Carbon dioxide treatment apparatus and hot-water supply system

Abstract

To provide a carbon dioxide treatment apparatus which can suppress external supply power.SOLUTION: A carbon dioxide treatment apparatus 3 includes: a heat generation part 4 for converting heat energy of exhaust gas G1 containing carbon dioxide discharged from a gas generation source into electric energy; a carbon dioxide treatment part 5 for removing at least a part of the carbon dioxide contained in exhaust gas G2 discharged through the heat generation part 4; and a carbon dioxide measuring device 7 which is driven by power supplied from the heat generation part 4, and measures at least the flow rate or the concentration of the carbon dioxide contained in the exhaust gas G. The carbon dioxide treatment apparatus 3 can suppress external supply power.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a carbon dioxide treatment device and a water heater system, and more particularly to a carbon dioxide treatment device for removing carbon dioxide contained in exhaust gas discharged from a gas generation source and a water heater system having the carbon dioxide treatment device.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with the trend of decarbonization, for example, exhaust gas containing carbon dioxide discharged from a gas generation source such as a water heater has come to be discharged into the atmosphere after carbon dioxide is separated, recovered, or removed through a carbon dioxide treatment device. In this carbon dioxide treatment device, carbon dioxide meters are used to measure the flow rate or concentration of carbon dioxide before and after a carbon dioxide treatment unit that performs a process of separating, recovering, or removing carbon dioxide from the exhaust gas.

[0003] Patent Document 1 proposes a carbon dioxide recovery system including an absorption tower that brings exhaust gas discharged from combustion equipment into contact with an absorption liquid to absorb carbon dioxide in the exhaust gas into the absorption liquid. The carbon dioxide recovery system is provided with a plurality of carbon dioxide flow rate acquisition units for measuring the flow rate of carbon dioxide.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The carbon dioxide treatment device requires electric power supplied from the outside (hereinafter referred to as "externally supplied power") to operate its internal equipment, but it is desired to suppress the externally supplied power.

[0006] In view of such points, an object of the present invention is to provide a carbon dioxide treatment apparatus capable of suppressing external supply power. Another object of the present invention is to provide a hot water supply system capable of suppressing external supply power.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The carbon dioxide treatment apparatus according to the present invention a thermoelectric power generation unit that converts the thermal energy of exhaust gas containing carbon dioxide discharged from a gas generation source into electric energy, a carbon dioxide treatment unit that removes at least a part of the carbon dioxide contained in the exhaust gas discharged via the thermoelectric power generation unit, a carbon dioxide measuring instrument that is driven by the power supplied from the thermoelectric power generation unit and measures at least the flow rate or concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the exhaust gas, and is characterized by comprising the above.

[0008] Further, in the carbon dioxide treatment apparatus according to the present invention, as the carbon dioxide measuring instrument, an upstream carbon dioxide measuring instrument that is driven by the power supplied from the thermoelectric power generation unit and measures at least the flow rate or concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the exhaust gas flowing into the carbon dioxide treatment unit, a downstream carbon dioxide measuring instrument that is driven by the power supplied from the thermoelectric power generation unit and measures at least the flow rate or concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the treated exhaust gas discharged from the carbon dioxide treatment unit, and it is preferable to be provided with the above.

[0009] Further, in the carbon dioxide treatment apparatus according to the present invention, the thermoelectric power generation unit is preferably configured using a thermoelectric power generation unit composed of two electrodes and a solvent in which nanoparticles are dispersed, and electric power is generated by electrons propagating between the electrodes by a hopping phenomenon.

[0010] At this time, the thermoelectric power generation unit preferably includes a plurality of cylindrical power generation cartridges having the same outer diameter, and these power generation cartridges are preferably arranged in a staggered pattern in an externally circumscribed state vertically and horizontally.

[0011] Further, in the carbon dioxide treatment apparatus according to the present invention, a cooling unit for cooling the exhaust gas discharged from the carbon dioxide treatment unit is further provided, and the carbon dioxide treatment unit and the cooling unit can also be configured to be driven by the electric power supplied from the thermoelectric power generation unit.

