Plant equipment evaluation system, plant equipment evaluation method, and plant equipment evaluation program

Abstract

To properly display the state of electric power or fluids in a plant.SOLUTION: A plant equipment evaluation system is configured to store first data pertaining to multiple pieces of equipment in a plant, calculate second data for displaying a graph for at least one of the multiple pieces of equipment, based on the first data, and display the graph based on the second data. The plant includes a heat supply source for supplying electricity to an electricity recipient and supplying heat to a heat recipient, and has a function as a heat supply source. The graph includes: a first quadrant having a first axis representing quantity of heat and a second axis representing temperature, and showing a relationship between the quantity of heat transmitted by a fluid or a solid in the heat recipient and a fluid or solid temperature; a second quadrant having a first axis representing quantity of heat and a second axis representing temperature, and showing a relationship between the fluid temperature and the quantity of heat received by the fluid in the heat supply source; and a third quadrants having a first axis representing quantity of heat and a second axis representing electric power, and showing a relationship between the quantity of heat supplied by the heat supply source and the electric power supplied by an electricity supply source.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a plant equipment evaluation system, a plant equipment evaluation method, and a plant equipment evaluation program.

Background Art

[0002] As a plant that supplies energy, a plant that supplies electric power and heat to an electric power demand and a heat demand respectively is known. An example of such a plant is a power generation plant that generates steam by the heat of exhaust gas generated during power generation and supplies electric power and steam to an electric power demand and a steam demand respectively.

[0003] On the other hand, as a system that performs information processing related to a plant, a plant operation control system that controls the operation of a plant and a plant operation plan formulation system that formulates an operation plan of a plant are known. The plant operation plan formulation system formulates an operation plan for operating the plant most efficiently while keeping the operation of the plant stable, for example. The plant operation control system controls the operation of the plant so that the operation cost of the plant is minimized, for example.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Non-Patent Documents

[0005]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] For example, an analysis device has been proposed for analyzing the energy efficiency when a heat pump is introduced into an energy system. This analysis device takes into account the decrease in the power generation amount of self-generation due to the introduction of the heat pump in the energy efficiency of the energy system. Further, this analysis device calculates the energy efficiency when surplus heat is used for low-temperature heat power generation. Further, this analysis device calculates an index value related to the Carnot efficiency and creates data indicating the difference in the amount of heat between the heat supply system and the heat receiving system at the index value related to the Carnot efficiency.

[0007] However, when a heat pump is introduced into an energy system, a decrease in the temperature of low-temperature heat, an increase in power consumption, steam generation, etc. occur. Therefore, the operation plan for operating the plant most efficiently changes greatly before and after the introduction of the heat pump. Heat supply by the heat pump can reduce the output of the boiler and reduce the fuel cost of the boiler. On the other hand, since heat supply by the heat pump increases the power consumption of the energy system, its impact on the power consumption of the energy system is great. Therefore, when considering the effect of introducing a heat pump, it is necessary to consider the trade-off between the reduction in fuel cost and the increase in power consumption. Also, when there is an upper limit on the power consumption, this also needs to be taken into account. However, the above analysis device can analyze the energy efficiency when a heat pump is introduced, but cannot display the trade-off when a heat pump is introduced.

[0008] On the other hand, a plant operation plan determination system that displays the trade-off when supplying electricity and steam has been proposed. This system displays the operating range of one or more devices in the power generation plant on a graph with the electrical output as the first axis and the steam supply amount as the second axis.

[0009] However, the state of fluids such as exhaust gas and steam in the power generation plant changes according to physical quantities such as temperature and pressure. In the above graph with the electrical output as the first axis and the steam supply amount as the second axis, such state changes cannot be appropriately displayed.

[0010] Therefore, an embodiment of the present invention provides a plant equipment evaluation system, a plant equipment evaluation method, and a plant equipment evaluation program capable of appropriately displaying the power and fluid states in a plant.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] According to one embodiment, a plant equipment evaluation system includes a storage unit that stores first data regarding a plurality of devices in a plant, a calculation unit that calculates second data for displaying a graph regarding one or more of the plurality of devices based on the first data, and a display unit that displays the graph regarding the one or more devices based on the second data. The plant has functions as a power supply source that supplies power to a power demand destination and a heat supply source that supplies heat to a heat demand destination. The graph includes a first quadrant that takes heat quantity on the first axis and temperature on the second axis and displays the relationship between the heat quantity transferred or received by a fluid or solid at the heat demand destination and the temperature of the fluid or solid at the heat demand destination, a second quadrant that takes heat quantity on the first axis and temperature on the second axis and displays the relationship between the heat quantity transferred or received by a fluid at the heat supply source and the temperature of the fluid at the heat supply source, and a third quadrant that takes heat quantity on the first axis and electric power on the second axis and displays the relationship between the heat quantity supplied by the heat supply source and the electric power supplied by the power supply source.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 4

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Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In FIGS. 1 to 13, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0014] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a plant according to the first embodiment.

[0015] The plant of this embodiment includes a boiler 1, a gas engine (GE) 2, and a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) 3. The plant of this embodiment has a function as a power supply source that supplies power to a power demand destination. The plant of this embodiment further has a function as a heat supply source that supplies heat to a heat demand destination, specifically, a function as a steam supply source that supplies steam to a steam demand destination. The power demand destination, the steam demand destination, and the heat demand destination, as well as the cold heat demand described later, may each exist inside the plant, outside the plant, or both.

[0016] The boiler 1 generates heat by burning fuel, and heats water (make-up water) with this heat to generate steam. The fuel is, for example, fossil fuel. The steam discharged from the boiler 1 is supplied to the steam demand destination. Examples of the steam demand destination are facilities and equipment that use steam.

[0017] The gas engine 2 generates electricity by burning gas. The gas is, for example, city gas. The power output from the gas engine 2 is supplied to the power demand destination. Similarly, the power received by the plant of the present embodiment from outside the plant is also supplied to the power demand destination. Examples of the power demand destination are facilities and equipment that use power. On the other hand, the exhaust gas discharged from the gas engine 2 is supplied to the exhaust heat recovery boiler 3.

[0018] The exhaust heat recovery boiler 3 generates steam from the make-up water by heating the make-up water using the heat of this exhaust gas. The steam discharged from the exhaust heat recovery boiler 3 is supplied to the steam demand destination. On the other hand, the exhaust gas discharged from the exhaust heat recovery boiler 3 is discharged into the atmosphere.

[0019] Note that the amount of steam supplied from the plant of the present embodiment is the sum of the amount of steam discharged from the boiler 1 and the amount of steam discharged from the exhaust heat recovery boiler 3. The amount of steam supply from the plant of the present embodiment needs to be equal to or more than the amount of steam demand. As a result, the surplus steam in the plant of the present embodiment is discharged into the atmosphere. Surplus steam is assumed to occur, for example, when the steam demand is less than the lower limit of steam supply determined by the performance of the boiler 1 or the exhaust heat recovery boiler 3, or when the steam demand suddenly decreases and temporarily the steam supply becomes more than the steam demand.

[0020] The plant of this embodiment includes three devices: a boiler 1, a gas engine 2, and an exhaust heat recovery boiler 3. In this embodiment, the group of devices consisting of the gas engine 2 and the exhaust heat recovery boiler 3 supplies power to the power demand destination by power generation using the gas engine 2, and supplies steam to the steam demand destination by steam generation using the gas engine 2 and the exhaust heat recovery boiler 3. The said group of devices is composed of two devices. On the other hand, the group of devices consisting only of the boiler 1 supplies steam to the steam demand destination by steam generation using the boiler 1. The said group of devices is composed of one device. Further details of these groups of devices will be described later. Each group of devices in this embodiment is a group consisting of one or more devices.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the plant equipment evaluation system according to the first embodiment.

[0022] The plant equipment evaluation system of this embodiment is a system for evaluating the characteristics of the equipment in the plant of this embodiment. The plant equipment evaluation system of this embodiment can further be used to evaluate the states of fluids such as water, steam, and exhaust gas in the plant of this embodiment, and the relationships between the above-mentioned power supply, steam supply, power demand, and steam demand. Hereinafter, the plant equipment evaluation system will also be simply referred to as the "evaluation system".

