Air conditioning system

JP2024132257A5Pending Publication Date: 2026-01-28TAKASAGO THERMAL ENG CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2023042968
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-03-17
Publication Date
2026-01-28

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing air conditioning systems in factories with heat-generating equipment face high energy consumption due to the need to cool the upper space where heat sources are located, leading to inefficient energy use.

Method used

An air conditioning system that incorporates an external air conditioner, a heating coil, and a heat absorption coil to utilize the heat generated by equipment to heat outside air, reducing the energy required for air conditioning by recycling heat through a heat medium.

Benefits of technology

The system effectively reduces air conditioning energy consumption by using generated heat to warm outside air, optimizing energy use and maintaining temperature stratification with a swirling airflow component, suitable for environments with severe temperature conditions.

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Abstract

To provide an air conditioning system which reduces air conditioning energy in a space having a heat generation source as much as possible.SOLUTION: An air conditioning system performs replacement air conditioning in an air-conditioned room in which a device which generates heat is installed. The air conditioning system includes: conditioned air outlets from which air is blown in a lower part of the air-conditioned room; a conditioned air inlet into which air is suctioned at an upper part of the air-conditioned room; a heat absorbing coil through which air suctioned from the conditioned air inlet passes; and an outdoor air processing unit which supplies outside air to the air-conditioned room and heats outdoor air with a heat medium that has passed through the heat absorbing coil.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioning system. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, various air conditioning systems have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7068261 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Displacement air conditioning is one of the means for reducing the energy required for air conditioning. Since displacement air conditioning performs air conditioning while maintaining temperature stratification, it can reduce the energy loss caused by air conditioning an upper space where equipment and people are not present. In this type of displacement air conditioning, for example, if a swirling component is given to the air blown out from an air intake port provided at the bottom of the air-conditioned space, the air in the air-conditioned space is not disturbed, so that displacement air conditioning can be performed while more reliably maintaining temperature stratification. Since displacement air conditioning performs air conditioning while maintaining temperature stratification, it is particularly effective in factories and the like with relatively high ceilings.

[0005] In a factory where heat sources such as machine tools are installed, the high-temperature air generated from the heat sources rises to near the ceiling. Therefore, when an air conditioning system is used to cool the air near the ceiling and blow it out from an air intake port installed at the bottom of the air-conditioned space, the heat generated from the heat sources is added to the air conditioning system as an air conditioning load.

[0006] In one aspect, the present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide an air conditioning system that reduces air conditioning energy as much as possible in a space containing a heat generation source. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, an outdoor air conditioning unit that supplies outside air to a room to be air-conditioned is provided with a heating coil at the top of the room to be air-conditioned where a heat-generating device is installed, through which a heat transfer medium flows after passing through a heat-absorbing coil through which the sucked-in air passes.

[0008] In detail, the present invention is an air conditioning system that performs displacement air conditioning on a conditioned room in which a heat-emitting device is installed, and comprises an air conditioning outlet that blows out air at a lower part of the conditioned room, an air conditioning inlet that draws in air at an upper part of the conditioned room, a heat absorption coil through which the air sucked in from the air conditioning inlet passes, and an outdoor air conditioning unit that supplies outside air to the conditioned room, the outdoor air conditioning unit having a heating coil that heats the outside air with a heat medium that has passed through the heat absorption coil.

[0009] In the above air conditioning system, when heat is generated from the device installed in the room to be air-conditioned due to operation of the device, the generated heat is transferred to the heat absorption coil via the air in the room to be air-conditioned, and heats the heat medium passing through the heat absorption coil. The heat medium heated by the heat of the device flows from the heat absorption coil to the heating coil, and the heating coil heats the outdoor air in the outdoor air-conditioning unit. Therefore, with the above air conditioning system, the heat generated by the device is effectively used to heat the air in the outdoor air-conditioning unit, and the air-conditioning energy consumed by the entire air-conditioning system is reduced.

[0010] In the above air conditioning system, the heat medium that has passed through the heat absorption coil flows through the heating coil of the outdoor air conditioning unit, and the air in the outdoor air conditioning unit is heated, so the system configuration is simpler than, for example, a system configuration in which the heat medium that passes through the heat absorption coil and the heat medium that passes through the heating coil are separated, and a two-stage heat transport method is adopted in which heat is exchanged between the systems of each heat medium using a heat pump, etc. Therefore, the air conditioning energy required for heat transport from the heat absorption coil to the heating coil is reduced as much as possible.

[0011] Furthermore, in the above air conditioning system, the heat medium that has passed through the heat absorption coil flows through the heating coil of the outdoor air conditioning unit, and the air in the outdoor air conditioning unit is heated. Therefore, the heat contained in the air in the upper part of the air conditioned room can be used more efficiently to heat the air in the outdoor air conditioning unit, compared to, for example, a case in which heat is exchanged in a heat exchanger between the air in the upper part of the air conditioned room and outside air dehumidified by a cooling coil in the outdoor air conditioning unit.

[0012] The air conditioning outlet may be provided with fins that impart a swirling component to the air being blown out. This makes it possible to realize displacement air conditioning by temperature stratification with a small temperature difference within the range of height at which the air conditioning outlet is provided. Therefore, compared to the case of general displacement air conditioning using an air conditioning outlet that does not impart a swirling component to the air being blown out, the temperature of the cold air supplied to the room to be air-conditioned can be made higher, making it possible to reduce the air conditioning energy required by the air conditioning system to produce cold air.

