Hot water supply control device

Abstract

To provide a hot water control device which can enhance energy efficiency in a variety of multiple dwelling houses.SOLUTION: A hot water control device 1 for controlling a hot water system 100 having a plurality of heat source machines 2 for producing hot water by heating fluid circulating in a common flow passage 41, and a plurality of hot water consumption devices 9 connected to a plurality of branch paths 91 which are branched from one hot water tap path 43 in which hot water heated by the plurality of heat source machines 2 circulates, comprises: a control unit for controlling a circulation flow passage of the fluid circulating to the common flow passage 41; a thermal load data acquisition unit for acquiring thermal load data related to one hot water system 100 having the plurality of hot water consumption devices 9; a storage unit for storing a plurality of thermal load data; and a setting unit for setting an operation condition of the control unit at the different hot water system 100 by referring to the thermal load data which are stored in the storage unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hot water supply control device that controls a hot water supply system for an apartment building. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a hot water supply system that uses multiple heat source units to heat water and generate hot water in order to supply hot water to hot water consumption devices in each unit of an apartment building (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Since this hot water supply system uses multiple heat source units to heat water, it improves energy efficiency by controlling the number of heat source units, and can supply hot water to each unit even if a malfunction occurs in one heat source unit.

[0003] The hot water supply system described in Patent Document 1 comprises a heat source unit consisting of a water heater, and a circulation path that circulates hot water between multiple heat source units, a hot water storage tank, and each household's faucet (hot water consumption device), and is provided with a multi-controller that controls the hot water temperature to each household's faucet by driving or stopping a circulation pump installed in the circulation path depending on the hot water temperature in the hot water storage tank. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-148298 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The multi-controller described in Patent Document 1 simply drives or stops the circulation pump depending on the hot water temperature in the hot water storage tank, so even if the hot water consumption in the entire apartment building is low, the heat source unit continues to supply a certain amount of heat. Although energy consumption can be reduced by controlling the number of heat source units depending on the hot water consumption, the output load of each heat source unit remains unchanged, leaving room for improvement in terms of improving energy efficiency. In particular, in newly built apartment buildings, since the total hot water consumption is unknown, multiple heat source units must be operated at rated output, which can easily lead to poor energy efficiency.

[0006] Therefore, there is a demand for a hot water supply control device that can improve energy efficiency in various apartment buildings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A characteristic configuration of the hot water supply control device according to the present invention is a hot water supply control device that controls a hot water supply system having a plurality of heat source devices that generate hot water by heating a fluid circulating in a common flow path, and a plurality of hot water consumption devices that are respectively connected to a plurality of branch paths that branch off from a single hot water outlet path through which the hot water heated via the plurality of heat source devices flows, the hot water outlet path is connected to a hot water storage tank that stores hot water, and includes a first circulation path upstream of the branch path and a second circulation path downstream of the branch path, the common flow path connects the hot water storage tank and the plurality of heat source units, A control unit for controlling a circulation flow rate of a fluid circulating through the common flow path, and a hot water supply system having a plurality of the hot water consuming devices. and a heat load consumed by a plurality of the hot water consuming devices. A thermal load data acquisition unit that acquires thermal load data, a storage unit that stores a plurality of the thermal load data, and the thermal load data stored in the storage unit The thermal load and the circulation flow rate are obtained based on a difference between a first temperature of the hot water flowing through the first circulation path and a second temperature of the hot water flowing through the second circulation path. and a setting unit that sets the operating conditions of the control unit in each of the different hot water supply systems.

[0008] In this configuration, heat load data related to a hot water supply system installed in a certain apartment building is acquired, and multiple pieces of heat load data corresponding to various apartment buildings are stored. Then, the setting unit refers to the multiple pieces of heat load data and sets the operating conditions of a control unit that controls the circulating flow rate of hot water heated by a heat source unit in the hot water supply system of, for example, a newly built apartment building.

[0009] In other words, even in an apartment building where the heat load data required for control is not available or is not collected throughout the year, the setting unit sets the operating conditions of the control unit, so there is no need to operate all heat source units at a constant output, and a highly energy-efficient hot water system can be realized. In this way, a hot water control device that can improve energy efficiency in a variety of apartment buildings can be provided.

