Heat exchanger, building cooling equipment, and control method of heat exchanger

Abstract

To suppress electric energy required for cooling while exchanging indoor air to be cooled.SOLUTION: A heat exchanger includes: an air discharge / air supply port for taking in air discharged from a cooling target space; a cooling heat exchange space through which air taken in from the air discharge / air supply port passes; a vaporization material disposed in the cooling heat exchange space; a supply facility for supplying a refrigerant to the vaporization material; a treated refrigerant supply facility for supplying a treated refrigerant cooled by depriving the refrigerant supplied from the supply facility to the vaporization material of vaporization heat by using the air taken in from the air discharge / air supply port, as a refrigerant for cooling the cooling target space; and a fan for discharging air that has undergone heat exchange in the cooling heat exchange space to an outdoor side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioner with high cooling efficiency that suppresses energy consumption while enabling complete replacement of indoor air, and a cooling facility for a building using the air conditioner.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an air conditioning system capable of achieving both comfort improvement and high efficiency while ensuring the required ventilation volume during cooling operation.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for actively controlling ventilation even in a technique for controlling an air conditioner during a time period when a user is absent from a space to be air-conditioned.

[0004] Patent Document 3 discloses a technique for suppressing energy consumption by sharing air in a common space outside the air conditioning target, such as a ceiling chamber (AT), for heat exchange in a plurality of air conditioners in a space to be air-conditioned using a plurality of air conditioners (21 to 25) (see FIG. 1).

[0005] (FIG. 2) Now, a general cooling facility will be described with reference to FIG. 2. When cooling a space to be air-conditioned, the air (warm air) in the room to be cooled is taken into the heat exchanger (air conditioner = air conditioner = indoor unit), and the cooled air produced by heat exchange with the cooled refrigerant is returned to the room. The refrigerant that has been warmed after heat exchange dissipates heat and is cooled in a heat exchanger (outdoor unit) isolated from the space to be air-conditioned, and is returned to the air conditioner serving as the indoor unit.

[0006] (FIG. 3) When it is not possible to install an air conditioner in the room to be cooled or when a plurality of rooms are cooled collectively, cooling is performed as shown in FIG. 3. That is, it is equipped with a cold air production room and a heat exchanger (air conditioner) that changes the air in the cold air production room into cold air, and the cold air produced by the air conditioner is sent into the room to be cooled through a cold air supply duct and an air supply fan. Also, at the position of the air supply fan, an exhaust fan for expelling the warm air in the room is provided. Note that the air expelled by the exhaust fan is lower than the outside air temperature when the indoor temperature drops, so returning it to the cold air production room and using it can improve energy efficiency. Therefore, in Figure 3, it is shown via a return duct.

[0007] Now, when infection prevention measures are required in the room to be cooled, the air in the room must be replaced at regular intervals. In the cooling pattern shown in Figure 2, the state when the air in the room is replaced is shown in Figure 4. In the cooling pattern shown in Figure 3, the state when the air in the room is replaced is shown in Figure 5.

[0008] (Figure 4) In Figure 4, it is shown assuming that an air supply fan is provided on the right side of the room to be cooled and an exhaust fan is provided on the left side. As shown in Figure 4(a), neither the air supply fan nor the exhaust fan is operated, and the room to be cooled is filled with the cold air produced by the heat exchanger (air conditioner). After a predetermined time has elapsed, as shown in Figure 4(b), fresh outside air (A1) that is warm air is taken in from outside using the air supply fan, and the cold air (A2) in the room is expelled using the exhaust fan.

[0009] (Figure 5) In Figure 5 as well, it is shown assuming that an air supply fan is provided on the right side of the room to be cooled and an exhaust fan is provided on the left side. As shown in Fig. 5(a), the room to be cooled is filled with the cold air produced in the cold air production chamber by the warm air returned from the room to be cooled. When a predetermined time has elapsed, as shown in Fig. 5(b), fresh outside air (A1'), which is warm air, is taken in from the outside using the supply fan, and the cold air (A2') inside the room is expelled using the exhaust fan. That is, at the timing shown in Fig. 5(b), in the cold air production chamber, instead of using the air circulated from the room to be cooled (from the return duct), new fresh but warm outside air (A1') is taken in. Specifically, by operating such as switching a valve (not shown) provided in the return duct, fresh air (A1') is taken in and the cooled air (A2') is exhausted.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0010]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0011] For example, in any of the cases shown in Figs. 4(b) and 5(b), air cooled more than the outside air is exhausted. On the other hand, the amount of outside air to be ventilated must be newly cooled to the temperature of the room to be cooled. That is, compared with the case where the air in the room to be cooled is circulated, the energy required for cooling becomes larger and the electricity cost increases.