[0013] In addition, the temperature conditions based on the specifications of the heat-generating device are set in the lower space of the air-conditioned room, and the heat-absorbing coil may have a heat exchange capacity that can heat the heat medium to a temperature higher than the temperature conditions by the air sucked in from the air-conditioning intake port. In this way, the heat-absorbing coil has a heat exchange capacity that can heat the heat medium flowing to the heating coil to a higher temperature, so that the heat generated by the device in the air-conditioned room can be used as much as possible to heat the air in the outdoor air-conditioning unit.

[0014] In addition, a heating means may be provided in the path of the heat medium from the heat absorption coil to the heating coil to heat the heat medium when the heat medium that has passed through the heat absorption coil is below a predetermined temperature. Here, the predetermined temperature refers to the temperature condition of the heat medium that flows through the heating coil, and is, for example, a value determined from the temperature conditions set in the air-conditioned room. This makes it possible to supply air at an appropriate temperature from the outdoor air-conditioning unit to the air-conditioned room, even if the heat emitted from the device in the air-conditioned room cannot sufficiently heat the air in the outdoor air-conditioning unit.

[0015] The outdoor air-conditioning unit may further include a cooling coil for dehumidifying outdoor air, and the air-conditioning system may further include a refrigerator for supplying cold heat to the cooling coil using a heat medium, and a cooling tower for supplying cooling water to the refrigerator, and the cooling tower may adjust the temperature of the cooling water to be supplied to the refrigerator to a temperature that increases the operating efficiency of the refrigerator. In this way, it is not necessary to adjust the temperature of the cooling water to be supplied to the refrigerator to a temperature suitable for heating the air in the outdoor air-conditioning unit, for example, and therefore it is possible to increase the operating efficiency of the refrigerator and reduce the air-conditioning energy consumption of the entire air-conditioning system. Effect of the Invention

[0016] The above air conditioning system makes it possible to minimize the amount of air conditioning energy required in a space that contains a heat generation source. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the indoor unit. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the indoor unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an image diagram showing the temperature gradient in the height direction inside a room to be air-conditioned. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a system diagram of the heat source system. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a first modified example of the air conditioning system. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a second modified example of the air conditioning system. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a system diagram of a heat source system according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following describes an embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment described below is an example of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the following aspect.

[0019] <Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning system according to an embodiment. The air conditioning system 1 is an air conditioning system that conditions an air conditioned room 2 in which an apparatus 3 is installed. In this embodiment, the air conditioned room 2 to which the air conditioning system 1 is applied is exemplified by a clean room in a semiconductor device manufacturing factory that requires high air cleanliness. Various types of semiconductor manufacturing equipment that generate heat are arranged in the clean room of the semiconductor device manufacturing factory. In this embodiment, such semiconductor manufacturing equipment is assumed as the equipment 3. The semiconductor manufacturing equipment is, for example, an etching equipment or a CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) equipment. Although two equipments 3 are illustrated in FIG. 1, an appropriate number of equipments 3 are arranged in the air conditioned room 2. Note that the application of the air conditioning system 1 of this embodiment is not limited to such semiconductor device manufacturing factories, and may be applied to, for example, factories that manufacture lithium ion batteries, precision optical equipment, and various other industrial products.

[0020] In the air-conditioned room 2 to be air-conditioned by the air-conditioning system 1, it is necessary to satisfy the temperature conditions set for the device 3. As shown in FIG. 1, when the device 3 is installed on the floor surface of the air-conditioned room 2, it is basically sufficient that the ambient temperature near the device 3 satisfies the temperature conditions, and it is not necessary to perform air-conditioning so that the ambient temperature of the space above the device 3 satisfies the temperature conditions. Therefore, in the air-conditioning system 1 of this embodiment, a displacement air-conditioning method is adopted to suppress the power required for air-conditioning the air-conditioned room 2 as much as possible. That is, the air-conditioning system 1 includes an air outlet unit 4 for supplying the outside air treated by the outdoor air conditioning unit 6 to the air-conditioned room 2, as well as an indoor unit 5 for cooling the air sucked in at the upper part of the air-conditioned room 2 and blowing it out at the lower part of the air-conditioned room 2. In FIG. 1, the air outlet unit 4 and the indoor unit 5 are arranged one by one near the wall surface of the air-conditioned room 2, but the air outlet unit 4 and the indoor unit 5 may be arranged at a position away from the wall surface, or two or more of each may be arranged.

[0021] The system configuration of the air conditioning system 1 will be described in detail below.

[0022] The outdoor air conditioning unit 6 is a unit that takes in outdoor air, purifies it, adjusts the temperature and humidity, and supplies it to the air outlet unit 4 via the duct 7, and has a filter 6A, a heating coil 6B, a cooling coil 6C, a reheat coil 6D, and an electric fan 6E. The filter 6A captures foreign matter such as dust and dirt in the air. The heating coil 6B heats the air taken into the outdoor air conditioning unit 6. The cooling coil 6C removes moisture in the air by cooling the air. The reheat coil 6D heats the air cooled by the cooling coil 6C to a temperature suitable for supplying the air to the conditioned room 2. The electric fan 6E rotates the fan with the power of an electric motor to send air.

[0023] The air outlet unit 4 is a unit for blowing out the air processed by the outdoor air-conditioning unit 6 into the air-conditioned room 2, and has an air outlet from which the air blows out and a filter 4C for purifying the blown-out air. Because the air-conditioning system 1 employs a displacement air-conditioning method, the air outlet unit 4 is configured to blow out air sideways (parallel to the floor surface), and is installed on the floor surface of the air-conditioned room 2.

