JP5293359B2 - Refrigerator using steam engine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To produce cold water of a predetermined temperature by using a steam engine, and to use the cold water in air conditioning. <P>SOLUTION: The steam engine 4 generates power by using steam, and the steam is supplied via a steam supply valve 14. A pressure reduction tank 6 is formed from a hollow container, and water is stored halfway. A compressor 5 is driven by the steam engine 4, gas is sucked in and discharged from the pressure reduction tank 6 to carry out pressure reduction in the pressure reduction tank 6. By this, in the water in the pressure reduction tank 6, vaporization is promoted, and cooling is carried out by the latent heat of vaporization. The steam supply valve 14 is controlled on the basis of a detection signal of a temperature sensor 28 provided in the pressure reduction tank 6, and the water in the pressure reduction tank 6 is maintained at a desired temperature. Cold water obtained in such a manner is circulated and supplied to an external heat exchanger 7, and used in cooling. High temperature steam discharged from the compressor 5 is heat-exchanged with supply water to a steam boiler 3 and condensed in a heat exchanger 23, and it is supplied to a water supply tank 9. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator used for air conditioning and the like. In particular, the present invention relates to a refrigerator that is driven using a steam engine and is used as a chiller for obtaining cold water for air conditioning or the like.

  Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, an apparatus (chiller) that uses an evaporator of a compression refrigerator as a heat exchanger with water and cools water with the heat of vaporization of refrigerant in the evaporator is known. ing. In this apparatus, a vapor compression type refrigerator is used, but a vapor injection type refrigerator utilizing the pressure reduction in the evaporator by a steam ejector is also known. In addition to such a compression refrigerator, an absorption refrigerator is also known.

JP 2007-292351 A

  When using a vapor compression refrigerator, there is a problem such as destruction of the ozone layer by a fluorocarbon refrigerant. Moreover, in a steam injection refrigerator, it is difficult to adjust the water pressure because it is difficult to adjust the decompression capacity using a steam ejector. On the other hand, when an absorption refrigerator is used, the facilities are large. Furthermore, none of the refrigerators controls the compressor based on the water saturation temperature, and it is difficult to easily maintain the water temperature at a desired temperature.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a refrigerator capable of obtaining cold water at a desired temperature with a simple configuration and control. It is another object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator that has good compatibility with a steam boiler and is friendly to the environment.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the invention according to claim 1 is a steam engine that generates power using steam, a decompression tank that is formed of a hollow container and stores water. A steam compressor that is driven by the steam engine, sucks and discharges the gas in the decompression tank, and decompresses the interior of the decompression tank, and the steam supply to the steam engine based on the pressure or temperature in the decompression tank And the steam discharged from the steam compressor is heat-exchanged with water supplied to the boiler for steaming the steam engine, and the condensed water is supplied to a water supply tank to the boiler. It is a refrigerator characterized by being made .

According to the first aspect of the invention, since water is used as the refrigerant, the refrigerator is friendly to the environment. Further, the saturation temperature of water and steam in the decompression tank is adjusted by adjusting the steam supply to the steam engine based on the pressure or temperature in the decompression tank. By monitoring and controlling the saturation temperature in the vacuum tank, cold water having a desired temperature can be easily obtained.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the boiler feed water is preheated by the high temperature steam from the steam compressor. Further, the condensed water is used as it is as boiler feed water. In this way, energy saving can be achieved.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, an external heat exchanger is provided outside the decompression tank, and the decompression tank and the external heat exchanger are connected via an extraction path and a return path, 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein water in the decompression tank can be circulated between the external heat exchanger and the external heat exchanger.

  According to invention of Claim 2, water can be circulated between a pressure-reduction tank and an external heat exchanger, and cooling of a to-be-cooled object can be aimed at by an external heat exchanger. For example, an air conditioner can be configured using an external heat exchanger as an indoor unit.

  In the invention according to claim 3, an internal heat exchanger is provided in the decompression tank, while an external heat exchanger is provided outside the decompression tank, and the internal heat exchanger and the external heat exchanger are: 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerator is connected via an extraction path and a return path, and the liquid to be cooled can be circulated between the internal heat exchanger and the external heat exchanger. It is.