[0023] The evaluation system of this embodiment includes an input device 11, a communication device 12, a display device 13, and an arithmetic device 14. The arithmetic device 14 includes a storage unit 14a, a calculation unit 14b, and a display unit 14c.

[0024] The evaluation system of this embodiment is, for example, a PC (Personal Computer). The input device 11 includes, for example, a keyboard and a mouse. The communication device 12 includes, for example, a communication interface for wired communication or wireless communication. The display device 13 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display. The arithmetic device 14 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an HDD (Hard Disc Drive). Note that the evaluation system of this embodiment may be configured by two or more PCs, or may be configured by a PC and a server device.

[0025] [Storage unit 14a] The storage unit 14a stores data related to a plurality of devices in the plant of this embodiment. Examples of these devices are a boiler 1, a gas engine 2, an exhaust heat recovery boiler 3, and the like. Hereinafter, this data is referred to as "device-related data". Examples of device-related data are measured values such as the amount of heat supplied by steam in the boiler 1, the temperature of the steam in the boiler 1, the amount of heat supplied by exhaust gas in the exhaust heat recovery boiler 3, and the temperature of the exhaust gas in the exhaust heat recovery boiler 3. The device-related data is an example of the first data.

[0026] The storage unit 14a further stores data related to the above-mentioned power supply and steam supply. Hereinafter, this data is referred to as "supply-related data". Examples of supply-related data are measured values such as the power generated by the gas engine 2, the power received by the plant from the outside, and the amount of steam supplied from the plant. A part of the supply-related data may overlap with the device-related data. The supply-related data is an example of the third data.

[0027] The storage unit 14a further stores data related to the above-described power demand and steam demand. Hereinafter, this data is referred to as "demand-related data". The demand-related data is measured or predicted values such as the power demand for the plant and the steam demand for the plant. A part of the demand-related data may overlap with the equipment-related data and the supply-related data. The demand-related data is an example of the fourth data.

[0028] [Calculation unit 14b] Based on the equipment-related data stored in the storage unit 14a, the calculation unit 14b calculates data for displaying a graph related to one or more of the above plurality of devices. An example of this graph is shown in FIG. 3. The graph in FIG. 3 displays information related to the boiler 1 in the second quadrant and information related to the gas engine 2 in the second and third quadrants. The calculation unit 14b applies, for example, the least squares method to various measured values included in the equipment-related data and calculates the equation of the straight line displayed in this graph. Examples of this graph are also shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 8, etc.

[0029] The calculation unit 14b further calculates data for displaying information related to the above-described power supply and steam supply in this graph. This data is calculated based on the supply-related data stored in the storage unit 14a. The calculation of this data may be performed based on the equipment-related data and / or the demand-related data in addition to the supply-related data. The graph in FIG. 3 displays information related to the power supply and the steam supply in the third quadrant (and the second quadrant).

[0030] The calculation unit 14b further calculates data for displaying information related to the above-described power demand and steam demand in this graph. This data is calculated based on the demand-related data stored in the storage unit 14a. The calculation of this data may be performed based on the equipment-related data and / or the supply-related data in addition to the demand-related data. The graph in FIG. 3 displays information related to the power demand and the steam demand in the fourth quadrant (and the first quadrant).

[0031] Hereinafter, the data calculated by the calculation unit 14b is referred to as "graph data". The graph data is an example of the second data.

[0032] [Display unit 14c] The display unit 14c displays the above graph related to the one or more devices, power supply, steam supply, power demand, and steam demand based on the graph data calculated by the calculation unit 14b. This graph is displayed on the display device 13 by the display unit 14c. FIG. 3 shows a graph including a first quadrant which is the region above the origin and to the right, a second quadrant which is the region above the origin and to the left, a third quadrant which is the region below the origin and to the left, and a fourth quadrant which is the region below the origin and to the right. Further details of this graph will be described later.

[0033] The functions of the storage unit 14a, the calculation unit 14b, and the display unit 14c are realized, for example, by a computer program installed in the arithmetic device 14. The installation of this program may be performed by inserting a recording medium storing this program into the evaluation system, or may be performed by downloading this program to the evaluation system via a network. An example of this recording medium is a non-volatile semiconductor memory.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen 21 of the plant equipment evaluation system (display device 13) of the first embodiment.

[0035] The display screen 21 in FIG. 3 includes a display window 22, a graph display area 23, a plurality of check boxes 24, a display button 25, and a setting button 26.

[0036] The graph display area 23 is an area for displaying the above graph within the display window 22. The display unit 14c displays various curves (here, the terms "curve" are used to include straight lines) representing the characteristics of the equipment under evaluation (here, the boiler 1 and the gas engine 2) on this graph based on the graph data calculated by the calculation unit 14b. Further, the display unit 14c also displays information regarding power supply, steam supply (heat supply), power demand, and steam demand (heat demand) (e.g., supply points and demand points) on this graph based on this graph data. The user of the evaluation system of this embodiment can evaluate the characteristics of the equipment under evaluation and obtain information regarding power supply, steam supply (heat supply), power demand, and steam demand (heat demand) by viewing this graph.

[0037] The check box 24 is used to select the equipment under evaluation to be displayed on the graph. For example, when the check boxes 24 (Boiler and GE respectively) for the boiler 1 and the gas engine 2 are checked and the display button 25 is pressed, various curves (straight lines) representing the characteristics of the boiler 1 and the gas engine 2 are displayed in the graph display area 23.

[0038] As described above, the display button 25 is used to display a graph in the graph display area 23. The setting button 26 is used to input various settings regarding the graph. For example, when the setting button 26 is pressed, a setting window for inputting various settings is displayed. Examples of settings that can be input in the setting window are settings for the number of supply points and the number of demand points to be displayed in the graph display area 23 (see FIGS. 11 and 13).

[0039] Note that the display content of the display screen 21 may be different from that shown in FIG. 3. For example, the graph display area 23 may display only one graph as shown in FIG. 3, or may display two or more graphs simultaneously. Further, the display window 22 may also display buttons other than the display button 25 and the setting button 26.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a graph showing the operating status of the plant according to the first embodiment.

[0041] FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of the graph shown in the graph display area 23 of FIG. 3. In addition, FIG. 4 shows various reference numerals for explaining curves and points on the graph. Here, the term "curve" is used to include straight lines. The graph of FIG. 4 includes the first to fourth quadrants. Each of the first to fourth quadrants has a first axis (horizontal axis) extending in the left - right direction on the paper surface and a second axis (vertical axis) extending in the up - down direction on the paper surface.

[0042] Hereinafter, the first - axis direction is also referred to as the "X - direction", and the second - axis direction is also referred to as the "Y - direction". Also, the position of each point on the graph in the first - axis direction is also referred to as the "X - coordinate", and the position of each point on the graph in the second - axis direction is also referred to as the "Y - coordinate".

[0043] In the first quadrant, the heat consumption (kW) is taken on the first axis, and the temperature (°C) is taken on the second axis. Further, the first quadrant shows the relationship between the amount of heat transferred or received by the fluid at the heat demand destination and the temperature of the fluid at the heat demand destination.

[0044] In the second quadrant, the heat generation amount (kW) is taken on the first axis, and the temperature (°C) is taken on the second axis. Further, the second quadrant shows the relationship between the amount of heat transferred or received by the fluid at the heat supply source (the portion surrounded by a square in FIG. 1) and the temperature of the fluid at the heat supply source.

[0045] In the third quadrant, the heat generation amount (kW) is taken on the first axis, and the electric power (kW) is taken on the second axis. Further, the third quadrant shows the relationship (such as the supply point and output range) between the amount of heat supplied by the heat supply source to the heat supply destination and the electric power supplied by the electric power supply source to the electric power supply destination.

[0046] In the fourth quadrant, the heat consumption (kW) is taken on the first axis, and the electric power (kW) is taken on the second axis. Further, the fourth quadrant shows the relationship (such as the demand point and output range) between the amount of heat consumed by the heat demand and the amount of electric power consumed by the electric power demand.

[0047] The graph in FIG. 4 is used to display various items. For example, the graph in FIG. 4 is used to display the balance between demand and supply and the gap between demand power / specific heat and supply power / specific heat. Also, the graph in FIG. 4 is used to display the operating status of various devices in the plant and the temperature rise and fall of various fluids used in heat demand and heat supply.