[0024] The indoor unit 5 is a device that cools the air drawn in from the top of the air-conditioned room 2 and blows it out at the bottom of the air-conditioned room 2, and so has an electric fan 5A and a heat-absorbing coil 5B. The indoor unit 5 also has a filter 5C for purifying the air that is blown out. Since the air-conditioning system 1 uses a displacement air-conditioning method, the indoor unit 5, like the air outlet unit 4, is configured to blow air out sideways, and is installed on the floor surface of the air-conditioned room 2.

[0025] Fig. 2 is an external perspective view of the indoor unit 5. Fig. 3 is an internal structural view of the indoor unit 5. As shown in Fig. 2, an air conditioning inlet 5D is provided on the top surface of the indoor unit 5. Also, an air conditioning outlet 5E is provided on the front surface of the indoor unit 5. Air from the upper part of the target room 2 to be air-conditioned is sucked in through the air conditioning inlet 5D by the suction force of the electric fan 5A. Also, air sent out from the electric fan 5A is blown out through the air conditioning outlet 5E.

[0026] As can be seen from FIG. 2, the air conditioning outlet 5E is circular and arranged vertically and horizontally on the front side of the indoor unit 5. The air conditioning outlets 5E are arranged in the height direction and width direction on the front side of the indoor unit 5 with a gap between them. Each air conditioning outlet 5E has fins for generating a swirling flow centered on the center of the air conditioning outlet 5E, which are arranged at equal intervals and radially in the circumferential direction around the central axis of the air conditioning outlet 5E. These fins arranged around the center of the center of the air conditioning outlet 5E are arranged at an angle to the central axis of the air conditioning outlet 5E. As a result, a swirling component that swirls around the central axis passing through the center of the air conditioning outlet 5E is given to the air blown out from the air conditioning outlet 5E, and the air in the air-conditioned room 2 around the air conditioning outlet 5E can be attracted.

[0027] Furthermore, among the multiple air conditioning outlets 5E, the fins of adjacent air conditioning outlets 5E on the top and bottom have inclination directions opposite to each other, so that the swirling components that they give to the cool air are opposite to each other. For example, as shown by the thin arrows in FIG. 2, when the first air conditioning outlet 5E from the top gives a counterclockwise swirling component to the air, the second air conditioning outlet 5E from the top gives a clockwise swirling component to the air. As a result, between these air conditioning outlets 5E, the swirling components of the first air conditioning outlet 5E from the top and the second air conditioning outlet 5E from the top are in the same direction (to the right in FIG. 2), and the swirling components enhance each other. In this case, the third air conditioning outlet 5E from the top gives a counterclockwise swirling component to the cool air. As a result, between the second air conditioning outlet 5E from the top and the third air conditioning outlet 18 from the top, the swirl component due to the second air conditioning outlet 5E from the top and the swirl component due to the third air conditioning outlet 5E from the top are in the same direction (leftward in Figure 2), and the swirl components enhance each other.

[0028] As a result, the amount of air attracted (attraction ratio) in the air conditioned room 2 around the air conditioning outlet 5E that is attracted by the cool air blown out from the air conditioning outlet 5E increases, so the cool air can be diffused in the air conditioned room 2 toward the front direction of the indoor unit 5. This makes it possible to blow out the cool air without a drafty feeling compared to when no swirling component is given to the cool air. Also, within the height range from the lowest air conditioning outlet 5E to the highest air conditioning outlet 5E in the space in the air conditioned room 2, displacement air conditioning by temperature stratification with small temperature difference from top to bottom can be realized.

[0029] FIG. 4 is an image diagram showing the temperature gradient in the height direction within the air-conditioned room 2. In the graph of FIG. 4, the solid line shows the temperature gradient in the air-conditioning system 1 of this embodiment, and the dashed dotted line shows the temperature gradient in general displacement air conditioning in which no swirl component is imparted to the cool air. The air-conditioning system 1 of this embodiment uses an indoor unit 5 that imparts a swirl component to the air via the air-conditioning outlet 5E, and therefore, as the solid line in the graph of FIG. 4 shows, displacement air conditioning with temperature stratification with small temperature difference can be achieved within the height range from the lowest air-conditioning outlet 5E to the highest air-conditioning outlet 5E in the space within the air-conditioned room 2. On the other hand, when a swirl component is imparted to the cool air, In general replacement air conditioning, when the upper part of the region where the temperature conditions are set is adapted to the temperature conditions, as shown by the dashed line in the graph of FIG. 4, in the lower region of the air-conditioned room 2 where the temperature conditions are set, the air conditioning system 1 needs to blow out cold air at a temperature lower than that of the cold air blown out from the air conditioning outlet 5E, and temperature stratification with a large temperature difference is inevitably formed. Therefore, in the case of general replacement air conditioning, it is difficult to make the air below the upper limit temperature and above the lower limit temperature in a region where the temperature conditions are set in a relatively narrow range of the difference between the upper limit temperature and the lower limit temperature. With the air conditioning system 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to perform replacement air conditioning with a small temperature difference between the top and bottom by using cold air with a swirling component, so it is possible to keep the air below the upper limit temperature and above the lower limit temperature in a region where the temperature conditions are set in a relatively narrow range of the difference between the upper limit temperature and the lower limit temperature. When performing replacement air conditioning with an airflow that does not have a swirling component, a large amount of airflow is required to meet the temperature conditions. However, if the airflow has a swirling component as in the air-conditioning system 1 of this embodiment, the temperature conditions can be met even if the amount of airflow is reduced, and the power required for airflow in the entire air-conditioning system 1 can be reduced. In addition, since replacement air conditioning with a small temperature difference between the top and bottom can be performed using cold air with a swirling component, the temperature conditions can be met even if the blowing temperature is set higher than in general replacement air conditioning without a swirling component. Increasing the blowing temperature means that the temperature of the heat medium passed through the heat-absorbing coil 5B can be increased, thereby improving the heat source efficiency. In addition, by reducing the amount of airflow, the heat medium that passes through the heat-absorbing coil 5B that recovers heat from the upper space of the air-conditioned room 2 is heated to a higher temperature, and the outside air can be efficiently heated by the heat of the heat medium that passes through the heat-absorbing coil 5B as described below.

