Adsorption-type heat pump

Abstract

To improve an output and the conversion efficiency of an adsorption-type heat pump by expanding a use range of an adsorbent.SOLUTION: An adsorption-type heat pump comprises: a first adsorber and a second adsorber which can adsorb and desorb adsorbates; a first condenser connected to the first adsorber, and removing adsorption heat which is generated when the first adsorber adsorbs the adsorbate, or condensing the vapor of the adsorbate which is desorbed from the first adsorber; a second condenser connected to the second adsorber, and removing adsorption heat which is generated when the second adsorber adsorbs the adsorbate, or condensing the vapor of the adsorbate which is desorbed from the second adsorber; a first evaporator connected to either of the first adsorber and the second adsorber, and supplying a vaporized adsorbate to either of the adsorbers; and a first heating part connected to the other of the first adsorber and the second adsorber, and desorbing the adsorbate which is adsorbed to the other by heating the other of the adsorbers.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an adsorption heat pump. [Background technology]

[0002] Adsorption heat pumps are known that utilize exothermic and endothermic reactions that occur when an adsorbent adsorbs and desorbs (desorbs) an adsorbate (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The heat pump described in Patent Document 1 has multiple adsorbers. Of the multiple adsorbers, some of the adsorbers operate in an adsorption mode in which the heat medium is adsorbed onto the adsorbent, and the other adsorbers operate in a regeneration mode in which the heat medium is desorbed from the adsorbent. The adsorption mode and the regeneration mode are switched sequentially for each adsorber by a switching member, and cold is continuously generated by the heat pump. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6578700 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In an adsorption heat pump, the difference in the adsorption amount of the adsorbent (adsorbent material) within the operating range is very important for the output and efficiency. However, an adsorption heat pump has a characteristic that the operating range changes depending on the heat exchange method. In this regard, the heat pump described in Patent Document 1 recovers sensible heat of the high-temperature heat transfer medium in the adsorber that switches from regeneration mode to adsorption mode through a multi-stage cycle using multiple adsorber, thereby suppressing sensible heat loss. However, there is room for improvement in the output and efficiency of the adsorption heat pump.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and has an object to improve the output and conversion efficiency of an adsorption heat pump by expanding the range of application of the adsorbent. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve at least part of the above-mentioned problems, and can be realized in the following forms.

[0007] (1) According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an adsorption heat pump comprising a first adsorber and a second adsorber capable of adsorbing and desorbing an adsorbate, a first condenser connected to the first adsorber and configured to remove heat of adsorption generated when the first adsorber adsorbs an adsorbate or to condense vapor of the adsorbate desorbed from the first adsorber, a second condenser connected to the second adsorber and configured to remove heat of adsorption generated when the second adsorber adsorbs an adsorbate or to condense vapor of the adsorbate desorbed from the second adsorber, a first evaporator connected to one of the first adsorber and the second adsorber and configured to supply evaporated adsorbate to the one of the first adsorber and the second adsorber, and a first heating unit connected to the other of the first adsorber and the second adsorber and configured to heat the other of the first adsorber and thereby desorb the adsorbate adsorbed in the other of the first adsorber and the second adsorber.

[0008] According to this configuration, the two first and second condensers remove the heat of adsorption from the two first and second adsorbers and condense the vapor of the adsorbate that has been desorbed. The amount of adsorption in the adsorber is determined by the relative pressure of the adsorption heat pump. The relative pressure during adsorption is the value obtained by dividing the vapor pressure at the temperature of the first evaporator by the vapor pressure at the temperature of the condenser. On the other hand, the relative pressure during desorption is the value obtained by dividing the temperature of the condenser by the vapor pressure at the temperature of the first heating section. In this configuration, the condenser is divided into two condensers, the first and second condensers, instead of one condenser, so that the temperature of one condenser is lowered predominantly. Therefore, the total amount of adsorbate that is adsorbed during adsorption in each of the first and second adsorbers is increased. This expands the range of use of the adsorbent in the adsorber, improving the output and conversion efficiency of the adsorption heat pump.

[0009] (2) The adsorption heat pump of the above aspect may further include a control unit capable of switching a connection destination of the first evaporator and the first heating unit among the first adsorber and the second adsorber, and a flow path through which a refrigerant flows to cool the first condenser and the second condenser, the first condenser and the second condenser being arranged with respect to the flow path such that the first condenser is located upstream of the second condenser along a flow direction of the refrigerant, and the control unit may be capable of switching a connection destination of the first adsorber and the second adsorber among the first condenser and the second condenser, and may connect the one connected to the first evaporator to the first condenser and connect the other connected to the first heating unit to the second condenser. According to this configuration, the first condenser and the second condenser are disposed upstream of the second condenser with respect to the flow path through which the refrigerant flows. As a result, the first condenser is cooled by the refrigerant more preferentially than the second condenser. By connecting the first condenser, which is cooled more by the refrigerant, to the adsorber that adsorbs the adsorbate among the two adsorbers, the amount of adsorbate during adsorption is increased compared to when the first condenser is connected to the adsorber that desorbs the adsorbate. As a result, the output and conversion efficiency of the adsorption heat pump are further improved. In addition, the control unit can switch the connection between the two adsorbers, the two condensers, the first evaporator, and the first heating unit. Therefore, in the two adsorbers, adsorption and desorption of the adsorbate are alternately repeated, so that cold heat is continuously generated.

[0010] (3) In the adsorption heat pump of the above aspect, the control unit may be capable of switching between a connected state in which the first adsorber and the second adsorber are connected to allow the adsorbate vapor to move, a heat exchange state in which heat exchange is possible without the adsorbate vapor moving, and a disconnected state, and one of the first adsorber and the second adsorber, which is connected to the first evaporator and the first condenser, may be disconnected from the first evaporator and connected to the second condenser, and the other, which is connected to the first heating unit, may be disconnected from the second condenser, and the one and the other may be in the connected state. According to this configuration, steam heated by the first heating unit flows from the other adsorber into the one adsorber that has completed adsorption of the adsorbate and is separated from the first evaporator. This causes the one adsorber to desorb the adsorbate. Furthermore, the adsorbate of the desorbed steam is cooled and condensed by the two condensers connected to the one adsorber. This allows a larger amount of adsorbate to be condensed more quickly than if one adsorber were cooled by a single condenser.

[0011] (4) In the adsorption heat pump of the above aspect, the control unit may disconnect one of the first adsorption unit and the second adsorption unit, which is connected to the first condenser and the second condenser, from the first condenser and the second condenser, and disconnect the other of the first adsorption unit and the first heating unit from the first heating unit, and switch the one and the other from the connected state to the heat exchange state. According to this configuration, heat is transferred from the other adsorber heated by the first heating unit for desorption of the adsorbate to the one adsorber before being heated by the first heating unit. This causes the temperature of the other adsorber to decrease and the temperature of the one adsorber to increase. This completes the adsorption of the adsorbate, and makes it possible to reduce the thermal energy input to the one adsorber to be heated by the first heating unit.

[0012] (5) In the adsorption heat pump of the above aspect, the control unit may separate the one and the other in the heat exchange state, and connect one of the first adsorber and the second adsorber to the first heating unit and the first condenser, and connect the other to the first evaporator and the second condenser. According to this configuration, one of the adsorbers connected to the first heating unit and desorbing the adsorbate is connected to the first condenser before being connected to the second condenser. The other adsorber connected to the first evaporator and adsorbing the adsorbate is connected to the second condenser before being connected to the first condenser. Immediately after the two adsorber switch between adsorption and desorption of the adsorbate, the pressures are reversed between the first condenser arranged on the upstream side of the flow path through which the refrigerant flows and the second condenser arranged on the downstream side. Therefore, the one adsorber just before desorbing the adsorbate is connected to the first condenser, and the other adsorber just before adsorbing the adsorbate is connected to the second condenser, thereby suppressing the reversed pressure. As a result, the heat exchange performance of the adsorption heat pump of this configuration is improved.