[0012] Further, the water heater system according to the present invention a water heating unit which is a gas generation source, the above-described carbon dioxide treatment apparatus for treating the exhaust gas of the water heating unit, and is characterized by having

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to the carbon dioxide treatment apparatus of the present invention, external supply power can be suppressed. Further, according to the water heater system of the present invention, since the above-described carbon dioxide treatment apparatus is used as an apparatus for treating exhaust gas, this effect can be enjoyed and external supply power can be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a water heater system 1 according to an embodiment, FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a thermoelectric power generation unit 4 used in the water heater system 1, and FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of a thermoelectric power generation unit 41 in the thermoelectric power generation unit 4. Hereinafter, the water heater system 1 will be described with reference to these drawings.

[0016] (Configuration of the water heater system 1) The water heater system 1 is a system that burns gas to instantaneously boil water and supply hot water. In the water heater system 1, the high-temperature combustion exhaust gas generated by the combustion of gas has carbon dioxide removed, is cooled, and then discharged.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the water heater system 1 includes a water heating unit 2 that burns gas to instantaneously boil water, and a carbon dioxide treatment device 3 that treats the exhaust gas G of the water heating unit 2 which is a gas generation source. The water heater system 1 is configured as a water heater that incorporates the water heating unit 2 and the carbon dioxide treatment device 3 and adapts to the requirement of decarbonization by removing carbon dioxide in the exhaust gas after combustion in the water heating unit 2 and then discharging it.

[0018] The water heating unit 2 includes a combustion device having a function of burning gas to instantaneously boil water. In the water heating unit 2, in order to burn gas, combustion exhaust gas (hereinafter simply referred to as "exhaust gas") and combustion heat will inevitably be generated. The water heating unit 2 is also installed in a known water heater, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0019] (Configuration of the carbon dioxide treatment device 3) The carbon dioxide treatment device 3 is respectively installed in the exhaust gas flow path of the water heating unit 2 which is a gas generation source, and includes a thermoelectric power generation unit 4 that converts the thermal energy of the exhaust gas G containing carbon dioxide discharged from the water heating unit 2 into electrical energy, a carbon dioxide treatment unit 5 that removes at least a part of the carbon dioxide contained in the exhaust gas G discharged via the thermoelectric power generation unit 4, a cooling unit 6 for cooling the exhaust gas G, and a plurality of carbon dioxide meters 7 for measuring at least the flow rate or concentration of carbon dioxide. In the following, regarding the exhaust gas G, the stage of being discharged from the water heating unit 2 is referred to as exhaust gas G1, the stage of passing through the thermoelectric power generation unit 4 is referred to as exhaust gas G2, the stage of passing through the carbon dioxide treatment unit 5 is referred to as exhaust gas G3, and the stage of passing through the cooling unit 6 is referred to as exhaust gas G4 for explanation.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 2, the thermoelectric power generation unit 4 has a gas flow path R for flowing the exhaust gas G2, and a thermoelectric power generation unit 41 that generates electricity by thermal energy is disposed in the gas flow path R.