[0010] Other characteristic configurations include: before The control unit includes: Depending on the heat load The first temperature The above The circulation flow rate is controlled so that the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature falls within a predetermined range.

[0011] In this configuration, the thermal load of the hot water consuming device is known from the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature, and the circulation flow rate supplied to the heat source unit is controlled according to this thermal load. In other words, by controlling the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature to be within a predetermined range, when the thermal load is high, the circulation flow rate is increased to ensure the heat output of the heat source unit and provide the required amount of hot water to each household, and when the thermal load is low, the circulation flow rate is decreased to reduce the heat output of the heat source unit and reduce energy consumption. Therefore, the heat source unit does not supply excessive heat and can improve energy efficiency.

[0012] Other characteristic configurations include: The storage unit stores installation conditions of each of the hot water supply systems and the heat load data related to the hot water supply systems corresponding to the installation conditions, The setting unit Each of the above Installation conditions With reference to the heat load data corresponding to The point is to set the operating conditions.

[0013] In this configuration, if the setting unit refers to heat load data for buildings with similar installation conditions, such as the size and region of the apartment building, it becomes possible to control hot water supply in a way that is more in line with actual conditions, making it possible to improve energy efficiency from the very start, even in newly built apartment buildings.

[0014] Another characteristic configuration is that the installation conditions include the outside air temperature and water temperature, and the setting unit generates corrected heat load data by correcting the referenced heat load data based on the outside air temperature and water temperature, and sets the operating conditions based on the corrected heat load data.

[0015] By generating corrected heat load data based on the outside air temperature and water temperature as in this configuration, more appropriate operating conditions can be set. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a hot water supply system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hot water supply control device. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram relating to setting of operating conditions. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a hot water supply control device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] A hot water supply system 100 in this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is installed in an apartment building with multiple dwelling units. This hot water supply system 100 generates hot water (an example of a fluid) by heating it with multiple water heaters 2 (an example of a heat source device), and supplies this hot water to a hot water consumption device 9 installed in each of the dwelling units. A hot water supply control device 1 in this embodiment controls the operation of the multiple hot water supply systems 100 installed in each of the apartment buildings. This hot water supply control device 1 may be a part of the function of a computer installed in a management center that centrally manages the status of the hot water supply system 100 from a remote location, or may be a control mechanism that functions as part of the hot water supply system 100, or may be a combination of these. The hot water supply control device 1 is configured by cooperation between hardware and software centered around a CPU, memory, etc. that executes various processes.

[0019] [Basic configuration of hot water supply system] The hot water supply system 100 includes a hot water consumption device 9 provided in each unit of an apartment building, a plurality of water heaters 2 (an example of a heat source machine) that generate hot water to be supplied to the hot water consumption device 9, and a hot water storage tank 3 that stores the hot water generated by heating the hot water in the plurality of water heaters 2. The hot water supply system 100 returns the hot water generated by heating the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 3 in the plurality of water heaters 2 to the hot water storage tank 3, and supplies the hot water from the hot water storage tank 3 to each of the hot water consumption devices 9. The hot water supply system 100 is also configured to be capable of mutual communication with a hot water supply control device 1 via wired or wireless means, and its operation is controlled by the hot water supply control device 1.

[0020] The multiple water heaters 2 are connected in parallel and generate hot water by heating the water circulating in one hot water circulation path 41. The water heaters 2 may also be connected in series. The heat source device that heats the water to generate hot water is not limited to the water heaters 2, and various devices that provide heat, such as a fuel cell, a gas engine cogeneration device, an electric heat pump device, and a solar heat collector, may be used.

[0021] Water heater 2 has piping 22 inside casing 21, and heat exchanger 23, which is a hot water heat source, is provided in piping 22. This water heater 2 is a gas water heater that performs a hot water supply function by providing heat obtained from a combustion flame of combustion gas such as city gas 13A supplied from gas piping 24 to hot water flowing through piping 22 by heat exchanger 23.

