Heating / cooling system and operating method for the same

Abstract

To provide a cooling system capable of effectively using waste heat of a low temperature region.SOLUTION: A heating / cooling system 100 includes: a compression type heat pump 10; an absorption type refrigerator 20 that cools a first heating medium by using an absorption type refrigeration cycle using waste heat; and a first circuit 30 for circulating the first heating medium between the compression type heat pump 10 and the absorption type refrigerator 20. In a first cooling operation for cooling a target, waste heat is supplied to the absorption type refrigerator 20, the first heating medium is cooled by the absorption type refrigerator 20, and heat received by a refrigerant of the compression type heat pump 10 from the target is released to the first heating medium. In a heating operation for heating the target, the refrigerant of the compression type heat pump 10 is heated by the waste heat.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a heating and cooling system and a method for operating the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a refrigeration system that combines a compression heat pump and an absorption chiller. In the refrigeration system described in Patent Document 1, chilled water produced by the absorption chiller is used as cooling water for the condenser of the compression heat pump. This reduces the compression power of the compression heat pump. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-105665 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] From the perspective of protecting the global environment, the efficient use of energy is becoming increasingly important every year. To use energy efficiently, it is important not only to improve the efficiency of equipment itself, but also to promote the use of energy that has traditionally been discarded without being used, i.e., waste heat. However, extracting energy from waste heat, especially low-temperature waste heat, is not an easy task.

[0005] According to the refrigeration equipment described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to generate chilled water using an absorption chiller and supply the chilled water to the cooling load. To generate chilled water at a temperature suitable for cooling (for example, 7°C) using an absorption chiller, heat with a temperature of approximately 90°C is required. It is not anticipated that waste heat in the low-temperature range will be used in the refrigeration equipment described in Patent Document 1.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a heating and cooling system that can effectively utilize waste heat in a low temperature range. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present disclosure provides: A compression heat pump, an absorption chiller that cools a first heat medium by an absorption refrigeration cycle that utilizes waste heat; a first circuit that circulates the first heat medium between the compression heat pump and the absorption chiller; Equipped with in a first cooling operation for cooling an object, the waste heat is supplied to the absorption chiller, the first heat medium is cooled by the absorption chiller, and heat received from the object by a refrigerant of the compression heat pump is released to the first heat medium, In a heating operation for heating the object, the refrigerant of the compression heat pump is heated by the waste heat. A heating and cooling system is provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the technology of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a heating and cooling system that can effectively utilize waste heat in a low temperature range, and can also perform heating operation in addition to cooling operation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] Configuration diagram of a heating and cooling system according to the first embodiment [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the flow of waste heat, a first heat medium, and a coolant during a first cooling operation. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the flows of waste heat, the first heat medium, the second heat medium, and the coolant immediately after the start of the first cooling operation. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the flows of the first heat medium and the second heat medium in the second cooling operation. [Figure 5] A diagram showing the flow of waste heat, the first heat medium, and the coolant during heating operation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (Findings that formed the basis of this disclosure) While the use of low-temperature waste heat is being promoted, systems that utilize waste heat also have the following issues. For example, if an absorption chiller does not have a boiler, the system must be shut down when the supply of waste heat is stopped. This type of system is less convenient.

[0011] Furthermore, as typified by the refrigeration equipment described in Patent Document 1, many systems using absorption chillers are not capable of heating objects. If the system could be switched between heating and cooling operation, the system's convenience would be further improved. If waste heat could be utilized not only in cooling operation but also in heating operation, further improvements in energy efficiency can be expected.

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary detailed description may be omitted. For example, detailed description of already well-known matters or redundant description of substantially the same configuration may be omitted.

[0013] The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter recited in the claims.

[0014] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0015] [1-1.Configuration] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a heating and cooling system according to a first embodiment. The heating and cooling system 100 is, for example, an air conditioning system that cools and heats a space 200. However, the use of the heating and cooling system 100 is not limited to air conditioning. The heating and cooling system 100 can also be used for other purposes, such as process cooling and process heating. Furthermore, it is also possible to use only the cooling function of the heating and cooling system 100. In this case, the heating and cooling system 100 can be a cooling system.

