JP3848149B2

JP3848149B2 - Thermal storage control method and apparatus

Info

Publication number: JP3848149B2
Application number: JP2001381972A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 究鈴木; 健一田之頭; 和也山口; 義孝栢原; 伸岩田; 桂嗣滝本; 忠男菅原; 博司高木; 和博松本; 浩市川; 幹雄後藤; 直輝石井
Original assignee: Saibu Gas Co Ltd; Takagi Industrial Co Ltd; Osaka Gas Co Ltd; Tokyo Gas Co Ltd; Toho Gas Co Ltd
Current assignee: Saibu Gas Co Ltd; Takagi Industrial Co Ltd; Osaka Gas Co Ltd; Tokyo Gas Co Ltd; Toho Gas Co Ltd
Priority date: 2001-12-14
Filing date: 2001-12-14
Publication date: 2006-11-22
Anticipated expiration: 2021-12-14
Also published as: JP2003185256A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、発電機を駆動するエンジン等の駆動源や燃料電池等を熱源に用いた蓄熱制御方法及びその装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、発電機を駆動するエンジンを熱源とし、この熱源の排熱を利用する排熱回収制御装置が知られている。この排熱回収は、駆動源のウォータージャケット部に流す冷却水や排熱回収水を熱媒として利用し、この熱媒に吸収させた熱を利用するものである。この熱媒が吸収した熱で加熱された温水を貯湯タンクに溜めて蓄熱し、又は、その熱で上水等を加熱して給湯に利用している。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
従来の熱源の発停制御及び熱交換制御は、任意の時刻で貯湯タンクの残熱量を検出温度等を参照することにより確認し、デフォルト値や学習制御により決定された熱量が貯湯タンクに充当されるまで蓄熱運転を継続している。
【０００４】
ところで、給湯需要の２分の１程度は浴槽への湯張りに利用されるものであり、熱源の運転時間以外に湯張りが生じた場合には貯湯タンクの熱量消費が生じ、また、残湯が使用された場合には、その分だけ貯湯タンクの熱量消費が節約されることになる。要するに、貯湯タンクの蓄熱量の消費は大きく変動するものであるが、このような情報を参照することなく、熱源の発停制御や蓄熱制御を画一的に行うと、貯湯タンク内の残湯量が増加することになる。残湯量を多くすれば、放熱損失が増大し、経済的でない。
【０００５】
そこで、本発明は、画一的な予想蓄熱量に基づく熱源の発停制御で生じる過剰蓄熱を防止し、蓄熱の高効率化を実現した蓄熱制御方法及びその装置を提供することを課題とする。
【０００６】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明の蓄熱制御方法は、必要とする熱量に応じて熱源（エンジン４）を運転し、前記熱源の熱を温水（１８）に熱交換し、前記温水をタンクに溜めて蓄熱する蓄熱制御方法であって、前記タンクからの浴槽注湯以外の給湯時、給湯温度、給湯量、その給湯に対する前記タンクへの給水の給水温度を検出し、給湯温度Ｔ _H と、給水温度Ｔ _L と、積算給湯量Ｆｎ ₁ とから、給湯熱量Ｑ ₁ ｛＝（Ｔ _H −Ｔ _L ）×Ｆｎ ₁ ｝を求め、前記タンクからの浴槽への注湯時、給湯温度、給湯量、その給湯に対する前記タンクへの給水の給水温度を検出し、前記給湯温度Ｔ _H と、前記給水温度Ｔ _L と、積算注湯量Ｆｎ ₂ とから、注湯熱量Ｑ ₂ ｛＝（Ｔ _H −Ｔ _L ）×Ｆｎ ₂ ｝を求め、前記給湯熱量Ｑ ₁ と前記注湯熱量Ｑ ₂ とから積算熱量Ｑｍ（＝Ｑ ₁ ＋Ｑ ₂ ）を求め、浴槽の残湯量Ｆ _B と、浴槽水の設定温度Ｔｆと、浴槽水の検出温度Ｔ _B とから浴槽熱量Ｑ _B ｛＝（Ｔｆ−Ｔ _B ）×Ｆ _B ｝を求め、前記浴槽熱量Ｑ _B と、必要蓄熱量Ｑｐと、積算熱量Ｑｍとから、不足熱量Ｑｎ｛＝Ｑｐ−Ｑｍ−Ｑ _B ｝を求め、この不足熱量Ｑｎに応じて熱源を運転することを特徴とする。
【０００７】
この発明では、季節による温度差があるにしても、一日を単位とする一定期間の消費熱量は一定量であるとの予測ないし経験値に基づくものであり、蓄熱運転前に熱量消費が生じている場合には、蓄熱運転後にその熱量消費が再度生じるおそれがない。通常、入浴回数はほぼ一定しており、蓄熱運転前に入浴があった場合には、再度の入浴を予測して蓄熱することは不経済である。そこで、季節や時間によって画一的に決定された予想蓄熱量に対し、浴槽や一般給湯で消費された熱量を減算することで、予想蓄熱量を修正し、その予想蓄熱量を充足する時間だけ熱源を運転すればよく、この結果、過剰な蓄熱量を抑制でき、放熱損失のない経済的な運転が可能となる。
【０００８】
本発明の蓄熱制御方法は、必要とする熱量に応じて熱源（エンジン４）を運転し、前記熱源の熱を温水（１８）に熱交換し、前記温水により蓄熱する蓄熱制御方法であって、浴槽の残湯量Ｆ _B を検出し、この残湯量Ｆ _B と、浴槽の設定湯量Ｆｆとから、補水必要量Ｆｑ｛＝Ｆｆ−Ｆ _B ｝を求め、この補水必要量Ｆｑに応じた熱量Ｑｑと、熱源の運転開始時間までの給湯量Ｆｎに応じた熱量Ｑとを求め、これら熱量Ｑｑ、Ｑを必要蓄熱量Ｑｐから減算して得られる必要蓄熱量Ｑｏ（＝Ｑｐ−Ｑｑ−Ｑ）に応じて熱源を運転することを特徴とする。
【０００９】
この場合、浴槽の残湯量を検出すれば、入浴に必要な浴槽の湯量は既知量であるから、補水必要量が明らかになる。即ち、設定水位の湯量から残湯量を減算すれば、補水必要量が求められる。この補水必要量は、蓄熱手段からの注湯で賄われる。また、浴槽への注湯以外に一般給湯に消費される給湯量に対応する熱量が蓄熱手段から消費される。このような消費熱量を予想蓄熱量から減算すれば、予想蓄熱量は消費熱量分だけ減少することになるが、このような消費熱量分を無視して予想蓄熱量だけ蓄熱すれば、その分が無駄となる。そこで、消費熱量を減算した予想蓄熱量に応じて熱源を運転すれば、無駄な蓄熱を回避でき、経済的な蓄熱ができるとともに、熱源の運転効率を高めることができる。
