JP4550077B2 - Heat source machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a heat source machine having a heating function and a hot water supply function.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a heat source device including a thermoelectric generator that performs thermoelectric generation by heating a burner that burns during a hot water supply operation is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The heat source device includes a hot water supply circuit including a heat exchanger heated by a burner and a hot water supply water pipe that sends hot water supply water to a hot water supply terminal via the heat exchanger. The high temperature side of the thermoelectric generator is heated by a burner, and the low temperature side is cooled by a hot water supply water pipe constituting a part of the hot water supply circuit. As is well known, a thermoelectric generator has a closed circuit formed between an N-type semiconductor and a P-type semiconductor, and an electromotive force is obtained by applying a temperature difference between a high temperature side and a low temperature side. The electric power obtained from the thermoelectric generator may be supplied to an electrical component (for example, a control device or a blower) provided in the heat source device, or may be stored in a battery or the like.

  By the way, in this kind of heat source machine, in addition to the hot water supply circuit, the one provided with a heating circuit connected to the heating terminal and circulating the heating water includes, for example, a hot water supply burner for heating the heat exchanger of the hot water supply circuit. Some are provided with a hot water supply combustion section and a heating combustion section including a heating burner for heating a heat exchanger interposed in the heating circuit. When the hot water supply operation and the heating operation are performed independently, only one of the burners is operated for combustion. However, even if either the hot water supply operation or the heating operation is performed, power generation by the thermoelectric generator is performed. In order to be able to do so, it is necessary to provide thermoelectric generators in each of the hot water supply combustion section and the heating combustion section. Since the thermoelectric generator is relatively expensive, when a plurality of thermoelectric generators are provided in this way, the heat source device cannot be configured at a low cost.

In addition, as another heat source machine, a single liquid heat exchanger is provided in which heating water is heated by a heating burner and circulated to a heating circuit by a circulation pump, and hot water flowing in the hot water supply circuit is heated by the heating water. A hot water supply operation and a heating operation can be performed with a burner (see, for example, Patent Document 2). When a thermoelectric generator is provided in such a heat source device, power generation can be performed regardless of whether the hot water supply operation or the heating operation is performed. In order to heat the hot water supply water by the heat exchanger, it is necessary to operate the circulation pump of the heating circuit, which is not preferable because the power consumption becomes large despite power generation.
JP-A-11-55975 (FIGS. 6 and 10) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2006-112785 (FIG. 1)

  This invention makes it a subject to provide the heat source machine which can perform favorable electric power generation with a thermoelectric power generation element, if only any one of hot water supply operation and heating operation is drive | operated in view of the above point. .

  In order to solve such a problem, the present invention is a heat source device including a heating unit and a thermoelectric generator that is heated at a high temperature side by the heating unit, and is connected to a heating terminal and heated by the heating unit. A heating circuit in which heating water circulates, and a hot water supply circuit that sends hot water supply water heated by the heating means to a hot water supply terminal, and a heating water channel that forms part of the heating circuit in the heating circuit and the hot water supply circuit, An element cooling section for cooling the low temperature side of the thermoelectric power generation element is provided in contact with a hot water supply channel constituting a part of the hot water supply circuit so that heat can be transferred to each other.

  According to the present invention, the heating water in the heating circuit and the hot water supply water in the hot water supply circuit are heated by the heating means, and at that time, power generation by the thermoelectric generator can be performed. The thermoelectric generator is sufficiently cooled at the low temperature side by both the heating water and the hot water supply by the element cooling section in which the heating water channel and the hot water supply channel are in contact with each other so that heat can be transferred to each other, so that an extremely high cooling effect is obtained. Since a significant temperature difference can be imparted between the high temperature side and the low temperature side, power can be generated efficiently. When only the heating operation is performed, the flow of hot water supply water is stopped, but the thermoelectric power generation element can be reliably cooled by the heating water channel using the circulating heating water. When only the hot water supply operation is performed, the thermoelectric generator can be reliably cooled by the hot water flow generated in the heating channel even if the water flow of the heating water is stopped.