[0048] The graph in FIG. 4 shows curves A to G. Curve A includes three straight lines A1 to A3. Curve B includes three straight lines B1 to B3. Curve C includes two straight lines C1 to C2. Curve D includes two straight lines D1 to D2. Curve E includes three straight lines E1 to E3. Curve F includes one straight line F1. Curve G includes one straight line G1. These straight lines are displayed as arrows (vectors). Here, the term "curve" is used to include straight lines.

[0049] The graph in FIG. 4 further shows a supply point P1, a demand point P2, heat quantities Q1 to Q5, regions R1 to R3, temperatures T1 to T3, etc. Region R1 is displayed in the second quadrant. Region R2 is displayed in the second and third quadrants and is located in a direction parallel to the second axis of the first to fourth quadrants with respect to region R1 (on the right side of region R1). Region R3 is displayed in the first and fourth quadrants and is located in a direction parallel to the second axis of the first to fourth quadrants with respect to region R2 (on the right side of region R2).

[0050] [Curve A] Curve A is shown in the second quadrant and is located within region R1. Region R1 is used to show information regarding boiler 1. Curve A shows the relationship between the amount of heat supplied to the water and steam in boiler 1 and the temperature of the water and steam in boiler 1. The water in boiler 1 is called makeup water, similar to the water in the waste heat recovery boiler 3.

[0051] Line A1 shows the relationship between the heat quantity and temperature of water before boiling. Line A2 shows the relationship between the heat quantity and temperature of water while it is boiling. Line A3 shows the relationship between the heat quantity and temperature of the steam generated from water. The upward right arrows of Lines A1 - A3 indicate that water and steam receive heat ( = absorb heat), and the temperatures of water and steam are rising. Temperature T1 indicates the initial temperature of water, and temperature T2 indicates the reaching temperature of steam. Boiler 1 starts heating water from temperature T1 and supplies steam at temperature T2 to the steam demand. [[ID=~]] [[ID=~]]

[0052] [[ID=~]] Figure 4 shows the heat quantity Q1 received by the water and steam in Boiler 1 due to the temperature rise from temperature T1 to temperature T2. The heat quantity Q1 is represented by the horizontal distance between the starting point and the ending point of curve A. In other words, the heat quantity Q1 is represented by the difference between the X - coordinate of the starting point and the X - coordinate of the ending point of curve A. [[ID=~]] [[ID=~]]

[0053] [[ID=~]] [Curve B, C][[ID=~]] Curves B and C are shown in the second quadrant and are located within region R2. Region R2 is used to show information regarding gas engine 2 and is further used to show information regarding exhaust heat recovery boiler 3. Curve C shows the relationship between the heat quantity transferred by the exhaust gas in exhaust heat recovery boiler 3 and the temperature of the exhaust gas in exhaust heat recovery boiler 3. Curve B shows the relationship between the heat quantity received by the makeup water and steam in exhaust heat recovery boiler 3 and the temperature of the makeup water and steam in exhaust heat recovery boiler 3. Exhaust heat recovery boiler 3 uses the heat of the exhaust gas to heat the makeup water and steam. Hereinafter, the makeup water in exhaust heat recovery boiler 3 is also simply referred to as "water". [[ID=~]] [[ID=~]]<---]]

[0054] [[ID=~]] Line C1 shows the relationship between the heat quantity and temperature of the exhaust gas while the exhaust gas is heating the water and steam. Line C2 shows the relationship between the heat quantity and temperature of the exhaust gas after the exhaust gas has finished heating the water and steam. The downward left arrows of Lines C1 - C2 indicate that the exhaust gas transfers heat ( = releases heat), and the temperature of the exhaust gas is decreasing. [[ID=~]] [[ID=~]]

[0055] [[ID=~]] Line B1 shows the relationship between the heat quantity and temperature of water before boiling. Line B2 shows the relationship between the heat quantity and temperature of water while it is boiling. Line B3 shows the relationship between the heat quantity and temperature of the steam generated from water. The upward right arrow directions of Lines B1 - B3 indicate that water and steam receive heat ( = absorb heat), and the temperatures of water and steam are rising. The waste heat recovery boiler 3, similar to boiler 1, starts heating water from temperature T1 and supplies steam at temperature T2 to the steam demand destination. In this way, the waste heat recovery boiler 3 performs waste heat recovery.

[0056] Figure 4 shows the heat quantity Q2 received by the water and steam in the waste heat recovery boiler 3 due to the temperature increase from temperature T1 to temperature T2. The heat quantity Q2 is represented by the horizontal distance between the starting point and the ending point of curve B. In other words, the heat quantity Q2 is represented by the difference between the X - coordinate of the starting point and the X - coordinate of the ending point of curve B.

[0057] The graph in Figure 4 shows the starting point of line C1 in the Y - direction of the ending point of curve B and the ending point of line C1 in the Y - direction of the starting point of curve B. The temperature (temperature T3) at the starting point of line C1 indicates the inlet exhaust gas temperature of the waste heat recovery boiler 3, and the temperature at the ending point of line C1 indicates the outlet exhaust gas temperature of the waste heat recovery boiler 3. The heat quantity Q2 corresponds to the heat quantity supplied by the exhaust gas in the waste heat recovery boiler 3 due to the temperature decrease from the inlet exhaust gas temperature to the outlet exhaust gas temperature.

[0058] [Second Quadrant] In the second quadrant, region R1 displays information regarding the equipment group consisting only of boiler 1, and region R2 displays information regarding the equipment group consisting of the gas engine 2 and the waste heat recovery boiler 3. Thus, the second quadrant shows the relationship between the heat quantity and temperature for each equipment group in the plant of this embodiment. Region R1 is an example of the first region, and the equipment group consisting only of boiler 1 is an example of the first equipment group. Region R2 is an example of the second region, and the equipment group consisting of the gas engine 2 and the waste heat recovery boiler 3 is an example of the second equipment group.

[0059] The second quadrant of this embodiment displays region R1 on the left side and region R2 on the right side. As a result, the right end of region R2 is located on the second axis, and curves B and C are displayed so as to overlap the second axis. The equipment group in region R2 includes the gas engine 2 which is an equipment for generating electricity. According to this embodiment, by arranging the right end of region R2 related to power generation on the second axis, it becomes possible to display the straight line D1 related to power supply so as to overlap with the origin of the graph.

[0060] [Curve D] Curve D is shown in the third quadrant, and a part of it is located within region R2. Curve D shows the relationship (such as supply point and output range) between the amount of heat supplied by the heat supply source and the power supplied by the power supply source. Specifically, curve D shows the relationship between a part of the amount of heat supplied by the heat supply source and all the power supplied by the power supply. The heat supply in this embodiment includes the heat supply from the boiler 1 and the heat supply from the waste heat recovery boiler 3. The curve D in this embodiment shows the relationship (such as supply point and output range) between all the heat quantity transferred by the waste heat recovery boiler 3 and all the power supplied by the power supply source. Therefore, the difference between the X coordinate of the starting point and the X coordinate of the ending point of curve D is the heat quantity Q2 instead of the heat quantity Q1 + Q2.

[0061] The straight line D1 shows the relationship (such as supply point and output range) between the power generated by the gas engine 2 and the heat quantity transferred by the waste heat recovery boiler 3. Therefore, the straight line D1 shows the operating characteristics of the equipment group consisting of the gas engine 2 and the waste heat recovery boiler 3. In other words, the straight line D1 shows the relationship (such as supply point and output range) between the power generated by this equipment group and the heat quantity supplied by this equipment group. This equipment group is an example of a predetermined equipment group. The straight line D1 in Figure 4 is displayed so as to overlap with the origin of the graph. Thereby, it becomes possible to display the operating characteristics of this equipment group clearly. The straight line D1 is displayed within region R2.

[0062] The straight line D2 indicates the power received by the plant of the present embodiment from outside the plant (see Fig. 1). Therefore, the straight line D2 shows the power reception characteristics of the plant of the present embodiment. The straight line D2 in Fig. 4 is displayed such that the starting point of the straight line D2 overlaps with the ending point of the straight line D1. The straight line D2 is displayed outside the region R2.