[0021] The thermoelectric power generation unit 41 has a cylindrical shape, and a positive electrode and a negative electrode are formed on each of its both end faces. The thermoelectric power generation unit 41 includes a plurality of power generation cartridges 42 having the same outer diameter that can extract the power generated by converting thermal energy into electrical energy from these electrodes, and a box-shaped cartridge box 43 for accommodating the plurality of power generation cartridges 42. The power generation cartridge 42 is composed of, for example, a solvent in which nanoparticles are dispersed, and is a type of thermoelectric element that generates electricity by electrons propagating between electrodes by a hopping phenomenon. This type of thermoelectric element using the hopping phenomenon is also called an ambient power generation element, and different from a thermoelectric element using the Seebeck effect, it can convert thermal energy into electrical energy without a temperature difference.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 3, in the thermoelectric power generation unit 41, the plurality of power generation cartridges 42 are arranged in a lattice pattern in an externally tangent state vertically and horizontally in the cartridge box 43 with the directions of the electrodes of adjacent power generation cartridges 42 opposite to each other. The plurality of power generation cartridges 42 are electrically connected in series by a conductive material 44 such as an electric wire (the opposite end side is shown by a broken line). The shape of the cartridge box and the diameter, length, capacity, and number of the power generation cartridges arranged inside it may be appropriately set according to the specifications. For example, when it is desired to supply 160 W of power, 4 power generation cartridges having a diameter of 10 cm, a length of 50 cm, a capacity of 4 L, and a power generation capacity of 40 W per unit may be used. In Figs. 2 and 3, as an example, a thermoelectric power generation unit 41 in which cylindrical power generation cartridges 42 are arranged in a total of 25 in 5 rows and 5 columns in a cartridge box 43 having a square inner dimension and are connected in series is illustrated. If the required supply power can be covered by one power generation cartridge, a thermoelectric power generation unit may be configured using one power generation cartridge.

[0023] The carbon dioxide treatment unit 5 is provided with an adsorbent inside, controls the internal pressure to adsorb carbon dioxide on the adsorbent, and removes at least a part of the carbon dioxide contained in the introduced exhaust gas G2. The carbon dioxide treatment unit 5 is provided with an electric motor such as a pump or a solenoid valve for controlling the internal pressure. In order to drive this electric motor, the electric power generated by the thermoelectric power generation unit 4 is supplied.

[0024] The cooling unit 6 is a radiator or a heat exchanger, radiates the heat of the introduced exhaust gas G3 or exchanges heat between the introduced exhaust gas G3 and a separately introduced cooling fluid, and discharges it as the exhaust gas G4 with a lowered temperature. The cooling unit 6 is provided with an electric motor such as a fan for promoting the flow of the gas. In order to drive this electric motor, the electric power generated by the thermoelectric power generation unit 4 is supplied.

[0025] The carbon dioxide measuring device 7 includes an element that detects the flow rate and carbon dioxide concentration of the gas flowing through the flow path, measures the flow rate of carbon dioxide contained in the exhaust gas G from the flow rate and carbon dioxide concentration of the gas flowing through the flow path, displays the result on a liquid crystal panel provided on the surface, and further can perform data communication with an external device (not shown) and transmit the measurement result data to the external device. The carbon dioxide measuring device 7 is electrically connected to the thermoelectric power generation unit 4 by an electric cable EL and is driven by the electric power supplied from the thermoelectric power generation unit 4. In the carbon dioxide treatment device 3, as the carbon dioxide measuring device 7, at least an upstream carbon dioxide measuring device 7A that measures the flow rate of carbon dioxide contained in the exhaust gas G2 flowing into the carbon dioxide treatment unit 5, and a downstream carbon dioxide measuring device 7B that measures the flow rate of carbon dioxide contained in the treated exhaust gas G3 discharged from the carbon dioxide treatment unit 5 are respectively installed on the upstream side and the downstream side of the carbon dioxide treatment unit 5. By calculating the difference between the flow rate of carbon dioxide measured by the upstream carbon dioxide measuring device 7A and the flow rate of carbon dioxide measured by the downstream carbon dioxide measuring device 7B, the treatment state of carbon dioxide in the carbon dioxide treatment unit 5 can be grasped.

