JP7371967B2 - hot water system - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a hot water supply system that uses a hot water storage tank that stores hot water and a so-called hybrid water heater that includes a plurality of heat exchange units using different heating sources.

Shared use facilities such as hotels require a hot water supply system that can handle small to large capacity hot water consumption. This hot water supply system requires a circulation circuit that can accommodate multiple heat source devices and quickly respond to hot water consumption.
Regarding such a hot water supply system, it is known that a plurality of water heaters are connected in parallel through a circulation path that supplies hot water to a destination, and each water heater is controlled by a common control unit (for example, Patent Document 1).
In addition, it is known that a hot water supply system is equipped with a hot water storage tank that stores hot water, and that the water in the lower layer of this hot water storage tank is heated by a heat pump and returned to the upper layer of the hot water storage tank, and the insufficient amount of heat in the hot water storage tank is used for back-up heating with a water heater. (For example, Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-329576 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-133225

By the way, in the conventional hot water supply system (for example, Patent Document 1), the hot water supply capacity of multiple water heaters is added, so although it is possible to control the hot water supply to consume a large amount of hot water, the hot water supply capacity is different from each hot water supply. There is a problem in that it is proportional to the water heater and depends on the hot water supply function of each water heater.
The inventor of the technology of the present disclosure has obtained the knowledge that if a hot water supply system is equipped with a hot water storage tank (for example, Patent Document 2), the hot water supply function can be improved by utilizing the heat storage function of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank. Ta. However, even if a single water heater is equipped with a hot water storage tank, there is a problem in that it is insufficient to accommodate the small to large capacity hot water consumption in shared facilities such as hotels.
Therefore, the technology of the present disclosure is based on the above-mentioned problems and the above-mentioned knowledge to realize a multi-hot water supply system that can accommodate hot water consumption that fluctuates from a small capacity to a large capacity.

Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2 does not disclose or suggest such a request or problem, nor does it disclose or suggest a structure to solve it.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the hot water supply system of the present invention, the hot water supply system includes a first heat exchange section that exchanges heat of a heating medium with hot water stored in a hot water storage tank, and a hybrid water heater including a second heat exchange section that heats hot water; a hot water supply channel that connects a plurality of the hybrid water heaters in parallel to supply the hot water to a hot water demand point; and the first heat exchange section. or a control unit that controls the operation of one or both of the second heat exchange units; and a multi-control unit that controls the first heat exchange unit or the second heat exchange unit through the control unit. The multi-control means acquires status information from all of the hybrid water heaters, generates a management information file that includes at least the driving status of the hybrid water heater and the heat storage status in the hot water storage tank, and The hybrid water heater to be started or stopped is selected by combining the heat storage status and operation time information of all the hybrid water heaters read from the file, and further calculated using the information on the number of units in operation and the switching flow rate information. If the current water flow rate is higher than the current water flow rate, the water flow rate calculated based on the assumption that a predetermined number of hybrid water heaters have been reduced from the operating hybrid water heaters, or the water flow rate calculated using predetermined ratio information and the current water flow rate. The heat storage state of the operating hybrid water heater is determined along with the comparison result, and the hybrid water heater with no heat storage is selected preferentially, and the hybrid water heater to be stopped is determined and stopped. Determine the number of units .

In this hot water supply system, the first heat exchange section may be a heat pump unit that heats the hot water with a heat medium, and the second heat exchange section may be a water heater that heats the hot water with combustion heat. .
In this hot water supply system, the multi-control means may increase or decrease the number of operating or inactive hybrid water heaters depending on the flow rate of the hot water flowing through the hot water supply flow path.
In this hot water supply system, in the hybrid water heater, the operating conditions of the second heat exchange section may be different from the operating conditions of the first heat exchange section.
In this hot water supply system, the multi-control means may increase or decrease the number of operating or inactive hybrid water heaters depending on the temperature of hot water in the hot water storage tank.
In this hot water supply system, the multi-control means may increase or decrease the number of operating or inactive hybrid water heaters depending on the operating time of the first heat exchange section.

According to the hot water supply system of the present disclosure, any of the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Each hybrid water heater has a multi-configuration including a first and second heat exchanger, so it is possible to supply a large amount of hot water and to save energy.
(2) The number of hybrid water heaters installed can be adjusted to match the amount of hot water consumption, making them highly versatile in terms of hot water consumption.
(3) Since each hybrid water heater stores hot water in advance in a hot water storage tank, it has good responsiveness to hot water consumption, and can supply hot water at a desired temperature by mixing hot water in the hot water storage tank with incoming water.
(4) The number of hybrid hot water heaters that are activated or paused is increased or decreased in response to increases or decreases in hot water consumption, so it is possible to reduce excessive operation of the devices or the load on some devices; Since this is done based on the heat storage state and the operating time of the device, it is possible to prevent imbalances in the operating time of the heat pump of the hybrid water heater.
(5) When heat storage is insufficient, operation can be performed by supplementing heat storage with the second heat exchange section, which prevents interruptions in hot water supply and fluctuations in hot water temperature, making it possible to achieve stable hot water supply.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a hot water supply system according to a first embodiment. It is a figure showing a hybrid hot water supply device. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a control section of the hybrid water heater. It is a diagram showing a multi-control unit of the hot water supply system. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a multi-management information file. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining communication control by a multi-control unit. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a multi-control processing procedure. It is a flowchart showing the operation status of the hybrid water heater by the multi-control unit. It is a flow chart showing control of a hybrid hot water supply device. It is a flow chart which shows control of a heat pump unit. It is a flowchart which shows heat storage control of a hybrid water heater.