[0022] The hot water storage tank 3 is configured to store thermal energy from multiple water heaters 2 (i.e., store heat using hot water as a heat medium) and discharge hot water from a branch path 91 via a hot water outlet pipe 42 to a hot water consumption device 9. A water supply pipe 45 through which tap water is supplied is connected to the bottom of the hot water storage tank 3, and the inside of the hot water storage tank 3 is filled with hot water.

[0023] The hot water tank 3 is connected to one hot water circulation path 41 (an example of a common flow path) that circulates hot water between the hot water tank 3 and the multiple water heaters 2. In other words, the hot water stored in the hot water tank 3 circulates between the multiple water heaters 2 and the hot water tank 3 through the hot water circulation path 41. A circulation pump P is provided in the middle of this hot water circulation path 41, and the circulation flow rate of the hot water flowing through the hot water circulation path 41 can be changed by changing the driving force of the circulation pump P. The hot water circulation path 41 is provided so that the hot water taken out from the lower part of the hot water tank 3 returns to the upper part of the hot water tank 3 via the multiple water heaters 2. In other words, the relatively low-temperature hot water taken out from the lower part of the hot water tank 3 recovers heat in the multiple water heaters 2, and the relatively high-temperature hot water that has recovered the heat discharged from the multiple water heaters 2 returns to the upper part of the hot water tank 3. As a result, in the hot water storage tank 3, relatively high temperature water is stored in the upper part and relatively low temperature water is stored in the lower part, so that hot water is stored with temperature stratification formed.

[0024] A hot water outlet pipe 42 for discharging the stored high-temperature hot water is connected to the top of the hot water storage tank 3. The hot water outlet pipe 42 discharges the relatively high-temperature hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 3. A regulating valve 6 is connected to the hot water outlet pipe 42, and the relatively high-temperature hot water discharged from the hot water storage tank 3 via the hot water outlet pipe 42 and the relatively low-temperature water supplied via the water supply pipe 45 flow into the regulating valve 6. The hot water supply control device 1 controls the operation of the regulating valve 6 so that the temperature of the hot water flowing from the regulating valve 6 to the hot water outlet path 43 downstream becomes the target hot water outlet temperature (for example, 30 to 45°C). The regulating valve 6 may be omitted and the hot water outlet pipe 42 and the hot water outlet path 43 may be directly connected.

[0025] The regulating valve 6 is a valve member composed of a three-way valve or the like that controls the flow rate of hot water in the hot water outlet pipe 42 and the combined flow rate of water from the water supply pipe 45. A rotary valve, a solenoid valve, or the like can be used as the valve member used for the regulating valve 6. The regulating valve 6 adjusts the opening of the hot water outlet pipe 42 and the water supply pipe 45 according to an instruction from the hot water supply control device 1. That is, the hot water supply control device 1 controls the regulating valve 6 so that the hot water outlet pipe 42 is in an open state, thereby enabling hot water to be supplied to the hot water consumption device 9 through the hot water outlet path 43, and controls the communication opening of the water supply pipe 45 based on the target hot water outlet temperature. On the other hand, when stopping the supply of hot water to the hot water consumption device 9, the hot water supply control device 1 shuts off the hot water outlet pipe 42 on the hot water storage tank 3 side, and controls the valve position of the regulating valve 6 so that the water supply pipe 45 side is in a fully open state. That is, when stopping the supply of hot water to the hot water consumption device 9, the regulating valve 6 is in a valve position that allows water from the water supply pipe 45 to flow to the hot water outlet pipe 42. Information relating to the valve position of the regulating valve 6 is output to the hot water supply control device 1.