[0012] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a technique for suppressing the electrical energy required for cooling even when the air in the room to be cooled must be replaced.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0013] In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a first invention related to a heat exchanger that can cool a space to be cooled while ventilating the space to be cooled by using the air exhausted from the space to be cooled to cool the refrigerant and using the refrigerant as the refrigerant for cooling the space to be cooled, and a second invention related to a computer program for controlling the heat exchanger according to the first invention.

[0014] (First Invention) The first invention relates to a heat exchanger (α) for using the air exhausted from the space to be cooled to cool the refrigerant and using the refrigerant as the refrigerant for cooling the space to be cooled. This heat exchanger includes an exhaust air supply port (air supply port, cold exhaust duct) for taking in the air exhausted from the space to be cooled, a cold heat exchange space through which the air taken in from the exhaust air supply port passes, a vaporization material (vaporization filler) disposed in the cold heat exchange space, a supply facility (water supply pipe and sprinkler nozzle) for supplying a liquid refrigerant to the vaporization material, a processed refrigerant supply facility (lower water tank) for supplying the processed refrigerant cooled by the vaporization heat being taken away from the refrigerant supplied from the supply facility to the vaporization material by the air taken in from the exhaust air supply port as the refrigerant for cooling the space to be cooled, and a fan for exhausting the air that has completed heat exchange in the cold heat exchange space to the outside (FIGS. 6 and 7).

[0015] (Term Explanation) The "space to be cooled" is a space where cooling and ventilation of the air filling the space are required. Since it is a space where infection control measures must be taken and air conditioning is required, the number of target spaces to be cooled is increasing. For example, in addition to stores and offices, food processing factories, large refrigerators, freezer warehouses, clean rooms, etc. are suitable for the present invention.

[0016] As the "refrigerant", a liquid is adopted. This is because it is simpler and less costly to apply heat insulation measures to the piping facilities compared to gaseous refrigerants. Water is generally used as the refrigerant in terms of cost and handling. In some cases, an antifreeze solution with a solvent dissolved in it is used to make water less likely to freeze. However, the "refrigerant" in the present invention does not have to be limited to water or antifreeze solutions.

[0017] The refrigerant supplied to the "supply facility" is the refrigerant that has been warmed after heat exchange. Although it is illustrated in FIG. 6 as the refrigerant used to cool the "space to be cooled", the present invention is not limited thereto. The refrigerant supplied to the "treated refrigerant supply facility" is regarded as the "refrigerant for cooling the space to be cooled", but in the present invention, it does not have to be used only as the refrigerant for cooling the "space to be cooled".

[0018] (Function) The air exhausted from the space to be cooled is taken in from the exhaust and supply air port. The taken-in air goes to the cold heat exchange space where the vaporization material is arranged. On the other hand, the liquid refrigerant is supplied from the supply facility to the vaporization material. The refrigerant supplied to the vaporization material has its heat of vaporization taken away by the air taken in from the exhaust and supply air port. That is, although part of the refrigerant vaporizes (evaporates), the refrigerant that has not evaporated is cooled and becomes the treated refrigerant, which is supplied to the treated refrigerant supply facility. The air exhausted from the space to be cooled contains a part of the vaporized refrigerant and is exhausted outdoors by a fan.

[0019] The air exhausted from the space to be cooled does not return to the space to be cooled, and the air in the space to be cooled can be completely replaced. The ventilated air requires new cooling, but such cooling can be achieved by using the refrigerant supplied to the treated refrigerant supply facility. That is, if there is electrical energy or the like required as the power for a pump (not shown) that moves the refrigerant or a fan, the refrigerant will be repeatedly cooled. It is possible to perform cooling and ventilation while suppressing the power consumption of electricity associated with operations such as compression and vaporization for cooling the refrigerant that has undergone heat exchange to cool the air in the space to be cooled again.