  According to invention of Claim 3, a to-be-cooled liquid can be circulated between an internal heat exchanger and an external heat exchanger, and cooling of a to-be-cooled object can be aimed at with an external heat exchanger. For example, an air conditioner can be configured using an external heat exchanger as an indoor unit.

  Invention of Claim 4 is used for an air conditioner, The indoor unit is provided with the said external heat exchanger and a fan, The refrigerator of Claim 2 or Claim 3 characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to invention of Claim 4, an air conditioner can be comprised using an external heat exchanger as an indoor unit. That is, it can be set as a cooler by letting the refrigerant from the decompression tank pass through the external heat exchanger.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when the air conditioner is started, the rotation of the fan is stopped until the water temperature in the decompression tank becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature due to the decompression in the decompression tank by the steam compressor. The refrigerator according to claim 4.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the fan is stopped until the water temperature in the decompression tank becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature, hot air is prevented from blowing out from the indoor unit when the air conditioner is started.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, during the operation of the air conditioner, the water temperature in the decompression tank, the liquid temperature in the return path, or the room temperature of the room in which the indoor unit is installed is monitored, and the monitored temperature is set to this monitoring temperature. 6. The refrigerator according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the operation of the pump and / or the fan provided in the take-out path is controlled.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the operation of the pump and / or the fan is controlled based on the water temperature, the liquid temperature, or the room temperature. Thereby, the room can be maintained in a more comfortable space.

  According to the refrigerator of the present invention, cold water having a desired temperature can be obtained with a simple configuration and control. Moreover, it can be used as a refrigerator that is compatible with the steam boiler and is friendly to the environment.

It is the schematic which shows the use condition of Example 1 of the refrigerator of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the use condition of Example 2 of the refrigerator of this invention.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The refrigerator of the present invention includes a steam engine that generates power using steam, a compressor driven by the steam engine, and a decompression tank that is depressurized by suction of the compressor and cools stored water. .

  The steam engine is a device that generates power using steam, and includes a steam turbine or a screw-type steam engine. At this time, it may be configured by a plurality of devices of the same type or different types. The screw-type steam engine is a device in which steam is introduced between screw rotors that mesh with each other, and the steam is expanded and decompressed while rotating the screw rotor, and power is obtained by rotation of the screw rotor at that time. .

  The compressor is driven by a steam engine, sucks the gas in the decompression tank, compresses it, and discharges it. The type of the compressor is not particularly limited, such as a reciprocating type or a rotary type, but is, for example, a screw type. A screw compressor is a device that sucks gas between screw rotors that mesh with each other and rotate, and compresses and discharges the gas by rotation of the screw rotor. The compressor may also be composed of a plurality of devices of the same type or different types.

  The decompression tank is formed from a hollow container and stores water halfway. The compressor is connected to a gas phase part in the decompression tank, and sucks and discharges the gas in the decompression tank to decompress the inside of the decompression tank.

  When the pressure in the pressure reducing tank is reduced, the water in the pressure reducing tank is vacuum cooled. That is, when the pressure in the vacuum tank is reduced, the saturation temperature in the vacuum tank decreases. Therefore, if the water temperature in the decompression tank is higher than the saturation temperature, evaporation is promoted and cooling is performed by the latent heat of evaporation. At this time, water vapor generated by evaporation is sucked and discharged by the compressor. Therefore, the compressor can be referred to as a steam compressor.

  In this manner, the pressure in the vacuum tank can be maintained at a desired pressure, and the water in the vacuum tank can be brought to the desired temperature. In such a series of treatments, it is preferable to maintain a desired water level in the decompression tank by appropriately supplying water into the decompression tank.