[0026] The water supply pipe 45 is provided with a clean water temperature sensor Sw for measuring the clean water temperature. The hot water circulation path 41 is provided with a hot water temperature sensor Sa for measuring the hot water temperature Ta upstream of the water heater 2, and a target temperature sensor Sb for measuring the target hot water temperature Tb downstream of the water heater 2. The hot water circulation path 41 is also provided with a flow rate sensor Sv for measuring the circulation flow rate V of the hot water flowing through the hot water circulation path 41. The hot water outlet path 43 includes a first circulation path 43a connected to the hot water outlet pipe 42 from the hot water storage tank 3 that stores hot water to the branch path 91, and a second circulation path 43b from the branch path 91 to the hot water storage tank 3. In other words, the hot water outlet path 43 is connected to the hot water storage tank 3 that stores hot water, and includes a first circulation path 43a upstream of the branch path 91 and a second circulation path 43b downstream of the branch path 91. The first circulation path 43a is provided with a pre-heat recovery temperature sensor Sc that measures the outlet hot water temperature T1 before heat recovery is performed by the hot water consumption device 9, and the second circulation path 43b is provided with a post-heat recovery temperature sensor Sd that measures the return temperature T2 of the hot water after heat recovery is performed by the hot water consumption device 9. The clean water temperature sensor Sw, the hot water temperature sensor Sa, the target temperature sensor Sb, the pre-heat recovery temperature sensor Sc, and the post-heat recovery temperature sensor Sd each include, for example, a thermocouple, and output information related to the temperature detected by the thermocouple to the hot water supply control device 1. The flow rate sensor Sv is formed of, for example, a propeller type flow meter, and outputs information related to the flow rate detected by the flow meter to the hot water supply control device 1.

[0027] The hot water consumption devices 9 are respectively connected to a plurality of branch paths 91 branching from one hot water outlet path 43 through which hot water heated via the hot water heaters 2 flows. The hot water consumption devices 9 are used for hot water supply, heating, etc. When the hot water consumption device 9 is used for hot water supply, the consumed hot water does not return to the hot water storage tank 3. When the hot water consumption device 9 is used for heating, only the heat contained in the hot water is consumed, and the hot water returns to the hot water storage tank 3. The branch path 91 may be provided with an auxiliary heat source device (not shown) composed of a heat exchanger such as a water heater in order to reheat the hot water flowing through the branch path 91. When the temperature of the hot water flowing out from the top of the hot water storage tank 3 is lower than the temperature of the hot water required by the hot water consumption device 9, the auxiliary heat source device is operated to control the temperature of the hot water supplied to the hot water consumption device 9 to the desired temperature.

[0028] [Hot water supply control device] 1 and 2, the hot water supply control device 1 controls the operation of multiple hot water systems 100 installed in each apartment building. The hot water supply control device 1 has a communication unit 11 (an example of a heat load data acquisition unit), a control unit 12, a memory unit 13, a setting unit 14, and a learning unit 15.

[0029] Communication unit 11 is configured with a communication interface capable of wired or wireless communication with hot water supply system 100. This communication unit 11 is provided in a management center that centrally manages the status of hot water supply system 100 from a remote location.

[0030] Control unit 12 controls the operation of hot water supply system 100, but in this embodiment, a form will be described in which it mainly controls the circulation flow rate V of hot water circulating through hot water circulation path 41. This control unit 12 is provided in a management center, but some of its functions may be assigned to hot water supply system 100.

[0031] Based on the calculation formula (1), the control unit 12 controls the circulation flow rate V so that the difference between the outlet hot water temperature T1 measured by the pre-heat recovery temperature sensor Sc and the return temperature T2 measured by the post-heat recovery temperature sensor Sd is within a predetermined range (e.g., 20°C≦(T1-T2)≦30°C) in accordance with the total amount of heat consumed by the hot water consumption devices 9 installed in each unit of the apartment building (the heat load Q of the apartment building). Here, the heat load Q of the apartment building can be obtained by operating the hot water supply system 100 under certain conditions (e.g., the water heater 2 at a constant output and the circulation flow rate V at a constant flow rate). Q = (T1-T2) × V × heat conversion coefficient α Equation (1) Q: Total heat consumed by hot water consumption device 9 (heat load of apartment building) T1: Temperature of hot water flowing through the first circulation path 43a before heat recovery T2: Return temperature after heat recovery through the second circulation path 43b V: Circulating flow rate of hot and cold water flowing through the hot and cold water circulation path 41 V Alpha: 4.182

[0032] Furthermore, the control unit 12 controls the number of operating water heaters 2 and the amount of combustion gas supplied based on the hot water temperature Ta of the hot water circulating from the hot water storage tank 3 to the water heater 2 in the hot water circulation path 41, the hot water temperature Tb of the hot water circulating from the water heater 2 to the hot water storage tank 3 in the hot water circulation path 41, and the circulation flow rate V in a manner proportional to (Tb-Ta)×V. Here, the hot water temperature Tb is a target temperature (e.g., 35 to 50°C) that is set in advance as the hot water temperature to be stored in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 3. In other words, the control unit 12 controls the number of operating water heaters 2 and the amount of combustion gas supplied based on the circulation flow rate V set by the above-mentioned formula (1) and the hot water temperature Ta measured by the hot water temperature sensor Sa.