[0020] (Variation 1 of the First Invention) The first invention is more preferably formed as follows (see FIG. 6). That is, the supply facility includes a water supply pipe disposed above in the heat exchange space, and a number of nozzles for dripping the refrigerant from within the water supply pipe toward the vaporization material. Also, the exhaust air supply port is disposed below the heat exchange space, and the treated refrigerant supply facility is disposed below the exhaust air supply port. Furthermore, the fan is made to function so as to exhaust air from above the heat exchange space. For the aforementioned "nozzle", it is desirable that the refrigerant to be dripped be in a mist form, but it is not an essential condition to be in a mist form.

[0021] (Operation) When the refrigerant is dripped from the nozzles of the water supply pipe, the refrigerant adheres to the vaporization material disposed in the heat exchange space. The exhaust air supply port is disposed below the heat exchange space, the treated refrigerant supply facility is disposed below the exhaust air supply port, and the fan functions so as to exhaust air from above the heat exchange space. Therefore, the refrigerant cooled by heat exchange only falls within the heat exchange space and no power is required to move it.

[0022] (Variation 2 of the First Invention) The first invention may also be formed as follows. That is, a vaporizer for vaporizing the treated refrigerant is provided in the treated refrigerant communicating with the heat exchange space in the treated refrigerant supply facility (see Fig. 8).

[0023] (Term Explanation) The "vaporizer" is, for example, a device using an ultrasonic vibrator. It can vaporize the refrigerant with power saving.

[0024] (Function) The refrigerant vaporized through the vaporizer moves to the heat exchange space and contributes to taking heat from the refrigerant supplied from the water supply nozzle.

[0025] (Variation 3 of the First Invention) The first invention is more preferably formed as follows. That is, an air supply measuring instrument for measuring the temperature, humidity, and air volume of the air taken in from the exhaust air supply port, An incoming refrigerant measuring instrument for measuring the temperature of the refrigerant supplied from the supply facility, An outgoing refrigerant measuring instrument for measuring the temperature and flow rate of the refrigerant supplied from the treated refrigerant supply device to cool the cooling target space, are provided (see Fig. 8).

[0026] (Variation 4 of the First Invention) The first invention is more preferably formed as follows. That is, a storage amount measuring device (for example, a water level gauge) for measuring the storage amount of the refrigerant in the treated refrigerant supply facility, A refrigerant replenishing device (for example, a makeup water valve) for supplying refrigerant to increase the storage amount measured by the storage amount measuring device, A refrigerant discharging device (for example, a drain valve) for discharging refrigerant to reduce the storage amount measured by the storage amount measuring device, are provided (see Fig. 8).

[0027] (Term Explanation) Regarding the storage amount measuring device, it is not necessary to accurately measure the storage amount, and for example, a water level gauge may be used. A float may be adopted for the water level gauge, and the opening and closing amount of the makeup water valve as a refrigerant supply device may be controlled in conjunction with the up and down movement of the liquid level captured by the float. The storage amount measuring device measures the storage amount of the refrigerant in the processed refrigerant supply facility. When it is necessary to increase the storage amount measured by the storage amount measuring device, the refrigerant supply device supplies the refrigerant. When it is necessary to decrease the storage amount, the refrigerant discharge device discharges the refrigerant.

[0028] (Variation 5 of the first invention) The above-mentioned Variation 3 or 4 in the first invention is more preferably formed as follows. That is, it is provided with a control device that controls the exhaust amount exhausted through the fan based on the measured values measured by the air supply measuring machine, the incoming refrigerant measuring machine, and the outgoing refrigerant measuring machine.

[0029] (Operation) The air supply measuring machine measures the temperature, humidity, and air volume of the air taken in from the exhaust air supply port. The incoming refrigerant measuring machine measures the temperature of the refrigerant supplied from the supply facility. The outgoing refrigerant measuring machine measures the temperature and flow rate of the refrigerant supplied from the processed refrigerant supply device to cool the cooling target space. Based on each measurement result, by controlling a controllable device (for example, a fan motor that operates the fan), the necessary temperature and flow rate for the processed refrigerant are ensured.