【００１０】
本発明の蓄熱制御装置は、必要とする熱量に応じて熱源（エンジン４）を運転し、前記熱源の熱を温水（１８）に熱交換し、前記温水により蓄熱する蓄熱制御装置であって、前記温水を溜める貯湯手段（貯湯タンク２４）と、この貯湯手段の前記温水と前記熱源が発生した熱との熱交換によって前記温水を加熱する熱交換手段（熱交換器２２）と、前記貯湯手段に供給される給水温度を検出する第１の温度検出手段（温度センサ３２）と、前記貯湯手段から浴槽又は前記浴槽以外に供給される温水の給湯温度を検出する第２の温度検出手段（温度センサ４０）と、前記浴槽の残湯の温度を検出する第３の温度検出手段（温度センサ６２）と、前記貯湯手段から前記浴槽への注湯量を検出する注湯量検出手段（注湯量センサ６４）と、浴槽の残湯量を検出する残湯量検出手段（水位センサ６０）と、前記浴槽以外への前記貯湯手段からの給湯量を検出する給湯量検出手段と（給湯量センサ３８）、前記給湯量検出手段の検出給湯量、前記注湯量検出手段の検出注湯量、前記残湯量検出手段の検出湯量、前記第１の温度検出手段の検出温度、前記第２の温度検出手段の検出温度を取り込み、給湯温度Ｔ _H と、給水温度Ｔ _L と、積算給湯量Ｆｎ ₁ とから、浴槽注湯以外の給湯の給湯熱量Ｑ ₁ ｛＝（Ｔ _H −Ｔ _L ）×Ｆｎ ₁ ｝を求め、前記給湯温度Ｔ _H と、前記給水温度Ｔ _L と、積算注湯量Ｆｎ ₂ とから、浴槽注湯の注湯熱量Ｑ ₂ ｛＝（Ｔ _H −Ｔ _L ）×Ｆｎ ₂ ｝を求め、これら給湯熱量Ｑ ₁ と、注湯熱量Ｑ ₂ とから積算熱量Ｑｍ（＝Ｑ ₁ ＋Ｑ ₂ ）を求め、浴槽の残湯量Ｆ _B と、浴槽水の設定温度Ｔｆと、浴槽水の検出温度Ｔ _B とから浴槽熱量Ｑ _B ｛＝（Ｔｆ−Ｔ _B ）×Ｆ _B ｝を求め、これら浴槽熱量Ｑ _B と、必要蓄熱量Ｑｐと、積算熱量Ｑｍとから、不足熱量Ｑｎ｛＝Ｑｐ−Ｑｍ−Ｑ _B ｝を求め、この不足熱量Ｑｎに応じて前記熱源を運転させる制御手段（制御部６）とを備えたことを特徴とする。
【００１１】
この蓄熱制御装置では、熱源が発生した熱を温水に熱交換し、貯湯手段にその温水を溜めることにより、蓄熱する。熱源は、エンジン等の駆動手段の他、燃料ガス等の燃焼熱、電熱等の各種のものを使用することができる。そして、貯湯手段に給水される給水温度を第１の温度検出手段で検出し、貯湯手段から消費される温水の温度を第２の温度検出手段で検出する。浴槽への注湯量は注湯量検出手段で検出され、浴槽以外の一般給湯の給湯量は給湯量検出手段で検出される。
【００１２】
そこで、温水温度から給水温度を減算し、この値に給湯量を乗算すれば消費された熱量が得られるので、この熱量を予想蓄熱量から減算して予想蓄熱量を修正し、この予想蓄熱量を充足するように熱源を運転すれば、無用な蓄熱を回避することができる。
【００１３】
また、本発明の熱交換制御装置において、前記必要蓄熱量Ｑｐは、前記浴槽に注湯される温水の温度と前記貯湯手段への給水温度との温度差と、前記浴槽への総水量との積から求められた熱量と、前記浴槽以外に給湯される前記温水温度と前記給水温度との温度差と前記浴槽以外への給湯量との積で求められた熱量との加算値であることを特徴とする。
【００１４】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施の形態を図面に示した実施例を参照して説明する。
【００１５】
図１は、本発明の蓄熱制御方法及びその装置の実施例を示している。この実施例では、発電機２を駆動する駆動源としてエンジン４が設置されており、このエンジン４はその運転時、相当な放熱を伴うので、これを熱源として使用している。エンジン４の運転を制御する手段として制御部６が設けられている。この制御部６には、エンジン４の運転を予め設定された運転時間に従って運転させる指令手段として自動ボタン７が設けられている。この自動ボタン７は、図示しないリモコン装置に設置されている。
【００１６】
このエンジン４には水冷ジャケット等の冷却手段が設置されているが、この実施例では、第１の熱交換手段である熱交換器８でエンジン４の冷却手段が構成されている。この熱交換器８には第１の流路として循環路１０が形成され、この循環路１０には第１の流体として熱媒１２を循環させるとともに、この熱媒１２を強制的に循環させるためのポンプ１４が設置されている。このポンプ１４は、その運転を制御する手段でもある制御部６によってその駆動が制御される。ポンプ１４には例えば、回転数の制御が容易なＤＣモータを駆動手段とするＤＣポンプが用いられている。
【００１７】
この循環路１０に対して第２の流路である循環路１６が設けられ、この循環路１６には第２の流体として温水１８を循環させるとともに、その循環を強制的に行うためのポンプ２０が設置されている。このポンプ２０には例えば、回転数の制御が容易なＤＣモータを駆動手段とするＤＣポンプが用いられている。また、循環路１０、１６の間には熱媒１２と温水１８との熱交換を行い、熱媒１２が持つ熱で温水１８を加熱する第２の熱交換手段である熱交換器２２が設けられている。この熱交換器２２は、図示しないが、例えば、循環路１６側にその管径より断面積の大きい筒状部を設け、この筒状部内に温水１８と独立して熱媒１２を流す螺旋管等の放熱管を通して温水１８と熱媒１２との間で熱交換を可能にしたものである。
【００１８】
また、循環路１６には、温水１８とともにその熱を蓄熱する蓄熱手段としての貯湯タンク２４が設置されており、貯湯タンク２４内の温水１８はその下層部からポンプ２０によって熱交換器２２に導かれて加熱され、高温の温水１８を貯湯タンク２４の上層部側に戻すことにより、上層部側が高温、最下層部が最低温となる温度勾配を持つ階層蓄熱が行われる。貯湯タンク２４には同一幅で複数のゾーンが設定され、この実施例ではゾーンＺ１〜Ｚ４が設定され、各ゾーンＺ１〜Ｚ４に対応して温水温度を検出する温度検出手段として複数の温度センサ２６１、２６２、２６３が設置されている。各温度センサ２６１〜２６３の検出温度は、制御情報として制御部６に加えられている。
【００１９】