[First embodiment]
FIG. 1 shows a hot water supply system according to a first embodiment. The configuration shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration.
The hot water supply system 2 is provided with a common pump unit 6 and a multi-control unit 8 together with hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, . . . , 4-N as a plurality of hybrid water heaters. Each of the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, . The hot water supply demand point 12 is equipped with a faucet for supplying hot water.

Each hybrid water heater 4-1, 4-2, . . . , 4-N is individually equipped with a hot water storage unit 14, a heat pump unit 16, and a backup water heater 18. The hot water storage unit 14 stores hot water HW to be supplied to hot water demand points 12 via the circulation path 10. Hereinafter, the heat pump will be referred to as "HP". The HP unit 16 is an example of a first heat exchange section, and exchanges the heat of the heating medium with the hot water HW stored in the hot water storage unit 14. The backup water heater 18 is an example of a second heat exchange unit, and performs backup heating of the hot water HW stored in the hot water storage unit 14.

<Pump unit 6>
The pump unit 6 is installed on the downstream side of the circulation path 10, that is, on the side where hot water HW is drawn from the hot water demand point 12. This pump unit 6 is equipped with a temperature sensor 20, an expansion tank 22, a circulation pump 24, a check valve 26, and a steam separator 28. The temperature sensor 20 detects the temperature of the hot water HW circulating from the hot water demand point 12 to the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, . . . , 4-N, and this detected temperature is provided to the multi-control unit 8. Ru.
The expansion tank 22 absorbs the expansion of the hot water HW circulating in the circulation path 10. The circulation pump 24 circulates hot water HW through the circulation path 10.
The check valve 26 is a means for regulating the circulation direction of the hot water HW circulating in the circulation path 10, and in this example, if the circulation pump 24 is driven, the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, . . . , 4-N, hot water HW is circulated through the hot water supply demand point 12 to the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, . . . , 4-N.
The steam separator 28 separates air bubbles mixed in the hot water HW circulating in the circulation path 10 from the hot water HW, and releases the bubbles to the outside air.

<Supply of clean water>
Clean water W such as tap water is supplied to the circulation path 10 via a check valve 30. The check valve 30 is a means for preventing the hot water HW flowing into the circulation path 10 from flowing back into the water supply pipe line 32.

<Multi control unit 8>
The multi-control unit 8 is an example of multi-control means. This multi-control unit 8 includes a multi-control section 34, and controls the hot water supply of each of the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, ..., 4-N, and the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, . . . , 4-N, any or all of them are controlled to be in a driving state or a rest state. Temperature information detected by the temperature sensor 20 of the pump unit 6 is input to the multi-control unit 34, and a control output of the multi-control unit 34 is input to the circulation pump 24. The multi-control unit 34 includes the hot water storage unit control unit 36 (FIG. 3), the HP control unit 38 (FIG. 3), and the backup water heater control unit 40 of the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, ..., 4-N. (Fig. 3), and controls the driving of the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, . . . , 4-N. This drive control includes control such as putting any or all of the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, . included.

<Hybrid water heater 4-1, 4-2,..., 4-N>
For example, a hybrid water heater 4 shown in FIG. 2 is installed in each of the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, . . . , 4-N.
Hot water HW is stored in the hot water storage unit 14 , hot water is supplied from the hot water supply path 42 to the circulation path 10 , and tap water W or hot water HW from the circulation path 10 is received in the water supply path 44 .
The hot water HW in the hot water storage unit 14 is circulated to the HP unit 16 for heating, and then circulated to the backup water heater 18 for heating. In other words, the hot water HW in the hot water storage unit 14 is compensated for the insufficient amount of heat by the backup water heater 18.