[0063] Fig. 4 further shows a supply point P1 on the ending point of the straight line D2. The X coordinate of the supply point P1 indicates the amount of heat supplied by the heat supply source at a predetermined time point. The Y coordinate of the supply point P1 indicates the power supplied by the power supply source at the said predetermined time point. The graph in Fig. 4 displays such heat amount and power as a point (supply point P1) in the third quadrant. The said predetermined time point may be the current time or a certain past time point.

[0064] As can be understood from the above description, the X coordinate of the supply point P1 indicates a part of the heat amount supplied by the heat supply source, specifically, the heat amount supplied as heat supply from the waste heat recovery boiler 3. On the other hand, the Y coordinate of the supply point P1 indicates the total power supplied by the power supply source, specifically, the sum of the power generated by the gas engine 2 and the power received by the plant.

[0065] [Curves E, F] The curve E is shown in the first quadrant, and a part of it is located within the region R3. The curve F is shown in the first quadrant and is located within the region R3. The region R3 is used to show information regarding demand. The curve E displays the relationship between the heat amount supplied by the steam from the heat supply source and the temperature of the said steam. The curve F shows the relationship between the heat amount supplied to the heating object of the heat demand source by the steam and the temperature of the said heating object. The heat demand source uses the heat of the steam to heat the heating object.

[0066] The heating object is, for example, water or air. Thereby, it becomes possible to supply hot water to the facility's water supply or supply heating to raise the room temperature of the facility. Note that the heating object may be a fluid other than water or air, or an object other than a fluid (for example, a solid such as metal).

[0067] The straight line E1 shows the relationship between the amount of heat and the temperature of the steam that is generated by the heat supply source but not supplied to the heat demand destination and is released into the atmosphere. Since this steam is not supplied to the heat demand destination, the straight line E1 is displayed outside the region R3. This steam corresponds to the surplus steam described above. Since the heat supply source supplies steam at temperature T2, the temperature of the steam on the straight line E1 is also T2.

[0068] The straight lines E2 and E3 show the relationship between the amount of heat and the temperature of the steam that is generated by heat supply and supplied to the heat demand destination. Specifically, the straight line E2 shows the relationship between the amount of heat and the temperature of the steam while heat is being transferred to the object to be heated, and the straight line E3 shows the relationship between the amount of heat and the temperature of the steam after the heat transfer to the object to be heated is completed. Since this steam is supplied to the heat demand destination, the straight lines E2 and E3 are displayed within the region R3. The fact that the arrows of the straight lines E2 - E3 point downward to the left indicates that the steam transfers (i.e., releases) heat and the temperature of the steam decreases. Since the heat supply source supplies steam at temperature T2, the temperature of the steam at the starting point of the straight line E2 is also T2. On the other hand, the straight line E3 is displayed so as to overlap with the second axis.

[0069] The straight line F1 shows the relationship between the amount of heat transferred from the steam to the object to be heated and the temperature of the object to be heated. The graph in Fig. 4 displays the starting point of the straight line F1 in the -Y direction of the ending point of the straight line E2 and the ending point of the straight line F1 in the -Y direction of the starting point of the straight line E2. The fact that the arrow of the straight line F1 points upward to the right indicates that the object to be heated receives (i.e., absorbs) heat and the temperature of the object to be heated increases.

[0070] Fig. 4 shows the amount of heat Q3 supplied from the heat supply source. The amount of heat Q3 is the sum of the amount of heat Q1 supplied from the boiler 1 and the amount of heat Q2 supplied from the exhaust heat recovery boiler 3 (Q3 = Q1 + Q2).

[0071] Figure 4 further shows the heat quantity Q4 of the steam generated by the heat supply source and supplied to the heat demand destination, and the heat quantity Q5 of the steam generated by the heat supply source but not supplied to the heat demand destination and released into the atmosphere. The heat quantity Q4 is represented by the difference between the X coordinate of the starting point of the straight line E2 and the X coordinate of the ending point of the straight line E3. The heat quantity Q5 is represented by the difference between the X coordinate of the starting point and the X coordinate of the ending point of the straight line E1. Since the heat quantity Q3 is the sum of the heat quantity Q4 and the heat quantity Q5 (Q3 = Q4 + Q5), it is represented by the difference between the X coordinate of the starting point and the X coordinate of the ending point of the curve E. The heat quantity Q5 corresponds to the heat surplus.

[0072] [Curve G] Curve G (straight line G1) is shown in the fourth quadrant and is located within the region R3. Curve G shows the relationship (such as demand points and ranges) between the heat quantity consumed by the heat demand destination and the electric power consumed by the electric power demand destination. While curve D shows the relationship (such as supply points and ranges) between a part of the heat quantity supplied by the heat supply source and all the electric power supplied by the electric power supply source, curve G shows the relationship (such as demand points and ranges) between all the heat quantity consumed by the heat demand destination and all the electric power consumed by the electric power demand destination. The graph in Figure 4 arranges the left end of the region R3 for displaying demand-related information on the second axis, and as a result, the curve G representing the demand characteristics is displayed so as to overlap with the origin of the graph. This makes it possible to display the demand characteristics clearly.

[0073] The heat quantity consumed by the heat demand destination is the heat quantity Q4 supplied from the steam of the heat supply source to the object to be heated by the heat demand destination. Therefore, the graph in Figure 4 displays the starting point of curve G in the -Y direction of the ending point of straight line E3 and the ending point of curve G in the -Y direction of the starting point of straight line E2. Note that the heat quantity consumed by the heat demand destination includes not only the heat quantity transferred from the steam to the object to be heated during the heating of the object to be heated (= the heat quantity of straight line E2), but also the heat quantity remaining in the steam after the heating of the object to be heated (= the heat quantity of straight line E3).

[0074] On the one hand, the electric power consumed by the electricity demand side is equal to the electric power supplied by the power supply side. The reason is that the heat surplus Q5 is achieved by a simple means of discharging steam into the atmosphere, while the electric power surplus cannot be achieved by a simple means. Therefore, as long as the plant of this embodiment is in steady operation, the Y coordinate of the end point of curve G is the same as the Y coordinate of the end point of curve D. The electric power consumed by the electricity demand side of this embodiment is the sum of the electric power generated by the gas engine 2 and the electric power received by the plant.

[0075] Figure 4 further shows a demand point P2 on the end point of the straight line G1. The X coordinate of the demand point P2 indicates the amount of heat consumed by the heat demand side at a predetermined time point. The Y coordinate of the demand point P2 indicates the electric power consumed by the electricity demand side at the said predetermined time point. The graph in Figure 4 displays such heat quantity and electric power as a point (demand point P2) in the fourth quadrant. The said predetermined time point may be the current time point or a certain past time point. In this embodiment, the supply point P1 indicates the heat quantity and electric power supplied by the heat supply side and the power supply side at a predetermined time point, and the demand point P2 indicates the heat quantity and electric power consumed by the heat demand side and the electricity demand side at the same time point.

[0076] Figure 4 further shows a demand point P3. The Y coordinate of the demand point P3 is the same as the Y coordinate of the demand point P2. On the other hand, the X coordinate of the demand point P3 is the same as the X coordinate of the starting point of the straight line E1. The heat demand side of this embodiment can consume a maximum heat quantity of Q3 by reducing the heat surplus Q5 to zero. The demand point P3 indicates the electric power consumed by the electricity demand side and the maximum heat quantity that the heat demand side can consume.

[0077] Note that the heat demand destinations and power demand destinations shown in FIG. 4 include only the demands satisfied by the heat and power supplied from the plant of the present embodiment, and do not include the demands satisfied by the heat and power supplied from facilities other than the plant of the present embodiment. However, the consumers related to the heat demand and power demand shown in FIG. 4 may be supplied with heat and power not only from the plant of the present embodiment but also from facilities other than the plant of the present embodiment. The evaluation system and graph of the present embodiment are applicable also in such a case.

[0078] As described above, the evaluation system of the present embodiment displays not only the amount of heat and power but also the temperatures of fluids such as water, steam, and exhaust gas used in the plant on the graph. Specifically, the relationship between the fluid temperature and the amount of heat is displayed in the first and second quadrants of the graph, and the range of the amount of heat and power, etc. is displayed in the third and fourth quadrants of the graph. Thereby, it becomes possible to display the state of the fluid, which cannot be understood only from the amount of heat and power, on the graph in an easy-to-understand manner for the user. For example, it becomes possible to display on the graph how the positions of the supply point P1 and the demand point P2 change when the temperature of the fluid changes, and thereby it becomes possible for the user to consider measures for moving the supply point P1 and the demand point P2 to desired positions. Thus, according to the present embodiment, it becomes possible to appropriately display the state of the fluid in the plant on the graph.

