auxiliary heat source device 4, the auxiliary heat source side passage 15, and the heat source switching valve 11 provided in the first embodiment are not provided, and heat storage that is a circulation path of the heat medium is provided. An auxiliary heat source device 4A corresponding to the second heat source device is provided on the downstream side of the heat pump unit 1 in the circulation circuit 6 for heating, and the heat medium before flowing out of the heat pump unit 1 and flowing into the hot water storage tank 2 can be heated. It has become.

  In this example, the auxiliary heat source unit 4A is for heating water, which is a heat medium, with city gas. However, the auxiliary heat source unit 4A is not particularly limited as long as it is a device that can heat a passing heat medium. Adopt a small gas water heater that heats hot water water that passes through the interior using a combustion flame, a small petroleum water heater that heats hot water water that passes through the interior using a liquid flame such as kerosene, and an electric heater be able to.

  Next, the operation of the hot water supply apparatus having the above configuration will be described.

  When the hot water supply switch of the remote controller 110 is turned on by the user, the control device 100 operates the heat pump unit 1 mainly in the midnight time zone when the power rate is inexpensive to heat the heat storage fluid in the hot water storage tank 2. Storing the necessary amount of heat. Then, hot water storage control is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 during daytime hours (other than midnight time zones).

  As shown in FIG. 8, the control device 100 monitors whether or not the amount of stored hot water in the hot water storage tank 2, that is, the amount of stored heat is equal to or less than a predetermined amount (step S <b> 130). Instruct the heat pump unit 1 to stop the boiling operation and stop the combustion heating operation of the auxiliary heat source unit 4A (continue the stopped state if stopped) (step S270), and return to step S130. Also in this embodiment, the predetermined amount of hot water storage is a predetermined minimum predetermined heat amount or a predetermined heat amount determined by learning the past heat consumption.

  If it is determined in step S130 that the amount of stored hot water is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the running cost for operating the heat pump unit 1 is calculated and the auxiliary heat source unit 4A is operated as in the first embodiment. When the running cost of the heat pump unit 1 is smaller than the running cost of the auxiliary heat source unit 4A, an instruction for boiling operation is given to the heat pump unit 1. And stopping the combustion heating operation of the auxiliary heat source unit 4A (step S250), and if the running cost of the heat pump unit 1 is larger than the running cost of the auxiliary heat source unit 4A, the heat pump unit 1 stops the boiling operation. Instruct and burn to the auxiliary heat source 4A Instructs (step S260), it returns to step S130.

  In addition, when performing step S250 and step S260, when hot water storage cannot catch up with only one heat source device, such as a large amount of hot water discharged from the hot water supply terminal, both heat source devices may be operated simultaneously. .

  According to the above-described configuration and operation, the control device 100 compares the running cost of the heat pump unit 1 with the running cost of the auxiliary heat source unit 4A in the daytime period, and the running cost of the heat pump unit 1 is higher. In this case, even if the amount of heat in the hot water storage tank 2 is less than or equal to a predetermined amount, the operation of the heat pump unit 1 is prohibited, and the amount of heat for hot water storage is that of the auxiliary heat source 4A whose running cost is relatively low. Can be done by driving.

  Therefore, when the running cost of the heat pump unit 1 is higher than the running cost of the auxiliary heat source unit 4A, the running cost is reduced without operating the heat pump unit 1 having a relatively high running cost even if the amount of heat in the hot water storage tank 2 is reduced. Since the relatively inexpensive auxiliary heat source unit 4A is operated, the running cost can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the hot water storage control is performed by comparing the running cost of the heat pump unit 1 with the running cost of the auxiliary heat source device 4A only during the daytime period, but the above-mentioned based on the running cost also during the hot water storage operation in the midnight time period. Control may be performed.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described based on FIG.

  The third embodiment is a so-called multifunctional hot water supply apparatus having a floor heating circuit that uses the amount of heat in the hot water storage tank 2 in addition to hot water supply by heat exchange, as compared with the first embodiment described above. Different. In addition, about the part similar to 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the hot water supply apparatus of the present embodiment further has an upstream end connected to the upper part in the hot water storage tank 2 and a downstream end in the hot water storage tank 2 with respect to the hot water supply apparatus according to the first embodiment. The floor heating circuit 30 is provided that is connected to the lower or central portion. In the middle of the floor heating circuit 30, a floor heating panel 31 as an example of a heat radiating terminal, a heating circulation pump 32 for circulating hot water in the hot water storage tank 2 in the circuit, and hot water in the circuit are supplemented. And an auxiliary heat source circuit 34 that is connected to the upstream passage and the downstream passage of the heating circulation pump 32 and in which the auxiliary heat source device 33 is arranged.