[0013] (6) The adsorption heat pump of the above aspect further comprises a third adsorber and a fourth adsorber each capable of adsorbing and desorbing an adsorbate, a third condenser connected to the third adsorber and configured to remove heat of adsorption generated when the third adsorber adsorbs an adsorbate or to condense vapor of the adsorbate desorbed from the third adsorber, a fourth condenser connected to the fourth adsorber and configured to remove heat of adsorption generated when the fourth adsorber adsorbs an adsorbate or to condense vapor of the adsorbate desorbed from the fourth adsorber, a heat medium supplied to the first heating section and having a higher temperature than the adsorbate supplied to the first evaporator, and a heat medium connected to the third adsorber and configured to remove heat of adsorption generated when the fourth adsorber adsorbs an adsorbate or to condense vapor of the adsorbate desorbed from the fourth adsorber. the first heating unit and the second heating unit connected to the fourth adsorber and connected to the downstream side of the first evaporator, the second heating unit heating the third adsorber with the heat medium discharged from the first heating unit and desorbing the adsorbate adsorbed in the third adsorber; a second evaporator connected to the fourth adsorber and connected to the downstream side of the first evaporator, the second evaporator evaporating the adsorbate discharged from the first evaporator and supplying the adsorbate to the fourth adsorber; and a flow path through which a refrigerant flows to cool the four condensers, the four condensers being arranged with respect to the flow path so as to be located upstream in the order of the first condenser, the second condenser, the third condenser, and the fourth condenser along the flow direction of the refrigerant. According to this configuration, the four adsorbers are connected in different orders, that is, the first evaporator, the second heating unit, the first heating unit, and the second evaporator, to perform adsorption or desorption of the adsorbate. In this configuration, the two condensers are further divided into four condensers, so that the inlet and outlet temperatures of the four condensers are different. Since the relative pressure during adsorption changes due to the different inlet and outlet temperatures, the condenser is divided into four and connected to each of the four adsorbers, so that the total amount of adsorbate adsorbed by the four adsorbers is increased. This further improves the output and conversion efficiency of the adsorption heat pump.

[0014] (7) In the adsorption heat pump of the above aspect, the control unit may be capable of switching a connection of the second condenser between the second adsorber and the third adsorber, and may be capable of switching a connection state between the first adsorber and the second adsorber to allow movement of adsorbate vapor, disconnecting the first adsorber connected to the first evaporator and the first condenser from the first evaporator, disconnecting the second adsorber connected to the first heating unit and the second condenser from the second condenser, connecting the third adsorber connected to the second heating unit and the third condenser to the second condenser in addition to the third condenser, and switching the connection state between the first adsorber and the second adsorber. According to this configuration, the third adsorber that is separated from the second heating unit and performing desorption is connected to the second condenser in addition to the third condenser, and more adsorbate is condensed more quickly than when the third adsorber is cooled by a single third condenser.

[0015] The present invention can be realized in various forms, for example, in the form of an adsorption heat pump, a cold heat generating device, an evaporative condenser, a system including these devices or realizing these methods, a computer program for executing these devices or methods, a server device for distributing this computer program, a non-transitory storage medium on which the computer program is stored, etc. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an adsorption heat pump according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of steps sequentially performed in the first adsorption unit and the second adsorption unit. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an adsorption heat pump performing a mass recovery process. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an adsorption heat pump that performs a sensible heat recovery process. [Diagram 5]FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an adsorption heat pump that performs a preheating process. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an adsorption heat pump in which a desorption step is performed in a first adsorption device and an adsorption step is performed in a second adsorption device. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the amount of water adsorbed by the adsorbent, which changes depending on the condenser temperature. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an adsorption heat pump according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an increase rate of a heat exchange amount of an adsorption heat pump with respect to a flow rate of a refrigerant. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an increase rate of the heat exchange amount of an adsorption heat pump with respect to cycle time. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the outlet temperature of a refrigerant in an adsorption heat pump according to the first embodiment in which a preheating step is not performed. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the outlet temperature of a refrigerant in an adsorption heat pump according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the outlet temperature of a refrigerant in an adsorption heat pump in which a preheating step is performed. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the pressure in a condenser in an adsorption heat pump in which a preheating step is not performed according to the first embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the pressure in a condenser in an adsorption heat pump according to the second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the pressure in a condenser in an adsorption heat pump in which a preheating step is performed for 10 seconds. [Figure 17] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the pressure in a condenser in an adsorption heat pump in which a preheating step is performed for 20 seconds. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of an adsorption heat pump according to a third embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the steps performed sequentially in four adsorption devices. [Figure 20] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an adsorption heat pump in which a mass recovery step is performed in a first adsorption device and a second adsorption device. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an adsorption heat pump in which a sensible heat recovery step is performed in a first adsorption device and a second adsorption device. [Figure 22] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an adsorption heat pump in which a low-temperature desorption step is performed in a first adsorption device and a low-temperature adsorption step is performed in a second adsorption device. [Figure 23] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a change in outlet temperature of a first condenser. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an adsorption heat pump 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The adsorption heat pump 100 of this embodiment includes two condensers 11 and 12 and two adsorbers 21 and 22. One of the two condensers 11 and 12 condenses water vapor generated with desorption (desorption) of water as an adsorbate. The other performs cooling to remove heat of adsorption generated when the first adsorber (first adsorber) 21 or the second adsorber (second adsorber) 22 adsorbs water. This increases the amount of adsorption of the first adsorber 21 or the second adsorber 22 during water adsorption, thereby improving the output and conversion efficiency of the adsorption heat pump 100.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the adsorption heat pump 100 includes a first adsorption device 21 and a second adsorption device 22 capable of adsorbing and desorbing water, a first condenser 11, a second condenser 12, an evaporator (first evaporator) 31 that evaporates water, a heating section (first heating section) 41 to which a high-temperature heat medium is supplied, a refrigerant flow path (flow path) 60 through which a refrigerant that cools the condensers 11 and 12 flows, and a control section 50 that switches the connections of the various sections.

[0019] The first adsorption device 21 and the second adsorption device 22 have the same structure. The adsorption devices 21 and 22 have a cylindrical shape and contain RD type silica gel as an adsorbent capable of adsorbing and desorbing water. When water vapor is supplied to the adsorbent, the adsorbent adsorbs the water and generates heat. On the other hand, the adsorbent that has adsorbed water desorbs water by being heated.

[0020] The first condenser 11 and the second condenser 12 are arranged with respect to the refrigerant flow path 60 such that the first condenser 11 is located upstream of the second condenser 12 along the direction of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path 60. Therefore, a refrigerant with a higher temperature than the refrigerant flowing into the first condenser 11 flows into the second condenser 12 arranged downstream.

[0021] The first condenser 11 and the second condenser 12 have the same structure. The condensers 11, 12 are connected to the first adsorber 21 or the second adsorber 22 that adsorbs water vapor, and remove the heat of adsorption generated when the first adsorber 21 or the second adsorber 22 adsorbs water by cooling the refrigerant. The condensers 11, 12 are connected to the first adsorber 21 or the second adsorber 22 that is heated and desorbs water, and condense the water vapor desorbed from the first adsorber 21 or the second adsorber 22.

[0022] The evaporator 31 is supplied with water as an adsorbate at room temperature (for example, 18 degrees Celsius (°C)). The inside of the evaporator 31 is kept at a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure. In this embodiment, the water condensed by the condensers 11 and 12 is supplied to the evaporator 31 and evaporated. The air whose temperature has been reduced by the heat of vaporization is used as cold heat (for example, 7.5°C). The heating unit 41 in this embodiment is supplied with a heat medium at 83°C. The heating unit 41 heats the connected first adsorber 21 or second adsorber 22 with a high-temperature (for example, 83°C) heat medium, and desorbs water adsorbed in the adsorbent of the first adsorber 21 or second adsorber 22. When the adsorber 21 or 22 is heated, the heating unit 41 discharges a heat medium with a reduced temperature (for example, 75°C). In FIG. 1, the flow of air through the evaporator 31 and the flow of the heat medium through the heating unit 41 are indicated by dashed lines.