[0079] Note that for the graph of FIG. 4, in order to make the meanings of the curves A to G easy for the user to understand, the explanations of the curves A to G may be displayed on the graph. The same applies to each straight line included in the curves A to G. Also, for the graph of FIG. 4, numerical values, characters, figures, etc. indicating the amounts of heat Q1 to Q5 and temperatures T1 to T3 may be displayed on the graph.

[0080] FIG. 5 is another graph showing the operating status of the plant of the first embodiment.

[0081] In the graph of FIG. 5, regions R1 and R2 in the graph of FIG. 4 are replaced by region R4. Region R4 is displayed in the second and third quadrants. Region R4 displays information regarding a group of devices including boiler 1, gas engine 2, and waste heat recovery boiler 3. The graph of FIG. 5 can be displayed by checking the "Boiler + GE" checkbox 24 shown in FIG. 3 and pressing the display button 25.

[0082] The graph of FIG. 5 shows curves H and I instead of curves A, B, and C. Curve H includes four straight lines H1 to H4. Curve I includes two straight lines I1 to I2.

[0083] Curve H shows the relationship between the amount of heat received by the water and steam in boiler 1 and waste heat recovery boiler 3 and the temperature of the water and steam in boiler 1 and waste heat recovery boiler 3. On the other hand, curve I shows the relationship between the amount of heat transferred by the exhaust gas in waste heat recovery boiler 3 and the temperature of the exhaust gas in waste heat recovery boiler 3.

[0084] Similar to straight lines A1 and B1, straight line H1 shows the relationship between the amount of heat and temperature of water before boiling. The difference in the X coordinates at both ends of straight line H1 is the sum of the differences in the X coordinates at both ends of straight line A1 and the differences in the X coordinates at both ends of straight line B1. The meaning and shape of straight line H2 are the same as those of straight line A2. The meaning and shape of straight line H3 are the same as those of straight line B2. Similar to straight lines A3 and B3, straight line H4 shows the relationship between the amount of heat and temperature of the steam generated from water. The difference in the X coordinates at both ends of straight line H4 is the sum of the differences in the X coordinates at both ends of straight line A3 and the differences in the X coordinates at both ends of straight line B3.

[0085] The meaning and shape of straight line I1 are the same as those of straight line C1. The meaning and shape of straight line I2 are the same as those of straight line C2.

[0086] Figure 5 shows the heat quantity Q6 supplied by the water and steam in the boiler 1 and the waste heat recovery boiler 3 due to the temperature rise from temperature T1 to temperature T2. The heat quantity Q6 is represented by the difference in the X coordinates at both ends of the curve H. The heat quantity Q6 is the sum of the heat quantity Q1 and the heat quantity Q2 (Q6 = Q1 + Q2).

[0087] According to the present embodiment, by adopting the graph of FIG. 5, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the effect of the graph of FIG. 4.

[0088] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a plant according to a modification of the first embodiment.

[0089] The plant of this modification has the same configuration as the plant of the present embodiment. However, the plant of this modification is provided with an extended heat pump 4 instead of the boiler 1. Note that the plant of this modification may be provided with both the boiler 1 and the extended heat pump 4.

[0090] The extended heat pump 4 receives at least one of the electric power generated by the gas engine 2 and the electric power received by the plant of this modification from outside the plant. The extended heat pump 4 consumes the received electric power to heat the drain and generate steam from the drain. The drain is, for example, a part of the water condensed from steam at the steam demand destination. At this time, the extended heat pump 4 operates by using the warm waste water as a heat source. The warm waste water is, for example, the water heated during cooling of the cooling water used for cooling equipment at the electric power demand destination or the steam demand destination, and may be the warm waste water from the cooling water of the gas engine 2. Therefore, the temperature of the warm waste water discharged from the extended heat pump 4 is lower than the temperature of the warm waste water introduced into the extended heat pump 4. The steam discharged from the extended heat pump 4 is supplied to the steam demand. Note that the drain is the liquid-phase water connected to the steam system, and the warm waste water is the liquid-phase water not connected to the steam system except for some exceptions. When using the warm waste water from the cooling water of the gas engine 2, it is omitted from being drawn in FIG. 6. Note that the drain and the warm waste water may each be received from inside the plant, from outside the plant, or from both.

[0091] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the extended heat pump 4 shown in Figure 6.

[0092] The extended heat pump 4 includes a primary heat exchanger 4a, a refrigerant compressor 4b, an expansion valve 4c, a secondary heat exchanger 4d, and a steam compressor 4e. Generally, a heat pump does not include the steam compressor 4e, but here, the term "heat pump" is used as a concept (heat pump in a broad sense) including the steam compressor 4e. Therefore, the components indicated by the symbol "4" will be referred to as the extended heat pump. Since a general heat pump has a limit in the temperature rise of the steam, when sufficiently high steam is required, the steam compressor 4e is combined. If only a heat pump is sufficient, the steam compressor 4e is unnecessary.

[0093] The primary heat exchanger 4a performs heat exchange between the warm waste water, which is the heat source, and the refrigerant, and supplies the heat quantity Qa from the warm waste water to the refrigerant. As a result, the temperature of the warm waste water decreases, and the refrigerant undergoes a phase change from liquid to gas or the temperature rises to absorb heat. The refrigerant is, for example, a fluorocarbon.

[0094] Figure 7 shows the flow path of the refrigerant. In this flow path, the refrigerant is discharged from the refrigerant compressor 4b, passes through the primary heat exchanger 4a, the expansion valve 4c, and the secondary heat exchanger 4d in sequence, and returns to the refrigerant compressor 4b. Figure 7 shows the power Pa of the refrigerant compressor 4b.

[0095] The secondary heat exchanger 4d performs heat exchange between the refrigerant from the primary heat exchanger 4a and the drain, and supplies the heat quantity Qb from the refrigerant to the drain. As a result, the refrigerant undergoes a phase change from gas to liquid or the temperature decreases to release heat, the temperature of the drain rises, and steam is generated from the drain.

[0096] Figure 7 shows the steam flow path. In this flow path, steam is discharged from the secondary heat exchanger 4d, passes through the steam compressor 4e, and is supplied to the steam demand destination. When the steam compressor 4e changes the steam to a high pressure in a state close to isentropy, at the same time the steam changes to a high temperature, so the steam is heated by the amount of heat Qc. As a result, the temperature of the steam rises. Figure 7 shows the power Pb of the steam compressor 4e.

[0097] Figure 8 is a graph showing the operating status of the plant of the modified example of the first embodiment.

[0098] In the graph of Figure 8, the region R1 in the graph of Figure 4 is replaced by the region R5. The region R5 is displayed in the second and third quadrants. The region R5 displays information regarding the equipment group consisting only of the extended heat pump 4. The graph of Figure 8 can be displayed by checking the check box 24 of the heat pump (extended heat pump) 4 and the gas engine 2 shown in Figure 3 and pressing the display button 25.

[0099] The graph of Figure 8 shows curves J and K instead of curve A. Curve J includes three straight lines J1 to J3. Curve K includes one straight line K1.

[0100] Curve J shows the relationship between the amount of heat supplied to the drain and steam in the extended heat pump 4 and the temperature of the drain and steam in the extended heat pump 4. On the other hand, curve K shows the relationship between the amount of heat supplied by the warm waste water in the extended heat pump 4 and the temperature of the warm waste water in the extended heat pump 4.

[0101] The meaning and shape of the straight lines J1 to J3 are generally the same as the meaning and shape of the straight lines A1 to A3, respectively. However, the temperature T4 (drain temperature) at the starting point of the straight line J1 is higher than the temperature T1 (make-up water temperature) at the starting point of the straight line A1. Figure 8 further shows the temperature T6 (saturation temperature) of the boiling drain.

[0102] The straight line K1 shows the relationship between the amount of heat supplied from the warm wastewater to the drain and steam and the temperature of the warm wastewater. FIG. 8 shows the temperature T5 (warm wastewater temperature) at the starting point of the straight line K1. The starting point of the straight line K1 is shown in the -Y direction from the starting point of the straight line J3.