[0016] The heating and cooling system 100 is configured to be switchable between a heating operation for heating an object and a cooling operation for cooling an object. In both the heating operation and the cooling operation, waste heat is utilized. Therefore, the heating and cooling system 100 is highly convenient and enables significant improvement in energy efficiency.

[0017] The cooling operation includes a first cooling operation that utilizes waste heat and a second cooling operation that does not utilize waste heat. The heating and cooling system 100 is configured to be switchable between the first cooling operation and the second cooling operation. In other words, the heating and cooling system 100 can perform the cooling operation even when the supply of waste heat is stopped. In this respect, the heating and cooling system 100 is highly convenient.

[0018] 1, the heating and cooling system 100 includes a compression heat pump 10, an absorption chiller 20, and a first circuit 30. Heat is transported by a first heat medium flowing through the first circuit 30. Waste heat generated in a heat source 81 is supplied to the heating and cooling system 100.

[0019] According to this embodiment, the cold energy generated by the absorption chiller 20 is used to reduce the compression work in the compression heat pump 10. This allows for a significant reduction in the energy (typically electricity) consumed for the compression work. The compression heat pump 10 is directly responsible for cooling the target. The absorption chiller 20 does not require high-temperature waste heat, and can generate cold energy by utilizing waste heat in a low-temperature range. Although the temperature of the cold energy (e.g., 15°C to 20°C) may not be suitable for directly cooling the space 200, it is sufficiently lower than the outdoor air temperature in summer (e.g., 35°C), and can lower the condensation temperature in the compression heat pump 10 and significantly reduce the energy consumed for the compression work.

[0020] The compression heat pump 10 is a device that heats or cools an object using a refrigeration cycle including the processes of compression, condensation (or heat dissipation), expansion, and evaporation. The compression heat pump 10 includes an outdoor unit 11 and an indoor unit 12. The outdoor unit 11 includes a first heat exchanger 11a. The indoor unit 12 includes a second heat exchanger 12a. The outdoor unit 11 and the indoor unit 12 are connected by a refrigerant path 13a and a refrigerant path 13b. A refrigerant such as HFC (hydrofluorocarbon) circulates between the outdoor unit 11 and the indoor unit 12. The outdoor unit 11 may further include devices such as a compressor, an expansion valve, and a flow path switching valve (not shown).

[0021] When the heating and cooling system 100 performs cooling operation, the first heat exchanger 11a of the outdoor unit 11 functions as a condenser (or radiator), and the second heat exchanger 12a of the indoor unit 12 functions as an evaporator. In the second heat exchanger 12a of the indoor unit 12, heat exchange occurs between the air in the space 200 and the refrigerant of the compression heat pump 10, thereby cooling the air in the space 200.

[0022] When the heating and cooling system 100 performs heating operation, the first heat exchanger 11a of the outdoor unit 11 functions as an evaporator, and the second heat exchanger 12a of the indoor unit 12 functions as a condenser. In the second heat exchanger 12a of the indoor unit 12, heat exchange occurs between the air in the space 200 and the refrigerant of the compression heat pump 10, thereby heating the air in the space 200.

[0023] The first heat medium flowing through the first circuit 30 is, for example, water or brine. In this case, the first heat exchanger 11a of the outdoor unit 11 may be a liquid-liquid heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the first heat medium and the refrigerant. By using a liquid-liquid heat exchanger, it is possible to efficiently exchange heat between the first heat medium and the refrigerant. Examples of liquid-liquid heat exchangers include a double-pipe heat exchanger and a plate-type heat exchanger. In a modified example, the first heat exchanger 11a may have an air-liquid heat exchanger and a liquid-liquid heat exchanger. In this case, the refrigerant is cooled by outside air in the air-liquid heat exchanger and then cooled by the first heat medium in the liquid-liquid heat exchanger.

[0024] The second heat exchanger 12a of the indoor unit 12 is, for example, an air-liquid heat exchanger that exchanges heat between air and a refrigerant. An example of an air-liquid heat exchanger is a fin-and-tube heat exchanger. However, the structure of the second heat exchanger 12a is not particularly limited and is selected depending on the object to be heated and / or cooled.