[0030] Next, we will explain the heat source system of the air conditioning system 1. Fig. 5 is a system diagram of the heat source system. The air conditioning system 1 is equipped with a heat source system 8 as shown in Fig. 5. The heat source system 8 is equipped with, for example, a heat medium system 8A, a cooling water system 8B, and a hot water system 8C.

[0031] The heat medium system 8A is a system in which a heat medium circulates to supply cold and hot heat to devices that handle air to be conditioned, such as the indoor unit 5 and the outdoor air conditioning unit 6. The heat medium system 8A includes a refrigerator 8A1 for producing cold heat, a heat medium circulation pump 8A2 for circulating the heat medium, a heat medium sending header 8A3 for sending the heat medium to each air conditioning device, and a heat medium return header 8A4 for returning the heat medium distributed to each air conditioning device. In the heat medium system 8A, the heat medium that has passed through the evaporator of the refrigerator 8A1 is sent to the heat medium sending header 8A3 by a heat medium circulation pump 8A2 provided in the middle of the heat medium piping 8A10 that connects the refrigerator 8A1 to the heat medium sending header 8A3. The heat medium sent to the heat medium sending header 8A3 flows to the heat medium piping 8A12 that connects to the heat absorption coil 5B of the indoor unit 5 and the heat medium piping 8A13 that connects to the cooling coil 6C of the outdoor air conditioning unit 6. The heat medium that flows to the heat absorption coil 5B of the indoor unit 5 returns to the heat medium return header 8A4 through the heat medium piping 8A15, and the heat medium that flows to the cooling coil 6C of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 6 returns to the heat medium return header 8A4 through the heat medium piping 8A16. The heat medium that returns to the heat medium return header 8A4 passes through the heat medium piping 8A11 and again through the evaporator of the chiller 8A1. Note that in FIG. 5, the heat medium system 8A is provided with only one each of the indoor unit 5, outdoor air-conditioning unit 6, and chiller 8A1, but each device, valve, piping, and pump are provided appropriately in the heat medium system 8A.

[0032] The cooling water system 8B is a system in which cooling water for cooling the condenser of the chiller 8A1 provided in the heat transfer medium system 8A circulates. The cooling water system 8B is provided with a cooling water circulation pump 8B1 for circulating the cooling water, and a cooling tower 8B2 for cooling the cooling water. In the cooling water system 8B, the heat transfer medium that has passed through the condenser of the chiller 8A1 is sent to the cooling tower 8B2 by the cooling water circulation pump 8B1 provided in the middle of the cooling water piping 8B4 that connects the chiller 8A1 to the cooling tower 8B2. The cooling water sent to the cooling tower 8B2 drips from the top of the cooling tower 8B2 and accumulates at the bottom of the cooling tower 8B2. The cooling water that has accumulated at the bottom of the cooling tower 8B2 flows again to the condenser of the chiller 8A1 through the cooling water piping 8B3. The cooling tower 8B2 is provided with an electric fan capable of generating an ascending air current inside, and changes in temperature depending on the temperature of the cooling water flowing through the cooling water piping 8B3. The electric fan is started and stopped as needed according to the temperature of the chiller 8A1, and the chiller is cooled by the principle of heat of vaporization. The starting and stopping of the electric fan is preferably controlled so that the temperature of the chiller flowing through the chiller pipe 8B3 becomes a temperature at which the chiller 8A1 is operated efficiently. The cooling tower 8B2 is provided with a water supply means such as a ball tap valve that supplies the chiller with water so that the level of the chiller pooled in the lower part of the cooling tower 8B2 is maintained at a constant level. Although FIG. 5 shows only one chiller 8A1, one cooling tower 8B2, and one chiller circulation pump 8B1 in the chiller system 8B, each device, valve, pipe, and pump are provided in the chiller system 8B as needed.

[0033] The hot water system 8C is a system that supplies hot water to various parts of the building in which the air conditioning system 1 is installed. An appropriate heat source is used for the hot water system 8C. Examples of heat sources used for the hot water system 8C include heat from heat source equipment such as a heat pump or a boiler, and exhaust heat generated by utility equipment such as a compressor.

[0034] When air is heated in an air conditioning system, hot water such as that produced in the hot water system 8C is generally used. However, in the air conditioning system 1 of this embodiment, the power required for heating the air is reduced by flowing the heat medium that has passed through the heat absorption coil 5B to the heating coil 6B and the reheat coil 6D of the outdoor air conditioning unit 6 that processes the outdoor air. That is, as shown in the system diagram of FIG. 5, the heat medium pipe 8A14 for dividing the heat medium to the heating coil 6B and the reheat coil 6D is connected as a branch path in the middle of the heat medium pipe 8A15 that connects from the heat absorption coil 5B to the heat medium return header 8A4. The heat medium that branches to the heat medium pipe 8A14 further flows to the heating coil 6B and the reheat coil 6D via the heat medium pipe 8A18. Then, the heat medium that has passed through the heating coil 6B and the reheat coil 6D merges again with the heat medium pipe 8A15 via the heat medium pipe 8A19 and flows to the heat medium return header 8A4.