そして、貯湯タンク２４には、その内部にある温水１８を給湯等に利用するため、その頂上部側には貯湯タンク２４内の温水１８を外部に導く給湯路を構成する第３の流路２８、貯湯タンク２４の底面側には流出させた温水１８を補填するため、外部から上水Ｗを導く第４の流路３０が設けられており、流路３０には給水温度を検出する第１の温度検出手段として温度センサ３２が設けられている。この温度センサ３２の検出温度は制御情報として制御部６に加えられている。
【００２０】
また、流路２８には、貯湯タンク２４から給湯を行う場合のバックアップ加熱手段として熱交換器３４、温水１８を貯湯タンク２４から引き出すポンプ３６、給湯量を検出する給湯量検出手段としての給湯量センサ３８、給湯される温水１８（ＨＷ）の温度を検出する第２の温度検出手段として温度センサ４０が設置されている。熱交換器３４はバーナ４２の燃焼熱で温水１８を加熱し、バーナ４２には燃料ガスＧが制御弁４４を介して供給されている。制御弁４４の開閉等、バーナ４２の燃焼は制御部６によって制御される。給湯量センサ３８の検出流量、温度センサ４０の検出温度は制御情報として制御部６に加えられ、ポンプ３６の運転は制御部６によって制御される。
【００２１】
ところで、流路３０に上水Ｗに十分な圧送力がある場合には、その上水Ｗを貯湯タンク２４に供給することによって貯湯タンク２４から温水１８を流路２８に押し出すように流出させることができるので、このような場合には、実施例で用いたポンプ３６は省略することができる。また、ポンプ３６を設置した場合、このポンプ３６に対してバイパス路を形成するとともに、バイパス路に開閉弁を設け、必要に応じてバイパス路を開閉させ、又はポンプ３６を駆動させれば、上水Ｗの圧力低下を補完することができ、必要な流量を確保することができる。
【００２２】
そして、第５の流路として流体を循環させる往管４６Ａ、戻管４６Ｂからなる循環路４６が設けられ、この循環路４６には浴槽４８の浴槽水５０を循環させるとともに、逆止弁５２を介して流路２８が接続されており、流路２８及び逆止弁５２を通じて温水１８が供給される。逆止弁５２は、上水側の温水１８と浴槽水５０とを絶縁する手段である。
【００２３】
この循環路４６と循環路１０との間には、熱媒１２と浴槽水５０との熱交換を行う第４の熱交換手段として熱交換器５４が設けられ、この熱交換器５４によって浴槽水５０が熱媒１２によって加熱される。この循環路４６には浴槽水５０のバックアップ加熱手段として熱交換器５６、浴槽水５０を循環路４６に循環させるポンプ５８、浴槽４８の水位を検出する水位センサ６０、浴槽水５０の温度を検出する温度センサ６２、流路２８側から浴槽４８側に流れる温水１８の注湯量検出手段として注湯量センサ６４が設置されている。熱交換器５６はバーナ６６の燃焼熱で浴槽水５０を加熱し、バーナ６６には燃料ガスＧが制御弁６８を介して供給されている。制御弁６８の開閉等、バーナ６６の燃焼は制御部６によって制御される。注湯量センサ６４の検出流量、水位センサ６０の検出水位、温度センサ６２の検出温度は制御情報として制御部６に加えられ、ポンプ５８の運転は制御部６によって制御される。
【００２４】
上記構成に基づいて、蓄熱制御方法を説明すると、熱源としてのエンジン４を運転すると、発電機２によって発電されるとともに、エンジン４の運転によって発生した熱が熱交換器８に加えられ、ポンプ１４によって圧送される熱媒１２が吸熱によって加熱される。この加熱処理によって高温化した熱媒１２は熱交換器２２、５４に循環し、ポンプ２０の運転によって循環する温水１８との間で熱交換が行われ、熱媒１２で伝送された熱で温水１８が加熱される。即ち、熱交換器８での熱媒１２の熱吸収処理と、熱媒１２と温水１８との間での熱交換処理が同時に行われ、貯湯タンク２４の底部側のゾーンＺ４から熱交換器２２に導かれて加熱され、高温化した温水１８が貯湯タンク２４のゾーンＺ１側に戻されて貯湯され蓄熱が行われる。
【００２５】
また、貯湯タンク２４に貯湯された温水１８は、ポンプ３６の運転によって流路２８を通じて一般給湯としてシャワー等に供給される。温水１８の温度が低い場合には、バーナ４２を燃焼させることで熱交換器３４の熱交換により温水１８を加熱して高温水ＨＷとして給湯することができる。
【００２６】
また、ポンプ５８を駆動して浴槽水５０を循環路４６を通して熱交換器５４に循環させれば、浴槽水５０と熱媒１２との間で熱交換が行われ、熱媒１２の熱で浴槽水５０の加熱処理が行われる。この場合、バーナ６６を燃焼させることで熱交換器５６の熱交換により浴槽水５０を加熱して浴槽４８に戻すことができる。
【００２７】
ところで、貯湯タンク２４を備えている場合には、図２に示すように、浴槽水５０が不足しているとき、浴槽４８に対し流路２８と循環路４６の戻管４６Ｂとを連通させて貯湯タンク２４の温水１８を浴槽４８に供給することができる。浴槽４８の水位は、給湯前、給湯中又は給湯後、ポンプ５８を循環させて循環路４６中の空気を排出させた後、水位センサ６０で検出することができる。この場合、検出水位は残湯量を表し、不足水量は設定水位に対応する所定湯量から残湯量を減算することで求めることができる。注湯量センサ６４は不足水量分の注湯量を計測しており、この注湯量センサ６４が不足水量を計測したとき、ポンプ３６を停止させて注湯を完了する。このような注湯は、貯湯タンク２４の蓄熱量の有効利用である。
【００２８】
また、図３に示すように、熱源であるエンジン４の運転時間に移行する前に、浴槽４８に注湯が行われている等、十分な湯量、即ち、設定水位の湯量が存在している場合であって、浴槽水５０の温度が低い場合には、ポンプ５８を運転して循環路４６に浴槽水５０を循環させるとともに、バーナ６６を燃焼させることにより、浴槽水５０を設定温度に加熱することができる。この場合、浴槽水５０の温度は温度センサ６２によって検出され、その検出温度が制御部６に加えられるので、制御部６に設定されている温度、即ち、設定温度に検出温度が到達したとき、バーナ６６の燃焼を停止させる。このようなバックアップ熱源であるバーナ６６によって浴槽水５０を沸き上げた場合には、その分だけ貯湯タンク２４の蓄熱量の消費はなく、貯湯タンク２４の蓄熱量は無駄になる。
【００２９】
そこで、このような場合の蓄熱制御を図４に示すフローチャートを参照して説明すると、ステップＳ１では、エンジン４の運転を行う場合、所定の許可時間外であるか否かを判定し、その許可時間外であるときステップＳ２に移行する。この場合、運転の許可時間は、例えば、表１に示すように、季節に応じて運転の許可時間及び予想負荷（熱量）が設定される。
【００３０】
【表１】