  Steam is supplied to the steam engine from a steam supply source via a steam supply path. The steam source is typically a steam boiler. Water (usually soft water is used) is supplied from the water supply tank to the steam boiler, and the water is vaporized by the steam boiler. In addition to the steam engine, the steam from the steam boiler can be supplied to various steam using devices as desired. At this time, the steam from the steam boiler may be temporarily supplied to the steam header, and the steam in the steam header may be supplied to the steam engine through the steam supply path or supplied to the steam using device. On the other hand, the steam after use in the steam engine is discharged through the exhaust steam path.

  Since the steam engine depressurizes steam, it also functions as a pressure reducing valve. Therefore, particularly in the case of a screw-type steam engine, the steam after use in the steam engine can be used in the same manner as the steam after passing through the conventional pressure reducing valve. That is, conventionally, the steam from the steam boiler is supplied to the steam using device via the pressure reducing valve. Similarly, the steam after use in the steam engine can be supplied to the steam using device. At this time, the steam from the steam engine may be temporarily supplied to the steam header via the exhaust steam path, and the steam in the steam header may be supplied to the steam using device.

  The steam engine is controlled by controlling whether or not steam is supplied to the steam engine. Specifically, a steam supply valve is provided in the steam supply path to the steam engine, and the opening / closing or opening degree of the steam supply valve is controlled. Thereby, the presence / absence or amount of steam supply to the steam engine can be changed, and the presence / absence or output of the steam engine can be changed.

  For example, when the steam engine is a steam turbine, the presence or absence of steam supply to the steam turbine may be switched by controlling the opening and closing of the steam supply valve. Thereby, the presence or absence of the action | operation of a steam turbine can be changed. On the other hand, when the steam engine is a screw-type steam engine, the opening / closing of the steam supply valve may be controlled as in the case of the steam turbine, or the opening of the steam supply valve may be controlled. When controlling the opening degree of the steam supply valve, the output of the screw steam engine can be changed by adjusting the amount of steam supply to the screw steam engine.

  However, the control of the steam engine is not limited to the above configuration. That is, the steam engine only needs to be able to change the presence or amount of steaming, and it is not always necessary to provide a steaming valve in the steaming path and control the steaming valve. For example, the steam supply path and the exhaust steam path for the steam engine may be connected by a bypass path, and the opening / closing or opening degree of a bypass valve provided in the bypass path may be controlled. Moreover, you may provide both the said steam supply valve and the said bypass valve, and may control the presence or amount of steam supply to a steam engine.

  The steam engine is controlled in steam supply by a controller based on the pressure and / or temperature in the decompression tank. For this purpose, the pressure reducing tank is provided with a pressure sensor and / or a temperature sensor. Since the inside of the decompression tank is in a saturated environment, any sensor may be provided in either the liquid phase part or the gas phase part in the decompression tank. Typically, a temperature sensor is provided in the liquid phase part in the decompression tank to monitor the water temperature. Alternatively, instead of or in addition to this, a pressure sensor is provided in the gas phase portion in the decompression tank to monitor the pressure.

  The cold water thus obtained is used for air conditioning and food cooling. The following two embodiments can be mentioned depending on how the cold water is used.

  In the first embodiment, an external heat exchanger is provided outside the decompression tank, and the decompression tank and the external heat exchanger are connected by an extraction path and a return path. Then, the water in the decompression tank can be circulated by a pump between the decompression tank and the external heat exchanger. In this case, the cold water is circulated and supplied to the external heat exchanger, and heat is taken away in the external heat exchanger. In the case of this embodiment, when returning water from the return path into the decompression tank, cooling of the stored water can be promoted by spraying or spraying water.

  In the second embodiment, an internal heat exchanger is provided in the decompression tank, while an external heat exchanger is provided outside the decompression tank, and the internal heat exchanger and the external heat exchanger are connected by an extraction path and a return path. . Then, the liquid to be cooled (or water) can be circulated by a pump between the internal heat exchanger and the external heat exchanger. In this case, the liquid to be cooled is cooled with cold water in the internal heat exchanger, and takes heat in the external heat exchanger.