[0103] Similar to FIG. 4, FIG. 8 shows the heat quantity Q1. The heat quantity Q1 shown in FIG. 8 is the heat quantity received by the drain and steam in the extended heat pump 4 due to the temperature rise from temperature T4 to temperature T2. The heat quantity Q1 shown in FIG. 8 is represented by the difference in the X coordinates at both ends of the curve J.

[0104] The graph in FIG. 8 displays the COP (Coefficient of Performance) characteristic graph of the refrigerant compressor 4b and the steam compression characteristic graph of the steam compressor 4e in the third quadrant. The above-mentioned heat quantity Qb is represented using the COP characteristic formula (conversion characteristic from power to heat) showing the relationship between the power Pa of the refrigerant compressor 4b and the condensation heat quantity. The above-mentioned heat quantity Qc is represented using the characteristic formula (conversion characteristic from power to heat) showing the relationship between the power Pb of the steam compressor 4e and the heating quantity. The heat pump power of this modified example, that is, the electric power consumed by the extended heat pump 4, is the sum of the value on the vertical axis (power Pa) of the COP characteristic graph and the value on the vertical axis (power Pb) of the steam compression characteristic graph.

[0105] FIG. 8 further shows the electric powers W1 and W2. The electric power W1 represents the electric power received by the plant from outside the plant when the plant uses the extended heat pump 4 instead of the boiler 1. The electric power W2 represents the electric power consumed by the extended heat pump 4. The graph in FIG. 8 displays a straight line (arrow) indicating the electric power W2 in the third quadrant.

[0106] In this modified example, even if the boiler 1 is replaced with the extended heat pump 4, there is no influence on the values of the power demand and heat demand before and after the replacement. Therefore, the arrow indicating the electric power W2 is shown as pointing downward from the supply point P1. This is because the values of the electric power and heat quantity at the supply point P1 do not change before and after the replacement.

[0107] On the one hand, the power received by the plant of this modification from outside the plant changes before and after the replacement. This is because the plant of this modification needs to receive more power from outside the plant by the amount of power consumed by the extended heat pump 4. Therefore, when the boiler 1 is replaced with the extended heat pump 4, the power received by the plant increases from the power indicated by the straight line D2 to the sum of the power indicated by the straight line D2 and the power W2, that is, the power W1.

[0108] By looking at the straight line indicating the power W2, the user can confirm the increase in the power received by the plant due to the replacement of the boiler 1 with the extended heat pump 4. Also, by looking at the straight line indicating the power W2 and the straight line D2, the user can confirm that the power received by the plant has increased from the power indicated by the straight line D2 to the power W1. To make this easier for the user to understand, the graph in Fig. 8 may further display numerical values, characters indicating the power W2, and numerical values, characters, figures, etc. indicating the power W1 on the graph. According to this modification, the user can determine which of the boiler 1 and the extended heat pump 4 is more suitable for realizing a proper plant operation.

[0109] Note that when the boiler 1 is replaced with the extended heat pump 4, the operating cost of the plant decreases by the amount of the fuel cost of the boiler 1. Therefore, the graph in Fig. 8 may display the graph of the boiler characteristics in the third quadrant to make this easier for the user to understand. On the other hand, information regarding the carbon dioxide emissions of the plant may be displayed on the graph so that the user can confirm the change in the carbon dioxide emissions of the plant due to the replacement of the boiler 1 with the extended heat pump 4.

[0110] As described above, the evaluation system of the present embodiment displays not only the calorific value and electric power but also the temperatures of fluids such as water, steam, exhaust gas, drain, and warm wastewater used in the plant on the graph. Specifically, the relationship between the fluid temperature and the calorific value is displayed in the first and second quadrants of the graph, and the relationship between the calorific value and the electric power is displayed in the third and fourth quadrants of the graph. Thereby, it becomes possible to display the state of the fluid, which cannot be understood from only the calorific value and the electric power, on the graph in an easy-to-understand manner for the user. According to the present embodiment, it becomes possible to appropriately display the state of the fluid in the plant on the graph. In the first embodiment, the fluid in the plant is the fluid inside the device (first device) that receives heat and the device (second device) that transfers heat, but it may also be the fluid outside the first device and the second device.

[0111] Note that the plant of the present embodiment may include a boiler 1, a gas engine 2, an exhaust heat recovery boiler 3, and an extended heat pump 4. In this case, when the operation of the extended heat pump 4 is stopped, the plant operation shown in the graph of FIG. 4 is realized. On the other hand, when the operation of the boiler 1 is stopped, the plant operation shown in the graph of FIG. 8 is realized.

[0112] (Second Embodiment) FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the plant of the second embodiment.

[0113] As shown in FIG. 9, the plant of the present embodiment has the same configuration as the plant of the first embodiment. FIG. 9 further shows an electric refrigerator 5 provided in the plant of the present embodiment.

[0114] The power demand of the present embodiment includes the power demand by the refrigerator 5 and other power demands. The refrigerator 5 consumes the power supplied from the plant of the present embodiment and supplies chilled heat to the chilled heat demand. The power consumed by other power demands is the value obtained by subtracting the power consumed by the refrigerator 5 (the "power consumption" shown in FIG. 9) from the power consumed by the total power demand.

[0115] The configuration of the evaluation system of this embodiment is the same as that of the evaluation system (Figure 2) of the first embodiment. Also, the graph displayed by the evaluation system of this embodiment is the same as the graph (Figure 4) displayed by the evaluation system of the first embodiment. Figure 9 shows the breakdown of the power demand in Figure 1. Since the configuration of the plant in Figure 9 is the same as that of the plant in Figure 1 except that the refrigerator 5 is explicitly shown, the content of the graph in this embodiment is the same as the content of the graph in Figure 4.

[0116] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a plant according to a modified example of the second embodiment.

[0117] As shown in Figure 10, the plant of this modified example has the same configuration as the plant of the first embodiment. Figure 10 further shows an absorption refrigerator 6 of the vapor heat source absorption type provided in the plant of this modified example.

[0118] The heat demand (steam demand) of this modified example includes the heat demand by the absorption refrigerator 6 and other heat demands. The absorption refrigerator 6 consumes the amount of heat transferred by the steam of this modified example and supplies chilled heat to the chilled heat demand destination. The amount of heat consumed by other heat demand destinations is the value obtained by subtracting the amount of heat consumed by the absorption refrigerator 6 (the "steam consumption" shown in Figure 10) from the amount of heat consumed by all heat demand destinations. Note that although the absorption refrigerator 6 consumes electricity, it is sufficiently small compared to an electric refrigerator, so the power consumption may be ignored and is not drawn in Figure 10 either.

[0119] The configuration of the evaluation system of this modified example is the same as that of the evaluation system (Figure 2) of the first embodiment. On the other hand, the evaluation system of this modified example displays the graph of Figure 11 instead of the graph of Figure 5.

[0120] Figure 11 is a graph showing the operating status of the plant according to the modified example of the second embodiment.

[0121] The graph in Fig. 11 shows curves L, M, and N instead of curve E in the graph of Fig. 5. Curve L includes two straight lines L1 and L2. Curve M includes two straight lines M1 and M2. Curve N includes one straight line N1. Curve L and curve N are shown outside region R3, and curve M is shown inside region R3.

[0122] The meaning and shape of straight lines M1 and M2 are the same as those of straight lines E2 and E3. On the other hand, straight lines L1 and L2 are changed from straight line E1. Straight line L1 shows the relationship between the amount of heat and the temperature of the steam generated by the heat source but not supplied to the heat demand destination and released into the atmosphere. This steam corresponds to the surplus steam described above. Straight line L2 shows the relationship between the amount of heat and the temperature of the steam generated by the heat source and delivered to the absorption chiller 6. Note that straight lines M1 and M2 show the relationship between the amount of heat and the temperature of the steam generated by heat supply and supplied to heat demand destinations other than the absorption chiller 6.

[0123] Straight line N1 shows the relationship between the amount of heat supplied from the steam to the absorbent in the absorption chiller 6 and the temperature of the absorbent. The graph in Fig. 11 displays the starting point of straight line N1 in the -Y direction of the ending point of straight line L2 and the ending point of straight line N1 in the -Y direction of the starting point of straight line L2.