[0023] The control unit 50 can switch the connection destination of the evaporator 31 and the heating unit 41, among the first adsorption unit 21 and the second adsorption unit 22. The control unit 50 can switch the connection destination of the first adsorption unit 21 and the second adsorption unit 22, among the first condenser 11 and the second condenser 12. The control unit 50 can switch between a connection state in which the first adsorption unit 21 and the second adsorption unit 22 are connected in a state in which water vapor can move, a heat exchange state in which heat exchange is possible without moving water vapor, and a disconnected state.

[0024] In FIG. 1, the connections of the various parts are indicated by solid lines. The flows exiting or entering the sides of the adsorber 21, 22 represent flows accompanied by adsorbed or desorbed water vapor. On the other hand, the flows exiting or entering the top and bottom of the adsorber 21, 22 represent heat transfer by heat exchange without water vapor transfer. As a heat exchange method without water vapor transfer, the adsorber 21, 22 of this embodiment has a heat exchange section provided with a cooling water sprinkling mechanism. The heat of adsorption of the adsorber 21, 22 is removed by cooling using the latent heat of vaporization of the cooling water.

[0025] FIG. 1 shows an example in which the various parts of an adsorption heat pump 100 are connected. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a first adsorption device 21 and an evaporator 31 are connected, and water vapor evaporated in the evaporator 31 is supplied to the first adsorption device 21. In the first adsorption device 21, an adsorption process in which the adsorbent adsorbs water vapor is performed, thereby generating adsorption heat. The first adsorption device 21 and the first condenser 11 are connected to be able to exchange heat without the movement of water vapor. Therefore, the adsorption heat generated in the first adsorption device 21 is removed by the first condenser 11 into which the refrigerant flows.

[0026] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the second adsorber 22 and the heating unit 41 are connected. In the second adsorber 22, a desorption step is performed in which the adsorbent of the heated second adsorber 22 is desorbed, thereby generating desorbed water vapor. The second adsorber 22 and the second condenser 12 are connected so that the water vapor desorbed from the second adsorber 22 can move to the second adsorber 22. Therefore, the water vapor that moves from the second adsorber 22 to the second condenser 12 is cooled by the second condenser 12 and condenses. In this embodiment, unlike the refrigerant, the air (water vapor) that flows into the first condenser 11 is assumed to have a temperature of 27° C. and a humidity of 60% as shown in FIG. 1. On the other hand, it is assumed that water vapor with a temperature of 35° C. and a humidity of 100% is released into the atmosphere from the second condenser 12.

[0027] 2 is an explanatory diagram of steps sequentially performed in the first adsorption device 21 and the second adsorption device 22. By switching control of each part by the control unit 50, in the adsorption devices 21 and 22 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, each step is performed in this order: adsorption step (or desorption step), mass recovery step, sensible heat recovery step, preheating step, and desorption step (or adsorption step).

[0028] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an adsorption heat pump 100 performing a mass recovery process. FIG. 3 shows the connection relationship of each part in a mass recovery process performed after the adsorption process of the first adsorption device 21 and the desorption process of the second adsorption device 22. In the mass recovery process, the control unit 50 disconnects the first adsorption device 21, which has been subjected to the adsorption process, from the evaporator 31 and connects it to the second condenser 12 in a heat exchangeable state, as shown in FIG. 3, of the two adsorption devices 21 and 22. The control unit 50 disconnects the second adsorption device 22, which has been subjected to the desorption process, from the second condenser 12. The control unit 50 connects the first adsorption device 21 and the second adsorption device 22 in a state in which water vapor can move.

[0029] Since the temperature of the second adsorption device 22 heated by the heating unit 41 is higher than the temperature of the first adsorption device 21, high-temperature air moves from the second adsorption device 22 to the first adsorption device 21. In the first adsorption device 21, the water adsorbed in the adsorbent is desorbed and evaporated by the high-temperature air moving from the second adsorption device 22. The desorbed and evaporated water vapor is condensed by the two condensers 11 and 12 connected to the first adsorption device 21.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an adsorption heat pump 100 performing a sensible heat recovery process. FIG. 4 shows the connection relationship of each part in the sensible heat recovery process performed after the mass recovery process. In the sensible heat recovery process, the control unit 50 disconnects the first adsorption unit 21 from the two condensers 11 and 12, as shown in FIG. 4, of the two adsorption units 21 and 22. The control unit 50 disconnects the second adsorption unit 22, which was connected to the heating unit 41, from the heating unit 41. The control unit 50 connects the first adsorption unit 21 and the second adsorption unit 22, which were connected so that air (water vapor) can move, to a state in which heat exchange is possible without air moving. This connection causes heat to move from the second adsorption unit 22, which has a high temperature, to the first adsorption unit 21, which has a low temperature, and the temperature of the first adsorption unit 21 increases.

[0031] Fig. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an adsorption heat pump 100 performing a preheating process. Fig. 5 shows the connection relationship of each part in the preheating process performed after the sensible heat recovery process. In Fig. 5, the positions of the first adsorption device 21 and the second adsorption device 22 are switched compared to Figs. 1, 3, and 4.

[0032] In the preheating step, the control unit 50 separates the first adsorption unit 21 and the second adsorption unit 22, which have been connected to be able to exchange heat. The control unit 50 connects the first adsorption unit 21, which is to undergo the adsorption step and then the desorption step, of the two adsorption units 21 and 22, to the heating unit 41 and the first condenser 11. The first adsorption unit 21 and the first condenser 11 are connected in a heat exchangeable state accompanied by the movement of water vapor. The control unit 50 connects the second adsorption unit 22, which is to undergo the desorption step and then the adsorption step, to the evaporator 31 and the second condenser 12. The second adsorption unit 22 and the second condenser 12 are connected in a state not accompanied by the movement of water vapor. Note that the time during which the preheating step is performed in this embodiment is shorter than the time during which other steps are performed (for example, 10 seconds).

[0033] Fig. 6 is a schematic block diagram of the adsorption heat pump 100 when the desorption process is performed in the first adsorption device 21 and the adsorption process is performed in the second adsorption device 22. Fig. 6 shows the connection relationship of each part after the preheating process. In the state shown in Fig. 6, similar to Fig. 5, the positions of the first adsorption device 21 and the second adsorption device 22 are interchanged compared to Figs. 1, 3 and 4.

[0034] The control unit 50 separates the first adsorption unit 21 from the first condenser 11 and connects it to the second condenser 12 in order to shift the process performed in the first adsorption unit 21 from the preheating process to the desorption process. The first adsorption unit 21 and the second condenser 12 are connected in a state in which water vapor transfer occurs. The control unit 50 separates the second adsorption unit 22 from the second condenser 12 and connects it to the first condenser 11 in order to shift the process performed in the second adsorption unit 22 from the preheating process to the adsorption process. The second adsorption unit 22 and the first condenser 11 are connected in a state in which heat exchange is possible but in which water vapor transfer does not occur.

[0035] In this embodiment, there are two condensers 11 and 12. Of the two condensers 11 and 12, the temperature of the first condenser 11 arranged on the upstream side of the refrigerant flow path 60 is lower than the temperature of the second condenser 12. The amount of water adsorbed by the two adsorbers 21 and 22 varies depending on the condensation temperature of the condensers 11 and 12 connected to the first adsorber 21 or the second adsorber 22 performing the adsorption process. The amount of adsorption by the adsorbers 21 and 22 is determined by the relative pressure of the adsorption heat pump 100. The relative pressure during adsorption is a value obtained by dividing the vapor pressure at the temperature of the evaporator 31 by the vapor pressure at the temperature of the condensers 11 and 12. On the other hand, the relative pressure during desorption is a value obtained by dividing the temperature of the condensers 11 and 12 by the vapor pressure at the temperature of the heating unit 41. Therefore, the output and conversion efficiency of the adsorption heat pump 100 change depending on the temperature of the condensers 11 and 12 connected to the adsorbers 21 and 22.