[0033] The storage unit 13 is configured with a storage medium that stores the installation conditions and heat load data of each of the hot water supply systems 100. The installation conditions include the installation area, the environmental information of the area (outdoor air temperature, tap water temperature, etc.), the age of the building, the number of dwelling units, the number of water heaters 2 installed, etc., in the apartment house equipped with the hot water supply system 100. The heat load data includes, as time-series data in the apartment house equipped with the hot water supply system 100, the usage status of the hot water consumption devices 9 (date, time period, simultaneous usage rate, etc.), the number of operating water heaters 2, the outlet hot water temperature T1 (an example of the first temperature) measured by the temperature sensor Sc before heat recovery, the return temperature T2 (an example of the second temperature) measured by the temperature sensor Sd after heat recovery, and the circulation flow rate V of hot water circulating through the hot water circulation path 41 measured by the flow rate sensor Sv. The simultaneous usage rate is the rate at which the hot water consumption devices 9 of each unit are used simultaneously on a specified date and time.

[0034] The setting unit 14 sets the operating conditions of the control unit 12 in the different hot water supply systems 100 by referring to the heat load data stored in the memory unit 13. The setting unit 14 also sets the operating conditions based on the installation conditions under which the hot water supply system 100 is installed. As an example, as shown in FIG. 4, the setting unit 14 compares the installation conditions of the apartment buildings A to D stored in the memory unit 13 with the installation conditions of a newly built apartment building X, and extracts an apartment building B having similar installation conditions. The setting unit 14 then sets the operating conditions of the control unit 12 in the newly built apartment building X by referring to the heat load data of the apartment building B. Specifically, the setting unit 14 sets the operating conditions to be the same as the referenced heat load data (the circulation flow rate V by time period of the apartment building B stored in the memory unit 13). The control unit 12 then controls the number of operating water heaters 2 and the amount of combustion gas supplied in a form proportional to (Tb-Ta)×V from the target hot water temperature Tb and the measured hot water temperature Ta based on this set circulation flow rate V. In addition, once the circulation flow rate V is set, it may be corrected at predetermined intervals (e.g., every other day) based on the thermal load Q acquired over a predetermined period (e.g., one day) using equation (1) so that 20°C≦(T1-T2)≦30°C is satisfied.

[0035] When setting these operating conditions, for example, corrected thermal load data (thermal load Qa of apartment building X) may be generated by correcting the referenced thermal load data (thermal load Qb of apartment building B and circulation flow rate V stored in memory unit 13) based on the outside air temperature and water temperature as installation conditions, and the operating conditions may be set based on the corrected thermal load data. Specifically, as shown in equation (2), the thermal load Qa of apartment building X is corrected in proportion to the difference between the average water temperature of apartment building B and the average water temperature of apartment building X. Then, using the corrected thermal load Qa of apartment building X as the operating condition, control unit 12 adjusts the circulation flow rate V so that 20°C≦(T1-T2)≦30°C in equation (1), and controls the number of water heaters 2 in operation and the amount of combustion gas supplied in a form proportional to (Tb-Ta)×V. This correction may be performed when the absolute value of (average outside temperature of apartment building B - average outside temperature of apartment building X) is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (e.g., 5°C) and the absolute value of (average water temperature of apartment building B - average water temperature of apartment building X) is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (e.g., 5°C). Qa = Qb + (average water temperature of apartment B - average water temperature of apartment X) x V x heat conversion coefficient α ...Equation (2)