[0026] In the carbon dioxide treatment device 3 configured as described above, first, the high-temperature exhaust gas G1 discharged from the hot water supply unit 2 is introduced into the thermoelectric power generation unit 4. The thermoelectric power generation unit 4 converts part of the thermal energy of the exhaust gas G1 into electrical energy to generate electricity, and supplies at least part of the generated power as driving power for the carbon dioxide measuring instrument 7 to the upstream carbon dioxide measuring instrument 7A and the downstream carbon dioxide measuring instrument 7B. The exhaust gas G2 whose temperature has dropped due to part of its thermal energy being taken away is discharged. Next, the exhaust gas G2 discharged from the thermoelectric power generation unit 4 is introduced into the carbon dioxide treatment unit 5. The carbon dioxide treatment unit 5 removes at least part of the carbon dioxide from the exhaust gas G2 and discharges the exhaust gas G3 with a reduced carbon dioxide concentration. At this time, on the upstream side and the downstream side of the carbon dioxide treatment unit 5, the upstream carbon dioxide measuring instrument 7A and the downstream carbon dioxide measuring instrument 7B measure the flow rate of carbon dioxide in the exhaust gas G2 and the exhaust gas G3 respectively, and the measurement results are recorded in the upstream carbon dioxide measuring instrument 7A and the downstream carbon dioxide measuring instrument 7B respectively. Next, the exhaust gas G3 discharged from the carbon dioxide treatment unit 5 is introduced into the cooling unit 6. The cooling unit 6 cools the exhaust gas G3 and discharges the exhaust gas G4 with an even lower temperature. In the carbon dioxide treatment device 3, the exhaust gas G4 discharged from the cooling unit 6 is released into the atmosphere.

[0027] (Function and Effect) The carbon dioxide treatment device 3 includes a thermoelectric power generation unit 4 that converts thermal energy into electrical energy, a carbon dioxide treatment unit 5 that removes at least part of the carbon dioxide contained in the exhaust gas G2, and a carbon dioxide measuring instrument 7 that measures at least the flow rate or concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the exhaust gas G. And this carbon dioxide measuring instrument 7 is driven by the power supplied from the thermoelectric power generation unit 4. Therefore, according to the carbon dioxide treatment device 3, it is not necessary to allocate part of the externally supplied power as the driving power for the carbon dioxide measuring instrument 7, so the externally supplied power can be suppressed. Also, according to the carbon dioxide treatment device 3, since it is equipped with the thermoelectric power generation unit 4 and part of the thermal energy of the exhaust gas G2 is used there, the cooling unit 6 can be configured smaller accordingly.

[0028] Therefore, the carbon dioxide treatment device 3 is a carbon dioxide treatment device capable of suppressing external supply power.

[0029] Also, according to the carbon dioxide treatment device 3, as the carbon dioxide measuring instrument 7, it includes an upstream carbon dioxide measuring instrument 7A that measures the flow rate of carbon dioxide contained in the exhaust gas G2 flowing into the carbon dioxide treatment unit 5, and a downstream carbon dioxide measuring instrument 7B that measures the flow rate of carbon dioxide contained in the treated exhaust gas G3 discharged from the carbon dioxide treatment unit 5. Therefore, by calculating the difference between the flow rate of carbon dioxide measured by the upstream carbon dioxide measuring instrument 7A and the flow rate of carbon dioxide measured by the downstream carbon dioxide measuring instrument 7B, the treatment state of carbon dioxide in the carbon dioxide treatment unit 5 can be grasped.

[0030] Also, according to the carbon dioxide treatment device 3, the thermoelectric power generation unit 4 is composed of two electrodes and a solvent in which nanoparticles are dispersed, and is configured using a thermoelectric power generation unit 41 equipped with a thermoelectric power generation cartridge 42 that generates electricity by electrons propagating between the electrodes through a hopping phenomenon. Therefore, it is possible to generate thermoelectric power without having a structure for supplying a low-temperature fluid specifically for thermoelectric power generation.

[0031] Also, in the carbon dioxide treatment device 3, a plurality of cylindrical thermoelectric power generation cartridges 42 are used in the thermoelectric power generation unit 41, and adjacent thermoelectric power generation cartridges 42 are arranged with opposite polarities and are electrically connected in series by a conductive material 44. In this way, since adjacent thermoelectric power generation cartridges 42 are arranged with opposite polarities, it is possible to generate high-voltage electricity in a series connection without wiring the conductive material 44 to straddle both ends of the thermoelectric power generation cartridge 42. Therefore, according to the carbon dioxide treatment device 3, high-voltage electricity generation can be performed with a neat wiring.