[0036] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the amount of adsorption of water in the adsorbent that changes according to the condenser temperature. FIG. 7 shows the change in the increment Δ of the amount of adsorption of water adsorbed per unit mass of RD-type silica gel, which is the adsorbent. In FIG. 7, the change in the increment Δ that changes according to the temperature of the condensers 11, 12 connected to the adsorbers 21, 22 performing the adsorption process is represented by a solid curve C1. On the other hand, the change in the increment Δ that changes according to the temperature of the condensers 11, 12 connected to the adsorbers 21, 22 performing the desorption process is represented by a dashed curve C2. As shown by the curves C1 and C2, the increment Δ during adsorption changes more with respect to the temperature change than during desorption. That is, by connecting the lower temperature of the two condensers 11, 12 to the adsorbers 21, 22 performing the adsorption process, the output and conversion efficiency of the adsorption heat pump 100 are improved.

[0037] As described above, the adsorption heat pump 100 of the present embodiment includes the first adsorber 21 and the second adsorber 22 capable of adsorbing and desorbing water, the first condenser 11, the second condenser 12, the evaporator 31 that evaporates water, and the heating unit 41 to which a high-temperature heat medium is supplied, as shown in FIG. 1. The two condensers 11 and 12 are connected to the first adsorber 21 or the second adsorber 22 that adsorbs water vapor, and remove the adsorption heat generated when the first adsorber 21 or the second adsorber 22 adsorbs water by cooling the refrigerant. The condensers 11 and 12 are connected to the first adsorber 21 or the second adsorber 22 that is heated and desorbs water, and condense the water vapor desorbed from the first adsorber 21 or the second adsorber 22. In the present embodiment, the two condensers 11 and 12 remove the adsorption heat of the two adsorbers 21 and 22, and condense the water vapor that is the desorbed adsorbate. The adsorption amount of the adsorbers 21 and 22 is determined by the relative pressure of the adsorption heat pump 100. The relative pressure during adsorption is a value obtained by dividing the vapor pressure at the temperature of the evaporator 31 by the vapor pressure at the temperature of the condensers 11 and 12. On the other hand, the relative pressure during desorption is a value obtained by dividing the temperature of the condensers 11 and 12 by the vapor pressure at the temperature of the heating unit 41. In this embodiment, the condenser is divided into two, the first condenser 11 and the second condenser 12, instead of one condenser, so that the temperature of the first condenser 11 is lowered predominantly. Therefore, the total amount of adsorbate adsorbed by each of the two adsorbers 21 and 22 during adsorption is increased. This expands the range of use of the adsorbent in the adsorbers 21 and 22, and improves the output and conversion efficiency of the adsorption heat pump 100.

[0038] In addition, the first condenser 11 and the second condenser 12 of this embodiment are arranged with respect to the refrigerant flow path 60 such that the first condenser 11 is located upstream of the second condenser 12 along the direction of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path 60. The control unit 50 connects the first adsorption device 21 and the evaporator 31, and water vapor evaporated in the evaporator 31 is supplied to the first adsorption device 21. The control unit 50 connects the second adsorption device 22 and the heating unit 41. In the second adsorption device 22, a desorption process is performed in which water vapor is desorbed from the adsorbent of the heated second adsorption device 22, thereby generating desorbed water vapor. In this embodiment, the first condenser 11 is arranged upstream of the second condenser 12 with respect to the refrigerant flow path 60. As a result, the first condenser 11 is cooled more preferentially than the second condenser 12. By connecting the first condenser 11, which is cooled more than the first adsorber 21, which is the adsorption step, of the two adsorbers 21 and 22, as shown in FIG. 7, the amount of water during adsorption is greater than when the first condenser 11 is connected to the second adsorber 22, which is the desorption step. As a result, the output and conversion efficiency of the adsorption heat pump 100 are further improved. In addition, the control unit 50 can switch the connections between the two adsorbers 21 and 22, the two condensers 11 and 12, the evaporator 31, and the heating unit 41. Therefore, the two adsorbers 21 and 22 alternately adsorb and desorb water, thereby continuously generating cold energy.

[0039] The control unit 50 of this embodiment can switch the connection destination of the first adsorber 21 and the second adsorber 22 among the first condenser 11 and the second condenser 12. The control unit 50 can switch between a connection state in which the first adsorber 21 and the second adsorber 22 are connected in a state in which water vapor can move, a heat exchange state in which heat exchange is possible without moving water vapor, and a disconnected state between the first adsorber 21 and the second adsorber 22. In the mass recovery process, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 50 disconnects the first adsorber 21 in which the adsorption process has been performed from the evaporator 31 and connects it to the second condenser 12 in a state in which heat exchange is possible. The control unit 50 disconnects the second adsorber 22 in which the desorption process has been performed from the second condenser 12. The control unit 50 connects the first adsorber 21 and the second adsorber 22 in a state in which water vapor can move. In this embodiment, in the mass recovery process, water vapor heated by the heating unit 41 flows from the second adsorption device 22 into the first adsorption device 21, which has completed the adsorption process and is separated from the evaporator 31. As a result, the first adsorption device 21 desorbs the adsorbed water. Furthermore, the desorbed water vapor is cooled and condensed by the two condensers 11 and 12 connected to the first adsorption device 21. As a result, more adsorbate is condensed quickly than if the first adsorption device 21 were cooled by one first condenser 11.

[0040] In the sensible heat recovery process, the control unit 50 of this embodiment disconnects the first adsorption device 21 from the two condensers 11 and 12 as shown in FIG. 4. The control unit 50 disconnects the second adsorption device 22, which was connected to the heating unit 41, from the heating unit 41. The control unit 50 connects the first adsorption device 21 and the second adsorption device 22, which were connected to allow air (water vapor) to move, in a state in which heat exchange is possible without air moving. In this embodiment, heat is transferred from the second adsorption device 22 heated by the heating unit 41 in the desorption process to the first adsorption device 21 before being heated by the heating unit 41. As a result, the temperature of the second adsorption device 22 decreases and the temperature of the first adsorption device 21 increases. As a result, the adsorption of water is completed, and the thermal energy input to the first adsorption device 21 to be heated by the heating unit 41 can be suppressed.

[0041] <Second embodiment> FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of an adsorption heat pump 100a of the second embodiment. The adsorption heat pump 100a shown in FIG. 8 is different from the adsorption heat pump 100 of the first embodiment in that, of the two adsorbers 21 and 22, the second adsorber 22 in which the adsorption process is performed is connected to the second condenser 12, and the first adsorber 21 in which the desorption process is performed is connected to the first condenser 11. In other words, in the adsorption heat pump 100a, heat exchange is performed between the adsorbers 21 and 22 in which the adsorption process is performed and the second condenser 12 located downstream, and the water vapor desorbed by the adsorbers 21 and 22 in which the desorption process is performed is condensed in the first condenser 11 located upstream. The output and conversion efficiency of the adsorption heat pump 100a shown in FIG. 8 are inferior to those of the adsorption heat pump 100 shown in FIG. 1 due to the relationship of the increase Δ in the amount of adsorption shown in FIG. 9. However, the output and conversion efficiency of the adsorption heat pump 100a shown in FIG. 8 are higher than the output and conversion efficiency of an adsorption heat pump that includes only one condenser.

[0042] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the rate of increase in the heat exchange amount of the adsorption heat pumps 100, 100a with respect to the flow rate of the refrigerant. The rate of increase in the heat exchange amount of each of the adsorption heat pumps 100, 100a, which changes depending on the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing into the two condensers 11, 12, is shown by two curves C01, C02. The rate of increase in the heat exchange amount is the rate of increase with respect to the adsorption heat pump of Comparative Example 1 in which the two adsorbers 21, 22 are configured as one condenser. The curve C01 shown by a solid line shows the rate of increase in the heat exchange amount of the adsorption heat pump 100 of the first embodiment in which the preheating step is not performed. The curve C02 shown by a dashed line shows the rate of increase in the heat exchange amount of the adsorption heat pump 100a of the second embodiment. In the adsorption heat pumps 100a of the second embodiment and Comparative Example 1, the preheating step shown in FIG. 5 is not performed. The values ​​on the horizontal axis shown in FIG. 9 are values ​​normalized based on the maximum value of the horizontal axis shown in FIG. 9. In the adsorption heat pumps 100, 100a and the adsorption heat pump of Comparative Example 1, the cycle time from the adsorption step performed in the two adsorbers 21, 22 through the desorption step to the adsorption step performed again is the same.