  In another embodiment, the water in the vacuum tank is used for heat exchange with the load (for example, cooling of foodstuffs) after being cooled to a desired temperature and then returned to atmospheric pressure or returned to the atmospheric pressure. Good. In this case, latent heat of vaporization can also be used by returning the water under reduced pressure to atmospheric pressure. In the second embodiment, the liquid to be cooled may be used for heat exchange with a load after being passed through an internal heat exchanger to be cooled, and may be disposable. Thus, in 1st embodiment and 2nd embodiment, although it is set as circulation specification, it is good also as flowing water specification.

  The refrigerators of the first embodiment and the second embodiment are preferably used for air conditioners. In this case, the air conditioner includes the external heat exchanger and the fan as an indoor unit. On the other hand, in addition to the steam engine and the compressor, the decompression tank is usually an outdoor unit.

  As described above, the air conditioner controls the steam supply to the steam engine based on the pressure and / or temperature in the decompression tank, and the water temperature in the decompression tank is set to the desired temperature. By stirring the water in the vacuum tank, the water temperature may be prevented from becoming uneven.

  When starting the air conditioner, it is preferable to stop the rotation of the fan until the water temperature in the decompression tank becomes a predetermined temperature or less due to the decompression in the decompression tank by the compressor. This prevents hot air from blowing out from the indoor unit when the air conditioner is started. At this time, if the pump is operated, the liquid in the take-out path and the return path described above can be cooled.

  While the air conditioner is in operation, the water temperature in the decompression tank, the liquid temperature in the return path, or the room temperature of the room where the indoor unit is installed can be monitored, and steam supply to the steam engine can be controlled based on this monitored temperature. Good. For example, when maintaining the water temperature in the decompression tank within the set temperature range, if the upper limit temperature is reached, the steam supply valve is opened and the steam engine is operated, and if the lower limit temperature is reached, the steam supply valve is closed and the steam engine is turned off. Stop. Or you may control the opening degree of a steam supply valve based on the water temperature in a pressure reduction tank, and may maintain the water temperature in a pressure reduction tank in a preset temperature range. The same control can be performed not based on the water temperature in the decompression tank but also on the liquid temperature in the return path or the room temperature where the indoor unit is installed.

  In addition, during the operation of the air conditioner, the water temperature in the decompression tank, the liquid temperature in the return path, or the room temperature of the room in which the indoor unit is installed is monitored, and based on this monitored temperature, Or you may control the action | operation of a fan. For example, when the water temperature in the decompression tank exceeds a predetermined temperature, the pump and / or fan is stopped to prevent hot air from blowing into the room. Further, it is possible to maintain the room at a desired temperature by controlling the operation of the pump and / or the fan based on the liquid temperature or the room temperature.

  According to the above-described refrigerator, cold water having a desired temperature can be obtained by adjusting the saturation temperature (also referred to as saturation pressure) in the decompression tank. Thereby, when using it for an air conditioner, by changing the saturation temperature in the decompression tank, the cold water temperature can be changed and the indoor target temperature can be changed.

  By the way, the steam discharged from the compressor is preferably heat-exchanged with the feed water to the steam boiler for steaming the steam engine. Further, the condensed water is preferably supplied to a water supply tank to the boiler. That is, the high-temperature and high-pressure steam from the compressor is preferably returned to the upstream side (for example, a water supply tank) from the water supply pump after heat exchange with the water supply to the boiler or the like is performed in the heat exchanger. In this case, the water stored in the decompression tank is preferably soft water, similar to the water supply to the boiler.

  Further, in the case of the above-described refrigerator, if air is present in a refrigeration circuit including a decompression tank or the like, the increase in air partial pressure causes a decrease in latent heat of vaporization, so that no air is mixed into the refrigeration circuit. Is done. Moreover, you may aim at the air exclusion from the inside of a refrigerating circuit using the said compressor at the time of starting of a refrigerator. During this air exclusion, the discharge gas from the compressor is not returned to the steam boiler. Furthermore, it is preferable that the water supplied to the decompression tank is also deaerated.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a usage state of the first embodiment of the refrigerator according to the present invention. The refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment is used as a chiller for obtaining cold water for air conditioning, and constitutes a part of the air conditioner 2.