[0032] In addition, the carbon dioxide treatment device 3 is provided with a cooling unit 6 that cools the exhaust gas G3 discharged from the carbon dioxide treatment unit 5, and the electric motors in the carbon dioxide treatment unit 5 and the cooling unit 6 are driven by the electric power supplied from the thermoelectric power generation unit 4. Therefore, regarding the required electric power of the carbon dioxide treatment device 3, all of it can be covered by the electric power generated by the thermoelectric power generation unit 4, and the external supply power can be suppressed.

[0033] Moreover, according to the water heater system 1, since the carbon dioxide treatment device 3 is used as a device for treating exhaust gas, the effects of the carbon dioxide treatment device 3 can be enjoyed, and the external supply power can be suppressed.

[0034] [Other Forms] As described above, the present invention has been described based on the above embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. It can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are also possible.

[0035] (1) The number, material, shape, position, size, etc. of the components described in the above embodiments are examples, and can be changed without impairing the effects of the present invention.

[0036] (2) In the above-described embodiment, the cooling unit 6 has been described as being installed on the downstream side of the carbon dioxide treatment unit 5, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the cooling unit may be installed on the upstream side of the carbon dioxide treatment unit 5.

[0037] (3) In the above-described embodiment, the power generation cartridge 42 of the thermoelectric power generation unit 41 has been described as having a cylindrical shape, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the power generation cartridge may have a prismatic shape.

[0038] (4) In the above-described embodiment, the carbon dioxide measuring device 7 includes an element that detects the flow rate of the gas flowing through the flow path and the concentration of carbon dioxide, and has been described as measuring the flow rate of carbon dioxide contained in the exhaust gas G from the flow rate of the gas flowing through the flow path and the concentration of carbon dioxide. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The carbon dioxide measuring device may be any device that can grasp the removal state of carbon dioxide contained in the gas. For example, it may be a device that detects only the concentration of carbon dioxide. When using a carbon dioxide measuring device that detects only the concentration of carbon dioxide in this way, for example, a room having a certain space surrounding the carbon dioxide treatment unit 5 or a room having a certain space downstream of the carbon dioxide treatment unit 5 may be provided, and the carbon dioxide concentration in the room may be detected by the carbon dioxide measuring device.

[0039] (5) In the above-described embodiment, the carbon dioxide treatment apparatus 3 has been described as having two carbon dioxide measuring devices 7 installed therein. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, one or three or more carbon dioxide measuring devices may be installed in the carbon dioxide treatment apparatus. When one is installed, it is preferable that the flow rate or concentration of carbon dioxide after treatment is measured downstream of the carbon dioxide treatment unit 5. When three or more are installed, it is preferable that the driving power of all the installed carbon dioxide measuring devices is supplied from the thermoelectric power generation unit.

[0040] (6) In the above-described embodiment, the water heater system 1 in which the carbon dioxide treatment apparatus 3 is combined with the hot water supply unit 2 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The carbon dioxide treatment apparatus according to the present invention may be combined with other combustion devices that discharge gas containing carbon dioxide.

[0041] (7) In the above-described embodiment, the water heater system 1 has been described as a water heater incorporating the hot water supply unit 2 and the carbon dioxide treatment apparatus 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the water heater system, for example, a hot water supply device including a hot water supply unit and the carbon dioxide treatment apparatus 3 may be configured separately.

[0042] (8) In the above-described embodiment, the plurality of power generation cartridges 42 of the thermoelectric power generation unit 41 are described as being arranged in a lattice pattern within the cartridge box 43 with adjacent power generation cartridges 42 abutting against each other's outer peripheral surfaces and aligned in a straight line vertically and horizontally. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the thermoelectric power generation unit, for example, it is also preferable that the plurality of power generation cartridges are arranged as in the following modified example.