[0030] (Variation 6 of the first invention) The above-mentioned Variation 5 in the first invention is more preferably formed as follows. That is, the control device controls the refrigerant discharge device based on the measured values measured by the air supply measuring machine, the incoming refrigerant measuring machine, and the outgoing refrigerant measuring machine.

[0031] (Variation 7 of the first invention) In the first invention, the variations 5 or 6 are more preferably formed as follows. That is, the control device controls the vaporizer based on the measured values measured by the intake air measuring device, the incoming refrigerant measuring device, and the outgoing refrigerant measuring device.

[0032] (Variation 8 of the first invention) The heat exchanger according to the first invention may also utilize a cooling tower. A part of the outside air intake in the cooling tower is made to communicate with the exhaust air supply port, and the outside air intake that does not communicate with the exhaust air supply port is closed to form it.

[0033] (Operation) Since the heat exchanger according to the present invention can be formed by modifying the cooling tower, various laborious procedures can be reduced compared to the case of designing and manufacturing from scratch.

[0034] (Variation 9 of the first invention) The heat exchanger according to the first invention may also be provided with a dehumidifier (dehumidification rotor) for reducing the humidity of the air taken in from the exhaust air supply port (Fig. 13).

[0035] (Second invention) The second invention relates to the air conditioning equipment of a building that employs the heat exchanger according to the first invention (see Fig. 12). The air conditioning equipment of the building is Exhaust equipment (exhaust fan, exhaust duct) for exhausting the air in the internal space (R) of the building, An air-conditioning heat exchanger (outdoor unit and outdoor machine) for taking in outside air and converting it into cold air to be provided to the internal space (R) of the building, An outdoor heat exchanger (α; see Fig. 6) installed outside the building (for example, on the roof of the building) to re-cool the liquid refrigerant heat-exchanged with the cold air by the air-conditioning heat exchanger, A refrigerant pipe for communicating the refrigerant between the outdoor heat exchanger (α) and the air-conditioning heat exchanger comprises. The outdoor heat exchanger (α) described above has an exhaust air intake port (air intake port, cold exhaust duct) for taking in the air exhausted from the exhaust facility described above, a cold and heat exchange space through which the air taken in from the exhaust air intake port passes, a vaporization material (vaporization filler) disposed in the cold and heat exchange space, a supply facility (water supply pipe and sprinkler nozzle) for supplying liquid refrigerant from the refrigerant pipe described above to the vaporization material, a processed refrigerant supply facility (lower water tank) that supplies the processed refrigerant cooled by the heat of vaporization being taken away from the refrigerant supplied from the supply facility to the vaporization material by the air taken in from the exhaust air intake port as the refrigerant for the cold air heat exchanger by communicating with the refrigerant pipe, and a fan for exhausting the air that has completed heat exchange in the cold and heat exchange space outdoors.

[0036] (Term Explanation) The "building" is, for example, buildings such as buildings and convention halls that secure an internal space where a large number of people are expected to enter and exit.

[0037] (Function) Install the outdoor heat exchanger (α) outside the building and connect the outdoor heat exchanger (α) and the internal space (R) of the building with an exhaust facility (exhaust fan, exhaust duct). As a result, the air in the internal space (R) can be drawn into the outdoor heat exchanger (α) and exhausted through the outdoor heat exchanger (α). That is, the air that enters the exhaust facility is discharged to the outside air without returning to the internal space (R), so complete ventilation can be realized. The cold air heat exchanger creates cold air by heat-exchanging the intake outside air and provides the created cold air to the internal space (R). The liquid refrigerant that has stored the heat taken from the outside air is transported to the outdoor heat exchanger (α) through the refrigerant pipe. In the outdoor heat exchanger (α), the exhaust from the internal space (R) of the building takes heat from the liquid refrigerant through the vaporization material, so the refrigerant is cooled and returned to the cold air heat exchanger.

[0038] Although power is required for a pump to circulate a liquid refrigerant, a fan of an outdoor heat exchanger (α), etc., a compressor for cooling the refrigerant is not required, and the internal space (R) of the building can be cooled in an energy-saving manner. Further, since the exhaust from the internal space (R) of the building is exhausted from the outdoor heat exchanger (α) without being circulated, the air in the internal space (R) is constantly replaced. Therefore, it is effective for preventing infectious diseases.