[0025] The absorption chiller 20 cools the first heat medium through an absorption refrigeration cycle that utilizes waste heat. The absorption refrigeration cycle is a refrigeration cycle that includes the steps of evaporation, absorption, regeneration, and condensation. The waste heat is supplied to a regenerator of the absorption chiller 20 and used to regenerate the absorbing liquid. The first heat medium is cooled in the evaporator of the absorption chiller 20. The refrigerant of the absorption chiller 20 is, for example, water. The absorbing liquid of the absorption chiller 20 is, for example, an aqueous lithium bromide solution.

[0026] The absorption chiller 20 operates during cooling operation of the heating and cooling system 100 and stops during heating operation. In this embodiment, the absorption chiller 20 does not have a boiler, and the only heat source for the absorption chiller 20 is waste heat. Even though the absorption chiller 20 does not have a reheating boiler, the heating and cooling system 100 can perform heating operation and cooling operation. This is advantageous in reducing the component costs of the heating and cooling system 100. It is also possible to avoid the fuel costs for the boiler.

[0027] The first circuit 30 is a circuit that circulates a first heat medium between the compression heat pump 10 and the absorption chiller 20. In detail, the first circuit 30 is a circuit that circulates a first heat medium between the first heat exchanger 11a of the compression heat pump 10 and the evaporator of the absorption chiller 20. Cold energy generated in the absorption chiller 20 is supplied to the compression heat pump 10 via the first circuit 30.

[0028] The first circuit 30 includes a supply path 30a and a return path 30b. The first heat medium is supplied from the absorption chiller 20 to the compression heat pump 10 through the supply path 30a and returned from the compression heat pump 10 to the absorption chiller 20 through the return path 30b. A valve 31a is provided in the supply path 30a. A valve 31b and a pump 61 are provided in the return path 30b.

[0029] In this specification, the valve may be an on-off valve or a flow rate adjusting valve.

[0030] The first circuit 30 further includes a branch circuit 32. The branch circuit 32 is a circuit used in heating operation and is equipped with a heat exchanger 34 capable of heating the first heat medium. The branch circuit 32 includes a supply path 32a and a return path 32b. The supply path 32a is connected to the return path 30b of the first circuit 30 between the valve 31b and the compression heat pump 10. The return path 32b is connected to the supply path 30a of the first circuit 30 between the valve 31a and the compression heat pump 10. A valve 33a is provided in the supply path 32a. A valve 33b is provided in the return path 32b.

[0031] The heat exchanger 34 is a heat exchanger for heating the first heat medium with waste heat during heating operation. In the heat exchanger 34, the first heat medium is heated by the waste heat. The heated first heat medium is supplied to the compression heat pump 10 via the return path 32b of the branch circuit 32 and the forward path 30a of the first circuit 30. The first heat medium is cooled in the first heat exchanger 11a of the compression heat pump 10. The cooled first heat medium is returned to the heat exchanger 34 via the return path 30b of the first circuit 30 and the forward path 32a of the branch circuit 32. The branch circuit 32 and the heat exchanger 34 enable the heating and cooling system 100 to perform heating operation.

[0032] The heating and cooling system 100 further includes a cooling tower 42 that releases the heat received by the refrigerant of the compression heat pump 10 into the outside air. Even when the supply of waste heat is stopped, the cooling tower 42 allows the heating and cooling system 100 to perform the second cooling operation.

[0033] The specific configuration including the cooling tower 42 is as follows: The first circuit 30 further includes a heat exchanger 39 capable of cooling the first heat medium. The heating and cooling system 100 further includes a second circuit 40 that circulates a second heat medium between the cooling tower 42 and the heat exchanger 39 of the first circuit 30. The second heat medium is, for example, water or brine. In a second cooling operation that does not utilize waste heat, heat from the refrigerant of the compression heat pump 10 is released to the outside air from the cooling tower 42 via the first circuit 30 and the second circuit 40. With this configuration, cooling operation can be performed even when the supply of waste heat is stopped. The second circuit 40 is provided with a valve 49 and a pump 63. When the second circuit 40 is not in use, the pump 63 is stopped and the valve 49 is closed.