【００３１】
ステップＳ２では、自動ボタン７が押されたか否かを判定し、押されていない場合にはステップＳ１に戻り、押されている場合にはステップＳ３に移行し、積算熱量出力の演算処理を行う。
【００３２】
貯湯タンク２４の温水１８が流路２８を通じて給湯されているとき、給湯量センサ３８で検出される給湯量をＦ₁、給湯時間をｔ₁、温度センサ４０の検出温度をＴ_H、このとき、流路３０からの給水温度が温度センサ３２で検出されるので、その検出温度をＴ_Lとすると、積算給湯量Ｆｎ₁は、Ｆ₁×ｔ₁となり、この場合の給湯熱量Ｑ₁は、
【００３３】

【００３４】
となる。また、図２に示したように、貯湯タンク２４の温水１８が浴槽４８に注湯されているとき、注湯量センサ６４で検出される注湯量をＦ₂、注湯時間をｔ₂とすると、積算注湯量Ｆｎ₂は、Ｆ₂×ｔ₂となり、注湯温度及び給水温度を前記と同様とすれば、この場合の注湯熱量Ｑ₂は、
【００３５】

となり、積算熱量出力Ｑｍは、
【００３６】

となる。この場合、給湯熱量Ｑ₁は、一般給湯、例えば、入浴の際のシャワー給湯量である。
【００３７】
そして、ステップＳ４では、エンジン４の運転許可時間内か否かを判定し、運転許可時間内でない場合には、ステップＳ３で積算熱量出力Ｑｍのカウント、即ち、その算出を持続して行い、運転許可時間内であるとき、ステップＳ５に移行し、浴槽４８の残湯の有無を判定する。この場合、湯栓による落し込みも想定し、浴槽４８の残湯を確認する。
【００３８】
この浴槽４８の残湯量の計測は、ポンプ５８を駆動したとき、循環路４６に流水があるか否かを図示しない流水スイッチのオン、オフにより検出し、浴槽水５０の存在が確認されたとき、ポンプ５８を停止させ、水位センサ６０によって水位を検出する。即ち、検出水位によって残湯量Ｆ_Bを検出することができる。
【００３９】
この残湯量Ｆ_Bから、ステップＳ６では、浴槽水５０の熱量、即ち、浴槽熱量Ｑ_Bを演算する。この場合、温度センサ６２の検出温度Ｔ _B、浴槽水５０の設定温度Ｔｆから、浴槽熱量Ｑ_Bは、
【００４０】
Ｑ_B＝（Ｔｆ−Ｔ _B）×Ｆ_B ・・・（４）
【００４１】
となる。ところで、浴槽水５０の温度が低い場合、浴槽熱量Ｑ_Bを低めに認識しないように設定温度から熱量を算出しており、追焚が必要な場合は、バーナ６６のバックアップ燃焼に依存するため、貯湯タンク２４に充てることは不可能であることから、浴槽水５０の温度に関係なく水量のみを重視して浴槽熱量Ｑ_Bを求めている。
【００４２】
そして、ステップＳ７では、浴槽４８の不足熱量Ｑｎを算出する。そして、貯湯タンク２４の予想蓄熱量（必要蓄熱量）をＱｐとすると、積算熱量出力Ｑｍ、浴槽熱量Ｑ_Bから、不足熱量Ｑｎは、
【００４３】
Ｑｎ＝Ｑｐ−Ｑｍ−Ｑ_B ・・・（５）
【００４４】
となり、ステップＳ８に移行し、この不足熱量Ｑｎを充当するための蓄熱運転を行う。この場合、蓄熱運転は、エンジン４を運転するとともに、ポンプ１４、２０を駆動し、エンジン４の排熱を熱媒１２に熱交換し、熱媒１２が得た熱で温水１８を加熱して貯湯タンク２４に蓄熱する。
【００４５】
ところで、貯湯タンク２４の蓄熱量は、例えば、貯湯タンク２４の容量をＶリットルとし、貯湯タンク２４の各ゾーンＺ１〜Ｚ４は同容量であり、１ゾーン当たりの温水量はＶ／４リットルとなる。ここで、水温を冬期で５℃、春秋期で１５℃、夏期で２５℃と定義すると、各ゾーンの熱量Ｑ（ｋｃａｌ）は、
【００４６】
Ｑ＝（Ｖ／４）×｛（上側検出温度＋下側検出温度）／２−給水温度｝・・・（６）
【００４７】
となり、全蓄熱量Ｑは全ゾーンＺ１〜Ｚ４の合計である。但し、一つの条件として｛（上側検出温度＋下側検出温度）／２−給水温度｝＜１０℃の場合には、そのゾーンは零とする。
【００４８】
そして、貯湯タンク２４の底部側の検出温度が所定上限温度Ｔｈとして例えば、４０℃に到達したか否かをエンジン４の停止条件として貯湯タンク２４の最下部の温度を確認し、その検出温度が所定上限温度Ｔｈ以上の場合には、エンジン４を停止させる。
【００４９】
ところで、この実施例では、不足熱量を算出し、この不足熱量Ｑｎを充当する運転時間だけエンジン４を運転することを説明したが、ステップＳ５で浴槽４８の残湯量を検出したとき、その残湯量Ｆ_Bと設定水位に対応する設定湯量をＦｆとすれば、補水必要量Ｆｑは、
【００５０】
Ｆｑ＝Ｆｆ−Ｆ_B ・・・（７）
【００５１】
となるので、この補水必要量Ｆｑから熱量を算出し、予想蓄熱量Ｑｐからこの熱量を減算し、その修正された予想蓄熱量Ｑｐを用いて蓄熱運転をするようにしてもよい。
【００５２】
なお、蓄熱運転について、例えば、表１の例によって運転仕様を設定すると、１０月の運転開始時間は１７：００で１１０００ｋｃａｌを蓄熱するが、１６：００から浴槽４８への湯張りが行われた場合は次のようになる。即ち、水温１５℃、設定温度４０℃、浴槽４８の容量を２００リットルとすると、熱量は（４０−１５）×２００＝５０００ｋｃａｌとなる。この場合、１６：３０から入浴に伴うシャワー使用が１０００ｋｃａｌ生じたと仮定すると、１７：００になった時点で浴槽４８の湯張りとシャワーに使用された熱量の合計６０００ｋｃａｌを差し引いた５０００ｋｃａｌを目標、即ち、予想蓄熱量Ｑｐとして蓄熱運転を開始する。このとき、貯湯タンク２４内に２０００ｋｃａｌの蓄熱量があれば、残りの蓄熱量は３０００ｋｃａｌとなる。
【００５３】
そして、このように、本発明の蓄熱制御方法によれば、運転時間以外の湯張りや給湯需要に対して積算熱量出力を算出し、この算出熱量により運転時間を調整するので、最終的な余剰熱量を低減することが可能になるとともに、経済的な蓄熱運転を実現することができる。図５において、（Ａ）はその運転時間が調整された蓄熱運転状態を示し、（Ｂ）は従来の画一的な蓄熱運転状態を示している。図５の（Ａ）、（Ｂ）において、Ａ₁、Ｂ₁は湯張り需要、Ａ₂、Ｂ₂は給湯需要、Ａ₃、Ｂ₃は蓄熱運転時間を示しており、画一的な運転時間による蓄熱制御に比較し、湯張りや給湯需要をフィードバックして運転時間を修正した蓄熱制御では、大幅な蓄熱運転時間を削減することができる。
【００５４】
このような蓄熱制御方法及び蓄熱制御装置には、次のような各種の実施の形態が存在する。
【００５５】
ア熱源には、発電機２を駆動するエンジン４の他、燃料電池等の排熱源を用いることができ、電熱源、気体燃料、液体燃料、固体燃料を燃焼させる燃焼熱源、太陽熱、地熱、温泉等を利用した自然熱源等を利用することができる。また、熱源には、燃料ガスや灯油等を燃焼させて燃焼熱を生じるバーナ等を用いてもよい。
【００５６】
イ熱交換器８には、エンジン４のラジエータ等、熱媒１２を直接通流させる手段の他、間接流体を熱媒として熱媒１２を加熱するものも含まれる。
【００５７】
ウ熱媒１２には、気体、液体、固体の何れでもよく、所定温度以上で流体化する物質を用いてもよい。
【００５８】
エポンプ１４、２０は、ＤＣモータを駆動源とするポンプ以外のものでもよい。
【００５９】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、本発明によれば、次の効果が得られる。
ａエンジン等の熱源が発生する熱を温水等に熱交換して行う蓄熱において、浴槽側に残湯がある場合、予想蓄熱量からその残湯に対応する熱量を減算して熱源の運転を制御するので、過剰な蓄熱が防止でき、経済的な蓄熱運転を実現することができる。
ｂ画一的な予想蓄熱量を実現するための蓄熱運転に比較し、消費熱量に応じて熱源の運転が行われるので、余剰熱量の蓄熱を回避できる。
ｃ熱源の運転時間外の浴槽の湯張りや給湯需要を算定し、その熱量消費を熱源の運転時間に反映させるので、余剰熱量の低減とともにより経済的な蓄熱運転を実現することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の蓄熱制御方法及びその装置の実施例を示すブロック図である。
【図２】給湯動作を示すブロック図である。
【図３】浴槽水循環（加熱）動作を示すブロック図である。
【図４】蓄熱動作を示すフローチャートである。
【図５】蓄熱制御の動作時間の変化を示し、（Ａ）は本発明の蓄熱制御方法の例、（Ｂ）は従来の蓄熱制御方法の例である。
【符号の説明】
４エンジン（熱源）
６制御部（制御手段）
１８温水
２２熱交換器（熱交換手段）
２４貯湯タンク（貯湯手段、蓄熱手段）
３２温度センサ（第１の温度検出手段）
３８給湯量センサ（給湯量検出手段）
４０温度センサ（第２の温度検出手段）
６０水位センサ（残湯量検出手段）
６４注湯量センサ（注湯量検出手段）[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a heat storage control method and apparatus using a drive source such as an engine for driving a generator, a fuel cell or the like as a heat source.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an exhaust heat recovery control device that uses an engine that drives a generator as a heat source and uses the exhaust heat of the heat source is known. This exhaust heat recovery uses cooling water or exhaust heat recovery water flowing through the water jacket portion of the drive source as a heat medium, and uses heat absorbed by the heat medium. Hot water heated by the heat absorbed by the heat medium is stored in a hot water storage tank to store heat, or hot water is heated by the heat and used for hot water supply.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In conventional heat source start / stop control and heat exchange control, the remaining heat amount of the hot water tank is confirmed at any time by referring to the detected temperature, etc., and the heat value determined by the default value or learning control is applied to the hot water tank. Thermal storage operation is continued until
[0004]
By the way, about one-half of the hot water supply demand is used for hot water filling of the bathtub, and when hot water filling occurs outside of the operation time of the heat source, heat consumption of the hot water storage tank occurs, and the remaining hot water When is used, the heat consumption of the hot water storage tank is saved accordingly. In short, the consumption of heat stored in hot water storage tanks fluctuates greatly, but the amount of remaining hot water in the hot water storage tank is determined when the on / off control and heat storage control of the heat source are performed uniformly without referring to such information. Will increase. Increasing the amount of remaining hot water increases heat dissipation loss and is not economical.
[0005]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a heat storage control method and an apparatus thereof that prevent excessive heat storage caused by heat source start / stop control based on a uniform predicted heat storage amount and realize high efficiency of heat storage. .
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The heat storage control method of the present invention isI needOperate the heat source (engine 4) according to the amount of heat,SaidHeat exchange from the heat source to warm water (18), Accumulate the warm water in the tankA heat storage control method for storing heat,At the time of hot water supply other than the tub pouring from the tank, the hot water supply temperature, the amount of hot water supply, the supply water temperature to the tank for the hot water supply is detected, and the hot water supply temperature T _H And water supply temperature T _L And accumulated hot water supply amount Fn ₁ And hot water supply Q ₁ {= (T _H -T _L ) X Fn ₁ }, And when the hot water is poured from the tank into the bathtub, the hot water temperature, the amount of hot water, the temperature of the hot water supplied to the tank relative to the hot water is detected, and the hot water temperature T _H And the water supply temperature T _L And the total pouring amount Fn ₂ From the pouring heat quantity Q ₂ {= (T _H -T _L ) X Fn ₂ }, And the amount of hot water supplied Q ₁ And the pouring heat quantity Q ₂ And accumulated heat quantity Qm (= Q ₁ + Q ₂ ), And the remaining hot water in the bathtub F _B And the set temperature Tf of the bath water and the detected temperature T of the bath water _B Bathtub calorie Q _B {= (Tf−T _B ) × F _B }, And the bathtub heat quantity Q _B And the necessary heat storage amount Qp and the accumulated heat amount Qm, the insufficient heat amount Qn {= Qp−Qm−Q _B }, And this insufficient heat quantity QnThe heat source is operated according to the above.
[0007]
In this invention, even if there is a temperature difference depending on the season, the amount of heat consumed for a certain period of time in units of one day is based on the prediction or experience value that the amount is constant, and heat consumption occurs before the heat storage operation. In such a case, there is no possibility that the heat consumption again occurs after the heat storage operation. Usually, the number of times of bathing is almost constant, and when bathing occurs before the heat storage operation, it is uneconomical to store heat by predicting bathing again. Therefore, by subtracting the amount of heat consumed in the bathtub or general hot water supply from the expected amount of heat stored determined uniformly according to the season and time, the estimated amount of stored heat is corrected, and only the time required to satisfy the expected amount of stored heat. It is only necessary to operate the heat source. As a result, an excessive amount of heat storage can be suppressed, and an economical operation without heat dissipation loss becomes possible.