[0043] When the flow rate of the refrigerant in FIG. 9 increases, the difference between the inlet temperature of the refrigerant flowing into the two condensers 11, 12 and the outlet temperature of the refrigerant flowing out of the two condensers 11, 12 decreases. As shown in FIG. 9, regardless of the flow rate, the adsorption heat pumps 100, 100a have a larger heat exchange amount than the adsorption heat pump of Comparative Example 1, which is used as a reference. When the flow rate is large, that is, when the difference between the inlet temperature and the outlet temperature is small, the heat exchange amount of the adsorption heat pump 100 (curve C01) in which the adsorbers 21, 22 performing the adsorption process are connected to the upstream condensers 11, 12 is larger than that of the adsorption heat pump 100a (curve C02). On the other hand, when the flow rate of the refrigerant is small, that is, when the difference between the inlet temperature and the outlet temperature is large, the heat exchange amount of the adsorption heat pump 100a in which the adsorbers 21, 22 performing the adsorption process are connected to the upstream condensers 11, 12 is smaller than that of the adsorption heat pump 100. The reason for this is that when the desorption / adsorption process shown in Fig. 6 is performed from the sensible heat recovery process shown in Fig. 4 without going through the preheating process shown in Fig. 5, the vapor pressure generated by adsorption in the second adsorption device 22 is significantly higher than the vapor pressure generated by desorption in the first adsorption device 21. This is because, in Fig. 6, the desorption rate of the first adsorption device 21 in which the desorption process is being performed is reduced.

[0044] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the rate of increase in the heat exchange amount of the adsorption heat pumps 100 and 100a with respect to the cycle time. In FIG. 10, the rate of increase in the heat exchange amount that changes according to one cycle time from when the adsorption process is performed in each of the adsorbers 21 and 22 until the adsorption process is performed again is shown by three curves C11, C12, and C13. The rate of increase in the heat exchange amount shown by the curves C11, C12, and C13 is the rate of increase based on the adsorption heat pump of Comparative Example 2 in which the two adsorbers 21 and 22 are connected in parallel. In Comparative Example 2, the preheating process shown in FIG. 5 is not performed. The curve C11 shown by a solid line indicates the rate of increase in the adsorption heat pump 100 of the first embodiment in which the preheating process is not performed. The curve C12 shown by a dashed line indicates the rate of increase in the heat exchange amount of the adsorption heat pump 100a of the second embodiment. The curve C13 shown by a dashed line indicates the rate of increase in the adsorption heat pump 100 of the first embodiment in which the preheating process is performed. In addition, in the curve C13 shown in FIG. 10, the time for which the preheating step is performed is 10 seconds.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 10, when the cycle time is long, the rate of increase in the heat exchange amount of the adsorption heat pump 100 (curves C11 and C13) in which the adsorbers 21 and 22 undergoing the adsorption process are connected to the first condenser 11 on the upstream side is higher than that of the adsorption heat pump 100a (curve C12). On the other hand, when the cycle time is short, the rate of increase in the heat exchange amount of the adsorption heat pump 100 (curve C11) in which the adsorbers 21 and 22 undergoing the adsorption process are connected to the first condenser 11 on the upstream side is lower than that of the adsorption heat pump 100a (curve C12). Compared to the curves C11 and C12, the rate of increase in the heat exchange amount represented by the curve C13 in which the adsorption heat pump 100 is subjected to the preheating process (FIG. 5) for 10 seconds is maximized in the cycle time between times t1 and t2. That is, the preheating process is performed, thereby increasing the heat exchange amount of the adsorption heat pump 100 of the first embodiment in which the first condenser 11 on the upstream side is connected to the adsorbers 21 and 22 during adsorption.

[0046] Each of the figures from FIG. 11 to FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the transition of the outlet temperature Tout of the refrigerant. In FIG. 11 to FIG. 13, the transition of the outlet temperature Tout when one cycle time is 420 seconds is shown. In FIG. 11, the transition of the outlet temperature Tout of the refrigerant in the adsorption heat pump 100 of the first embodiment in which the preheating step is not performed is shown by a solid curve C21. Also, in FIG. 11, the transition of the outlet temperature Tout of Comparative Example 2 in which two condensers 11, 12 are arranged in parallel is shown by a dashed curve C24. In FIG. 12, the transition of the outlet temperature Tout of the refrigerant in the adsorption heat pump 100a of the second embodiment is shown by a solid curve C22, and the curve C24 of Comparative Example 2 is shown. In FIG. 13, the transition of the outlet temperature Tout of the refrigerant in the adsorption heat pump 100 of the first embodiment in which the preheating step is performed is shown by a solid curve C23, and the curve C24 of Comparative Example 2 is shown. As shown by curve C23 in FIG. 13, the 10-second preheating step (FIG. 5) causes the outlet temperature Tout of the refrigerant to temporarily drop significantly.

[0047] Each of Fig. 14 to Fig. 17 is an explanatory diagram of the pressure transition in the condensers 11, 12. Fig. 14 to Fig. 17 show the pressure transition in each of the condensers 11, 12 when one cycle time is 420 seconds. In Fig. 14, the pressure transition in the first condenser 11 in the adsorption heat pump 100 of the first embodiment in which the preheating step is not performed is shown by a solid curve C311. The pressure transition in the second condenser 12 is shown by a dashed curve C312, and the pressure transition in the condensers 11, 12 in Comparative Example 2 in which the two condensers 11, 12 are arranged in parallel is shown by a dashed line C34.

[0048] In Fig. 15, the pressure transition of the upstream second condenser 12 in the adsorption heat pump 100a of the second embodiment is shown by a solid curve C321. The pressure transition of the downstream first condenser 11 is shown by a dashed curve C322, and the curve C34 of the condensers 11, 12 of Comparative Example 2 is shown. In Fig. 16, the pressure transition of the upstream first condenser 11 in the adsorption heat pump 100 of the first embodiment in which a preheating step of 10 seconds is performed is shown by a solid curve C331. The pressure transition of the downstream second condenser 12 is shown by a dashed curve C332, and the curve C34 of the condensers 11, 12 of Comparative Example 2 is shown. In Fig. 17, the pressure transition of the first condenser 11 in which the time of the preheating step is extended from 10 seconds to 20 seconds is shown by a solid curve C351. Moreover, the transition of the pressure in the second condenser 12 in this case is shown by a dashed curve C352, and similarly to FIGS. 14 to 16, the curve C34 of the condensers 11 and 12 of Comparative Example 2 is shown.

[0049] As shown in Figs. 14 to 17, in almost all time periods in the cycle, the pressure in the upstream condensers 11, 12 (for example, the first condenser 11 in the adsorption heat pump 100 and the second condenser 12 in the adsorption heat pump 100a) is low, and the pressure in the downstream condensers 11, 12 is high. As shown in Figs. 14 and 15, when the preheating step is not performed in the two adsorbers 21, 22, a reversal of pressure occurs between the upstream condensers 11, 12 and the downstream condensers 11, 12 immediately after switching (for example, 0 to 20 seconds, 120 to 440 seconds). On the other hand, in the curves C331, C332, C351, and C352 in Figs. 16 and 17 in which a preheating step is performed for 10 seconds or 20 seconds, the pressure in the condensers 11, 12 that was reversed in Figs. 14 and 15 is suppressed. As a result, the adsorption heat pump 100 (FIGS. 16 and 17) in which the preheating process is performed has higher heat exchange performance than the adsorption heat pump 100 (FIG. 14) in which the preheating process is not performed.