<Supply of clean water W or hot water HW or hot water supply>
The hot water storage unit 14 is equipped with a hot water storage tank 48, and the lowest part of the hot water storage tank 48 is supplied with clean water W or hot water HW through a water supply channel 44. A plurality of temperature sensors 50-1, 50-2, 50-3, 50-4, and 50-5 are arranged in the hot water storage tank 48 from the upper layer side to the lower layer side, and detect the hot water temperature from the upper layer side to the lower layer side. be done. A temperature sensor 50-6, a water flow sensor 52, a pressure reducing valve 54, a check valve 56, a mixing regulation valve 58, and a check valve 60 are installed in the water supply channel 44. Temperature sensor 50-6 detects the temperature of the water supply. The water amount sensor 52 detects the amount of water supplied to the hot water storage unit 14. The pressure reducing valve 54 reduces the pressure on the water supply channel 44 side. The check valve 56 prevents backflow of the clean water W.

The mixing regulating valve 58 includes a mixing valve 58-1 on the water supply channel 44 side and a regulating valve 58-2 on the hot water supply channel 42 side. The mixing valve 58-1 adjusts the distribution amount of the clean water W or hot water HW from the water supply channel 44 side to the bypass channel 62 side and the hot water storage tank 48 side, and adjusts the mixing amount to the hot water supply channel 42 side.
The check valve 60 prevents hot water HW from flowing back from the hot water tank 48 side to the water supply channel 44 .
A reduced pressure relief valve 64 and temperature sensors 50-7 and 50-8 are installed in the hot water supply path 42.
This temperature sensor 50-7 detects the temperature of hot water discharged from the hot water storage tank 48. Temperature sensor 50-8 detects the temperature of hot water flowing through mixing regulating valve 58. Furthermore, a temperature sensor 50-9 is installed inside the hot water storage unit 14 to detect the outside temperature.

<Hot water HW HP hot water supply>
HP hot water supply is performed by circulating hot water HW from the hot water storage unit 14 to the HP unit 16 through the hot water circulation path 66. In the hot water circulation path 66, hot water HW is circulated from the lower part of the hot water storage unit 14 to the heat exchanger 68, and the heat of the heating medium is exchanged with the hot water HW. In the hot water circulation path 66, a circulation pump 70, temperature sensors 50-10, 50-11, and a switching valve 72 are installed on the hot water storage unit 14 side, and temperature sensors 50-12, 50-13 are installed on the HP unit 16 side. The circulation pump 70 takes out hot water HW from the hot water storage tank 48 and circulates it through the hot water circulation path 66. Temperature sensor 50-10 detects the temperature of hot water HW taken out from hot water storage tank 48. Temperature sensor 50-11 detects the temperature of hot water HW heated by HP unit 16. The switching valve 72 selectively switches the hot water HW heated by the HP unit 16 to flow through the bypass path 74, to circulate it again to the hot water circulation path 66, or to return it to the hot water storage tank 48.
Temperature sensor 50-12 detects the hot water temperature on the inlet side of heat exchanger 68, and temperature sensor 50-13 detects the hot water temperature on the outlet side of heat exchanger 68.

The heat exchanger 68 exchanges the temperature of the heat medium flowing in the heat medium circulation path 76 with the hot water HW. A compressor 78, a heat exchanger 80, an air heat exchanger 82, an expansion valve 84, and temperature sensors 50-14, 50-15, and 50-16 are installed in this heat medium circulation path 76. The compressor 78 pressurizes the heat medium and circulates it through the heat medium circulation path 76 . The heat exchanger 80 performs heat exchange between the heat medium before passing through the air heat exchanger 82 and the heat medium after passing through. The air heat exchanger 82 exchanges heat between the heat medium and air. The air heat exchanger 82 is equipped with a fan 86 to promote heat dissipation of the heat medium in the air heat exchanger 82. The expansion valve 84 absorbs the expansion of the heat medium circulating through the heat medium circulation path 76 . Temperature sensor 50-14 detects outside temperature. The temperature sensor 50-15 detects the temperature of the heat medium on the outlet side of the air heat exchanger 82. Temperature sensor 50-16 detects the temperature of the heating medium on the outlet side of compressor 78.

<Backup hot water supply for hot water HW>
The hot water HW in the hot water storage tank 48 is circulated to the backup water heater 18 through the backup circulation path 88, and the lack of heat in the upper layer of the hot water HW is supplemented by backup hot water supply.
The backup water heater 18 is equipped with heat exchangers 90 and 92 that exchange heat from the combustion source with the hot water HW flowing in the backup circulation path 88. A burner 94 is provided as a combustion source, and burns fuel gas G, for example. The heat exchanger 90 is, for example, a secondary heat exchanger, and mainly exchanges latent heat of the combustion exhaust gas with hot water HW. The heat exchanger 92 is, for example, a primary heat exchanger, and exchanges mainly sensible heat of the combustion exhaust gas with the hot water HW after heat exchange by the heat exchanger 90.