  Further, the floor heating circuit 30 includes a bypass passage 36 arranged in parallel to the floor heating panel 31 so that the hot water in the floor heating panel 31 does not flow into the hot water storage tank 2 and can circulate in the floor heating panel 31. And a mixing valve 35 provided at the junction of the bypass passage 36 and the floor heating circuit 30.

  The floor heating panel 31 corresponds to a heat exchanging means that uses the amount of heat in the hot water storage tank 2 in this embodiment other than hot water supply by heat exchange. The floor heating panel 31 that is a heat radiating terminal can be replaced with a hot water hot air heater, a hot water panel convector, a hot water panel radiator, or the like. Moreover, the mixing valve 35 is comprised so that control of the opening degree of two downstream channel | paths is 0 to 100% of range, respectively.

  When performing floor heating in the above configuration, the control device 100 first operates the heating circulation pump 32 and controls the mixing valve 35 so that the opening on the downstream floor heating circuit 30 side becomes 100%. To do. Then, the hot heat storage fluid in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 2 is taken out to the floor heating circuit 30 and passes through the floor heating panel 31 to dissipate heat, thereby heating the floor surface, and the floor heating circuit 30 is further connected to the hot water storage tank 2. And flows into the lower part of the hot water storage tank 2 as a medium temperature fluid.

  When the amount of stored hot water in the hot water storage tank 2 is not sufficient, the control device 100 can operate the auxiliary heat source device 33 to replenish the hot water heating amount. When it is desired to perform floor heating without using the amount of stored hot water in the hot water storage tank 2, the control device 100 operates the auxiliary heat source 33 and opens the mixing valve 35 on the downstream floor heating circuit 30 side. Control is performed so that the degree is 0% and the opening degree on the bypass passage 36 side is 100%.

  When the floor heating operation is performed, the medium temperature water in the hot water storage tank 2 (warm water having a temperature slightly lower than that before heat exchange, for example, about 35 to 50 ° C.) is likely to increase. When trying to boil again, the COP of the heat pump unit 1 is greatly reduced. Therefore, if the hot water storage control and the auxiliary heat source heating control described in the first embodiment are performed in a hot water supply apparatus having a floor heating function that uses the amount of heat in the hot water storage tank 2 for heat exchange other than hot water supply, the effect of reducing running cost is achieved. Is extremely large.

  In addition, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the floor heating circuit can be configured without providing an expansion tank and a water-water heat exchanger that are normally required for the floor heating circuit. Loss can be reduced.

(Other embodiments)
In each of the above-described embodiments, the lowermost water temperature in the hot water storage tank 2 that is related information on the outside air temperature, the boiling temperature instruction value that is related information of the heated heat medium, and the temperature of the heat medium before being heated. The operating efficiency (COP), which is the boiling efficiency of the heat pump unit 1, was calculated from the information. The outside air temperature or related information, the temperature of the heat medium heated by the heat pump unit 1 and supplied to the hot water storage tank 2 Or what is necessary is just to calculate the operating efficiency of the heat pump unit 1 based on the related information, the temperature of the heat medium before being heated by the heat pump unit 1 or the related information.

  As the outside air temperature and related information, in addition to the temperature detected by the outside air temperature thermistor 23, for example, the temperature of tap water supplied to the hot water supply device, presence / absence of heating use (if there is a record, it is determined that the outside temperature is low) The presence or absence of a freeze prevention operation or a heater operation with no description (determined that the outside temperature is low if there is a record) can be employed.

  The temperature of the heat medium boiled by the heat pump unit 1 and supplied to the hot water storage tank 2 or related information includes, for example, the detected temperature of the heat pump boiling temperature thermistor, the heating usage record, in addition to the heat pump boiling instruction temperature. Presence / absence (in order to increase the boiling temperature if there is a track record), outside air temperature (to increase the boiling temperature at low outside temperatures), etc. can be employed.

  The temperature of the heat medium before boiling by the heat pump unit 1 or related information includes, for example, the detected temperature of the thermistor at the lower part of the hot water tank 2, the detected temperature of the heat pump feed water temperature thermistor (incoming water temperature thermistor), and heating use Presence or absence (because medium temperature water is generated in the hot water storage tank if there is a track record) Daily heat consumption and heating time (the more heating is used, the easier it is to generate hot water in the hot water storage tank) ) Etc. can be employed.