[0034] In this embodiment, the cooling tower 42 also serves as a cooling tower for the absorption chiller 20. With such a configuration, the cost of components for the heating and cooling system 100 can be reduced.

[0035] In detail, the absorption chiller 20 further includes a cooling circuit 22 connected to a cooling tower 42. The cooling circuit 22 is connected to a condenser (not shown) of the absorption chiller 20. A cooling liquid circulates between the cooling tower 42 and the condenser. As a result, the refrigerant is condensed in the condenser of the absorption chiller 20. The cooling liquid circulating through the cooling circuit 22 may be the same liquid as the second heat medium circulating through the second circuit 40 described above, and is typically water or brine. The cooling circuit 22 is provided with a valve 23 and a pump 65. When the absorption chiller 20 is stopped, the pump 65 is stopped and the valve 23 is closed.

[0036] The first circuit 30 may further include a bypass path 36. The bypass path 36 is a path that bypasses the absorption chiller 20, and connects the supply path 30a and the return path 30b. Specifically, one end of the bypass path 36 is connected to the supply path 30a between the valve 31a and the compression heat pump 10. The other end of the bypass path 36 is connected to the return path 30b between the valve 31b and the compression heat pump 10. A valve 36a is provided in the bypass path 36.

[0037] When the second cooling operation that does not utilize waste heat is performed, the valves 31a and 31b are closed and the valve 36a is opened, so that the first heat medium can be cooled by the heat exchanger 39 without being returned to the absorption chiller 20. This configuration is advantageous in reducing the load on the pump 61. However, the bypass path 36 does not have to be used in the second cooling operation. Since the absorption chiller 20 is stopped, the first heat medium simply passes through the absorption chiller 20.

[0038] The first circuit 30 may further include a bypass path 37. The bypass path 37 is a path that bypasses the heat exchanger 39. A valve 38 is provided in the return path 30b between the heat exchanger 39 and the compression heat pump 10. A valve 37a is provided in the bypass path 37. When performing the first cooling operation or the heating operation, the valve 38 is closed and the valve 37a is opened, thereby preventing the first heat medium from passing through the heat exchanger 39. This configuration reduces the load on the pump 61. However, the bypass path 37 does not have to be used in the first cooling operation or the heating operation. When the circulation of the second heat medium in the second circuit 40 is stopped, the first heat medium simply passes through the heat exchanger 39.

[0039] A heat source circuit 80 is connected to the heating and cooling system 100. The heat source circuit 80 is a circuit for supplying waste heat from a heat source 81 to the heating and cooling system 100. In this embodiment, the waste heat is supplied to the heating and cooling system 100 in the form of hot water. In other words, the heat source circuit 80 is a circuit for circulating hot water between the heat source 81 and the heating and cooling system 100. The waste heat in the form of hot water is suitable for supplying sufficient heat to the heating and cooling system 100.

[0040] In this embodiment, the waste heat is waste heat from a fuel cell. That is, the heat source 81 includes a fuel cell. Utilizing the waste heat from a fuel cell leads to an improvement in the overall energy efficiency of the fuel cell. Therefore, the heating and cooling system 100 of this embodiment is suitable for utilizing the waste heat from a fuel cell. In a modified example, the heat source circuit 80 and the heat source 81 may be part of the heating and cooling system 100.

[0041] Fuel cells include polymer electrolyte fuel cells, solid oxide fuel cells, phosphoric acid fuel cells, and molten carbonate fuel cells. Of these, polymer electrolyte fuel cells are suitable for the heating and cooling system 100 of this embodiment. A relatively large amount of heat is emitted from polymer electrolyte fuel cells during power generation. Therefore, combining a polymer electrolyte fuel cell with the heating and cooling system 100 is very meaningful. By utilizing the waste heat from the polymer electrolyte fuel cell in the heating and cooling system 100, the overall energy efficiency of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell can be significantly improved.