[0036] The setting unit 14 may also change the operating conditions of the control unit 12 in the apartment house by referring to the heat load data of the apartment house acquired by the communication unit 11. For example, when the average water temperature of the apartment house X corrected by the formula (2) deviates from the actual water temperature, for example, in winter, the operating conditions are changed. As an example, when the fluctuation of the outdoor air temperature between the time of day and the season in the same apartment house is a predetermined value (for example, 5°C) or more, and the fluctuation of the tap water temperature is a predetermined value (for example, 5°C) or more, the already generated heat load Qc may be corrected to generate corrected heat load data. Specifically, as shown in the formula (3), the corrected heat load Qd of the apartment house is corrected in proportion to the difference between the average water temperature of the apartment house and the actual water temperature of the apartment house. At this time, if the actual heat load in the apartment building derived from the usage status of the hot water consumption devices 9 (date, time period, simultaneous usage rate, etc.) and the number of operating water heaters 2 is close to the corrected heat load Qd, the setting unit 14 may update the heat load Qc of the apartment building as the heat load Qd. Qd = Qc + (average water temperature in the apartment building - actual water temperature in the apartment building) x V x heat conversion coefficient α ...Equation (3)

[0037] The learning unit 15 learns the operating conditions of the control unit 12 based on the installation conditions of the apartment building. The learning unit 15 performs machine learning, for example, using the installation conditions of the apartment building as input data and the heat load Q and circulation flow rate V of the apartment building as output data. This machine learning is learning with teacher data that refers to the heat load data of the multiple hot water supply systems 100 stored in the memory unit 13 and sets the operating conditions of the control unit 12 in different hot water supply systems 100. Note that the learning unit 15 may be omitted, and for example, the setting unit 14 may perform filtering only on the number of dwelling units and the number of heat source units and refer to the heat load data of similar apartment buildings.

[0038] Next, mainly with reference to FIG. 3, a control method for the hot water supply control device 1 in the hot water supply system 100 for a newly constructed apartment building will be described.

[0039] The hot water supply control device 1 acquires heat load data of the hot water supply systems 100 of a plurality of apartment buildings through the communication unit 11 and stores the data in the storage unit 13 (#31). Next, the setting unit 14 searches whether there is an apartment building with installation conditions similar to those of the newly constructed apartment building, and if there is an apartment building with similar installation conditions (YES judgment in #32), it refers to the heat load data of the hot water supply system 100 of the apartment building (#33). In the example shown in FIG. 4, the existing apartment building B and the newly constructed apartment building X have similar numbers of dwelling units and heat source units, so the setting unit 14 refers to the heat load data of the apartment building B. Then, the setting unit 14 sets the operating conditions of the control unit 12 in the newly constructed apartment building X based on the referred heat load data of the apartment building B. Specifically, the setting unit 14 sets the operating conditions based on the corrected heat load data obtained by correcting the referred heat load data (the heat load Qb and the circulation flow rate V of the apartment building B stored in the storage unit 13) by the above-mentioned formula (2).

[0040] On the other hand, if there is no apartment building with similar installation conditions (determination of NO in #32), the circulation flow rate V is maximized as the operating condition of the control unit 12 in the newly built apartment building X, and all the water heaters 2 are set to rated output (#34). The operating conditions set in #33 and #34 are transmitted to the hot water supply system 100 of the newly built apartment building X via the communication unit 11, and the hot water supply system 100 is operated based on the operating conditions (#35). The circulation flow rate V set in this way is corrected at predetermined intervals (e.g., every other day) based on the heat load Qa of the apartment building X acquired for a predetermined period (e.g., one day) so that 20°C≦(T1-T2)≦30°C is satisfied using formula (1).

[0041] Next, the communication unit 11 acquires actual heat load data and installation conditions (actual outdoor air temperature and actual water temperature) in the newly built apartment house X (#36). Next, for example, if the fluctuation of the outdoor air temperature in the apartment house X is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (for example, 5°C) and the fluctuation of the tap water temperature is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (for example, 5°C), the operation conditions of the apartment house X are changed (#37 YES judgment). When changing the operation conditions, the setting unit 14 calculates a corrected heat load Qd of the apartment house X based on the above-mentioned formula (3), changes the operation conditions of the apartment house X to the corrected heat load Qd, and resets the operation conditions as the corrected heat load data (#38). At this time, the corrected heat load Qd may be compared with the actual heat load, and the operation conditions of the apartment house X may be reset only if they are close to each other. These processes from #35 to #38 are repeated at predetermined intervals (for example, one week) until, for example, one year of heat load data can be acquired in the newly built apartment house X.