  The refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment stores a steam engine 4 that generates power using steam from the steam boiler 3, a compressor 5 that is driven by the steam engine 4, and a reduced pressure due to suction of the compressor 5. A decompression tank 6 for cooling the water and an external heat exchanger 7 for supplying and discharging water in the decompression tank 6 are provided. And the air conditioner 2 is comprised from the refrigerator 1 of such a structure and the fan 8 for ventilating indoors through the external heat exchanger 7. FIG. In this case, the indoor unit of the air conditioner 2 includes an external heat exchanger 7 and a fan 8. On the other hand, in addition to the steam engine 4 and the compressor 5, the decompression tank 6 is usually an outdoor unit. In FIG. 1, an alternate long and short dash line indicates an indoor / outdoor partition.

  The configuration of the steam boiler 3 is not particularly limited. In the illustrated example, the steam boiler 3 is a once-through boiler including a cylindrical can body. Water in the water supply tank 9 can be supplied to the steam boiler 3 through a water supply path 11 by a water supply pump 10. The water supply tank 9 stores a predetermined amount of water. This water is preferably soft water. When soft water is used, a water softening device (not shown) is installed in the water supply path 12 to the water supply tank 9. The soft water device is a device that removes hardness components such as calcium and magnesium contained in raw water using an ion exchange resin or the like.

  Thus, the water supplied to the steam boiler 3 is heated and vaporized by the combustion of the burner. The steam is supplied to a steam engine 4 and a steam using device (not shown) via a steam header (not shown) as desired in addition to a steam separator (not shown) and a main steam valve (not shown). .

  The steam engine 4 receives the steam to generate power and drives the compressor 5. The configuration of the steam engine 4 is not particularly limited. For example, the steam engine 4 is a steam turbine or a screw-type steam engine. A screw-type steam engine is an apparatus in which steam is introduced between screw rotors that mesh with each other, and the steam is expanded and decompressed while rotating the screw rotor by the steam, and power is obtained by rotation of the screw rotor at that time. The steam engine 4 may be composed of a plurality of devices of the same type or different types.

  Steam from the steam boiler 3 is supplied to the steam engine 4 via a steam supply path 13. A steam supply path 14 from the steam boiler 3 to the steam engine 4 is provided with a steam supply valve 14. By controlling the opening / closing of the steam supply valve 14, the operation of the steam engine 4 is switched. However, the output of the steam engine 4 may be adjustable by controlling the opening of the steam supply valve 14.

  The steam after use in the steam engine 4 is discharged through the exhaust steam path 15. Since the steam engine 4 depressurizes steam, it also functions as a pressure reducing valve. Therefore, particularly in the case of a screw-type steam engine, the steam after use in the steam engine 4 can be used in the same manner as the steam after passing through the conventional pressure reducing valve. That is, conventionally, the steam from the steam boiler 3 is supplied to the steam using device via the pressure reducing valve. Similarly, the steam used by the steam engine 4 can be supplied to the steam using device. At this time, the steam from the steam engine 4 may be supplied to a steam header (not shown) via the exhaust steam path 15, and the steam in the steam header may be supplied to the steam using device.

  The configuration of the compressor 5 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, a screw type compressor. A screw compressor is a device that sucks gas between screw rotors that mesh with each other and rotate, and compresses and discharges the gas by rotation of the screw rotor. The compressor 5 may also be composed of a plurality of devices of the same type or different types.

  The compressor 5 is driven by the steam engine 4. At this time, the output shaft 16 of the steam engine 4 and the input shaft 17 of the compressor 5 are connected by a coupling 18 without going through a generator. However, the output shaft 16 and the input shaft 17 may be connected via a clutch. In this case, whether or not the compressor 5 is driven by the steam engine 4 can be switched by the clutch. Further, the clutch may include a transmission. In this case, the discharge pressure of the compressor 5 can be changed by changing the gear ratio. Furthermore, the output shaft 16 and the input shaft 17 may be connected via an electric motor (motor). In this case, the drive ratio of the compressor 5 can be changed so that the compressor 5 can be driven by one or both of the steam engine 4 and the electric motor.