[0124] Fig. 11 shows the amount of heat Q7 of the steam generated by heat supply and supplied to the absorption chiller 6 and the amount of heat Q8 of the steam generated by heat supply but not supplied to the heat demand and released into the atmosphere. The amount of heat Q7 is represented by the difference in the X coordinates at both ends of straight line L2. The amount of heat Q8 is represented by the difference in the X coordinates at both ends of straight line L1. The above-mentioned amount of heat Q5 is the sum of the amount of heat Q7 and the amount of heat Q8 (Q5 = Q7 + Q8). In this modified example, instead of the amount of heat Q5, the amount of heat Q8 becomes the heat surplus. Note that the amount of heat Q4 in this modified example is the amount of heat of the steam generated by the heat source and supplied to heat demand destinations other than the absorption chiller 6.

[0125] The region R3 of this modification example displays information regarding demands other than the total demand, rather than the absorption chiller 6. On the other hand, information regarding the absorption chiller 6 is displayed within the region R6. In FIG. 11, the straight line L2 and the straight line N1 are displayed within the region R6.

[0126] The graph in FIG. 11 displays the COP characteristics graph of the absorption chiller 6 in the fourth quadrant. The horizontal axis of this graph represents the heat consumption amount (kW) of the absorption chiller 6, and the vertical axis of this graph represents the produced cooling capacity (kW) of the absorption chiller 6. This graph displays the heat quantity Q7 and the amount U of the cooling demand corresponding to the heat quantity Q7.

[0127] The graph in FIG. 11 displays the supply point P1 and the demand point P2, and at the same time, it also displays the supply point P1' and the demand point P2'. Here, "at the same time" means that the display period of the supply point P1 and the demand point P2 overlaps with the display period of the supply point P1' and the demand point P2'. Therefore, the supply point P1' and the demand point P2' may start to be displayed simultaneously with the supply point P1 and the demand point P2, or may start to be displayed during the display of the supply point P1 and the demand point P2. Similarly, the supply point P1 and the demand point P2 may start to be displayed simultaneously with the supply point P1' and the demand point P2', or may start to be displayed during the display of the supply point P1' and the demand point P2'. Also, these displays do not have to be simultaneous.

[0128] In this modified example, the supply point P1 indicates the amount of heat and power supplied by heat supply and power supply when the absorption chiller 6 is off (in a stopped state), and the demand point P2 indicates the amount of heat and power consumed by heat demand and power demand at this time. On the other hand, the supply point P1' indicates the amount of heat and power supplied by the heat supply source and power supply source when the absorption chiller 6 is on (in an operating state), and the demand point P2' indicates the amount of heat and power consumed by the heat demand destination and power demand destination at this time. The former time point is an example of the first time point, and the latter time point is an example of the second time point. For example, when the absorption chiller 6 is switched from off to on, the supply point P1 and the demand point P2 represent the supply point and demand point at the time before the absorption chiller 6 is turned on, and the supply point P1' and the demand point P2' represent the supply point and demand point at the time after the absorption chiller 6 is turned on.

[0129] The graph of Fig. 11 further shows straight lines (arrows) V1 to V3. When the absorption chiller 6 is switched from off to on, the demand characteristics change from the straight line G1 to the straight lines V1 and V2. The starting point of the straight line V1 is located at the origin of the graph, and the ending point of the straight line V1 is located in the X direction of the straight line G1. The starting point of the straight line V2 is located at the ending point of the straight line V1, and the ending point of the straight line V2 is located at the demand point P2'. The difference in the X coordinates between the ending points of the straight lines G1 and V1 represents that the heat demand has increased by the amount of heat Q7. The difference in the Y coordinates between the ending points of the straight lines V1 and V2 represents that the power demand has decreased by supplying cold heat by using the absorption chiller 6 instead of consuming power. As a result, the power supply decreases from the power at the supply point P1 to the power at the supply point P1' as shown by the arrow V3. The length of the arrow V3 is the same as the length of the arrow V2. The phenomenon shown by the straight lines V1 to V3 occurs, for example, by realizing cooling that lowers the room temperature of the facility by using the absorption chiller 6 instead of consuming power. According to this modified example, it becomes possible to supply cold heat using surplus steam instead of power.

[0130] According to this modification example, similar to the first embodiment, it is possible to appropriately display the state of the fluid in the plant on a graph. For example, the user can understand the trade-off between the reduction in fuel cost and the increase in power consumption from the display content of the graph.

[0131] Note that the plant of this modification example may be equipped with both of the refrigerators 5 and 6. In this case, when the operation of the refrigerator 5 is stopped, the plant operation shown in the graph of FIG. 11 is realized.

[0132] (Third Embodiment) FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the plant of the third embodiment.

[0133] As shown in FIG. 12, the plant of this embodiment has the same configuration as the plant of the first embodiment. FIG. 12 further shows an absorption refrigerator 7 of a hot water heat source absorption type provided in the plant of this embodiment.

[0134] The heat demand (steam demand) of this embodiment includes the heat demand by the absorption refrigerator 7 and other heat demands. The heat demand of this embodiment consumes the amount of heat supplied by steam from the plant of this embodiment to generate warm waste water, and supplies this warm waste water to the absorption refrigerator 7. In this case, the warm waste water is not the liquid-phase water not connected to the steam system, but the liquid-phase water connected to the steam system. The absorption refrigerator 7 consumes the amount of heat of this warm waste water to supply cold heat to the cold heat demand destination. The amount of heat consumed by other heat demand destinations is the value obtained by subtracting the amount of heat consumed by the absorption refrigerator 7 from the amount of heat consumed by all heat demand destinations. Note that the absorption refrigerator 7 consumes electricity, but since it is sufficiently small compared to the electric refrigerator, the power consumption may be ignored and is not drawn in FIG. 12 either.

[0135] The configuration of the evaluation system of this embodiment is the same as the configuration of the evaluation system (FIG. 2) of the first embodiment. On the other hand, the evaluation system of this embodiment displays the graph of FIG. 13 instead of the graph of FIG. 5.

[0136] Figure 13 is a graph showing the operating status of the plant of the third embodiment.

[0137] The graph in Figure 13 shows curves X and Y instead of curves E and F in the graph of Figure 5. Curve X includes three straight lines X1 to X3. Curve Y includes two straight lines Y1 to Y2. A part of curve X is shown within region R3, and curve Y is shown within region R3.

[0138] The meaning and shape of straight lines X1 and X2 are the same as those of straight lines E1 and E2. On the other hand, straight line X3 is a variation from straight line E3. Straight line X3 shows the relationship between the amount of heat and the temperature of the steam generated by heat supply and used for the production of warm waste water.

[0139] Straight line Y1 shows the relationship between the amount of heat supplied from the warm waste water and the temperature of the warm waste water. On the other hand, the meaning and shape of straight line Y2 are the same as those of straight line F1. The graph in Figure 13 displays the starting and ending points of straight line Y1 in the -Y direction of the ending and starting points of straight line X3, and the starting and ending points of straight line Y2 in the -Y direction of the ending and starting points of straight line X2.

[0140] The graph in Figure 13 shows the COP characteristics graph of the absorption chiller 7 in the fourth quadrant. The horizontal axis of this graph represents the heat consumption (kW) of the absorption chiller 7, and the vertical axis of this graph represents the cooling capacity (kW) produced by the absorption chiller 7. Similar to the graph in Figure 11, this graph shows the amount U of cooling demand.

[0141] Similar to the graph of FIG. 11, the graph of FIG. 13 shows the supply point P1 and the demand point P2, and at the same time, shows the supply point P1' and the demand point P2'. When the absorption chiller 7 is switched from off (stopped state) to on (operating state), the demand characteristic changes from the straight line G1 to the straight lines G1 and V2. The starting point of the straight line V2 is located at the end point of the straight line G1, and the end point of the straight line V2 is located at the demand point P2'. The difference in the Y coordinates between the starting point and the end point of the straight line V2 represents that the power demand has decreased by supplying heat using the absorption chiller 7 instead of consuming power. As a result, the power supply decreases from the power at the supply point P1 to the power at the supply point P1' as indicated by the arrow V3. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to supply heat using warm waste water instead of power. The shapes of the straight lines V2 and V3 shown in FIG. 13 are the same as the shapes of the straight lines V2 and V3 shown in FIG. 11.