[0008]
  The heat storage control method of the present invention isI needOperate the heat source (engine 4) according to the amount of heat,SaidHeat exchange from the heat source to warm water (18), By the warm waterA heat storage control method for storing heat,Remaining hot water amount in bathtub F _B This amount of remaining hot water F _B From the set hot water amount Ff of the bathtub, the replenishment required amount Fq {= Ff−F _B }, And the amount of heat Qq corresponding to the replenishment required amount Fq and the amount of heat Q corresponding to the hot water supply amount Fn up to the operation start time of the heat source are determined and obtained by subtracting these amounts of heat Qq and Q from the required heat storage amount Qp. Necessary heat storage amount Qo (= Qp-Qq-Q)The heat source is operated according to the above.
[0009]
In this case, if the amount of remaining hot water in the bathtub is detected, the amount of hot water in the bathtub necessary for bathing is a known amount, and thus the required amount of water replenishment becomes clear. That is, if the amount of remaining hot water is subtracted from the amount of hot water at the set water level, the replenishment required amount is obtained. This replenishment requirement is covered by pouring from the heat storage means. In addition to the pouring of water into the bathtub, the amount of heat corresponding to the amount of hot water consumed for general hot water is consumed from the heat storage means. If such heat consumption is subtracted from the expected heat storage, the expected heat storage will be reduced by the amount of heat consumed, but if such heat consumption is ignored and only the expected heat storage is stored, that amount will be reduced. It becomes useless. Therefore, if the heat source is operated according to the expected heat storage amount obtained by subtracting the heat consumption amount, useless heat storage can be avoided, economical heat storage can be performed, and the operation efficiency of the heat source can be increased.
[0010]
  The heat storage control device of the present invention isI needOperate the heat source (engine 4) according to the amount of heat,SaidHeat exchange from the heat source to warm water (18), By the warm waterA heat storage control device for storing heat, the hot water storage means (hot water storage tank 24) for storing the hot water, and heat exchange means (heat) for heating the hot water by heat exchange between the hot water of the hot water storage means and the heat generated by the heat source. Exchanger 22) and the supply to the hot water storage meanswater temperatureA first temperature detecting means (temperature sensor 32) for detecting the temperature and the hot water storage meansBathSupplied to tanks or other than the bathtubWarmWaterHot water supplySecond temperature detecting means (temperature sensor 40) for detecting temperature;Third temperature detection means (temperature sensor 62) for detecting the temperature of the remaining hot water in the bathtub;A pouring amount detection means (a pouring amount sensor 64) for detecting the pouring amount from the hot water storage means to the bathtub, a remaining hot water amount detection means (a water level sensor 60) for detecting the remaining hot water amount in the bathtub, and the hot water storage other than the bathtub Hot water supply amount detection means for detecting the amount of hot water supply from the means (hot water supply amount sensor 38),The amount of hot water detected by the hot water amount detecting means, the amount of pouring detected by the pouring amount detecting means, the amount of hot water detected by the remaining hot water amount detecting means, the temperature detected by the first temperature detecting means, and the temperature detected by the second temperature detecting means Hot water temperature T _H And water supply temperature T _L And accumulated hot water supply amount Fn ₁ And hot water supply quantity Q of hot water supply other than bathtub pouring ₁ {= (T _H -T _L ) X Fn ₁ }, And the hot water supply temperature T _H And the water supply temperature T _L And the total pouring amount Fn ₂ From the hot water quantity Q ₂ {= (T _H -T _L ) X Fn ₂ }, These hot water supply calorie Q ₁ And pouring heat quantity Q ₂ And accumulated heat quantity Qm (= Q ₁ + Q ₂ ), And the remaining hot water in the bathtub F _B And the set temperature Tf of the bath water and the detected temperature T of the bath water _B Bathtub calorie Q _B {= (Tf−T _B ) × F _B }, And these bathtub calorific values Q _B And the necessary heat storage amount Qp and the accumulated heat amount Qm, the insufficient heat amount Qn {= Qp−Qm−Q _B }, And this insufficient heat quantity QnAnd a control means (control unit 6) for operating the heat source according to the above.
[0011]
In this heat storage control device, heat is generated by exchanging heat generated by the heat source with hot water and storing the hot water in the hot water storage means. As the heat source, in addition to driving means such as an engine, various types such as combustion heat such as fuel gas and electric heat can be used. Then, the temperature of the hot water supplied to the hot water storage means is detected by the first temperature detection means, and the temperature of the hot water consumed from the hot water storage means is detected by the second temperature detection means. The amount of pouring water into the bathtub is detected by the pouring amount detecting means, and the amount of hot water for the general hot water other than the bathtub is detected by the hot water amount detecting means.
[0012]
Therefore, subtracting the hot water temperature from the hot water temperature and multiplying this value by the amount of hot water supply will give you the amount of heat consumed, so subtract this heat amount from the expected heat storage amount to correct the expected heat storage amount, and this expected heat storage amount. If the heat source is operated so as to satisfy the above, unnecessary heat storage can be avoided.
[0013]
  In the heat exchange control device of the present invention,Required heat storage QpIs the amount of heat obtained from the product of the temperature difference between the temperature of hot water poured into the bathtub and the temperature of the hot water supply to the hot water storage means and the total amount of water to the bathtub, and the hot water supplied to other than the bathtub It is an addition value of the amount of heat obtained by the product of the temperature difference between the hot water temperature and the water supply temperature and the amount of hot water supplied to other than the bathtub.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to examples shown in the drawings.
[0015]
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the heat storage control method and apparatus of the present invention. In this embodiment, an engine 4 is installed as a drive source for driving the generator 2, and this engine 4 is used as a heat source because it generates considerable heat radiation during operation. A control unit 6 is provided as means for controlling the operation of the engine 4. The control unit 6 is provided with an automatic button 7 as command means for operating the engine 4 according to a preset operation time. The automatic button 7 is installed on a remote control device (not shown).
[0016]
The engine 4 is provided with cooling means such as a water cooling jacket. In this embodiment, the cooling means for the engine 4 is constituted by the heat exchanger 8 which is the first heat exchange means. In this heat exchanger 8, a circulation path 10 is formed as a first flow path, and a heat medium 12 is circulated as a first fluid in the circulation path 10 and the heat medium 12 is forcibly circulated. The pump 14 is installed. The drive of the pump 14 is controlled by the control unit 6 which is also a means for controlling the operation. For example, a DC pump using a DC motor whose rotation speed can be easily controlled as a driving unit is used as the pump 14.
[0017]
A circulation path 16 which is a second flow path is provided for the circulation path 10, and a hot water 18 is circulated as a second fluid in the circulation path 16 and a pump 20 for forcibly performing the circulation. Is installed. For example, a DC pump using a DC motor whose rotation speed can be easily controlled as a driving unit is used as the pump 20. Further, a heat exchanger 22 is provided between the