[0035] In this way, the heat medium system 8A of the heat source system 8 is provided with a path for sending the heat medium that has passed through the heat absorption coil 5B to the heating coil 6B and the reheating coil 6D. Therefore, when heat is generated from each device 3 installed in the air-conditioned room 2 due to operation of the device 3, the generated heat is transferred to the heat absorption coil 5B through the air in the air-conditioned room 2, and heats the heat medium that passes through the heat absorption coil 5B. Since the heat medium system 8A is provided with a path for sending the heat medium that has passed through the heat absorption coil 5B to the heating coil 6B and the reheating coil 6D, the heat medium that has been heated by the heat of the device 3 flows from the heat absorption coil 5B to the heating coil 6B and the reheating coil 6D, heating the outside air with the heating coil 6B, and also heating the air cooled by the cooling coil 6C that dehumidifies the outside air with the reheating coil 6D. Therefore, according to the air conditioning system 1, the heat generated by the device 3 is effectively used to heat the outside air taken in by the outdoor air-conditioning unit 6 and to heat the air after the outside air has been dehumidified by the cooling coil 6C, thereby reducing the air conditioning energy consumed by the entire air conditioning system 1. In view of such a mechanism for effective use of heat, it is preferable from the viewpoint of heat utilization that the heat-absorbing coil 5B has a heat exchange capacity sufficient to raise the temperature of the heat medium to a temperature higher than the temperature condition set in the lower space of the air-conditioned room 2.

[0036] In the heat medium system 8A of this embodiment, the heat medium that has passed through the heat absorption coil 5B flows through the heating coil 6B and reheat coil 6D of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 6 to heat the air in the outdoor air-conditioning unit 6, so that the system configuration is simpler than the case where the heat medium passing through the heat absorption coil 5B and the heating coil 6B and reheat coil 6D are separated, and a two-stage heat transport method is adopted in which heat is exchanged between the systems of each heat medium using a heat pump or the like. Therefore, the air conditioning energy required for heat transport from the heat absorption coil 5B to the reheat coil 6D is reduced as much as possible.

[0037] In addition, in the heat medium system 8A of this embodiment, the heat medium that has passed through the heat absorption coil 5B flows through the heating coil 6B and the reheating coil 6D of the outdoor air conditioning unit 6, and the air in the outdoor air conditioning unit 6 is heated. For example, the air in the upper part of the air-conditioned room 2, the outside air taken in the outdoor air conditioning unit 6, and the outside air dehumidified by the cooling coil 6C in the outdoor air conditioning unit 6 are exchanged in a heat exchanger. Compared to the case of heat exchange, the heat of the air in the upper part of the air conditioned room 2 can be used to heat the air in the outdoor air-conditioning unit 6 more efficiently.

[0038] In order to prevent the air that has passed through the reheat coil 6D from being overcooled, the heat medium system 8A is provided with an adjustment valve 8A8 and an adjustment valve 8A9 that adjust the flow rate of the heat medium that passes through the reheat coil 6D. The adjustment valves 8A8 and 8A9 are valves whose opening is adjusted based on the measurement value of a temperature sensor 8A7 that measures the temperature of the heat medium that has passed through the reheat coil 6D. For example, if the measurement value of the temperature sensor 8A7 is higher than the set value, the adjustment valve 8A8 is controlled to decrease its opening, and the adjustment valve 8A9 is controlled to increase its opening. Also, for example, if the measurement value of the temperature sensor 8A7 is lower than the set value, the adjustment valve 8A8 is controlled to increase its opening, and the adjustment valve 8A9 is controlled to decrease its opening. This allows the air that has passed through the reheat coil 6D to be adjusted to an appropriate temperature.

[0039] In addition, in preparation for the case where the heat medium passing through the heat absorption coil 5B cannot be sufficiently heated by the heat generated from the device 3 due to reasons such as the device 3 being stopped or just after starting, the heat source system 8 is provided with a means for heating the heat medium flowing from the heat absorption coil 5B to the heating coil 6B and the reheat coil 6D with the heat of the hot water of the hot water system 8C. That is, the heat source system 8 is provided with a heat exchanger 8C2 for exchanging heat with the hot water of the heat source system 8 between the heat medium pipe 8A14 and the heat medium pipe 8A18 of the heat medium system 8A, and an adjustment valve 8A17 in a bypass path for increasing or decreasing the flow rate of the heat medium passing through the heat exchanger 8C2. In addition, the hot water system 8C is provided with an adjustment valve 8C1 for adjusting the flow rate of the hot water of the heat exchanger 8C2 according to the measured value of a temperature sensor 8A6 for measuring the temperature of the heat medium flowing from the heat exchanger 8C2 to the heat medium pipe 8A18 so that the heat medium passing through the heat exchanger 8C2 has a predetermined temperature. In addition, the heat medium pipe 8A14 is provided with a heat medium booster pump 8A5 to compensate for the lack of flow rate due to the pressure loss when the heat medium passes through the heat exchanger 8C2. The regulating valve 8A17 controls the flow rate of the heat medium passing through the heating coil 6B and the reheating coil 6D by increasing or decreasing the valve opening so that the pressure difference between the heat medium pipe 8A14 and the heat medium pipe 8A18 is appropriate. As a result, for example, if the heat medium passing through the heat absorption coil 5B cannot be sufficiently heated by the heat generated from the device 3 and the heat medium passing through the heat absorption coil 5B is below a predetermined temperature, the opening of the regulating valve 8C1 is increased until the heat medium passing through the heat exchanger 8C2 reaches the predetermined temperature, so that the heat medium flowing from the heat absorption coil 5B to the heating coil 6B and the reheating coil 6D is heated by the heat of the hot water in the hot water system 8C. Furthermore, for example, when the heat medium passing through the heat absorption coil 5B is sufficiently heated by the heat generated from the device 3 and is at or above a predetermined temperature, the opening of the regulating valve 8C1 is reduced so that the heat medium passing through the heat exchanger 8C2 becomes below the predetermined temperature, causing the regulating valve 8C1 to close, and the heat medium flowing from the heat absorption coil 5B to the heating coil 6B and the reheat coil 6D is not heated by the heat of the hot water in the hot water system 8C.Because the heat source system 8 is configured in this manner, the air conditioning system 1 is able to reduce the air conditioning energy consumed by the entire air conditioning system 1 when the device 3 is operating, while supplying air at an appropriate temperature from the outdoor air conditioning unit 6 to the conditioned room 2 immediately after the device 3 is stopped or started.