[0043] (Modified Example) FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a thermoelectric power generation unit 141 as a modified example of the thermoelectric power generation unit. As shown in FIG. 4, the thermoelectric power generation unit 141 includes a plurality of power generation cartridges 42 similar to those in the above-described embodiment, and a box-shaped cartridge box 143 for accommodating the plurality of power generation cartridges 42. The thermoelectric power generation unit 141 is different from the thermoelectric power generation unit 41 of the above-described embodiment in the arrangement of the power generation cartridges 42 and the outer shape of the cartridge box 143 due to the difference in the arrangement, and the other points are the same as those in the above-described embodiment.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 4, in the thermoelectric power generation unit 141, the plurality of power generation cartridges 42 are arranged in a staggered pattern within the cartridge box 143 with the adjacent power generation cartridges 42 having opposite electrode orientations and being circumscribed vertically and horizontally. That is, when three mutually circumscribed power generation cartridges 42 are taken, the plurality of power generation cartridges 42 are arranged such that the centers of their outer peripheral circles are located at the vertices of an equilateral triangle. And the plurality of power generation cartridges 42 are electrically connected in series by a conductive material 144 such as an electric wire (the opposite end sides are shown by broken lines). The cartridge box 143 is formed in a shape that abuts against and surrounds the periphery of the outer shape of the mass composed of the plurality of power generation cartridges 42.

[0045] If the plurality of power generation cartridges 42 are arranged like the thermoelectric power generation unit 141, the gap between adjacent power generation cartridges 42 is reduced, so that the power generation amount per unit area can be increased.

Description of Signs

[0046] 1... water heater system, 2... water heating section, 3... carbon dioxide treatment device, 4, 104... thermoelectric power generation section, 5... carbon dioxide treatment section, 6... cooling section, 7... carbon dioxide meter, 7A... upstream carbon dioxide meter, 7B... downstream carbon dioxide meter, 41, 141... thermoelectric power generation unit, 42, 142... power generation cartridge, 43, 143... cartridge box, 44, 144... conductive material, G, G1 to G4... gas, R... gas flow path

Claims

1. A thermoelectric power generation unit that converts the thermal energy of exhaust gas containing carbon dioxide discharged from a gas generation source into electrical energy, A carbon dioxide treatment unit that removes at least a part of the carbon dioxide contained in the exhaust gas discharged via the thermoelectric power generation unit, A carbon dioxide measuring instrument that is driven by the electric power supplied from the thermoelectric power generation unit and measures at least the flow rate or concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the exhaust gas, A carbon dioxide treatment apparatus characterized by comprising the same.

2. In the carbon dioxide treatment apparatus according to Claim 1, As the carbon dioxide measuring instrument, An upstream carbon dioxide measuring instrument that is driven by the electric power supplied from the thermoelectric power generation unit and measures the flow rate or concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the exhaust gas flowing into the carbon dioxide treatment unit, A downstream carbon dioxide measuring instrument that is driven by the electric power supplied from the thermoelectric power generation unit and measures the flow rate or concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the treated exhaust gas discharged from the carbon dioxide treatment unit, A carbon dioxide treatment apparatus comprising the same.

3. In the carbon dioxide treatment apparatus according to Claim 1, The thermoelectric power generation unit is composed of two electrodes and a solvent in which nanoparticles are dispersed, and is configured using a thermoelectric power generation unit that generates electricity by electrons propagating between the electrodes by a hopping phenomenon. A carbon dioxide treatment apparatus.

4. In the carbon dioxide treatment apparatus according to Claim 3, The thermoelectric power generation unit includes a plurality of cylindrical power generation cartridges having the same outer diameter, The power generation cartridges are arranged in a staggered pattern in an externally circumscribed state vertically and horizontally. A carbon dioxide treatment apparatus.

5. In the carbon dioxide treatment apparatus according to Claim 1, The carbon dioxide treatment apparatus further includes a cooling unit that cools the exhaust gas discharged from the carbon dioxide treatment unit, The carbon dioxide treatment unit and the cooling unit are carbon dioxide treatment apparatuses driven by the electric power supplied from the thermoelectric power generation unit.

6. A water heating unit that is a gas generation source, The carbon dioxide treatment apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 5 that treats the exhaust gas of the water heating unit, A water heater system characterized by comprising the same.

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