The backup circulation path 88 is equipped with temperature sensors 50-17, 50-18, 50-19, 50-20, a flow rate sensor 96, a mixing regulation valve 98, a circulation pump 99, and a switching valve 101. The temperature sensor 50-17 detects the inlet temperature of the hot water HW circulating to the backup water heater 18. The temperature sensor 50-18 detects the outlet temperature of the hot water HW heated by the backup water heater 18. Temperature sensor 50-19 detects the temperature of hot water HW coming out of heat exchanger 92. The temperature sensor 50-20 detects the temperature of the hot water HW entering the hot water storage unit 14. The flow rate sensor 96 detects the flow rate of hot water HW entering the backup water heater 18.
The mixing regulating valve 98 includes a mixing valve 98-1 on the inlet side of the heat exchanger 90 and a regulating valve 98-2 on the outlet side of the heat exchanger 92. The regulating valve 98-2 regulates the hot water HW flowing from the backup water heater 18 to the backup circulation path 88. The mixing valve 98-1 adjusts the mixing amount of the hot water HW before heat exchange and the hot water HW after heat exchange via the bypass path 100 .

The circulation pump 99 circulates the hot water HW in the middle portion of the hot water storage tank 48 to the backup circulation path 88 . The switching valve 101 switches whether to flow the hot water HW heated by the backup water heater 18 to the bypass path 103, to circulate it again to the backup circulation path 88, or to return it to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 48.

<Hot water storage unit control section 36>
FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the hot water storage unit control section 36 and the relationship among the hot water storage unit control section 36, the HP control section 38, the backup water heater control section 40, and the multi-control section 34.
A computer with a communication function is used for the hot water storage unit control section 36, and includes a processor 102, a memory 104, a multi-communication section 106, a hybrid communication section 108, and an input/output section (I/O) 110. The processor 102 executes a program stored in the memory 104 and performs information processing such as hot water storage control of the hot water storage unit 14. The memory 104 is a storage means for storing programs and the like, and includes storage elements such as ROM (Read-Only Memory), RAM (Random-Access Memory), and EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory). The multi-communication unit 106 communicates with the multi-control unit 34 under the control of the processor 102, and exchanges information necessary for multi-control and the like. The hybrid communication unit 108 exchanges information with the HP control unit 38 and the backup water heater control unit 40 under the control of the processor 102.
Under the control of the processor 102, the I/O 110 takes in the temperatures detected by the temperature sensors 50-1, 50-2, etc. and the water amount detected by the water amount sensor 52, and outputs control signals to the circulation pumps 70, 99, etc.

<Multi control unit 34>
FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the multi-control unit 34 and the relationship between the multi-control unit 34, the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, . . . , 4-N, and the remote control device 112. In FIG. 4, the same parts as in FIG. 3 are given the same reference numerals.
A computer with a communication function is used for the multi-control unit 34, and includes a processor 114, a memory 116, a remote control communication unit 118, a water heater communication unit 120, and an I/O 122. The processor 114 executes a multi-control program stored in the memory 116 and performs multi-control such as selection control of the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, . . . , 4-N. The memory 116 stores programs and data such as a multi-control program, and is composed of storage elements such as ROM, RAM, and EEPROM. The remote control communication unit 118 communicates with the remote control device 112. The memory 116 includes a multi-management information file 144 (FIG. 5) that stores control information for the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, . . . , 4-N, the HP unit 16, etc., and a multi-communication information file 145-1. (A in FIG. 6) and 145-2 (B in FIG. 6) are stored.

The water heater communication unit 120 communicates with the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, . . . , 4-N, and sends and receives information necessary for multi-control. In addition to the temperature sensor 20 and the circulation pump 24, an input section 124 and a display section 126 are connected to the I/O 122. The input unit 124 receives control information necessary for multi-control using an interface device such as a keyboard. Control contents are displayed on the display unit 126 by a display means such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The temperature detected by the temperature sensor 20 is taken into the I/O 122 under the control of the processor 114. A drive signal is output from the I/O 122 to the circulation pump 24 in order to meet the demand for hot water supply to the hot water demand point 12 .

The remote control device 112 is an operating device attached to the multi-control unit 8 (FIG. 1). This remote control device 112 is equipped with a remote control control section 128. The remote controller control unit 128 is composed of a computer with a communication function, and includes a processor 130, a memory 132, a communication unit 134, and an I/O 136. The processor 130 performs control according to the operation input of a switch 138 connected to the I/O 136, and performs information processing such as multi-control control output and information capture. The memory 132 stores programs such as remote control control programs and data, and is composed of storage elements such as ROM, RAM, and EEPROM. The communication unit 134 communicates with the remote control communication unit 118 of the multi-control unit 34. A switch 138, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) 140, and a liquid crystal display section 142 are connected to the I/O 136. The switch 138 includes a power switch, a control selection switch, and the like. The LED 140 is an indicator that lights up during driving. The liquid crystal display section 142 is an example of information presentation means, and is used to display images of input information and control information.