  Further, in the element cooling section, the heating water channel and the hot water supply channel are in contact with each other so that heat can be transferred to each other, so that even if one water pipe is heated in a state where the water flow is stopped, it is cooled by the other water pipe having the water flow and the temperature is reduced. The rise is suppressed, and for example, boiling of hot water in the hot water channel when only heating operation is performed can be prevented. Also, unlike the conventional liquid-liquid heat exchanger, it is not necessary to drive the circulation pump provided in the heating circuit when only the hot water supply operation is performed, so that wasteful power consumption can be prevented. .

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the amount of water held in the heating water channel in the element cooling section is larger than the amount of water held in the hot water supply water channel in the element cooling section.

  According to this, even when the water temperature returned from the heating circuit is high (40 ° C. to 60 ° C.), the cooling effect by the heating water channel of the element cooling unit can be enhanced. In addition, in particular, since the remaining heat stored in the thermoelectric generator immediately after the hot water supply operation can be released to the heating water in the heating channel, the temperature rise of the hot water in the hot water channel due to the residual heat of the thermoelectric device Can be suppressed. According to this, for example, even if the hot water supply operation is performed again immediately after the hot water supply operation, it is possible to avoid a situation where hot water having an excessively high temperature is supplied from the hot water supply terminal.

  Further, as one aspect of the present invention, the heating means includes a burner and a combustion chamber extending in the exhaust flow direction of the burner, and the combustion chamber has a low temperature side of the thermoelectric generator element outside the combustion chamber. An element holding portion that holds the thermoelectric generator with the high temperature side facing the burner, and a heat absorbing fin that is disposed on the downstream side of the element holding portion and absorbs heat toward the inside of the combustion chamber, It is preferable that the heating circuit and the hot water supply circuit include a heat exchanging portion in which the heating water channel and the hot water supply channel are in contact with each other so as to be capable of transferring heat and are heated via the heat absorption fins.

  According to this, since the heating water channel and the hot water supply water channel are in close contact with each other not only in the element cooling unit but also in the heat exchange unit that receives heat from the burner, a heat transfer path is formed between the heating water channel and the hot water supply water channel. can do. Thus, even if the water flow in one water pipe is stopped, heat can be released to the water pipe in which the other water flow is formed. For example, even if only heating operation is performed, the hot water supply water channel in the heat exchange section Is prevented from being heated excessively, and boiling of hot water in the hot water supply channel can be prevented.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the endothermic fin is disposed adjacent to the downstream side of the element holding portion. According to this, the element cooling part and the heat exchange part are adjacent to each other, and the heating water channel and the hot water supply water channel are provided in contact with each other so as to be able to transfer heat from the element cooling part to the heat exchange part. It can be configured as simple and compact.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a schematic configuration of the heat source apparatus of the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a partial explanatory view showing the shape of a heat absorption fin, and FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the element cooling unit, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the configuration of the element cooling unit and the heat exchange unit of the heating means.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the heat source unit 1 of the present embodiment includes a heating circuit 2 through which heating water (water or antifreeze liquid or the like) circulates and a hot water supply circuit 3 through which hot water supply water (tap water or the like) flows, Heating means 4 for heating the water for heating and the water for hot water supply is provided.

  The heating circuit 2 circulates the heating water between the heating means 4 and the heating terminal 5, passes the heating side water pipe 6 for sending the heating water heated by the heating means 4 to the heating terminal 5, and the heating terminal 5. And a return-side heating water pipe 7 for returning the heated heating water to the heating means 4.

  The return side heating water pipe 7 is provided with an expansion tank 8 and a pump 9 on the downstream side of the expansion tank 8, and the heating water of the heating circuit 2 is circulated by the operation of the pump 9. The forward-side heating water pipe 6 is provided with a bypass pipe 10 connected to the upstream-side return-side heating water pipe 7 of the expansion tank 8.