[0042] [Other embodiments] <1> In the above-described embodiment, the setting unit 14 sets the operating conditions of the control unit 12 based on the installation conditions of the apartment house, but the operating conditions of the control unit 12 may be set based on factors other than the installation conditions. For example, when the heat load of the apartment house can be predicted in advance, the setting unit 14 may refer to a plurality of heat load data stored in the memory unit 13 and set the operating conditions of the control unit 12 based on similar heat load data. In addition, the setting unit 14 may refer to a plurality of heat load data of a plurality of apartment houses, store a heat load Q-circulation flow rate V map in the memory unit 13, and set the operating conditions of the control unit 12 (circulation flow rate V) according to the heat load of different apartment houses acquired in real time.

[0043] <2> The hot water storage tank 3 in the above-described embodiment may be omitted, and hot water generated by heating tap water (an example of a fluid) in a plurality of water heaters 2 may be supplied directly to the hot water consuming device 90.

[0044] <3> In the above-described embodiment, in formula (2) and formula (3), the setting unit 14 uses the tap water temperature when calculating the corrected heat load data, but other parameters such as the outside air temperature may also be used.

[0045] <4> In the above-described embodiment, examples of control performed in hot water supply system 100 have been described using specific numerical values, but these numerical values ​​are given for illustrative purposes and can be changed as appropriate.

[0046] In addition, the configurations disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiments can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments as long as no contradiction occurs. In addition, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are examples, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to these, and can be appropriately modified within the scope of the purpose of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0047] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used in a hot water supply control device that controls a hot water supply system for an apartment building. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1: Hot water supply control device 2: Water heater (heat source unit) 3: Hot water tank 9:Hot water consumption equipment 11: Communication section (heat load data acquisition section) 12: Control section 13: Storage section 14: Setting section 41: Hot and cold water circulation path (common flow path) 43: Hot water outlet 43a: First circulation path 43b:Second circulation path 90:Hot water consumption equipment 91: Fork in the road 100: Hot water system T1: Outlet water temperature (first temperature) T2: Return temperature (second temperature) V: Circulation flow rate

Claims

1. A hot water supply control device for controlling a hot water supply system having a plurality of heat source devices for generating hot water by heating a fluid circulating in a common flow path, and a plurality of hot water consumption devices respectively connected to a plurality of branch paths branching from a single hot water outlet path through which the hot water heated via the plurality of heat source devices circulates, The hot water outlet path is connected to a hot water storage tank that stores hot water, and includes a first circulation path upstream of the branch path and a second circulation path downstream of the branch path, The common flow path connects the hot water storage tank and the plurality of heat source units, A control unit for controlling a circulation flow rate of a fluid circulating through the common flow path; a heat load data acquisition unit that acquires heat load data including heat loads consumed by the hot water consuming devices for one hot water supply system having the hot water consuming devices; A storage unit that stores a plurality of the heat load data; A hot water supply control device comprising: a setting unit that sets the operating conditions of the control unit in the different hot water supply systems by referring to the thermal load and the circulation flow rate that are included in the thermal load data stored in the memory unit and obtained based on the difference between a first temperature of the hot water circulating through the first circulation path and a second temperature of the hot water circulating through the second circulation path.

2. A hot water supply control device as described in Claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the circulating flow rate so that the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature is within a predetermined range in accordance with the thermal load.

3. The storage unit stores installation conditions for each of the hot water supply systems and the heat load data for the hot water supply systems corresponding to the installation conditions, The hot water supply control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the setting unit sets the operating conditions by referring to the heat load data corresponding to each of the installation conditions.

4. The installation conditions include an outside air temperature and a water temperature, The hot water control device according to claim 3 , wherein the setting unit generates corrected heat load data by correcting the referenced heat load data based on the outside air temperature and water temperature, and sets the operating conditions based on the corrected heat load data.

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