[0042] The heat source circuit 80 may include a bypass path 82. The bypass path 82 is a path that bypasses the absorption chiller 20. A valve 95 is provided in the bypass path 82. The heat source circuit 80 is provided with valves 91 and 92 before and after the bypass path 82. When performing heating operation, the valves 91 and 92 are closed and the valve 95 is opened, thereby directing hot water into the bypass path 82. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent hot water from flowing into the absorption chiller 20, and to reduce the load on the pump 69 provided in the heat source circuit 80.

[0043] The heat source circuit 80 may include a bypass path 84. The bypass path 84 is a path that bypasses the heat exchanger 34. A valve 96 is provided in the bypass path 84. The heat source circuit 80 is provided with valves 93 and 94 before and after the bypass path 84. When the first cooling operation is performed, the valves 93 and 94 are closed and the valve 96 is opened, so that the hot water is guided to the bypass path 84. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the hot water from flowing into the heat exchanger 34, and the load on the pump 69 can be reduced.

[0044] The heat source circuit 80 may include a cooling circuit 70 and a heat exchanger 73. The heat exchanger 73 is provided to further reduce the temperature of the hot water that has passed through the absorption chiller 20 or the hot water that has passed through the heat exchanger 34. The cooling circuit 70 is connected to the cooling tower 42 and the heat exchanger 73 and is a circuit that circulates a coolant between the cooling tower 42 and the heat exchanger 73. The coolant circulating through the cooling circuit 70 may be the same liquid as the second heat medium circulating through the second circuit 40, and is typically water or brine. According to this embodiment, low-temperature hot water can be returned to the heat source 81. For example, if the heat source 81 includes a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, according to this embodiment, hot water at a temperature suitable for cooling the polymer electrolyte fuel cell can be returned to the heat source 81. The cooling circuit 70 is provided with a pump 67 and a valve 71. When the cooling circuit 70 is not in use, the pump 67 is stopped and the valve 71 is closed.

[0045] According to this embodiment, the cooling tower 42 plays three roles: heat dissipation means in the second cooling operation that does not utilize waste heat, a cooling tower for the absorption chiller 20, and cooling of the hot water circulating in the heat source circuit 80. By having a single cooling tower 42 play multiple roles, the component costs of the heating and cooling system 100 can be reduced.

[0046] Examples of waste heat other than that from fuel cells include waste heat emitted from factories, power plants, and internal combustion engines.

[0047] [1-2. Operation] The operation of the heating and cooling system 100 configured as above will now be described.

[0048] (First cooling operation with waste heat) 2 is a diagram showing the flows of waste heat, the first heat medium, and the coolant in the first cooling operation. The first cooling operation is a cooling operation in which an object is cooled while waste heat is supplied to the absorption chiller 20. In the first cooling operation, the waste heat is supplied to the absorption chiller 20 in the form of hot water circulating through the heat source circuit 80.

[0049] The temperature of the waste heat supplied to the absorption chiller 20 is, for example, in the range of 60°C to 80°C. For example, if the heat source 81 includes a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, the temperature of the hot water generated by the polymer electrolyte fuel cell will generally fall within the above temperature range. Heat in the above low temperature range has traditionally been considered unsuitable for absorption chillers that utilize waste heat, but the heating and cooling system 100 makes it possible to effectively utilize waste heat in such low temperature ranges. The temperature of the waste heat is, for example, the temperature measured at the inlet piping to the absorption chiller 20.

[0050] The hot water is cooled in the heat exchanger 73 as needed and used to cool the heat source 81. The coolant in the cooling circuit 70 is cooled in the cooling tower 42 and used to cool the hot water in the heat exchanger 73. For example, if the heat source 81 includes a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, the hot water is cooled in the heat exchanger 73 to a temperature below 55°C.

[0051] The absorption chiller 20 lowers the temperature of the first heat medium circulating through the first circuit 30 by an absorption refrigeration cycle that utilizes waste heat. The temperature of the first heat medium is lowered to 16°C, for example. The absorption chiller 20 condenses the refrigerant (water) using a cooling liquid cooled in a cooling tower 42. The cooling tower 42 is used both to cool the cooling liquid circulating through the cooling circuit 22 and to cool the hot water circulating through the heat source circuit 80.