[0040] For example, as shown in Fig. 5, a case will be described where the temperature of the heat medium in the heat medium supply header 8A3 is designed to be 14°C. When the target temperature value of the heat medium set in the controller of the chiller 8A1 is 14°C, the heat medium in the heat medium supply header 8A3 will be 14°C. As described above, the 14°C heat medium in the heat medium supply header 8A3 is sent to the heat absorption coil 5B of the indoor unit 5 and the cooling coil 6C of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 6. The 14°C heat medium sent to the cooling coil 6C of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 6 cools the outside air flowing into the outdoor air-conditioning unit 6 by the suction of the electric fan 6E.

[0041] On the other hand, the heat medium at 14°C sent to the heat absorbing coil 5B of the indoor unit 5 is heated to, for example, about 26°C by cooling the air in the air-conditioned room 2 that flows into the indoor unit 5 by the suction of the electric fan 5A. The heat medium heated to about 26°C by the heat absorbing coil 5B is As described above, the air is sent from the heat absorption coil 5B to the heating coil 6B and the reheating coil 6D. Therefore, in the outdoor air-conditioning unit 6, the outside air that flows into the outdoor air-conditioning unit 6 is heated by the 26°C heat medium in the heating coil 6B. Also, in the outdoor air-conditioning unit 6, the outside air that has been cooled by the 14°C heat medium in the cooling coil 6C is heated by the 26°C heat medium in the reheating coil 6D.

[0042] In the air conditioning system 1 of this embodiment, the heat medium that branches off from the heat medium supply header 8A3 and is divided into the indoor unit 5 and the outdoor air-conditioning unit 6 is not returned directly to the heat medium return header 8A4, but a portion of the heat medium that has passed through the indoor unit 5 is used for heating in the outdoor air-conditioning unit 6. This simple system configuration reduces the air-conditioning energy required for heat transport as much as possible, and also makes effective use of the heat contained in the air in the room 2 to be air-conditioned.

[0043] In the case of general replacement air conditioning, it is difficult to keep the air below the upper limit temperature and above the lower limit temperature in an area where the temperature conditions are set in a relatively narrow range of the difference between the upper limit temperature and the lower limit temperature. Therefore, it is difficult to apply general replacement air conditioning to places with strict temperature conditions, such as clean rooms in semiconductor manufacturing factories (for example, the temperature conditions are 23°C ± 3°C). With the air conditioning system 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to perform replacement air conditioning with a small temperature difference between the top and bottom using cold air with a swirling component, so it is possible to keep the air below the upper limit temperature and above the lower limit temperature in an area where the temperature conditions are set in a relatively narrow range of the difference between the upper limit temperature and the lower limit temperature, and it is possible to apply it to places with such strict temperature conditions.

[0044] In addition, in the air conditioning system 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to perform replacement air conditioning with a small temperature difference between the top and bottom by using cold air with a swirling component, so the temperature conditions can be met even if the blowing temperature is set higher than in general replacement air conditioning without a swirling component. For example, in the case of replacement air conditioning without a swirling component, if the supply air temperature of the indoor unit is set to 19 to 20°C, it is impossible to make the area where the temperature condition (23°C ± 3°C) is set to be below the upper limit temperature. However, in the air conditioning system 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to perform replacement air conditioning with a small temperature difference between the top and bottom by using cold air with a swirling component, so even if the supply air temperature of the indoor unit 5 is set to 19 to 20°C, it is possible to make the area where the temperature condition (23°C ± 3°C) is set to be below the upper limit temperature. Therefore, even if the heat medium supply header 8A3 supplies a relatively high temperature heat medium of 14°C to the indoor unit 5, it is possible to make the area where the temperature condition is set to be below the upper limit temperature.

[0045] The fact that the temperature of the heat medium supplied from the refrigerator 8A1 of the heat medium system 8A can be set to a relatively high temperature range of 14°C means that the refrigerator 8A1 can be operated at a low load, reducing the power required for the refrigerator 8A1. As a result, the entire heat medium system 8A can be operated with high efficiency.

[0046] In addition, as a heat source of the heat used in the heating coil 6B and the reheat coil 6D, for example, the heat of the cooling water coming out of the refrigerator 8A1 in the cooling water system 8B may be used. In that case, in order to properly heat the outdoor air in the outdoor air-conditioning unit 6, it is necessary to operate the cooling water of the cooling water system 8B in a relatively high temperature range (for example, 32°C). If the cooling water of the cooling water system 8B is operated in such a temperature range, the condensation capacity of the condenser of the refrigerator 8A1 decreases, and the operating efficiency of the refrigerator 8A1 is poor. In this respect, in the air-conditioning system 1 of this embodiment, the heat of the heat medium that has passed through the heat absorption coil 5B is used as a heat source of the heat used in the heating coil 6B and the reheat coil 6D, so that the cooling water of the cooling water system 8B can be operated in a temperature range suitable for the operating efficiency of the refrigerator 8A1. That is, in the air-conditioning system 1 of this embodiment, the cooling water of the cooling water system 8B can be operated in a low temperature range where the condenser of the refrigerator 8A1 can exhibit sufficient condensation capacity. Therefore, the operating efficiency of the refrigerator 8A1 can be kept high.