<Multi management information file 144>
As shown in FIG. 5, the multi-management information file 144 includes a number section 146, a connection status section 148 of the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, . . . , 4-N, a drive status section 150, and a water flow section. 152, a heat storage status section 154, and an operating time section 156.
The number section 146 stores serial numbers 1, 2, . . . , n, which are identification information of management information. The connection status section 148 stores identification information of the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, . . . , 4-N connected to the circulation path 10. For example, if the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, 4-3, and 4-4 are connected to the circulation path 10, the identification information that specifies them is "4-1, 4-2, 4-4. 3, 4-4" is stored. Note that if it is not connected, "0" is stored.
The drive status section 150 stores the drive status (0: rest, 1: drive) of the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, . . . , 4-N. The water flow rate unit 152 stores the water flow rate (detected value of the water flow sensor 52, liter/min) of each hybrid water heater 4-1, 4-2, . . . , 4-N.
The heat storage status section 154 stores the heat storage status of the hot water storage tank 48 (0: no heat storage (absent) , 1: heat storage (present) ). The operating time section 156 stores the operating time (integrated value H) of the HP unit 16.

<Multi communication information file 145-1>
The multi-communication information file 145-1 stores communication contents directed from the multi-control unit 34 to the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, . . . , 4-N. As a result, the multi-control unit 34 notifies the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, . . . , 4-N of a drive instruction or a stop instruction.
As shown in FIG. 6A, this multi-communication information file 145-1 includes a hybrid water heater section 158 and a driving status section 160. Identification information of the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, . . . , 4-N is stored in the hybrid water heater section 158.
The driving status section 160 stores information representing the driving status of the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, . . . , 4-N. In other words, this driving status is information representing a driving instruction from the multi-control unit 34 to the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, . . . , 4-N.

<Multi communication information file 145-2>
The multi-communication information file 145-2 stores communication contents directed to the multi-control unit 34 from the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, . . . , 4-N. As a result, the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, . . . , 4-N notify the multi-control unit 34 of information regarding their own devices.
As shown in FIG. 6B, this multi-communication information file 145-2 includes a hybrid water heater section 162, a drive status section 164, a water flow section 166, a heat storage status section 168, and an HP operating time section 170.
Identification information of the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, . . . , 4-N is stored in the hybrid water heater section 162.

The driving status section 164 stores information representing the driving status of the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, . . . , 4-N. In other words, unlike the multi-communication information file 145-1, this driving status represents the driving status of the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, ..., 4-N directed to the multi-control unit 34. It is information.
The water flow amount section 166 stores the water flow amount in the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, . . . , 4-N. This amount of water flow is the detected value of the water amount sensor 52 of the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, . . . , 4-N.

Information representing the heat storage status of the hot water storage tank 48 is stored in the heat storage status section 168. For example, this is the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 50-3 in the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, . 1) If the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 50-2 is less than a predetermined temperature, for example, 63° C., the state is switched to no heat storage (:0). That is, whether there is heat storage is determined based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 50-3, and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 50-2 is used to determine whether there is heat storage. In this way, the presence of heat storage is determined based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 50-3 on the lower layer side of the hot water storage tank 48, and the presence or absence of heat storage is determined based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 50-2 on the upper layer side of the hot water storage tank 48. This prevents hunting in driving/pausing the hybrid water heater 4 due to the determination result.
Information representing the operating time of the HP unit 16 is stored in the HP operating time section 170. This operating time is integrated by heat storage control (FIG. 10) by the HP unit 16.
Note that the contents of these multi-communication information files 145-2 are reflected in the multi-management information file 144 for use.

<Control by multi-control unit 34>
FIG. 7 shows a control processing procedure by the multi-control unit 34. In this processing procedure, S indicates a step, and the number attached to S indicates its order.
The multi-control unit 34 performs multi-control by transmitting and receiving data to and from the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, . . . , 4-N (S101). , 4-N, the situation is judged (FIG. 8) (S102).
As a result of this situation judgment, the multi-control unit 34 judges whether it is necessary to increase the number of hybrid hot water heaters 4-1, 4-2, .

If it is necessary to increase the number of units driven (YES in S103), it is determined whether any of the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, . . . , 4-N is inactive and has heat storage. (S104).
If there is a device with heat storage among the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, ..., 4-N that is out of service (YES in S104), among the devices with heat storage, the HP unit 16 is The hybrid water heater with the shortest operating time is selected, the hybrid water heater is put into a driving state (S105), and the process returns to S101.
If the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, ..., 4-N are inactive and there is no device with heat storage (NO in S104), select the device that is inactive and has the shortest operating time of the HP unit 16. Then, the hybrid water heater is put into a driving state (S106), and the process returns to S101.

In S103, if there is no need to increase the number of driven units (NO in S103), it is determined whether there is a need to decrease the number of driven units (S107).
If it is necessary to reduce the number of driven units (YES in S107), it is determined whether there is any hybrid water heater that is being driven that does not store heat (S108).
If there is a device without heat storage among the hybrid water heaters that are being driven (S108: YES), the device that does not have heat storage among the hybrid hot water heaters that are being driven is put into a dormant state (S109), and the process returns to S101.
If there is no device in operation that does not store heat (NO in S108), the device having the longest operating time of the HP unit 16 from the hybrid water heater in operation is put into a hibernation state (S110), and the process returns to S101.