[0050] In the preheating step shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 50 of this embodiment separates the first adsorber 21 and the second adsorber 22, which have been connected to be able to exchange heat, from each other. The control unit 50 connects the first adsorber 21, which is to undergo the adsorption step and then the desorption step, of the two adsorbers 21 and 22, to the heating unit 41 and the first condenser 11. The control unit 50 connects the second adsorber 22, which is to undergo the desorption step and then the adsorption step, to the evaporator 31 and the second condenser 12. In this embodiment, the first adsorber 21, which is connected to the heating unit 41 and is to undergo the desorption step, is connected to the first condenser 11 before being connected to the second condenser 12. Moreover, the second adsorber 22, which is connected to the evaporator 31 and is to undergo the adsorption step, is connected to the second condenser 12 before being connected to the first condenser 11. Immediately after the adsorption process and the desorption process performed in the two adsorbers 21, 22 are switched, the pressures are reversed between the first condenser 11 arranged on the upstream side of the refrigerant flow path 60 and the second condenser 12 arranged on the downstream side. Therefore, the first adsorber 21 immediately before the desorption process is performed is connected to the first condenser 11, and the second adsorber 22 immediately before the adsorption process is performed is connected to the second condenser 12. This suppresses the pressures that have been reversed in the two condensers 11, 12, as shown by the curves C331, C332, C351, and C352 in Figures 16 and 17. As a result, the heat exchange performance of the adsorption heat pumps 100, 100a of this embodiment is improved.

[0051] <Third embodiment> FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram of an adsorption heat pump 100b of the third embodiment. The adsorption heat pump 100b of the third embodiment is different from the adsorption heat pump 100 of the first embodiment (FIG. 1) in that it includes four condensers 11-14, four adsorbers 21-24, two evaporators 31b, 32, two heating parts 41b, 42, and a heat medium passage 61 through which the heat medium supplied to the two heating parts 41b, 42 passes. Each of the four condensers 11-14 has the same structure as the condensers 11, 12 of the first embodiment. The four adsorbers 21-24 have the same structure as the adsorbers 21, 22 of the first embodiment. The two evaporators 31b, 32 have the same structure as the evaporator 31 of the first embodiment. The two heating parts 41b, 42 have the same structure as the heating part 41 of the first embodiment. In the third embodiment, only the points that are different from the first embodiment will be described, and a description of the same configuration and control will be omitted.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 18, the four condensers 11 to 14 of the second embodiment are arranged with respect to the refrigerant flow passage 60 so that the first condenser 11, the second condenser 12, the third condenser 13, and the fourth condenser 14 are located on the upstream side in this order along the direction of the flow of the refrigerant. The first heating section 41b and the second heating section 42 of the third embodiment are arranged with respect to the heat medium flow passage 61 so that the first heating section 41b is located upstream of the second heating section 42 along the direction of the heat medium flowing in the heat medium flow passage 61. The first evaporator 31b and the second evaporator 32 of the third embodiment are arranged so that the first evaporator 31b is located upstream of the second evaporator 32 along the direction in which water as an adsorbate is sprayed. The second evaporator 32 is supplied with water that has not evaporated in the first evaporator 31b, and evaporates the supplied water.

[0053] The control unit 50b can switch the connection between each of the four adsorbers 21-24 and the two evaporators 31b, 32 and the two heating units 41b, 42. The control unit 50b can switch the connection between each of the four condensers 11-14 and each of the four adsorbers 21-24. The control unit 50b of the third embodiment can switch between a connected state, a heat exchanging state, and a disconnected state between each of the four adsorbers 21-24.

[0054] 18, the first adsorption device 21 and the fourth adsorption device 24 perform an adsorption process, and the second adsorption device 22 and the third adsorption device 23 perform a desorption process. Specifically, the first adsorption device 21 performs a high-temperature adsorption process of adsorbing high-temperature water vapor supplied from the connected first evaporator 31b, and is connected to the first condenser 11 in a state in which heat exchange is possible without the movement of water vapor. Similarly, the fourth adsorption device 24 performs a low-temperature adsorption process of adsorbing low-temperature water vapor supplied from the connected second evaporator 32, and is connected to the fourth condenser 14 in a state in which heat exchange is possible without the movement of water vapor.

[0055] The second adsorber 22 is heated by the connected first heating section 41b to perform a high-temperature desorption step in which water is desorbed, and is connected to the second condenser 12 in a state in which water vapor can move. The water vapor desorbed from the second adsorber 22 and moved to the second condenser 12 is cooled by the second condenser 12 to condense. Similarly, the third adsorber 23 is connected to the second heating section 42, which has a lower temperature than the first heating section 41b, and is heated by the second heating section 42 to perform a low-temperature desorption step in which water is desorbed, and is connected to the third condenser 13 in a state in which water vapor can move. The water vapor desorbed from the third adsorber 23 and moved to the third condenser 13 is cooled by the third condenser 13 to condense.

[0056] Fig. 19 is an explanatory diagram of the steps sequentially performed in the four adsorbers 21-24. Through switching control of each part by the control unit 50b, the four adsorbers 21-24 perform different steps in the order of a high-temperature adsorption step, a low-temperature desorption step, a high-temperature desorption step, and a low-temperature adsorption step, as shown in Fig. 19. Furthermore, after each of the high-temperature adsorption step and the high-temperature desorption step, a mass recovery step and a sensible heat recovery step are performed as shown in Fig. 19.

[0057] FIG. 20 is a schematic block diagram of the adsorption heat pump 100b in a state changed from the state shown in FIG. 18, in which the mass recovery process is performed in the first adsorption device 21 and the second adsorption device 22, the low-temperature desorption process is performed in the third adsorption device 23, and the low-temperature adsorption process is performed in the fourth adsorption device 24. In the state shown in FIG. 20, the control unit 50b disconnects the first adsorption device 21 from the first evaporator 31b. The control unit 50b disconnects the second adsorption device 22 from the second condenser 12. The control unit 50b puts the first adsorption device 21 and the second adsorption device 22 into a connected state in which water vapor can move. As a result, high-temperature air moves from the second adsorption device 22 to the first adsorption device 21. The control unit 50b connects the third adsorption device 23 to the third condenser 13, and further connects the third adsorption device 23 to the second condenser 12. As a result, the water vapor desorbed from the third adsorption device 23 in which the desorption step was being carried out is cooled and condensed by the two condensers 12 and 13.

[0058] Fig. 21 shows a schematic block diagram of an adsorption heat pump 100b in which a sensible heat recovery process is performed in the first adsorption device 21 and the second adsorption device 22, a high-temperature desorption process is performed in the third adsorption device 23, and a high-temperature adsorption process is performed in the fourth adsorption device 24, which is different from the state shown in Fig. 20. Note that in Fig. 21, in order to clearly show the connection of each part, the arrangement of the four adsorption devices 21 to 24 has been changed from that in Figs. 18 and 19, and is illustrated in the order of the fourth adsorption device 24, the third adsorption device 23, the first adsorption device 21, and the second adsorption device 22 from the left.

[0059] In the sensible heat recovery process shown in FIG. 21, the control unit 50b separates the first adsorber 21 from the first condenser 11. The control unit 50b separates the connection between the second adsorber 22 and the first heating unit 41b. The control unit 50b separates the connection between the first adsorber 21 and the second adsorber 22, and connects them in a heat exchange state without the movement of water vapor. The control unit 50b separates the third adsorber 23 from the second heating unit 42 and connects it to the first heating unit 41b. The control unit 50b connects the third adsorber 23 to the fourth condenser 14 in addition to the connection to the second condenser 12 and the third condenser 13. The control unit 50b separates the fourth adsorber 24 from the second evaporator 32 and the fourth condenser 14, and connects it to the first evaporator 31b and the first condenser 11.