[0047] In the air conditioning system 1 of this embodiment, the temperature of the air in the upper part of the air conditioned room 2 is assumed to be in the range of about 30°C to 35°C, depending on the amount of heat emitted by the device 3 in the air conditioned room 2 and the thermal insulation performance of the building. This is a relatively low-temperature exhaust heat among the exhaust heat emitted from a wide variety of devices, and it is generally difficult to recover exhaust heat in this temperature range as hot heat using a heat medium such as hot water. However, in the air conditioning system 1 of this embodiment, by focusing on the fact that the temperature conditions can be met with supply air at a higher temperature than in general replacement air conditioning by replacement air conditioning using an air flow with a swirling component, it has been found that exhaust heat in this temperature range can be recovered using a heat medium flowing through the heat absorption coil 5B in the indoor unit 5. The reason why exhaust heat in this temperature range can be used for heating the outdoor air in the outdoor air conditioning unit 6 is because the temperature conditions can be met even with high-temperature supply air by using replacement air conditioning using an air flow with a swirling component, and it is impossible to effectively use such heat with general replacement air conditioning.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the outdoor air is dehumidified by the cooling coil 6C in the outdoor air-conditioning unit 6, but such dehumidification may be performed only in the summer when humidity is high, and dehumidification may be omitted in the winter when humidity is low. For example, when dehumidification is omitted in the winter, the air-conditioning system 1 may stop the flow of the heat medium of the cooling coil 6C with a valve, and only heat the outdoor air with the heating coil 6B and the reheat coil 6D.

[0049] In addition, in the above embodiment, the outdoor air-conditioning unit 6 is provided with both the heating coil 6B and the reheat coil 6D, but the air-conditioning system 1 may be, for example, one in which the heating coil 6B is omitted from the outdoor air-conditioning unit 6. Since reheating is a type of heating, in this case, the reheat coil 6D corresponds to an example of the "heating coil" as referred to in this application.

[0050] <Modification> FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a first modified example of the air conditioning system 1. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the air conditioning system 1 of the above embodiment may be modified to a form in which the air sucked in from the air conditioning inlet provided on the ceiling surface of the air-conditioned room 2 is treated by an air conditioning device inside or outside the air-conditioned room 2 and is blown out from the air conditioning outlet of the outlet unit 4. Even in such a modified example, it is possible to use the heat of the device 3 contained in the air sucked in from the air conditioning inlet provided on the ceiling surface of the air-conditioned room 2 to heat the air in the outdoor air conditioning unit 6. Therefore, the heat generated by the device 3 is effectively used to heat the outdoor air taken in by the outdoor air conditioning unit 6 and to heat the air after the outdoor air is dehumidified by the cooling coil 6C, and it is possible to suppress the air conditioning energy consumed by the entire air conditioning system 1. In this first modified example, as in the above embodiment, when dehumidification is omitted in winter, the flow of the heat medium of the cooling coil 6C may be stopped by a valve, and only the heating of the outdoor air may be performed by the heating coil 6B and the reheating coil 6D.

[0051] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a second modified example of the air conditioning system 1. The air conditioning system 1 of the above embodiment may be modified, for example, to send the cold air sent from the outdoor air conditioning unit 6 to the indoor unit 5 instead of the air outlet unit 4. Even in such a modified example, the heat of the device 3 contained in the air sucked in by the indoor unit 5 can be used to heat the air in the outdoor air conditioning unit 6. Therefore, the heat generated by the device 3 is effectively used to heat the outdoor air taken in by the outdoor air conditioning unit 6 and the air after the outdoor air is dehumidified by the cooling coil 6C, and it is possible to reduce the air conditioning energy consumed by the entire air conditioning system 1. In this second modified example, as in the above embodiment, when dehumidification is omitted in winter, the flow of the heat medium of the cooling coil 6C may be stopped by a valve, and only the heating of the outdoor air may be performed by the heating coil 6B and the reheating coil 6D.

[0052] Fig. 8 is a system diagram of a heat source system according to a modified example. The heat source system 8 of the air conditioning system 1 may be modified, for example, as shown in Fig. 8. That is, the heat source system 8 includes, in addition to the indoor unit 51 corresponding to the indoor unit 5 described above, for example, The heat medium may include an indoor unit 52 in which the heat medium returned from the indoor unit 52 is returned directly to the heat medium return header 8A4 without passing through the outdoor air-conditioning unit 6. In a case where the air-conditioned room 2 treated by the air-conditioning system 1 is large and a large number of indoor unit units 5 are installed in the air-conditioned room 2, the temperature of the air sucked into the indoor unit 5 may vary greatly depending on the layout of the device 3 and the indoor unit 5. Therefore, for example, by arranging the indoor unit 52 in a location where the temperature of the sucked air is relatively low in the air-conditioned room 2 and arranging the indoor unit 51 in a location where the temperature of the sucked air is relatively high in the air-conditioned room 2, it is possible to effectively use the heat generated by the device 3 and reduce the air-conditioning energy consumed by the entire air-conditioning system 1.