circulation paths

10 and 16 as a second heat exchange means for performing heat exchange between the heat medium 12 and the hot water 18 and heating the hot water 18 with the heat of the heat medium 12. It has been. Although not shown, this heat exchanger 22 is provided, for example, with a cylindrical part having a cross-sectional area larger than the pipe diameter on the circulation path 16 side, and a spiral pipe through which the heat medium 12 flows independently of the hot water 18 in this cylindrical part. The heat exchange between the hot water 18 and the heat medium 12 is made possible through a heat radiating pipe such as the above.
[0018]
The circulation path 16 is provided with a hot water storage tank 24 as a heat storage means for storing the heat together with the hot water 18, and the hot water 18 in the hot water storage tank 24 is guided from the lower layer portion thereof to the heat exchanger 22 by the pump 20. By heating and returning the high temperature hot water 18 to the upper layer side of the hot water storage tank 24, hierarchical heat storage having a temperature gradient in which the upper layer side is at a high temperature and the lower layer part is at the lowest temperature is performed. A plurality of zones having the same width are set in the hot water storage tank 24. In this embodiment, zones Z1 to Z4 are set, and a plurality of temperature sensors 261 as temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of hot water corresponding to each zone Z1 to Z4. , 262, 263 are installed. The temperature detected by each of the temperature sensors 261 to 263 is added to the control unit 6 as control information.
[0019]
In the hot water storage tank 24, the hot water 18 in the hot water storage tank 24 is used for hot water supply or the like, and a third flow path 28 constituting a hot water supply path for guiding the hot water 18 in the hot water storage tank 24 to the outside is provided on the top side. In order to make up for the hot water 18 that has flowed out on the bottom surface side of the hot water storage tank 24, a fourth flow path 30 that guides the clean water W from the outside is provided, and the flow path 30 is a first that detects the feed water temperature. A temperature sensor 32 is provided as the temperature detecting means. The temperature detected by the temperature sensor 32 is added to the control unit 6 as control information.
[0020]
Further, in the flow path 28, a heat exchanger 34 as a backup heating means when hot water is supplied from the hot water storage tank 24, a pump 36 that draws the hot water 18 from the hot water storage tank 24, and a hot water supply amount as hot water supply amount detection means for detecting the hot water supply amount A temperature sensor 40 is installed as a sensor 38 and second temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of hot water 18 (HW) to be supplied with hot water. The heat exchanger 34 heats the hot water 18 with the combustion heat of the burner 42, and the fuel gas G is supplied to the burner 42 via the control valve 44. Combustion of the burner 42 such as opening / closing of the control valve 44 is controlled by the control unit 6. The detected flow rate of the hot water supply amount sensor 38 and the detected temperature of the temperature sensor 40 are added to the control unit 6 as control information, and the operation of the pump 36 is controlled by the control unit 6.
[0021]
When the flow path 30 has a sufficient pumping force for the clean water W, the warm water 18 is discharged from the hot water storage tank 24 to the flow path 28 by supplying the clean water W to the hot water storage tank 24. In this case, the pump 36 used in the embodiment can be omitted. In addition, when the pump 36 is installed, a bypass path is formed for the pump 36, an on-off valve is provided in the bypass path, and the bypass path is opened or closed as necessary. The pressure drop of the water W can be supplemented, and a necessary flow rate can be ensured.
[0022]
Then, a circulation path 46 including a forward pipe 46A and a return pipe 46B for circulating fluid is provided as a fifth flow path. The circulation water 46 circulates the bathtub water 50 of the bathtub 48 and a check valve 52. The hot water 18 is supplied through the flow channel 28 and the check valve 52. The check valve 52 is a means for insulating the hot water 18 and the bathtub water 50 on the clean water side.
[0023]
A heat exchanger 54 is provided between the circulation path 46 and the circulation path 10 as fourth heat exchange means for exchanging heat between the heat medium 12 and the bath water 50. 50 is heated by the heating medium 12. The circulation path 46 has a heat exchanger 56 as a backup heating means for the bathtub water 50, a pump 58 for circulating the bathtub water 50 to the circulation path 46, a water level sensor 60 for detecting the water level of the bathtub 48, and the temperature of the bathtub water 50. A temperature sensor 62 and a pouring amount sensor 64 are provided as means for detecting the pouring amount of the hot water 18 flowing from the flow path 28 side to the bathtub 48 side. The heat exchanger 56 heats the bathtub water 50 with the combustion heat of the burner 66, and the fuel gas G is supplied to the burner 66 through the control valve 68. Combustion of the burner 66 such as opening and closing of the control valve 68 is controlled by the control unit 6. The detected flow rate of the pouring amount sensor 64, the detected water level of the water level sensor 60, and the detected temperature of the temperature sensor 62 are added to the control unit 6 as control information, and the operation of the pump 58 is controlled by the control unit 6.
[0024]
Based on the above configuration, the heat storage control method will be described. When the engine 4 as a heat source is operated, the generator 2 generates electric power, and the heat generated by the operation of the engine 4 is added to the heat exchanger 8, and the pump 14 The heat medium 12 fed under pressure is heated by heat absorption. The heat medium 12 heated to this heat treatment is circulated to the