[0060] FIG. 22 shows a schematic block diagram of the adsorption heat pump 100b in a state changed from the state shown in FIG. 21, in which the first adsorption device 21 performs a low-temperature desorption step, the second adsorption device 22 performs a low-temperature adsorption step, the third adsorption device 23 performs a high-temperature desorption step, and the fourth adsorption device 24 performs a high-temperature adsorption step. As shown in FIG. 22, the control unit 50b releases the heat exchange state between the first adsorption device 21 and the second adsorption device 22. The control unit 50b connects the first adsorption device 21 to the second heating unit 42, and also connects it to the third condenser 13 in a state in which water vapor can move. The control unit 50b connects the second adsorption device 22, the heat exchange state with which has been released from the first adsorption device 21, to the second evaporator 32, and connects it to the fourth condenser 14 in a heat exchange state in which water vapor does not move. The control unit 50b disconnects the third adsorber 23 from the third condenser 13 and the fourth condenser 14 while keeping it connected to the first heating unit 41b, and maintains the connection of the second condenser 12. The control unit 50b maintains the connection of the fourth adsorber 24 to the first heating unit 41b and the first condenser 11. In the third embodiment, the low-temperature adsorption process after the sensible heat recovery process is performed, and then the high-temperature adsorption process is performed. Therefore, unlike the first embodiment, it is considered that there is almost no pressure reversal in the two condensers 11 to 14 connected before and after the adsorber 21 to 24 in which the process is performed. Therefore, in the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19, the preheating process performed in the first embodiment is not performed.

[0061] FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of the change in the outlet temperature of the first condenser 11. In FIG. 23, the change in the outlet temperature of the first condenser 11 in the adsorption heat pump 100 of the first embodiment is shown by a dashed curve C41, and the change in the outlet temperature of the first condenser 11 of the third embodiment is shown by a solid curve C42. As shown by the curve C42 of the third embodiment, in the adsorption heat pump 100b including the condensers 11-14, the number of which is increased to four from the first embodiment, the outlet temperature rises every time the adsorbers 21-24 connected to the adsorption pump 100b change. As a result, the outlet temperature of the first condenser 11 of the third embodiment is higher than the outlet temperature of the first embodiment shown by the curve C41. As a result, in the third embodiment, the increase Δ in the adsorption amount in FIG. 7 is larger than in the first embodiment, that is, the heat exchange amount is greatly increased.

[0062] As described above, the adsorption heat pump 100b of the third embodiment includes four condensers 11-14, four adsorbers 21-24, two evaporators 31b, 32, two heating units 41b, 42, and a heat medium passage 61 through which the heat medium supplied to the two heating units 41b, 42 passes. The four condensers 11-14 are arranged with respect to the refrigerant passage 60 so that the first condenser 11, the second condenser 12, the third condenser 13, and the fourth condenser 14 are located upstream in this order along the direction of the flow of the refrigerant. The first heating unit 41b and the second heating unit 42 of the third embodiment are arranged with respect to the heat medium passage 61 so that the first heating unit 41b is located upstream of the second heating unit 42 along the direction of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium passage 61. The second evaporator 32 is supplied with water that has not evaporated in the first evaporator 31b, and evaporates the supplied water. In the third embodiment, the four adsorbers 21-24 are connected in different orders, that is, the first evaporator 31b, the second heating section 42, the first heating section 41b, and the second evaporator 32, to perform the adsorption process or the desorption process. In the third embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the two condensers 11 and 12 are further divided into four condensers 11-14, so that the inlet and outlet temperatures of the four condensers 11-14 are different. Since the relative pressure during adsorption changes due to the different inlet and outlet temperatures, the divided four condensers 11-14 are connected to the four adsorbers 21-24, respectively, so that the total amount of water adsorbed by the four adsorbers 21-24 increases. This further improves the output and conversion efficiency of the adsorption heat pump 100b.

[0063] 20, the control unit 50b disconnects the first adsorption device 21 from the first evaporator 31b. The control unit 50b disconnects the second adsorption device 22 from the second condenser 12. The control unit 50b brings the first adsorption device 21 and the second adsorption device 22 into a connected state in which water vapor can move. The control unit 50b connects the third adsorption device 23 to the third condenser 13, and further connects the third adsorption device 23 to the second condenser 12.

[0064] <Modifications of the embodiment> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention, for example, the following modifications are possible: In the above-described embodiment, a part of the configuration realized by hardware may be replaced by software, and conversely, a part of the configuration realized by software may be replaced by hardware.

[0065] In the above first to third embodiments, the adsorption heat pumps 100, 100a, and 100b have been described as examples. However, the adsorption heat pump 100 can be modified in the range of including a plurality of condensers, a plurality of adsorbers, a heating unit for heating the adsorbers, and an evaporator for supplying adsorbate vapor to the adsorbers. In other embodiments, the adsorption heat pump may include three or five or more adsorbers and condensers. The number of adsorbers and the number of condensers included in the adsorption heat pump may be different. For example, the plurality of adsorbers 21 to 24 may have different configurations. Similarly, the plurality of condensers 11 to 14 may have different configurations. The adsorption heat pump can be modified in the range of including a plurality of condensers that can separately condense the adsorbate and process the heat of adsorption.

[0066] In other embodiments, high-temperature steam containing an adsorbate may flow into the heating units 41, 41b, 42, causing the heating units 41, 41b, 42 to heat the multiple adsorbers 21-24. The temperature of the heat medium supplied to the heating unit 41, the temperature of the adsorbate supplied to the evaporator 31, the temperature and humidity of the refrigerant supplied to the upstream first condenser 11, and the temperature and humidity of the refrigerant discharged from the downstream second condenser 12 shown in FIG. 1 and the like are merely examples. In other embodiments, the increase Δ in the adsorption amount shown in FIG. 7 may be calculated under different conditions. The increase rate of the heat exchange amount shown in FIG. 10 and the like may be calculated under different conditions.

[0067] In the adsorption heat pump, the mass recovery process, the sensible heat recovery process, and the preheating process may not be performed. Specifically, for example, in the adsorption heat pump 100 of the first embodiment, the adsorption process and the desorption process shown in FIG. 2 may be performed alternately in the adsorption devices 21 and 22. In the first embodiment, the heat exchange unit provided with a cooling water sprinkling mechanism has been described as an example of a heat exchange method that does not involve the movement of water vapor, which is the adsorbate, between the connected adsorption devices 21 and 22 and the condensers 11 and 12. However, as a heat exchange method that does not involve the movement of the adsorbate, a well-known technique can be applied. The adsorbate in the above embodiment is water, but a well-known material other than water can be used. The adsorbent of the adsorption devices 21 to 24 may be appropriately selected according to the material used for the adsorbate.

[0068] Although the present aspect has been described above based on the embodiment and modified examples, the above-mentioned embodiment of the aspect is intended to facilitate understanding of the present aspect and does not limit the present aspect. The present aspect may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims, and equivalents are included in the present aspect. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it may be deleted as appropriate.