[0053] Furthermore, in addition to the heat medium system 8A, the heat source system 8 of the air conditioning system 1 may have a chilled water system for lowering the temperature of the air flowing into the outdoor air conditioning unit 6 below that of the cooling coil 6C, and the outdoor air conditioning unit 6 may be equipped with a cooling coil through which chilled water from the chilled water system flows. If such a chilled water system and cooling coil are provided, for example, even when the outdoor air is highly humid due to weather conditions or the like and the humidity condition of the outdoor air that can be introduced into the air conditioned room 2 is low, the air conditioning system 1 can introduce the low-humidity outdoor air into the air conditioned room 2.

[0054] In addition, the air conditioning system 1 can be modified into an appropriate form. For example, in the air conditioning system 1 of the above embodiment, in preparation for a case where the heat medium passing through the heat absorption coil 5B cannot be sufficiently heated by the heat generated from the device 3, the heat source system 8 is provided with a means for heating the heat medium flowing from the heat absorption coil 5B to the heating coil 6B and the reheat coil 6D with the heat of the hot water of the hot water system 8C, but such a heating means may be omitted, or a form may be adopted in which the hot water of the hot water system 8C is passed through a coil in the outdoor air-conditioning unit 6 so that the hot water system 8C directly heats the air. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1. Air conditioning system 2. Air-conditioned room 3...Equipment 4. Air outlet unit 4C·Filter 5. Indoor unit 5A Electric Fan 5B Heat absorbing coil 5C··Filter 5D Air conditioning intake 5E·Air conditioning outlet 6. Outdoor air conditioning unit 6A··Filter 6B Heating coil 6C Cooling coil 6D Reheat coil 6E··Electric fan 7. Duct 8. Heat Source System 8A·Heating medium system 8B · Cooling water system 8C··Hot water system 8A1 · Refrigerator 8A2 Heat transfer medium pump 8A3 Heat transfer header 8A4 Heat transfer header 8A5 Heat transfer medium booster pump 8A6, 8A7 Temperature Sensors 8A8, 8A9, 8A17 Regulating valve 8A10~8A16,8A18,8A19...Heating medium piping 8B1 Cooling water circulation pump 8B2 · Cooling tower 8B3,8B4 · Cooling water piping 8C1 Regulating valve 8C2·Heat exchanger 8C3, 8C4 Hot water piping

Claims

1. An air conditioning system that performs displacement air conditioning on a room to be air-conditioned in a factory where heat-generating production equipment is installed, a plurality of indoor unit units installed in the air-conditioned room, each having an air conditioning outlet that blows out air at a lower part of the air-conditioned room, an air conditioning inlet that draws air at an upper part of the air-conditioned room, and a heat-absorbing coil that performs heat exchange between the air drawn in from the air conditioning inlet and a heat medium, and the air conditioning outlet attracts air around the air conditioning outlet with the air that it blows out; an outdoor air-conditioning unit that supplies outdoor air to the air-conditioned room, the outdoor air-conditioning unit having a heating coil that heats the outdoor air with a heat medium that has passed through the heat-absorbing coil, and a cooling coil that dehumidifies the outdoor air; a refrigerator that supplies cold heat to the cooling coil using a heat medium, A heat medium flows from the heat absorption coil to the refrigerator and passes through the heating coil. The air that has passed through the outdoor air-conditioning unit is sent to at least one of the indoor units. Air conditioning system.

2. An air conditioning system that performs displacement air conditioning on a room to be air-conditioned in a factory where heat-generating production equipment is installed, a plurality of indoor unit units installed in the air-conditioned room, each having a first air conditioning outlet that blows out air at a lower part of the air-conditioned room, a first air conditioning inlet that draws air at an upper part of the air-conditioned room, and a heat-absorbing coil that performs heat exchange between the air drawn in from the first air conditioning inlet and a heat medium, wherein the first air conditioning outlet attracts air around the first air conditioning outlet with the air that it blows out; an outdoor air-conditioning unit that supplies outdoor air to the air-conditioned room, the outdoor air-conditioning unit having a heating coil that heats the outdoor air with a heat medium that has passed through the heat-absorbing coil, and a cooling coil that dehumidifies the outdoor air; an air outlet unit installed in the air-conditioned room, the air outlet having a second air conditioning outlet that blows out air at a lower part of the air-conditioned room and a second air conditioning inlet connected to the outdoor air-conditioning unit, the second air conditioning outlet inducing air around the second air conditioning outlet by the air that is blown out; a refrigerator that supplies cold heat to the cooling coil using a heat medium, A heat medium flows from the heat absorption coil to the refrigerator and passes through the heating coil. The air that has passed through the outdoor air-conditioning unit is sent to the air outlet unit. Air conditioning system.

3. In the air-conditioned room, a temperature condition based on the specifications of the production equipment is set in a lower space of the air-conditioned room, The heat absorption coil has a heat exchange capacity capable of raising the temperature of the heat medium to a temperature higher than the temperature condition by the air drawn in from the air conditioning intake port. The air conditioning system of claim 1 .

4. In the air-conditioned room, temperature conditions based on the specifications of the production equipment are set in the lower space of the air-conditioned room, The heat absorption coil has a heat exchange capacity capable of raising the temperature of the heat medium to a temperature higher than the temperature condition by the air drawn in from the first air conditioning suction port.

3. The air conditioning system of claim 2.

5. a heating means for heating the heat medium when the temperature of the heat medium that has passed through the heat absorption coil is lower than a predetermined temperature is provided in the path of the heat medium that runs from the heat absorption coil to the heating coil; 5. The air conditioning system according to claim 3 or 4.

6. The air conditioning system further includes a cooling tower that supplies cooling water to the refrigerator, The cooling tower adjusts the temperature of the cooling water flowing into the refrigerator to a temperature at which the refrigerator operates efficiently.

6. The air conditioning system of claim 5.