In S107, if there is no need to reduce the number of units being driven (NO in S107), it is determined whether or not heat storage has occurred in the hybrid water heater being driven (S111).
If no heat storage occurs in the hybrid water heater that is being driven (S111: YES), it is determined whether there is a device that is inactive and has heat storage (S112).
If there is a device that is inactive and has heat storage (YES in S112), the device that is inactive and has heat storage and whose HP unit 16 has a short operating time is set to the driving state (S113), and the device that is in the operating state starts storing heat. The device without one is put into a hibernation state (S114), and the process returns to S101.
In addition, in S111, if no heat storage occurs in the hybrid water heater that is in operation (NO in S111), the process returns to S101, and similarly, if there is no device with heat storage among the inactive devices ( (NO in S112), the process returns to S101.
In this processing procedure, the number of hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, . . . , 4-N is controlled based on the driving status of the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, . . . , 4-N may be used as a reference to control the number of idle machines.

<Judging the status of the hot water supply system>
FIG. 8 shows a processing procedure for determining the status of the hot water supply system 2. In this processing procedure, the total amount of water flowing through the circulation path 10 (Tw) is calculated from the amount of water flowing through each of the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, . . . , 4-N (S201). To calculate this total amount of water flow, the amount of water stored in the multi-management information file 144 (FIG. 5) and the multi-communication information file 145-2 (B in FIG. 6) may be used.
Here, the increased switching flow rate per hybrid water heater is assumed to be Hw. This switching flow rate Hw is approximately 80% of the maximum value. The same processing is performed when the switching flow rate Hw decreases.
Regarding the total water flow rate Tw, it is determined whether the total water flow rate Tw>(number of driven units×HW) (S202).
If the total water flow amount Tw>(number of driven units×HW) (YES in S202), it is determined that the number of driven units needs to be increased (S203), and the process returns to S103 (FIG. 7) (S204).

If the total water flow amount Tw>(number of driven units×HW) is not satisfied (NO in S202), it is determined whether the number of driven units=1 (S205). If the number of driven units is 1 (YES in S205), it is determined that the number of driven units is not changed (S206), and the process returns to S103 (FIG. 7) (S204).
In S205, if the number of driven units is not 1 (NO in S205), it is determined whether the number of driven units is 2 (S207).
If the number of driven units is not 2 (NO in S207), the increase condition is compared with the case where there are two fewer units, that is, it is determined whether Tw≦{(number of driven units−2)×Hw} (S208). If Tw≦{(number of driven units - 2)×Hw} (YES in S208), it is determined that the number of driven units needs to be reduced (S209), and the process returns to S103 (FIG. 7) (S204).
If the number of driven units is 2 (YES in S207), it is determined whether Tw≦(Hw×0.6) (S210). If Tw≦(Hw×0.6) (YES in S210), S208 is skipped, it is determined that it is necessary to reduce the number of driven units (S209), and the process returns to S103 (FIG. 7) (S204). If Tw≦(Hw×0.6) (NO in S210), it is determined that the number of drives is not changed (S206), and the process returns to S103 (FIG. 7) (S204).

<Control in hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, ..., 4-N>
FIG. 9 shows a control processing procedure in the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, . . . , 4-N.
Each hybrid water heater 4-1, 4-2, . . . , 4-N transmits and receives information to and from the multi-control unit 34 to exchange information (S301).
As a result of this information exchange, it is determined whether there is a suspension instruction from the multi-control unit 34 (S302). If there is a stop instruction (YES in S302) , the regulation valve 58-2 is closed (S303). If there is no pause instruction (NO in S302), it is determined whether there is a drive instruction (S304). If there is a drive instruction (YES in S304) , the regulation valve 58-2 is opened (S305), and if there is no drive instruction (NO in S304), S305 is skipped.

In this control state, it is determined whether the water amount sensor 52 is ON (S306). If the water amount sensor 52=ON (YES in S306), the hot water outlet temperature is controlled to the hot water supply set temperature. That is, the opening degree of the mixing valve 58-1 is adjusted so that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 50-8 becomes the set water supply temperature (S307).
Then, heat storage control (FIG. 10) is performed by the HP unit 16 (S308), and heat storage control (FIG. 11) is performed by the backup water heater 18 (S309).

<Heat storage control by HP unit 16>
FIG. 10 shows the processing procedure of HP heat storage control. In this processing procedure, it is determined whether the HP unit 16 is stopped (S401).
If the HP unit 16 is stopped (S401: YES), it is determined whether the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 50-5 is T5<TM (45° C.) (S402). If T5<TM (45° C.) (S402: YES), heat storage in the HP unit 16 is started (S403). That is, the driving of the circulation pump 70 is started and the HP unit 16 is activated.
Accumulation of the operating time of the HP unit 16 is started (S404), and the process returns to S308 (FIG. 9) (S405).