  The decompression tank 6 is formed of a hollow container and can be decompressed by suction of the compressor 5. Water can be supplied into the decompression tank 6 via the replenishment water channel 19. Since the inside of the decompression tank 6 is decompressed by the compressor 5, the water from the make-up water channel 19 is supplied into the decompression tank 6 through the decompression valve 20. The replenishment water channel 19 is provided with a water supply valve (not shown) in addition to the pressure reducing valve 20, and the inside of the pressure reducing tank 6 is maintained at a predetermined water level by controlling this water supply valve.

  In this way, water is stored in the decompression tank 6 halfway, the lower part is the liquid phase part, and the upper part is the gas phase part. The compressor 5 is connected to the gas phase portion of the decompression tank 6 through the exhaust passage 21. Thus, when the compressor 5 is driven, the gas in the decompression tank 6 is sucked and discharged to the compressor 5, and the decompression in the decompression tank 6 is achieved.

  When the pressure in the pressure reducing tank 6 is reduced, the water in the pressure reducing tank 6 is vacuum cooled. That is, when the pressure in the vacuum tank 6 is reduced, the saturation temperature in the vacuum tank 6 decreases. Therefore, if the water temperature in the decompression tank 6 is higher than the saturation temperature, evaporation is promoted and cooling is performed by the latent heat of evaporation. At this time, water vapor generated by evaporation is sucked and discharged by the compressor 5. Therefore, it can be said that the compressor 5 is a water vapor compressor.

  The compressor 5 adiabatically compresses the water vapor sucked from the decompression tank 6 into high-temperature water vapor. The high-temperature steam discharged from the compressor 5 is used for preheating water supplied to the steam boiler 3. For this reason, in this embodiment, heat is supplied in the middle of the water supply path 11 to the steam boiler 3 (between the water supply pump 10 and the steam boiler 3 in the illustrated example) and in the middle of the water vapor discharge path 22 from the compressor 5. An exchanger 23 is installed. Thereby, the hot water vapor | steam from the compressor 5 carries out an indirect heat exchange with the water supply to the steam boiler 3, and is condensed. Thereafter, the condensed water is put into the water supply tank 9. Considering such points, the water supplied from the replenishment water channel 19 to the decompression tank 6 is preferably soft water (particularly, degassed soft water), similarly to the water supply to the steam boiler 3.

  In the room where the air conditioner 2 is installed, an external heat exchanger 7 and a fan 8 are provided as indoor units. The external heat exchanger 7 is connected to the decompression tank 6 through an extraction path 24 and a return path 25. At this time, at least the take-out path 24 is connected to the liquid phase portion of the decompression tank 6. In other words, the water level in the decompression tank 6 is maintained above the connection port with the extraction path 24. A circulation pump 26 is provided in the take-out path 24. Thereby, the water in the decompression tank 6 is supplied to the external heat exchanger 7 through the take-out path 24 and returned to the decompression tank 6 through the return path 25. When returning water from the return path 25 into the decompression tank 6, water may be sprayed or sprayed from the upper part of the decompression tank 6. The inside of the decompression tank 6 is decompressed by the compressor 5, and a decompression valve 27 is provided in the return path 25 in consideration of the discharge pressure of the circulation pump 26.

  The fan 8 is installed so that wind generated when the fan 8 is operated passes through the external heat exchanger 7. At this time, the discharge air from the fan 8 may be sent into the room through the external heat exchanger 7, or the air sucked into the fan 8 passes through the external heat exchanger 7 and then the fan 8. May be sent into the room.

  The decompression tank 6 is provided with a pressure sensor and / or a temperature sensor. In the illustrated example, a temperature sensor 28 is provided in the liquid phase portion of the decompression tank 6 to detect the water temperature in the decompression tank 6. Alternatively or additionally, a pressure sensor may be provided in the gas phase portion of the decompression tank 6 to detect the pressure in the decompression tank 6.