[0052] The first heat medium is supplied to the compression heat pump 10 through the forward path 30a of the first circuit 30. In other words, cold energy is supplied to the compression heat pump 10. In the first heat exchanger 11a of the compression heat pump 10, heat exchange occurs between the first heat medium and the refrigerant of the compression heat pump 10. As a result, the heat received by the refrigerant of the compression heat pump 10 from the target (space 200) is released to the first heat medium. When the refrigerant of the compression heat pump 10 is cooled with the first heat medium at 16°C, the pressure on the high-pressure side of the refrigeration cycle of the compression heat pump 10 is much lower than the pressure when the refrigerant is cooled with outside air (e.g., 35°C). Therefore, the power required to compress the refrigerant can be significantly reduced. In one example, the technology disclosed herein can reduce the power consumption of the compression heat pump 10 to about one-third of the power consumed when the refrigerant is cooled with outside air.

[0053] (Immediately after the start of the first cooling operation with waste heat) 3 is a diagram showing the flows of waste heat, the first heat medium, the second heat medium, and the coolant immediately after the start of the first cooling operation. Immediately after the start of the first cooling operation, the temperature of the first heat medium has not yet dropped sufficiently, resulting in a shortage of cold energy supplied to the compression heat pump 10. Therefore, the flow path in the first circuit 30 is switched so that the first heat medium passes through the heat exchanger 39, and the second heat medium is circulated through the second circuit 40. This allows the first heat medium to be cooled not only in the absorption chiller 20 but also in the heat exchanger 39, thereby compensating for the shortage of cold energy immediately after the start of the first cooling operation. This configuration is useful when it is necessary to quickly cool an object.

[0054] (Second cooling operation without waste heat) FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the flows of the first heat medium and the second heat medium in the second cooling operation. The second cooling operation is an operation in which an object is cooled without supplying waste heat to the absorption chiller 20. In the second cooling operation, waste heat is not supplied to the absorption chiller 20, and the heat received from the object by the refrigerant of the compression heat pump 10 is released to the outside air without passing through the absorption chiller 20. The heating and cooling system 100 is highly convenient because it can perform cooling operation even when the supply of waste heat is stopped. Depending on the type of heat source 81, the supply of waste heat may be frequently stopped. The heating and cooling system 100 of this embodiment is suitable for use in combination with such a heat source 81.

[0055] Specifically, heat is released to the outside air using the second circuit 40 and the cooling tower 42. The pump 63 of the second circuit 40 is operated to circulate the second heat medium through the second circuit 40. The second heat medium is cooled in the cooling tower 42. The flow path in the first circuit 30 is switched so that the first heat medium passes through the heat exchanger 39. The first heat medium in the first circuit 30 is cooled by exchanging heat with the second heat medium in the heat exchanger 39. This allows the compression heat pump 10 to continue operating and cool the target.

[0056] 4, the first heat medium flows through the bypass path 36 and bypasses the absorption chiller 20. However, as explained above, such switching of the flow path is not essential.

[0057] (Heating operation with waste heat) 5 is a diagram showing the flows of waste heat, the first heat medium, and the coolant during heating operation. The heating operation is an operation in which waste heat is used to heat an object. During heating operation, the waste heat is supplied to the heat exchanger 34 in the form of hot water circulating through the heat source circuit 80.

[0058] In the first circuit 30, the valves 31a and 31b are closed. This causes the first heat medium to circulate between the heat exchanger 34 of the branch circuit 32 and the compression heat pump 10. The first heat medium is heated by hot water in the heat exchanger 34 of the branch circuit 32. The temperature of the first heat medium rises to, for example, 40°C. In the first heat exchanger 11a of the compression heat pump 10, heat is exchanged between the first heat medium and the refrigerant of the compression heat pump 10. As a result, the refrigerant of the compression heat pump 10 is heated by the first heat medium and evaporates. The refrigerant is compressed in the compression heat pump 10 and releases heat to an object in the second heat exchanger 12a.