In S401, if the HP unit 16 is not stopped (NO in S401), it is determined whether the detected temperature T10≧TM (45° C.) of the temperature sensor 50-10 is determined (S406). If T10≧TM (45° C.) (S406: YES), heat storage in the HP unit 16 is stopped (S407). That is, the circulation pump 70 is stopped and the HP unit 16 is stopped.
The cumulative operation time of the HP unit 16 is stopped (S408), and the process returns to S308 (FIG. 9) (S405).

In S406, if T10≧TM (45°C) is not found (NO in S406), the rotation speed of the circulation pump 70 is controlled so that the temperature T11 detected by the temperature sensor 50-11 becomes T H (65°C) (S409). ).
The operating time of the HP unit 16 is integrated (S410), and the process returns to S308 (FIG. 9) (S405).

<Heat storage control by backup water heater 18>
FIG. 11 shows a processing procedure for heat storage control by the backup water heater 18.
In this processing procedure, it is determined whether the backup water heater 18 is stopped (S501). If the backup water heater 18 is stopped (S501: YES), it is determined whether the temperature T1 detected by the temperature sensor 50-1 is less than a predetermined temperature, for example, 63°C, that is, whether T1<63°C ( S502).
If T1<63°C, the backup water heater 18 starts storing heat, starts driving the circulation pump 99 (S503), and returns to S309 (FIG. 9) (S504).
When the circulation pump 99 starts driving, the hot water temperature of the backup water heater 18 is controlled to the set temperature. That is, the backup water heater 18 is controlled so that the temperature T18 detected by the temperature sensor 50-18 becomes a predetermined temperature, for example, 65°C.

In S501, if the backup water heater 18 is not stopped (NO in S501), it is determined whether the detected temperature T2 of the temperature sensor 50-2 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, for example, 63°C, that is, whether T2≧63°C. A judgment is made (S505).
If T2≧63° C. (YES in S505), the storage of heat by the backup water heater 18 is stopped, the driving of the circulation pump 99 is stopped (S506), and the process returns to S309 (FIG. 9) (S504).

In S505, if T2 is not 63°C (NO in S505), the backup water heater 18 performs a heat storage operation, and the rotation speed of the circulation pump 99 is set to a rotation speed that allows the backup water heater 18 to supplement the heat storage consumed by hot water supply. control (S507), and returns to S309 (FIG. 9) (S504).

<Effects of the first embodiment>
According to this embodiment, one of the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Each hybrid water heater 4-1, 4-2, ..., 4-N has a multi-configuration including a first and second heat exchanger, so it is possible to supply a large amount of hot water and is energy-saving. It is possible to aim for
(2) Since the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, . . . , 4-N store hot water in advance, they have good responsiveness to consumption.

(3) By mixing the hot water HW in the hot water storage tank 48 and the supplied water W, a desired hot water temperature can be created and hot water can be supplied.
(4) In order to increase or decrease the number of hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, ..., 4-N that are in operation or inactive in response to increases and decreases in hot water consumption, excessive operation of the equipment or It is possible to prevent load imbalance.
(5) When increasing or decreasing the number of hybrid hot water heaters 4-1, 4-2, ..., 4-N, the heat storage state should be a condition for selecting the devices, and the length of the heat pump operating time of the devices should be considered as a condition for selecting the devices. It is possible to make it a selection condition and realize efficient operation.
(6) The operating times of the HP units 16 of the hybrid water heaters 4-1, 4-2, .

[Second embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the HP unit 16 is set in the first heat exchange section, and the backup water heater 18 is set in the second heat exchange section to achieve hybridization. A configuration may also be adopted in which a backup water heater 18 is set in the exchange section and an HP unit 16 is set in the second heat exchange section to create a hybrid system, and the HP unit 16 performs supplementary hot water supply.
As shown in FIG. 2, the backup water heater 18 uses a primary heat exchanger 92 and a secondary heat exchanger 90 to realize a highly efficient water heater. Even if it is set to auxiliary hot water supply, it is possible to achieve high-efficiency and large-volume hot water supply.

[Other embodiments]
(1) In the first embodiment, a high-efficiency water heater is realized using the secondary heat exchanger 90 and the primary heat exchanger 92, but a water heater using only the primary heat exchanger 92 is used as a backup. A water heater 18 may also be configured.
(2) In the first and second embodiments, the HP unit 16 is used as one of the heat exchange parts, but a hot water supply unit using an exhaust heat source such as a fuel cell as a heat source may also be used.
(3) In addition to being installed in a house, the hot water supply system described above may be installed in a means of transportation such as a camper, a ship, or a railway.