[0142] According to the present embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, it is possible to appropriately display the state of the fluid in the plant on the graph. For example, the user can understand the trade-off between the reduction in fuel cost and the increase in power consumption from the display content of the graph.

[0143] Note that the plant of the present embodiment may include both chillers 5 and 7. In this case, when the operation of the chiller 5 is stopped, the plant operation shown in the graph of FIG. 13 is realized.

[0144] Although several embodiments have been described above, these embodiments are presented only as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The novel systems, methods, and programs described in this specification can be implemented in various other forms. Also, various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made to the forms of the systems, methods, and programs described in this specification without departing from the gist of the invention. The appended claims and the equivalents thereof are intended to include such forms and modifications within the scope and gist of the invention.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0145] 1: Boiler, 2: Gas engine, 3: Exhaust heat recovery boiler, 4: Extended heat pump, 4a: Primary heat exchanger, 4b: Refrigerant compressor, 4c: Expansion valve, 4d: Secondary heat exchanger, 4e: Steam compressor, 5: Refrigerator (electric type), 6: Absorption refrigerator (steam heat source absorption type), 7: Absorption refrigerator (hot water heat source absorption type), 11: Input device, 12: Communication device, 13: Display device, 14: Arithmetic unit, 14a: Memory unit, 14b: Calculation unit, 14c: Display unit, 21: Display screen, 22: Display window, 23: Graph display area, 24: Check box, 25: Display button, 26: Setting button

Claims

1. A storage unit that stores first data regarding a plurality of devices in a plant; A calculation unit that calculates second data for displaying a graph regarding one or more of the plurality of devices based on the first data; A display unit that displays the graph regarding the one or more devices based on the second data, wherein the plant has functions as a power supplier that supplies power to a power demand destination and a heat supplier that supplies heat to a heat demand destination; the graph is a first quadrant that takes heat quantity on the first axis and temperature on the second axis and displays the relationship between the heat quantity transferred or received by a fluid or solid at the heat demand destination and the temperature of the fluid or solid at the heat demand destination; a second quadrant that takes heat quantity on the first axis and temperature on the second axis and displays the relationship between the heat quantity transferred or received by a fluid at the heat supplier and the temperature of the fluid at the heat supplier; a third quadrant that takes heat quantity on the first axis and electric power on the second axis and displays the relationship between the heat quantity supplied by the heat supplier and the electric power supplied by the power supplier, a plant equipment evaluation system.

2. The storage unit stores the first data regarding the plurality of devices in the plant and third data regarding the power supplier and the heat supplier; the calculation unit calculates the second data for displaying the graph regarding the one or more devices, the power supplier, and the heat supplier based on the first and third data; the display unit displays the graph regarding the one or more devices, the power supplier, and the heat supplier based on the second data, The plant equipment evaluation system according to Claim 1.

3. The graph further includes a fourth quadrant that takes heat quantity on the first axis and electric power on the second axis and displays the relationship between the heat quantity consumed by the heat demand destination and the electric power consumed by the power demand destination, The plant equipment evaluation system of Claim 1.

4. The storage unit stores the first data regarding the plurality of devices in the plant, third data regarding the power supplier and the heat supplier, and fourth data regarding the power demand destination and the heat demand destination; the calculation unit calculates the second data for displaying the graph regarding the one or more devices, the power supplier, the heat supplier, the power demand destination, and the heat demand destination based on the first, third, and fourth data, the display unit displays the graphs related to the one or more devices, the power supply source, the heat supply source, the power demand destination, and the heat demand destination based on the second data. The plant equipment evaluation system according to claim 3 .

5. The plant equipment evaluation system according to claim 1 , wherein the second quadrant displays the relationship between the heat quantity and the temperature for each equipment group in the plant.

6. The second quadrant is a relationship between the heat quantity and the temperature related to a first device group in the plant is displayed in a first area provided in the second quadrant; a second area provided in the second quadrant and parallel to the first axis with respect to the first area, the second area representing the relationship between the heat quantity and the temperature of a second group of equipment in the plant; The plant equipment evaluation system according to claim 1 .

7. the second quadrant displays the relationship between the heat quantity and the temperature related to a group of equipment that generates power in the plant, overlapping with the second axis; The plant equipment evaluation system according to claim 1 .

8. the third quadrant displays the relationship between the power generated by a predetermined group of devices in the plant and the amount of heat supplied to a fluid by the predetermined group of devices; The plant equipment evaluation system according to claim 1 .

9. the third quadrant displays the relationship between the power generated by a predetermined group of devices in the plant and the amount of heat supplied to the fluid by the predetermined group of devices, so as to overlap with the origin of the graph; The plant equipment evaluation system according to claim 8 .

10. The plant equipment evaluation system according to claim 8 , wherein the third quadrant further displays the power received by the plant.

11. The plant equipment evaluation system according to claim 8 , wherein the third quadrant further displays the power consumed by a predetermined group of equipment in the plant.

12. The third quadrant displays the amount of heat supplied by the heat supply source at a predetermined time and the amount of power supplied by the power supply source at the predetermined time as points within the third quadrant. The plant equipment evaluation system according to claim 1 .

13. The third quadrant is The amount of heat supplied by the heat supply source at a first time point and the amount of power supplied by the power supply source at the first time point are displayed as a first point in the third quadrant; the amount of heat supplied by the heat supply source at a second time point and the amount of power supplied by the power supply source at the second time point are displayed as a second point in the third quadrant simultaneously with the first point; The plant equipment evaluation system according to claim 1.

14. The fourth quadrant displays, as a point within the fourth quadrant, the amount of heat consumed by the heat demand destination at a predetermined time and the amount of power consumed by the power supply destination at the predetermined time. The plant equipment evaluation system according to claim 3.

15. The fourth quadrant displays, as a first point within the fourth quadrant, the amount of heat consumed by the heat demand destination at a first time and the amount of power consumed by the power demand destination at the first time. displays, as a second point within the fourth quadrant and simultaneously with the first point, the amount of heat consumed by the heat demand destination at a second time and the amount of power consumed by the power demand destination at the second time. The plant equipment evaluation system according to claim 3.

16. Stores first data regarding a plurality of devices in the plant in a storage unit, calculates, by a calculation unit, second data for displaying a graph regarding one or more of the plurality of devices based on the first data, displays, by a display unit, the graph regarding the one or more devices based on the second data, including the plant has functions as a power supply source that supplies power to a power demand destination and as a heat supply source that supplies heat to a heat demand destination, the graph has heat quantity on the first axis and temperature on the second axis, and includes a first quadrant that displays the relationship between the amount of heat transferred or received by a fluid or solid at the heat demand destination and the temperature of the fluid or solid at the heat demand destination; has heat quantity on the first axis and temperature on the second axis, and includes a second quadrant that displays the relationship between the amount of heat transferred or received by a fluid at the heat supply source and the temperature of the fluid at the heat supply source; has heat quantity on the first axis and power on the second axis, and includes a third quadrant that displays the relationship between the amount of heat supplied by the heat supply source and the amount of power supplied by the power supply source. Plant equipment evaluation method.

17. Stores first data regarding a plurality of devices in the plant in a storage unit, calculates, by a calculation unit, second data for displaying a graph regarding one or more of the plurality of devices based on the first data, displays, by a display unit, the graph regarding the one or more devices based on the second data, A plant equipment evaluation program that causes a computer to execute a plant equipment evaluation method including the plant has functions as a power supply source that supplies power to a power demand destination and as a heat supply source that supplies heat to a heat demand destination. The graph shows that in the first quadrant, the first axis represents heat quantity and the second axis represents temperature, showing the relationship between the heat quantity transferred or received by the fluid or solid at the heat demand destination and the temperature of the fluid or solid at the heat demand destination; in the second quadrant, the first axis represents heat quantity and the second axis represents temperature, showing the relationship between the heat quantity transferred or received by the fluid at the heat supply source and the temperature of the fluid at the heat supply source; in the third quadrant, the first axis represents heat quantity and the second axis represents electric power, showing the relationship between the heat quantity supplied by the heat supply source and the electric power supplied by the electric power supply source, a plant equipment evaluation program.

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