heat exchangers

22 and 54, heat exchange is performed with the hot water 18 circulated by the operation of the pump 20, and hot water is transferred by the heat transmitted by the heat medium 12. 18 is heated. That is, the heat absorption process of the heat medium 12 in the heat exchanger 8 and the heat exchange process between the heat medium 12 and the hot water 18 are simultaneously performed, and the heat exchanger 22 starts from the zone Z4 on the bottom side of the hot water storage tank 24. Then, the hot water 18 heated to a high temperature is returned to the zone Z1 side of the hot water storage tank 24 to be stored and stored.
[0025]
The hot water 18 stored in the hot water storage tank 24 is supplied to a shower or the like as general hot water through the flow path 28 by the operation of the pump 36. When the temperature of the hot water 18 is low, the hot water 18 can be heated by the heat exchange of the heat exchanger 34 by burning the burner 42 to supply hot water as the high-temperature water HW.
[0026]
Further, when the pump 58 is driven to circulate the bathtub water 50 through the circulation path 46 to the heat exchanger 54, heat exchange is performed between the bathtub water 50 and the heat medium 12, and the bathtub is heated by the heat of the heat medium 12. Heat treatment of the water 50 is performed. In this case, by burning the burner 66, the bathtub water 50 can be heated and returned to the bathtub 48 by heat exchange of the heat exchanger 56.
[0027]
By the way, when the hot water storage tank 24 is provided, as shown in FIG. 2, when the bathtub water 50 is insufficient, the flow path 28 and the return pipe 46B of the circulation path 46 are communicated with the bathtub 48. Hot water 18 from the hot water storage tank 24 can be supplied to the bathtub 48. The water level in the bathtub 48 can be detected by the water level sensor 60 after circulating the pump 58 by discharging the air in the circulation path 46 before hot water supply, during hot water supply or after hot water supply. In this case, the detected water level represents the remaining hot water amount, and the insufficient water amount can be obtained by subtracting the remaining hot water amount from the predetermined hot water amount corresponding to the set water level. The pouring amount sensor 64 measures the amount of pouring water corresponding to the insufficient amount of water. When the pouring amount sensor 64 measures the amount of insufficient water, the pump 36 is stopped to complete the pouring. Such pouring is effective use of the amount of heat stored in the hot water storage tank 24.
[0028]
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, there is a sufficient amount of hot water, that is, a hot water amount at a set water level, such as pouring hot water into the bathtub 48 before shifting to the operation time of the engine 4 as a heat source. If the temperature of the bathtub water 50 is low, the bathtub water 50 is heated to the set temperature by operating the pump 58 to circulate the bathtub water 50 in the circulation path 46 and burning the burner 66. can do. In this case, the temperature of the bath water 50 is detected by the temperature sensor 62, and the detected temperature is added to the control unit 6. Therefore, when the detected temperature reaches the temperature set in the control unit 6, that is, the set temperature, Combustion of the burner 66 is stopped. When the bathtub water 50 is boiled by the burner 66 as such a backup heat source, the heat storage amount of the hot water storage tank 24 is not consumed correspondingly, and the heat storage amount of the hot water storage tank 24 is wasted.
[0029]
Therefore, heat storage control in such a case will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4. In step S 1, when the engine 4 is operated, it is determined whether or not it is outside a predetermined permission time, and the permission is given. When it is out of time, the process proceeds to step S2. In this case, for example, as shown in Table 1, the operation permission time and the expected load (amount of heat) are set as the operation permission time according to the season.
[0030]
[Table 1]

[0031]
In step S2, it is determined whether or not the automatic button 7 has been pressed. If it has not been pressed, the process returns to step S1, and if it has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S3 to perform an integrated heat output calculation process. .
[0032]
When the hot water 18 in the hot water storage tank 24 is hot water supplied through the flow path 28, the hot water supply amount detected by the hot water supply amount sensor 38 is F.₁, T₁The temperature detected by the temperature sensor 40 is T_HAt this time, since the temperature of the water supply from the flow path 30 is detected by the temperature sensor 32, the detected temperature is set to T_LThen, accumulated hot water supply amount Fn₁F₁Xt₁In this case, the amount of hot water supply Q₁Is
[0033]

[0034]
It becomes. As shown in FIG. 2, when the hot water 18 of the hot water storage tank 24 is poured into the bathtub 48, the amount of pouring detected by the pouring amount sensor 64 is F.₂, T pour time₂Then, the total pouring amount Fn₂F₂Xt₂If the pouring temperature and the feed water temperature are the same as described above, the pouring heat quantity Q in this case₂Is
[0035]

The accumulated heat output Qm is
[0036]

It becomes. In this case, hot water supply Q₁Is the amount of hot water for general hot water, for example, shower water at the time of bathing.
[0037]
In step S4, it is determined whether or not it is within the operation permission time of the engine 4. If it is not within the operation permission time, in step S3, the cumulative heat output Qm is counted, that is, the calculation is continuously performed. When it is within the permitted time, the process proceeds to step S5, and the presence or absence of remaining hot water in the bathtub 48 is determined. In this case, the remaining hot water in the bathtub 48 is confirmed assuming a drop by a hot water tap.
[0038]
When the pump 58 is driven, the remaining amount of hot water in the bathtub 48 is detected by detecting whether there is running water in the circulation path 46 by turning on / off a running water switch (not shown) and confirming that the bathtub water 50 is present. The pump 58 is stopped and the water level is detected by the water level sensor 60. That is, the remaining hot water amount F depends on the detected water level._BCan be detected.
[0039]
  This remaining hot water amount F_BFrom step S6, the amount of heat of the bathtub water 50, that is, the amount of heat Q of the bathtub_BIs calculated. In this case, the temperature sensor62Detection temperatureT _BFrom the set temperature Tf of the bathtub water 50, the bathtub heat quantity Q_BIs
[0040]
            Q_B= (Tf−T _B) × F_B                    ... (4)
[0041]
It becomes. By the way, when the temperature of the bathtub water 50 is low, the bathtub heat quantity Q_BThe amount of heat is calculated from the set temperature so as not to be recognized at a low level, and when reheating is necessary, it depends on the back-up combustion of the burner 66 and therefore cannot be used for the hot water storage tank 24. Regardless of the temperature of the water 50, only the amount of water is regarded as important_BSeeking.
[0042]
And in step S7, the insufficient heat quantity Qn of the bathtub 48 is calculated. And, assuming that the expected heat storage amount (necessary heat storage amount) of the hot water storage tank 24 is Qp, the integrated heat amount output Qm, the bathtub heat amount Q_BTherefore, the insufficient heat quantity Qn is
[0043]
Qn = Qp-Qm-Q_B                ... (5)
[0044]
Then, the process proceeds to step S8, and a heat storage operation for applying the insufficient heat quantity Qn is performed. In this case, in the heat storage operation, the engine 4 is operated, the

pumps

14 and 20 are driven, the exhaust heat of the engine 4 is exchanged with the heat medium 12, and the hot water 18 is heated with the heat obtained by the heat medium 12. The hot water storage tank 24 stores heat.
[0045]
By the way, the heat storage amount of the hot water storage tank 24 is, for example, the capacity of the hot water storage tank 24 is V liters, the zones Z1 to Z4 of the hot water storage tank 24 are the same capacity, and the hot water amount per zone is V / 4 liters. . Here, if the water temperature is defined as 5 ° C. in winter, 15 ° C. in spring / autumn, and 25 ° C. in summer, the calorific value Q (kcal) of each zone is
[0046]
Q = (V / 4) × {(upper detection temperature + lower detection temperature) / 2-water supply temperature} (6)
[0047]
Thus, the total heat storage amount Q is the total of all zones Z1 to Z4. However, if one condition is {(upper detection temperature + lower detection temperature) / 2-water supply temperature} <10 ° C., the zone is set to zero.
[0048]
Then, the temperature at the bottom of the hot water storage tank 24 is confirmed with the detected temperature on the bottom side of the hot water storage tank 24 as a predetermined upper limit temperature Th, for example, whether or not the temperature reaches 40 ° C., and the engine 4 is stopped. If the temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined upper limit temperature Th, the engine 4 is stopped.
[0049]
By the way, in this embodiment, it has been described that the amount of insufficient heat is calculated and the engine 4 is operated for the operation time for which the amount of insufficient heat Qn is applied. However, when the amount of remaining hot water in the bathtub 48 is detected in step S5, the amount of remaining hot water is determined. F_BIf the set amount of hot water corresponding to the set water level is Ff,
[0050]
Fq = Ff−F_B ... (7)
[0051]
Therefore, the amount of heat may be calculated from the replenishment required amount Fq, the amount of heat may be subtracted from the predicted heat storage amount Qp, and the heat storage operation may be performed using the corrected predicted heat storage amount Qp.
[0052]
In addition, about the heat storage operation, for example, when the operation specification is set according to the example of Table 1, the operation start time in October is 17:00 and 11000 kcal is stored, but the hot water filling to the bathtub 48 was performed from 16:00. The case is as follows. That is, if the water temperature is 15 ° C., the set temperature is 40 ° C., and the capacity of the bathtub 48 is 200 liters, the amount of heat is (40−15) × 200 = 5000 kcal. In this case, if it is assumed that 1000 kcal of shower use accompanying bathing has occurred from 16:30, the target of 5000 kcal is obtained by subtracting the total amount of heat used for the filling of the bathtub 48 and the shower at 17:00, ie, 6000 kcal. Then, the heat storage operation is started as the expected heat storage amount Qp. At this time, if there is a heat storage amount of 2000 kcal in the hot water storage tank 24, the remaining heat storage amount is 3000 kcal.
[0053]
As described above, according to the heat storage control method of the present invention, the accumulated heat amount output is calculated with respect to hot water filling and hot water supply demand other than the operation time, and the operation time is adjusted by the calculated heat amount. The amount of heat can be reduced, and an economical heat storage operation can be realized. 5A shows a heat storage operation state in which the operation time is adjusted, and FIG. 5B shows a conventional uniform heat storage operation state. In (A) and (B) of FIG.₁, B₁Is hot water demand, A₂, B₂Is hot water demand, A_Three, B_ThreeIndicates the heat storage operation time. Compared to the heat storage control with uniform operation time, the heat storage control that corrects the operation time by feeding back the hot water supply and hot water supply demand can greatly reduce the heat storage operation time. it can.
[0054]
Such a heat storage control method and a heat storage control device include the following various embodiments.
[0055]
(A) In addition to the engine 4 that drives the generator 2, an exhaust heat source such as a fuel cell can be used as a heat source, and an electric heat source, a gaseous fuel, a liquid fuel, a combustion heat source for burning a solid fuel, solar heat, geothermal heat, hot spring It is possible to use a natural heat source using the like. In addition, a burner or the like that generates combustion heat by burning fuel gas, kerosene, or the like may be used as the heat source.
[0056]
The heat exchanger 8 includes a means for heating the heat medium 12 using an indirect fluid as a heat medium, in addition to means for directly passing the heat medium 12 such as a radiator of the engine 4.
[0057]
C) The heat medium 12 may be any of gas, liquid, and solid, and may be a substance that can be fluidized at a predetermined temperature or higher.
[0058]
D) The