[0069] The present invention can also be realized in the following forms. [Application example 1] An adsorption heat pump, a first adsorber and a second adsorber capable of adsorbing and desorbing an adsorbate, respectively; a first condenser connected to the first adsorber for removing heat of adsorption generated when the first adsorber adsorbs an adsorbate or for condensing vapor of the adsorbate desorbed from the first adsorber; a second condenser connected to the second adsorber for removing heat of adsorption generated when the second adsorber adsorbs an adsorbate or for condensing vapor of the adsorbate desorbed from the second adsorber; a first evaporator connected to one of the first adsorber and the second adsorber and supplying evaporated adsorbate to the one of the first adsorber and the second adsorber; a first heating unit connected to the other of the first adsorber and the second adsorber, and configured to heat the other, thereby desorbing an adsorbate adsorbed in the other. [Application example 2] The adsorption heat pump according to Application Example 1 further comprises: a control unit capable of switching a connection destination of the first evaporator and the first heating unit of the first adsorber and the second adsorber; a flow path through which a refrigerant flows to cool the first condenser and the second condenser; Equipped with the first condenser and the second condenser are disposed with respect to the flow path such that the first condenser is located upstream of the second condenser along a flow direction of the refrigerant, The control unit is configured to select one of the first condenser and the second condenser. The connection destination of the first adsorber and the second adsorber can be switched, an adsorption heat pump, wherein the one connected to the first evaporator is connected to the first condenser, and the other connected to the first heating section is connected to the second condenser. [Application example 3] The adsorption heat pump according to Application Example 1 or Application Example 2, The control unit is a connection state in which the first adsorber and the second adsorber are connected to each other to allow adsorbate vapor to move, a heat exchange state in which heat exchange is possible without the movement of adsorbate vapor, and a disconnected state are switchable between the first adsorber and the second adsorber, Among the first adsorber and the second adsorber, disconnecting the one connected to the first evaporator and the first condenser from the first evaporator and connecting it to the second condenser; The other condenser connected to the first heating section is separated from the second condenser; an adsorption heat pump that connects the one heat pump and the other heat pump to the connected state. [Application example 4] The adsorption heat pump according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 3, The control unit is configured to determine whether the first suction unit and the second suction unit are disconnecting the one connected to the first condenser and the second condenser from the first condenser and the second condenser; The other of the heating parts connected to the first heating part is separated from the first heating part; an adsorption heat pump that switches the one and the other from the connected state to the heat exchange state. [Application example 5] The adsorption heat pump according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 4, The control unit is Separating the one and the other of the heat exchange states; Among the first adsorber and the second adsorber, The one is connected to the first heating section and the first condenser, the other is connected to the first evaporator and the second condenser. [Application Example 6] The adsorption heat pump according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 5 further comprises: a third adsorber and a fourth adsorber capable of adsorbing and desorbing an adsorbate, respectively; a third condenser connected to the third adsorber for removing heat of adsorption generated when the third adsorber adsorbs an adsorbate or for condensing vapor of the adsorbate desorbed from the third adsorber; a fourth condenser connected to the fourth adsorber for removing heat of adsorption generated when the fourth adsorber adsorbs an adsorbate or for condensing vapor of the adsorbate desorbed from the fourth adsorber; A heat transfer medium supplied to the first heating section, the heat transfer medium having a higher temperature than the adsorbate supplied to the first evaporator; a second heating unit connected to the third adsorber and connected downstream of the first heating unit, for heating the third adsorber with the heat medium discharged from the first heating unit, and for desorbing an adsorbate adsorbed in the third adsorber; a second evaporator connected to the fourth adsorber and connected downstream of the first evaporator, for evaporating the adsorbate discharged from the first evaporator and supplying the adsorbate to the fourth adsorber; a flow path through which a refrigerant for cooling the four condensers flows; the four condensers are arranged with respect to the flow path so as to be located upstream in the order of the first condenser, the second condenser, the third condenser, and the fourth condenser along a flow direction of the refrigerant. [Application Example 7] The adsorption heat pump according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 6, The control unit is a connection destination of the second condenser can be switched between the second adsorber and the third adsorber; The first adsorber and the second adsorber are switchably connected to each other so that adsorbate vapor can be transferred between them; The first adsorber connected to the first evaporator and the first condenser is separated from the first evaporator; The second adsorber connected to the first heating section and the second condenser is separated from the second condenser; The third adsorber connected to the second heating section and the third condenser is connected to the second condenser in addition to the third condenser; an adsorption heat pump that switches between the first adsorption device and the second adsorption device to the connected state. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 11...First condenser (first condenser) 12...Second condenser (second condenser) 13...Third condenser (third condenser) 14...Fourth condenser (fourth condenser) 21...First adsorber (first adsorber) 22...Second adsorber (second adsorber) 23...Third adsorber (third adsorber) 24...Fourth adsorber (fourth adsorber) 31...Evaporator (first evaporator) 31b...first evaporator (first evaporator) 32...Second evaporator (second evaporator) 41... Heating section (first heating section) 41b...First heating section (first heating section) 42...Second heating section (second heating section) 50, 50b...Control section 60... Coolant flow path (flow path) 61...Heat medium passage 62…Adsorbate channel 100, 100a, 100b...Adsorption heat pump

Claims

1. An adsorption heat pump, a first adsorber and a second adsorber capable of adsorbing and desorbing an adsorbate, respectively; a first condenser connected to the first adsorber for removing heat of adsorption generated when the first adsorber adsorbs an adsorbate or for condensing vapor of the adsorbate desorbed from the first adsorber; a second condenser connected to the second adsorber for removing heat of adsorption generated when the second adsorber adsorbs an adsorbate or for condensing vapor of the adsorbate desorbed from the second adsorber; a first evaporator connected to one of the first adsorber and the second adsorber and supplying evaporated adsorbate to the one of the first adsorber and the second adsorber; a first heating unit connected to the other of the first adsorption device and the second adsorption device, and configured to heat the other to desorb an adsorbate adsorbed in the other.

2. The adsorption heat pump according to claim 1 further comprises: a control unit capable of switching a connection destination of the first evaporator and the first heating unit of the first adsorber and the second adsorber; a flow path through which a refrigerant flows to cool the first condenser and the second condenser; Equipped with the first condenser and the second condenser are disposed with respect to the flow path such that the first condenser is located upstream of the second condenser along a flow direction of the refrigerant, The control unit is configured to control the first condenser and the second condenser. a connection destination of the first adsorber and the second adsorber can be switched; an adsorption heat pump, the one connected to the first evaporator being connected to the first condenser, and the other connected to the first heating section being connected to the second condenser.

3. The adsorption heat pump according to claim 2, The control unit is a connection state in which the first adsorber and the second adsorber are connected to each other to allow adsorbate vapor to move, a heat exchange state in which heat exchange is possible without the movement of adsorbate vapor, and a disconnected state are switchable between the first adsorber and the second adsorber, Among the first adsorber and the second adsorber, disconnecting the one connected to the first evaporator and the first condenser from the first evaporator and connecting it to the second condenser; The other condenser connected to the first heating unit is separated from the second condenser; an adsorption heat pump that connects the one heat pump and the other heat pump to the connected state.

4. The adsorption heat pump according to claim 3, The control unit is configured to determine whether the first suction unit and the second suction unit are disconnecting the one connected to the first condenser and the second condenser from the first condenser and the second condenser; The other of the heating units connected to the first heating unit is separated from the first heating unit; an adsorption heat pump that switches the one and the other from the connected state to the heat exchange state.

5. The adsorption heat pump according to claim 4, The control unit is Separating the one and the other of the heat exchange states; Among the first adsorber and the second adsorber, The one is connected to the first heating section and the first condenser; the other of the two is connected to the first evaporator and the second condenser.

6. The adsorption heat pump according to claim 2 further comprises: a third adsorber and a fourth adsorber capable of adsorbing and desorbing an adsorbate, respectively; a third condenser connected to the third adsorber for removing heat of adsorption generated when the third adsorber adsorbs an adsorbate or for condensing vapor of the adsorbate desorbed from the third adsorber; a fourth condenser connected to the fourth adsorber for removing heat of adsorption generated when the fourth adsorber adsorbs an adsorbate or for condensing vapor of the adsorbate desorbed from the fourth adsorber; a heat transfer medium supplied to the first heating unit, the heat transfer medium having a higher temperature than the adsorbate supplied to the first evaporator; a second heating unit connected to the third adsorber and connected downstream of the first heating unit, for heating the third adsorber with the heat medium discharged from the first heating unit, and for desorbing an adsorbate adsorbed in the third adsorber; a second evaporator connected to the fourth adsorber and connected downstream of the first evaporator to evaporate the adsorbate discharged from the first evaporator and supply the adsorbate to the fourth adsorber; the four condensers are arranged with respect to the flow path so as to be located upstream in the order of the first condenser, the second condenser, the third condenser, and the fourth condenser along a flow direction of the refrigerant.

7. The adsorption heat pump according to claim 6, The control unit is a connection destination of the second condenser is switchable between the second adsorber and the third adsorber, a connection state in which adsorbate vapor can be transferred between the first adsorbent and the second adsorbent; The first adsorber connected to the first evaporator and the first condenser is separated from the first evaporator; The second adsorber connected to the first heating section and the second condenser is separated from the second condenser; The third adsorber connected to the second heating unit and the third condenser is connected to the second condenser in addition to the third condenser; an adsorption heat pump that switches between the first adsorption device and the second adsorption device to the connected state.

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