  The hot water supply circuit 3 has an upstream end connected to a water pipe or the like (not shown) and hot water supply water (tap water or the like) flows toward the heating means 4, and a hot water supply such as a tapping hot water at the downstream end. A hot water supply water (hot water) heated by the heating means 4 with the terminal 13 connected is provided with a downstream hot water supply water pipe 14 that flows toward the hot water supply terminal 13.

  The heating means 4 includes a burner 15, a cylindrical combustion chamber 16 that accommodates the burner 15 and extends downward, and an exhaust duct 17 connected to the lower end of the combustion chamber 16. The burner 15 burns gas fuel supplied from a gas supply pipe (not shown) to form a flame on the side wall. Exhaust gas generated by the combustion of the burner 15 flows downward in the combustion chamber 16 toward the exhaust duct 17.

  The heating unit 4 includes a thermoelectric generator 18. In the thermoelectric generator 18, the high temperature side 20 faces the flame of the burner 15 and the low temperature side 21 is exposed to the outside of the combustion chamber 16 by an element holding portion 19 formed through the upper end side of the combustion chamber 16. Is held on. The thermoelectric generator 18 is an element in which an electromotive force is obtained by applying a temperature difference between the high temperature side 20 and the low temperature side 21. Has been. Note that the electric power obtained from the thermoelectric generator 18 can be used to drive a control device (not shown) and other electrical components, in addition to charging the storage battery 23.

  Further, on the inner surface side of the combustion chamber 16, an endothermic fin 24 is provided adjacent to the lower side of the element holding portion 19, and the exhaust gas from the burner 15 is introduced into the combustion chamber 16 from the central position of the combustion chamber 16. A guide member 25 for guiding along the heat absorbing fins 24 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the heat absorption fins 24 are formed by corrugating metal (aluminum, stainless steel, etc.) thin plates along the inner surface of the combustion chamber 16. The contact area is gradually increased. The endothermic fins 24 may be made of a material having high thermal conductivity, and may be formed of a casting or the like other than those listed here.

  On the low temperature side 21 of the thermoelectric generator 18, as shown in FIG. 3, a heating water pipe 26 (heating water channel) that forms a part of the heating circuit 2 and a hot water supply water pipe 27 ( An element cooling section 28 formed by a hot water supply channel) is provided. The element cooling section 28 is formed in such a manner that heating water pipes 26 and hot water supply water pipes 27 are alternately arranged and are in close contact with each other so as to be able to transfer heat. In the thermoelectric generator 18, the high temperature side 20 is heated to a high temperature by the flame of the burner 15, and the low temperature side 21 has a lower temperature than the high temperature side 20 due to the heating water and hot water supply water flowing through the heating water pipe 26 and the hot water supply water pipe 27. To be cooled. As a result, a temperature difference is surely generated between the high temperature side 20 and the low temperature side 21 of the thermoelectric generator 18, so that power can be generated efficiently.

  Further, on the outer surface of the combustion chamber 16 corresponding to the heat sink fin 24 adjacent to the lower side of the thermoelectric generator 18, a heating water pipe 26 (heating water channel) and a hot water supply water pipe 27 (hot water supply water channel) continuous from the element cooling unit 28 are provided. Are arranged alternately and are provided in close contact with each other so as to be able to transfer heat. Thereby, the heat from the exhaust gas in the combustion chamber 16 is recovered to the heating water pipe 26 and the hot water supply water pipe 27 via the heat absorption fins 24, and the heating water and the hot water supply water flowing through the heating water pipe 26 and the hot water supply water pipe 27. Is heated. As described above, the element cooling unit 28 and the heat exchange unit 29 are provided adjacent to each other, whereby the heating unit 4 is configured in a compact manner.

  In the heat source apparatus 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above, when the heating operation is performed, the heating water in the heating circuit 2 is pumped between the heating terminal 5 and the heating means 4 with reference to FIG. In the heating unit 4, the heating water is heated through the heat exchanging unit 29 simultaneously with the power generation by the thermoelectric generator 18. Similarly, when a hot water supply operation is performed, hot water for the hot water supply circuit 3 is heated by the heat exchange unit 29 by the heating means 4 and can be supplied from the hot water supply terminal 13, and at the same time, the thermoelectric generator 18 generates power by the heating means 4. Is called.