[0059] When the refrigerant in the compression heat pump 10 is heated with a first heat medium at 40°C, the pressure on the low-pressure side of the compression heat pump 10 is much higher than the pressure when the refrigerant is heated with outside air (for example, 4°C). Therefore, the power required to compress the refrigerant can be significantly reduced. In one example, the technology disclosed herein can reduce the power consumption of the compression heat pump 10 to about one-third of the power consumed when the refrigerant is heated with outside air.

[0060] (others) According to the heating and cooling system 100 of this embodiment, it is possible to switch between the first cooling operation (FIG. 2) and the second cooling operation (FIG. 4) depending on whether or not waste heat is present. Furthermore, according to the heating and cooling system 100 of this embodiment, it is possible to switch between the cooling operation (FIGS. 2 and 4) and the heating operation (FIG. 5). Therefore, the heating and cooling system 100 is highly convenient and can greatly contribute to improving overall energy efficiency.

[0061] One advantage of heating and cooling system 100 of this embodiment is that it can utilize waste heat in the low temperature range. However, it is also possible to supply waste heat in the high temperature range to heating and cooling system 100 to perform heating and cooling operations. Therefore, heating and cooling system 100 of this embodiment can effectively utilize waste heat from heat source 81 whose temperature varies.

[0062] [1-3. Supplementary Notes] The above description of the embodiments discloses the following techniques.

[0063] (Technology 1) A compression heat pump, an absorption chiller that cools a first heat medium by an absorption refrigeration cycle that utilizes waste heat; a first circuit that circulates the first heat medium between the compression heat pump and the absorption chiller; Equipped with in a first cooling operation for cooling an object, the waste heat is supplied to the absorption chiller, the first heat medium is cooled by the absorption chiller, and heat received from the object by a refrigerant of the compression heat pump is released to the first heat medium, In a heating operation for heating the object, the refrigerant of the compression heat pump is heated by the waste heat. Heating and cooling systems.

[0064] According to the technology of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a heating and cooling system that can effectively utilize waste heat in a low temperature range, and can also perform heating operation in addition to cooling operation.

[0065] (Technology 2) The heating and cooling system according to technique 1, wherein the first heat medium is a liquid, and the compression heat pump includes a liquid-liquid heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the first heat medium and the refrigerant. By using the liquid-liquid heat exchanger, the first heat medium and the refrigerant can be efficiently exchanged with each other.

[0066] (Technology 3) The heating and cooling system according to Technology 1 or 2, wherein the first circuit includes a branch circuit equipped with a heat exchanger capable of heating the first heat medium, the branch circuit being a circuit used in the heating operation, and the first heat medium being heated by the heat exchanger. The branch circuit and the heat exchanger enable the heating and cooling system to perform a heating operation.

[0067] (Technology 4) The heating and cooling system according to any one of Techniques 1 to 3, wherein the absorption chiller does not have a boiler, and the heat source of the absorption chiller is only the waste heat. This configuration is advantageous in reducing component costs for the heating and cooling system, and also in avoiding fuel costs for the boiler.

[0068] (Technology 5) The heating and cooling system according to any one of techniques 1 to 4, wherein the waste heat is supplied to the heating and cooling system in the form of hot water. The waste heat in the form of hot water is suitable for supplying sufficient heat to the heating and cooling system.

[0069] (Technology 6) 6. A heating and cooling system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the waste heat is waste heat from a fuel cell. Utilizing the waste heat from a fuel cell leads to an increase in the overall energy efficiency of the fuel cell.

[0070] (Technology 7) The heating and cooling system according to Technical 6, wherein the fuel cell is a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. A relatively large amount of heat is emitted from the polymer electrolyte fuel cell during power generation. Therefore, it is very significant to combine the polymer electrolyte fuel cell with the heating and cooling system.

[0071] (Technology 8) 1. A method of operating a heating and cooling system, comprising: the heating and cooling system includes an absorption chiller, a compression heat pump, and a first circuit that circulates a first heat medium between the absorption chiller and the compression heat pump; The operating method includes: performing a cooling operation to cool an object while supplying waste heat to the absorption chiller; performing a heating operation to heat the object; Including, In the cooling operation, the absorption chiller is operated by utilizing the waste heat to cool the first heat medium, and the heat received from the object by the refrigerant of the compression heat pump is released to the first heat medium of the first circuit, In the heating operation, the refrigerant of the compression heat pump is heated by the waste heat. How to operate a heating and cooling system.