  A steam supply valve 14 for the steam engine 4, a motor 29 for the fan 8, a circulation pump 26 for the take-out path 24, a temperature sensor 28 for the decompression tank 6, and the like are connected to the controller 30. The controller 30 controls the steam supply valve 14 based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 28 to cool and maintain the water in the decompression tank 6 to a desired temperature. At this time, a pressure sensor may be used instead of the temperature sensor 28, and the steam supply valve 14 may be controlled based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor. In any case, cold water having a desired temperature can be obtained by adjusting the saturation temperature (saturation pressure) in the decompression tank 6. Moreover, cold water temperature can be changed by changing the saturation temperature. Then, the controller 30 circulates and supplies the water in the decompression tank 6 to the external heat exchanger 7 by operating the circulation pump 26. At this time, by operating the fan 8, the room can be effectively cooled.

  However, when the air conditioner 2 is started, the controller 30 monitors the water temperature in the decompression tank 6 with the temperature sensor 28, and the water temperature in the decompression tank 6 becomes a predetermined temperature or lower (typically, the desired temperature). Until then, the rotation of the fan 8 should be stopped. This prevents hot air from blowing out from the indoor unit when the air conditioner 2 is started. During this time, if the circulation pump 26 is operated, the water in the take-out path 24 and the return path 25 can be cooled. Furthermore, the water in the decompression tank 6 can be agitated by the circulation of the water by the operation of the circulation pump 26 to reduce the temperature unevenness.

  During the operation of the air conditioner 2, the controller 30 monitors the water temperature in the decompression tank 6, the liquid temperature in the return path 25, or the room temperature of the room in which the indoor unit is installed. Steam supply to the engine 4 may be controlled. For example, when the water temperature in the decompression tank 6 is maintained in the set temperature range, when the upper limit temperature is reached, the steam supply valve 14 is opened and the steam engine 4 is operated, and when the lower limit temperature is reached, the steam supply valve 14 is closed. Then, the steam engine 4 may be stopped. Alternatively, the water temperature in the decompression tank 6 may be maintained within a set temperature range by controlling the opening of the steam supply valve 14 based on the water temperature in the decompression tank 6. The same control can be performed not based on the water temperature in the decompression tank 6 but also on the basis of the liquid temperature in the return path 25 and the room temperature where the indoor unit is installed. The liquid temperature in the return path 25 is detected by a temperature sensor (not shown) provided in the return path 25, and the room temperature is detected by a temperature sensor (not shown) installed indoors.

  Furthermore, during the operation of the air conditioner 2, the controller 30 monitors the water temperature in the decompression tank 6, the liquid temperature in the return path 25, or the room temperature of the room where the indoor unit is installed, and the take-out is performed based on the monitored temperature. The operation of the circulation pump 26 provided in the passage 24 and / or the fan 8 may be controlled. For example, when the water temperature in the decompression tank 6 exceeds a predetermined temperature, the circulation pump 26 and / or the fan 8 is stopped to prevent hot air from blowing into the room. Further, by controlling the operation of the circulation pump 26 and / or the fan 8 based on the liquid temperature or room temperature, it is possible to maintain the room at a desired temperature.

  Thus, according to the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment and the air conditioner 2 using the same, the saturation temperature or the saturation pressure in the decompression tank 6 is adjusted to produce cold water at a desired temperature, and the indoor cooling is performed. Can be planned. By the way, the said air conditioner 2 may be comprised so that heating is possible by letting a steam or warm water pass through the said external heat exchanger 7 in preparation for winter. Specifically, the steam from the steam boiler 3 or warm water heated thereby may be passed through the external heat exchanger 7.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing Example 2 of the refrigerator of the present invention and an air conditioner using the refrigerator. The refrigerator and air conditioner of Example 2 have basically the same configuration as the refrigerator and air conditioner of Example 1. Therefore, in the following description, differences between the two will be mainly described, and corresponding portions will be described with the same reference numerals.