As described above, the most preferred embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure has been described. The technology of the present disclosure is not limited to the above description. Various modifications and changes can be made by those skilled in the art based on the gist of the invention described in the claims or disclosed in the detailed description. It goes without saying that such modifications and changes are included within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

The hot water supply system of the present disclosure includes a first heat exchange section that exchanges heat of a heating medium with hot water stored in a hot water storage tank, and a hybrid hot water supply system that includes a second heat exchange section that heats the hot water in the hot water storage tank. It is useful because it allows a system to be constructed that can accommodate hot water consumption in hotels, etc., which includes the device and changes from a small capacity to a large capacity.

2 Hot water supply system 4, 4-1, 4-2,..., 4-N Hybrid water heater 6 Pump unit 8 Multi control unit 10 Circulation path 12 Hot water demand point 14 Hot water storage unit 16 Heat pump unit 18 Backup water heater 20, 50 -1, 50-2, 50-3, 50-4, 50-5, 50-6, 50-7, 50-8, 50-9, 50-10, 50-11, 50-12, 50-13 , 50-14, 50-15, 50-16, 50-17, 50-18, 50-19, 50-20 Temperature sensor 22 Expansion tank 24 Circulation pump 26, 30, 56, 60 Check valve 28 Air-water separation vessel 32 water supply pipe line 34 multi-control unit 36 hot water storage unit control unit 38 heat pump control unit 40 backup water heater control unit 42 hot water supply path 44 water supply channel 48 hot water storage tank 52 water flow sensor 54 pressure reducing valve 58 mixing regulation valve 62, 74, 100 Bypass path 64 Decompression relief valve 66 Hot water circulation path 68 Heat exchanger 70, 99 Circulation pump 72, 101 Switching valve 76 Heat medium circulation path 78 Compressor 80 Heat exchanger 82 Air heat exchanger 84 Expansion valve 86 Fan 88 Backup circulation path 90 , 92 Heat exchanger 94 Burner 96 Flow rate sensor 98 Mixing regulation valve 98-1 Mixing valve 98-2 Regulation valve 102, 114, 130 Processor 104, 116, 132 Memory 106 Multi communication unit 108 Hybrid communication unit 110 Input/output unit (I /O)
112 Remote control device 118 Remote control communication section 120 Water heater communication section 122, 136 I/O
124 input section 126 display section 128 remote control control section 134 communication section 138 switch 140 LED
142 LCD display section 144 Multi management information file 145-1, 145-2 Multi communication information file 146 Number section 148 Connection status section 150, 160, 164 Drive status section 152, 166 Water flow section 154, 168 Heat storage status section 156 Operating time Department 158, 162 Hybrid water heater department 170 HP operating time department

Claims (6)

A hybrid water heater comprising a first heat exchange section that exchanges heat of a heating medium with hot water stored in a hot water storage tank, and a second heat exchange section that heats the hot water in the hot water storage tank;
a hot water supply flow path that connects a plurality of the hybrid water heaters in parallel and supplies the hot water to a hot water demand location;
a control unit that controls operation of either or both of the first heat exchange unit and the second heat exchange unit;
Multi-control means for controlling the first heat exchange section or the second heat exchange section through the control section;
The multi-control means comprises:
acquiring status information from all of the hybrid water heaters and generating a management information file that includes at least the driving status of the hybrid water heater and the heat storage status in the hot water storage tank;
Selecting the hybrid water heater to start or stop driving by combining the heat storage state and operating time information of all the hybrid water heaters read from the management information file,
Furthermore, if the water flow rate calculated using the information on the number of operating units and the switching flow rate information is greater than the current water flow rate, the water flow rate calculated based on the assumption that a predetermined number of the hybrid water heaters in operation has been reduced or The water flow amount calculated using predetermined ratio information is compared with the current water flow amount, the heat storage state of the operating hybrid water heater is determined based on the comparison result, and the hybrid water heater with no heat storage is prioritized. determining the hybrid water heater to be stopped and the number of units to be stopped by selecting
A hot water system characterized by: The first heat exchange section is a heat pump unit that heats the hot water with a heat medium, and the second heat exchange section is a water heater that heats the hot water with combustion heat. 1. The hot water supply system according to 1. 3. The hot water supply system according to claim 1, wherein the multi-control means increases or decreases the number of operating or inactive hybrid water heaters depending on the flow rate of the hot water flowing through the hot water flow path. The hybrid water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the operating conditions of the second heat exchange section are different from the operating conditions of the first heat exchange section. Hot water system as described. The hot water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the multi-control means increases or decreases the number of operating or inactive hybrid water heaters depending on the hot water temperature of the hot water storage tank. 6. The multi-control unit is configured to increase or decrease the number of hybrid water heaters that are in operation or inactive depending on the operating time of the first heat exchanger. Hot water system described in.

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