  And when heating operation is performed independently, the water for heating of the heating circuit 2 will circulate, and the flow of the water for hot water supply of the hot water supply circuit 3 will be stopped. At this time, referring to FIG. 3, the heating water in the heating water pipe 26 of the element cooling unit 28 can flow to cool the low temperature side 21 of the thermoelectric generator 18, and the power generation by the thermoelectric generator 18 is ensured. It can be carried out. In addition, in the heat exchanging unit 29, the heating water pipe 26 and the hot water supply water pipe 27 are in close contact with each other, so that the heat of the hot water supply water pipe 27 that is heated at the same time is absorbed by the heating water pipe 26, and the flow of hot water supply water Even when is stopped, boiling of hot water supply water in the hot water supply water pipe 27 can be prevented. Furthermore, a bypass pipe 10 is provided between the forward heating water pipe 6 and the return heating water pipe 7 upstream of the expansion tank 8, and water flow on the heating circuit 2 side suddenly stops. However, since constant water flows through the bypass pipe 10, overheating can be prevented without stopping cooling of the heat exchanging section 29 and the thermoelectric generator 18.

  In addition, when the hot water supply operation is performed alone, the hot water supply water in the hot water supply circuit 3 flows and the circulation of the heating water in the heating circuit 2 is stopped. At this time, hot-water supply water in the hot-water supply water pipe 27 of the element cooling unit 28 flows to cool the low-temperature side 21 of the thermoelectric generator 18, and power generation by the thermoelectric generator 18 can be reliably performed. In addition, in the heat exchanging unit 29, the heating water pipe 26 and the hot water supply water pipe 27 are in close contact with each other, so that the heat of the heating water pipe 26 heated at the same time is absorbed by the hot water supply water pipe 27, and the flow of the heating water Even if is stopped, boiling of the heating water in the heating water pipe 26 can be prevented.

  In the above-described embodiment, the heating water pipe 26 and the hot water supply water pipe 27 of the element cooling unit 28 have the same inner diameter. However, as shown in FIG. The inner diameter of the water pipe 26 may be larger than the inner diameter of the hot water supply water pipe 27. By doing so, in the element cooling unit 28, the amount of water held in the heating circuit 2 becomes larger than the amount of water held in the hot water supply circuit 3, and the cooling effect by the heating water pipe 26 of the element cooling unit 28 can be enhanced. Thus, even if the heating water flow in the heating water pipe 26 stops due to the heating operation being stopped, the cooling effect on the low temperature side of the thermoelectric generator 18 can be obtained, and the heating water pipe 27 is heated. Since the endothermic effect on the water pipe 26 can also be improved, an excessive temperature rise in the hot water supply water pipe 27 can be suppressed. Further, the residual heat stored in the thermoelectric generator 18 immediately after the hot water supply operation can be absorbed by the heating water in the heating water pipe 26, and the temperature of the hot water in the hot water supply pipe 27 is increased by the residual heat in the thermoelectric generator 18. Can be suppressed. Thereby, for example, even if the hot water supply operation is performed again immediately after the hot water supply operation, it is possible to prevent the hot water at an excessively high temperature from being supplied from the hot water supply terminal 13.

  Moreover, in the element cooling unit 28 and the heat exchange unit 29 of the above-described embodiment, the heating water channel is configured by the heating water pipe 26, and the hot water supply channel is configured by the hot water supply water tube 27. Any one of the heating water channel and the hot water supply water channel in the element cooling unit 28 and the heat exchange unit 29 may be formed integrally with the combustion chamber 16. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, a jacket 30 made of a spiral metal plate is integrally provided outside the combustion chamber 16, and a flow path space formed inside the jacket 30 is used as a heating water channel 31. The hot water supply water pipe 32 may be held in close contact with the valley of the jacket 30. According to this, the outer peripheral surface of the hot water supply water pipe 32 is covered with the outer surface of the valley portion of the jacket 30, and a more efficient heat transfer path can be formed.