  In the first embodiment, the decompression tank 6 and the external heat exchanger 7 are connected via the extraction path 24 and the return path 25, and the water in the decompression tank 6 is circulated and supplied to the external heat exchanger 7. In the second embodiment, an internal heat exchanger 31 is provided in the decompression tank 6, and the internal heat exchanger 31 and the external heat exchanger 7 are connected via the extraction path 24 and the return path 25, and the internal heat In this configuration, the liquid to be cooled is circulated by the circulation pump 26 between the exchanger 31 and the external heat exchanger 7. In the illustrated example, the internal heat exchanger 31 is provided in the liquid phase part of the decompression tank 6, but may be provided in the gas phase part. Other configurations and controls are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  According to the structure of each said Example, since water is made into a refrigerant | coolant, the refrigerator 1 and the air conditioner 2 which are kind to an environment are realizable. Further, the pressure or temperature is adjusted in the decompression tank 6 so that the degree of vacuum is such that the desired cold water temperature becomes the saturation temperature. And this adjustment is made simply by adjusting the steam supply to the steam engine 4.

  Since it is such a structure, it can also aim at cooling with the surplus steam using the existing steam boiler 3. FIG. Further, since the compressor 5 is driven by steam, the consumption of electricity and fuel can be reduced and the amount of carbon dioxide emission can be reduced as compared with the conventional compression refrigerator and absorption refrigerator. .

  Furthermore, by depressurizing the inside of the decompression tank 6 using the compressor 5, high-temperature steam is generated, but heat is exchanged with the feed water of the steam boiler 3, and the condensed water is used as it is as the feed water of the steam boiler 3. Can do. Thereby, the thermal efficiency of the whole system can be improved.

  The refrigerating machine of the present invention and the air conditioner using the same are not limited to the configurations of the respective embodiments, and can be changed as appropriate. In particular, the steam engine 4 and the compressor 5 have suitable configurations depending on the desired degree of vacuum. Further, the control method as the air conditioner 2 is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate. Further, in each of the above embodiments, the circulation pump 26 and the fan 8 are on / off controlled, but may be inverter controlled depending on circumstances. Furthermore, in each said Example, although the example which used the refrigerator 1 as the air conditioner 2 was shown, the use of the refrigerator 1 is not restricted to this. For example, food cooling or the like may be achieved using cold water produced by the refrigerator 1.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator 2 Air conditioner 3 Steam boiler 4 Steam engine 5 Compressor 6 Depressurization tank 7 External heat exchanger 8 Fan 9 Water supply tank 14 Steam supply valve 24 Extraction path 25 Return path 26 Circulation pump 28 Temperature sensor 29 Motor 30 Controller 31 Internal heat exchanger

Claims (6)

A steam engine that generates power using steam;
A vacuum tank formed from a hollow container and storing water;
A steam compressor that is driven by the steam engine, sucks and discharges the gas in the decompression tank, and decompresses the interior of the decompression tank;
A controller for controlling the steam supply to the steam engine based on the pressure or temperature in the decompression tank,
The water vapor discharged from the water vapor compressor is heat-exchanged with water supplied to a boiler for supplying steam to the steam engine, and the condensed water is supplied to a water supply tank to the boiler. . An external heat exchanger is provided outside the decompression tank,
The decompression tank and the external heat exchanger are connected via an extraction path and a return path,
The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein water in the decompression tank can be circulated between the decompression tank and the external heat exchanger. While an internal heat exchanger is provided in the decompression tank, an external heat exchanger is provided outside the decompression tank,
The internal heat exchanger and the external heat exchanger are connected via an extraction path and a return path,
The refrigerating machine according to claim 1, wherein a liquid to be cooled can be circulated between the internal heat exchanger and the external heat exchanger. The refrigerator according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the refrigerator is used in an air conditioner, and the indoor unit includes the external heat exchanger and a fan. The rotation of the fan is stopped when the air conditioner is started until the water temperature in the decompression tank becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature due to decompression in the decompression tank by the water vapor compressor. The refrigerator as described. During the operation of the air conditioner, the water temperature in the decompression tank, the liquid temperature in the return path, or the room temperature of the room where the indoor unit is installed, is monitored.
The refrigerator according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the operation of a pump and / or the fan provided in the take-out path is controlled based on the monitored temperature.

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