pumps

14 and 20 may be other than a pump using a DC motor as a drive source.
[0059]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
a In heat storage performed by exchanging heat generated by a heat source such as an engine into hot water, etc., if there is remaining hot water on the bathtub side, the amount of heat corresponding to the remaining hot water is subtracted from the expected heat storage amount to control the operation of the heat source Therefore, excessive heat storage can be prevented, and economical heat storage operation can be realized.
b Since the operation of the heat source is performed according to the amount of heat consumed, compared with the heat storage operation for realizing a uniform predicted heat storage amount, it is possible to avoid the heat storage of the surplus heat amount.
c Since the hot water filling of the bathtub and the hot water supply demand outside the operation time of the heat source are calculated and the consumption of heat is reflected in the operation time of the heat source, a more economical heat storage operation can be realized along with the reduction of the excess heat amount.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a heat storage control method and apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hot water supply operation.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a bath water circulation (heating) operation.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a heat storage operation.
5A and 5B show changes in the operation time of heat storage control, where FIG. 5A shows an example of a heat storage control method of the present invention, and FIG. 5B shows an example of a conventional heat storage control method.
[Explanation of symbols]
4 Engine (heat source)
6 Control unit (control means)
18 Hot water
22 Heat exchanger (heat exchange means)
24 Hot water storage tank (hot water storage means, heat storage means)
32 Temperature sensor (first temperature detection means)
38 Hot water supply amount sensor (hot water supply amount detection means)
40 Temperature sensor (second temperature detection means)
60 Water level sensor (remaining hot water detection means)
64 Pouring amount sensor (Pouring amount detecting means)

Claims

Driving a heat source depending on the amount of heat required to heat the heat source heat exchanger to the hot water, a heat storage control method for thermal storage in reservoir the hot water in the tank,
When tub Note than hot water hot water from the tank, the hot water temperature, hot water amount, and detects the water temperature of the water supply to the tank for the hot water supply, hot water supply temperature T _H, the feedwater temperature T _L, the integrated hot water amount Fn ₁ from, seek hot water heat _{_{Q 1 {= (T H -T}} L) × Fn 1},
At the time of pouring from the tank to the bathtub, the hot water temperature, the amount of hot water, the feed water temperature to the tank relative to the hot water are detected, the hot water temperature T _H , the feed water temperature T _L, and the total pouring amount Fn ₂ , the amount of pouring heat Q ₂ {= (T _H −T _L ) × Fn ₂ } is obtained,
An integrated heat quantity Qm (= Q ₁ + Q ₂ ) is obtained from the hot water supply heat quantity Q ₁ and the pouring heat quantity Q ₂ .
The bath heat quantity Q _B {= (Tf−T _B ) × F _B } is obtained from the remaining hot water amount F _B of the bathtub, the set temperature Tf of the bath water, and the detected temperature T _B of the bath water ,
From the bathtub heat quantity Q _B , the necessary heat storage quantity Qp, and the integrated heat quantity Qm, the insufficient heat quantity Qn {= Qp−Qm−Q _B } is obtained,
A heat storage control method characterized by operating a heat source in accordance with the insufficient heat quantity Qn .

Driving a heat source depending on the amount of heat required to heat the heat source heat exchanger to the hot water, a heat storage control method of heat storage by the hot water,
Remaining hot water amount F _{B in the} bathtub is detected, and from this remaining hot water amount F _B and the set hot water amount Ff of the bathtub, a replenishing water requirement amount Fq {= Ff−F _B } is obtained,
The necessary heat storage amount obtained by subtracting the heat quantity Qq and Q from the required heat storage quantity Qp, determining the heat quantity Qq according to the replenishment water requirement quantity Fq and the heat quantity Q corresponding to the hot water supply quantity Fn up to the operation start time of the heat source. A heat storage control method characterized by operating a heat source according to Qo (= Qp-Qq-Q) .

Driving a heat source depending on the amount of heat required to heat the heat source heat exchanger to the hot water, a heat storage control device for heat storage by the hot water,
Hot water storage means for storing the hot water;
Heat exchange means for heating the hot water by heat exchange between the hot water of the hot water storage means and the heat generated by the heat source;
A first temperature detecting means for detecting a feed water temperature of which is supplied to the hot water storage unit,
A second temperature detecting means for detecting a hot water temperature of the hot water storage means or al bath tub or warm water that will be supplied in addition to the bath,
Third temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the remaining hot water in the bathtub;
A pouring amount detection means for detecting the pouring amount from the hot water storage means to the bathtub,
A remaining hot water amount detecting means for detecting the remaining hot water amount in the bathtub;
Hot water supply amount detection means for detecting the amount of hot water supply from the hot water storage means other than the bathtub;
The detected hot water supply amount of the hot water supply amount detecting means, the detected hot water amount of the poured hot water amount detecting means, the detected hot water amount of the remaining hot water amount detecting means, the detected temperature of the first temperature detecting means, and the detected temperature of the second temperature detecting means Capture
From the hot water supply temperature T _H , the water supply temperature T _L, and the accumulated hot water supply amount Fn ₁ , a hot water supply heat amount Q ₁ {= (T _H −T _L ) × Fn ₁ } of hot water other than the bath pouring is obtained.
The calculated hot water supply temperature T _H, the feedwater temperature T _L, from the integrated pouring amount Fn ₂ Prefecture, tub note hot water pouring quantity of heat _{_{Q 2 {= (T H -T}} L) × Fn 2} a,
An integrated heat quantity Qm (= Q ₁ + Q ₂ ) is obtained from the hot water supply heat quantity Q ₁ and the pouring heat quantity Q ₂ .
The bath heat quantity Q _B {= (Tf−T _B ) × F _B } is obtained from the remaining hot water amount F _B of the bathtub, the set temperature Tf of the bath water, and the detected temperature T _B of the bath water ,
From these bathtub heat quantity Q _B , necessary heat storage quantity Qp, and accumulated heat quantity Qm, the insufficient heat quantity Qn {= Qp−Qm−Q _B } is obtained,
Control means for operating the heat source according to the insufficient heat quantity Qn ;
A heat storage control device comprising:

The required heat storage amount Qp is the amount of heat obtained from the product of the temperature difference between the temperature of hot water poured into the bathtub and the temperature of the hot water supply to the hot water storage means and the total amount of water in the bathtub, and other than the bathtub The heat storage control device according to claim 3, which is an added value of a heat amount obtained by a product of a temperature difference between the hot water temperature supplied to the hot water and the water supply temperature and a hot water supply amount outside the bathtub. .