  Further, the burner 15 of the above-described embodiment forms a flame on the side wall. Specifically, the burner 15 has a cylindrical peripheral wall and forms a flame on the outer peripheral wall surface, or on the opposing rectangular side wall outer surface. Those that form a flame. In this case, it goes without saying that the shape of the combustion chamber 16 is also formed in a cylindrical shape or a rectangular tube shape in accordance with the shape of the burner 15. Further, in place of the burner 15 having such a shape, although not shown, a burner that forms a flat flame on the bottom wall or a burner that forms a flame only on one side wall may be adopted.

  Furthermore, although the heat exchange part 29 of embodiment mentioned above showed what the heating water pipe 26 and the hot water supply water pipe 27 were located in the outer periphery of the heat sink fin 24, the shape of the heat exchange part in this invention is restricted to this. It is not a thing. For example, although not shown, a heating water pipe and a hot water supply water pipe that are in close contact with each other are penetrated through a plurality of fins to form a heat exchanging portion, and may be provided in the combustion chamber so as to cross the exhaust passage of the combustion chamber. it can. Furthermore, in this case, a flame is formed on one side wall, and at least three burners having different heating powers are integrally connected so that large, medium and small heating amounts can be selectively obtained. You may comprise so that the high temperature side of a thermoelectric generation element may be made to oppose. Also in this case, the shape of the combustion chamber is designed in accordance with the shape of the burner and the shape of the exhaust passage, and as described above, the heating water pipe and the hot water supply water pipe that are in close contact with each other are formed into a plurality of fins. A heat exchanging portion formed so as to penetrate can be provided so as to cross the exhaust passage of the combustion chamber.

Explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the heat-source equipment of one Embodiment of this invention. Partial explanatory drawing which shows the shape of an endothermic fin. Explanatory drawing which expands and shows a part of element cooling part and heat exchange part of a heating means. Explanatory drawing which shows the other example of an element cooling part. Explanatory drawing which shows the other example of a structure of the element cooling part of a heating means, and a heat exchange part.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Heat source machine, 2 ... Heating circuit, 3 ... Hot water supply circuit, 4 ... Heating means, 5 ... Heating terminal, 13 ... Hot water supply terminal, 15 ... Burner, 16 ... Combustion chamber, 18 ... Thermoelectric power generation element, 19 ... Element holding part , 24 ... heat absorption fins, 26 ... heating water pipe (heating water channel), 27 ... hot water supply water pipe (hot water supply water channel), 28 ... element cooling unit, 29 ... heat exchange unit.

Claims (4)

A heat source device comprising a heating means and a thermoelectric generator that is heated on the high temperature side by the heating means,
A heating circuit connected to the heating terminal and circulating the heating water heated by the heating means; and a hot water supply circuit for sending hot water heated by the heating means to the hot water supply terminal;
A heating water channel that forms part of the heating circuit and a hot water channel that forms a part of the hot water circuit are in contact with the heating circuit and the hot water circuit so that heat can be transferred to each other to cool the low temperature side of the thermoelectric generator. A heat source machine provided with an element cooling section.   The heat source device according to claim 1, wherein the amount of water held in the heating channel in the element cooling unit is larger than the amount of water held in the hot water supply channel in the element cooling unit. The heating means includes a burner and a combustion chamber extending in the exhaust flow direction of the burner,
The combustion chamber is disposed on the downstream side of the element holding portion, an element holding portion for holding the thermoelectric generation element with the low temperature side of the thermoelectric generation element facing the outside of the combustion chamber and the high temperature side facing the burner. And an endothermic fin that absorbs heat toward the inside of the combustion chamber,
The said heating circuit and the said hot water supply circuit are provided with the heat exchange part which the said water channel for a heating and the said water channel for a hot water supply contact mutually so that heat transfer is possible, and is heated via the said heat absorption fin. The heat source machine described.   4. The heat source apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the heat-absorbing fin is disposed adjacent to the downstream side of the element holding unit, and an element cooling unit and a heat exchanging unit are disposed adjacent to each other.

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