  In addition, the COP of the heat pump unit 1 is calculated based on the outside air temperature or related information, the temperature of the heat medium heated by the heat pump unit 1 and supplied to the hot water storage tank 2 or related information, before being heated by the heat pump unit 1. It is possible to obtain high accuracy if it is performed based on the temperature of the heat medium or related information thereof, but is not limited to this, and the outside air temperature or related information, heated by the heat pump unit 1 and stored in the hot water storage tank 2 It may be calculated based on at least one of the temperature of the supplied heat medium or related information, the temperature of the heat medium before being heated by the heat pump unit 1, or related information.

  Moreover, the hot water supply apparatus of each said embodiment was provided with the hot water supply heat exchanger 3, and was what is called an indirect type hot water supply apparatus which heat-exchanges the amount of heat stored in the hot water storage tank 2, and heats hot water supply water. However, the present invention is also effective by applying the present invention to a hot water supply apparatus for directly discharging hot water stored in a hot water storage tank from a terminal.

It is the schematic diagram which showed schematic structure of the hot water supply apparatus in 1st Embodiment to which this invention is applied. It is the block diagram which showed the control structure concerning a hot water supply apparatus. It is the flowchart which showed the hot water storage control processing of the hot water supply apparatus. It is the flowchart which showed the auxiliary heat source heating control process of the hot water supply apparatus. It is a graph which shows the example which compares a running cost. It is a graph which shows the example of the energy cost to select. It is the schematic diagram which showed schematic structure of the hot water supply apparatus in 2nd Embodiment to which this invention is applied. It is the flowchart which showed the hot water storage control processing of the hot water supply apparatus. It is the schematic diagram which showed schematic structure of the hot water supply apparatus in 3rd Embodiment to which this invention is applied.

Explanation of symbols

1 Heat pump unit (first heat source)
2 Hot water storage tank 4, 4A Auxiliary heat source (second heat source)
6 Heat storage circulation circuit 13 Hot water supply pipe 15 Auxiliary heat source side passage 31 Floor heating panel (heat exchange means)
100 Control device (control means)
110 Remote controller (input means)

Claims (3)

A hot water storage tank (2) for storing the amount of heat for hot water supply inside,
A heat pump type first heat source device (1) for supplying the amount of heat into the hot water storage tank (2);
A heat storage circulation circuit (6) for heating the water flowing out from the lower part of the hot water storage tank (2) with the first heat source device (1) and returning it to the upper part of the hot water storage tank (2);
A second heat source device (4) other than a heat pump type for generating the amount of heat;
Control means (100) for controlling the operation of the first heat source device (1) and the second heat source device (4);
The control means (100)
The first running cost when the first heat source device (1) is operated is calculated from the first energy cost of the energy consumed by the first heat source device (1) and the operation efficiency of the first heat source device (1). And second running when the second heat source device (4) is operated from the second energy cost of the energy consumed by the second heat source device (4) and the operation efficiency of the second heat source device (4). Calculate the cost,
Comparing the first running cost and the second running cost,
When the first running cost is less than or equal to the second running cost, when the amount of heat in the hot water storage tank (2) is less than or equal to a predetermined amount, the first heat source device (1) is operated,
When the first running cost is greater than the second running cost, the first heat source device (1) is operated even when the amount of heat in the hot water storage tank (2) is equal to or less than the predetermined amount. Is prohibited ,
The second heat source device (4) is provided in a distribution path (13, 15) of hot water for hot water discharged to the use side terminal,
The control means (100) operates the second heat source device (4) when the temperature of hot water flowing through the flow path (13, 15) is lower than a predetermined hot water supply temperature.
Furthermore, the control means (100) calculates the operating efficiency of the first heat source device (1) based at least on the relevant information of the temperature of the heat medium before being boiled up by the first heat source device (1). Is what
The hot water storage tank (2) is provided with a plurality of temperature sensors (17) for detecting the hot water storage temperature at each water level, and the heat medium before being heated by the first heat source device (1). The temperature related information is temperature information detected by a temperature sensor provided in a lower part of the plurality of temperature sensors . The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising heat exchange means (31) that uses the amount of heat in the hot water storage tank (2) in addition to hot water supply by heat exchange. The said control means (100) is based on the conditions extracted from several supply contract conditions with the supply source of the energy consumed by the said 1st heat source device (1) registered previously, The said 1st energy The cost is specified, and the second energy cost is specified based on conditions extracted from a plurality of supply contract conditions with the energy supply source consumed by the second heat source device (4) registered in advance. The hot water supply device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the hot water supply device is provided.

Images