[0072] According to the technology of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a heating and cooling system that can effectively utilize waste heat in a low temperature range, and can also perform heating operation in addition to cooling operation.

[0073] (Technology 9) The method for operating a heating and cooling system according to technique 8 further includes switching between the cooling operation and the heating operation. Such a heating and cooling system is highly convenient and can greatly contribute to improving overall energy efficiency.

[0074] (Technology 10) A method for operating a heating and cooling system according to technique 8 or 9, wherein the temperature of the waste heat is in the range of 60°C to 80°C. Heat in the above-mentioned low temperature range has conventionally been considered unsuitable for absorption chillers that utilize waste heat, but the heating and cooling system of the present disclosure makes it possible to effectively utilize waste heat in such a low temperature range. [Industrial Applicability]

[0075] The techniques of the present disclosure are useful in systems requiring heating and / or cooling, such as air conditioning systems. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 10 Compression heat pump 11 Outdoor unit 11a 1st heat exchanger 12 Indoor unit 12a 2nd heat exchanger 13a, 13b refrigerant path 20 Absorption chiller 22 Cooling circuit 30 1st circuit 30a, 32a Outbound route 30b, 32b Return route 23, 31a, 31b, 33a, 33b, 36a, 37a, 38, 49, 71, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96 Valves 32 Branch Circuit 34,39,73 Heat exchanger 36, 37, 82, 84 Bypass route 40 Second circuit 42 Cooling Tower 61, 63, 65, 67, 69 Pump 70 Cooling circuit 80 Heat source circuit 81 Heat source 100 Heating and Cooling System 200 space

Claims

1. A compression heat pump, an absorption chiller that cools a first heat medium by an absorption refrigeration cycle that utilizes waste heat; a first circuit that circulates the first heat medium between the compression heat pump and the absorption chiller; Equipped with In a first cooling operation for cooling an object, the waste heat is supplied to the absorption chiller, the first heat medium is cooled by the absorption chiller, and the heat received from the object by the refrigerant of the compression heat pump is released to the first heat medium, In a heating operation for heating the object, the refrigerant of the compression heat pump is heated by the waste heat. Heating and cooling systems.

2. the first heat transfer medium is a liquid, The compression heat pump includes a liquid-liquid heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the first heat medium and the refrigerant. The heating and cooling system of claim 1 .

3. the first circuit includes a branch circuit equipped with a heat exchanger capable of heating the first heat medium, the branch circuit is a circuit used in the heating operation, In the heat exchanger, the first heat medium is heated by the waste heat. The heating and cooling system of claim 1 .

4. The absorption chiller does not have a boiler, and the heat source of the absorption chiller is only the waste heat. The heating and cooling system of claim 1 .

5. The waste heat is supplied to the heating and cooling system in the form of hot water. The heating and cooling system of claim 1 .

6. The waste heat is waste heat from a fuel cell. The heating and cooling system of claim 1 .

7. The fuel cell is a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. The heating and cooling system of claim 6 .

8. 1. A method of operating a heating and cooling system, comprising: the heating and cooling system includes an absorption chiller, a compression heat pump, and a first circuit that circulates a first heat medium between the absorption chiller and the compression heat pump; The operating method includes: performing a cooling operation to cool an object while supplying waste heat to the absorption chiller; performing a heating operation to heat the object; Including, In the cooling operation, the absorption chiller is operated by utilizing the waste heat to cool the first heat medium, and the heat received by the refrigerant of the compression heat pump from an object is released to the first heat medium of the first circuit, In the heating operation, the refrigerant of the compression heat pump is heated by the waste heat. How to operate a heating and cooling system.

9. Further comprising switching between the cooling operation and the heating operation. A method for operating a heating and cooling system according to claim 8.

10. The temperature of the waste heat is in the range of 60°C to 80°C. A method for operating a heating and cooling system according to claim 8.

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