[0039] (Variation 1 of the second invention) It is more preferable to take heat insulation measures for the refrigerant piping in the second invention.

[0040] (Function) Since the refrigerant piping uses a liquid (typically water), it is simpler and less costly than insulating a gas piping, and has a high heat insulation effect.

[0041] (Variation 2 of the second invention) The second invention can be formed as follows. That is, when the exhaust equipment described above is provided in advance with equipment for exhausting air from the internal space of the building, it is formed by communicating the exhaust port of the equipment with the exhaust air supply port in the outdoor heat exchanger described above. The outdoor heat exchanger (α) is to be fixed adjacent to the exhaust port of the equipment.

[0042] (Function) When the cooling equipment for a building according to the present invention is adopted in an existing building, the building is provided in advance with equipment for exhausting air in order to ventilate the internal space. By fixing the outdoor heat exchanger (α) at a position adjacent to the exhaust port in the exhaust equipment, communicating the exhaust port with the exhaust air supply port in the outdoor heat exchanger, and simply laying the refrigerant piping, the cooling equipment for a building according to the present invention can be installed.

[0043] (Third invention) The third invention relates to a method for controlling the heat exchanger according to the first invention. As a result, it also becomes a method for controlling the second invention. That is, an intake air measurement procedure for measuring the temperature, humidity, and air volume of the air taken in from the exhaust air supply port, An incoming refrigerant measurement procedure for measuring the temperature of the refrigerant supplied from the supply facility, An outgoing refrigerant measurement procedure for measuring the temperature and flow rate of the refrigerant supplied from the processed refrigerant supply device to cool the cooling target space, A fan control procedure for controlling the operation of the fan, is a method for controlling a heat exchanger in which the above is executed (see Fig. 8).

[0044] (Variation 1 of the third invention) The third invention may be formed as follows. That is, in the heat exchanger, a vaporizer for vaporizing the processed refrigerant is provided in the processed refrigerant communicating with the cold heat exchange space in the processed refrigerant supply facility, A vaporization control procedure for controlling the operation of the vaporizer using the data measured based on the intake air measurement procedure, the incoming refrigerant measurement procedure, and the outgoing refrigerant measurement procedure, is to be executed.

[0045] (Variation 2 of the third invention) A data input procedure for inputting the data necessary to execute the fan control procedure and the vaporization control procedure in the third invention, a control signal creation procedure for creating a control signal for executing necessary control using the data input in the data input procedure, and a signal output procedure for outputting the control signal created in the control signal creation procedure to the fan and / or the vaporizer may also be executed by the control device.

[0046] (Variation 3 of the third invention) The control device shown in Variation 2 of the third invention can be a computer including a data input device that executes a control signal creation procedure, a storage device and an arithmetic device necessary for executing the control signal creation procedure, and an output device for executing a signal output procedure. Therefore, it is also possible to provide a computer program for controlling a computer that serves as a control device.

Advantages of the Invention

[0047] According to the first invention, it has been possible to provide a heat exchanger capable of suppressing the electric energy required for cooling even when the air in the room to be cooled must be replaced. According to the second invention, it has been possible to provide a cooling facility for a building capable of suppressing the electric energy required for cooling even when the air in the internal space of the building must be replaced. According to the third invention, it has been possible to provide a control method for a heat exchanger capable of suppressing the electric energy required for cooling even when the air in the room to be cooled must be replaced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0048]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0049] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 6 to 15). The present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and the following embodiments are forms for more specifically interpreting the present invention.

[0050] (FIG. 6) FIG. 6 shows an exhaust gas utilization system (A) after cooling. That is, it shows a heat exchanger (α) according to the first embodiment together with a heat exchanger (2) that exchanges heat with the warm air in the room to be cooled. The room to be cooled takes in the warm air in the room into the inside of the heat exchanger (2). The taken-in warm air exchanges heat with a refrigerant (in this example, "tap water" is adopted) that circulates through the heat exchanger (2) and is, for example, 18 degrees Celsius or less, and becomes cold air at around 25 degrees Celsius and is returned to the room.

[0051] When ventilation is required for the purpose of preventing infectious diseases or the like in the room to be air-conditioned, fresh outside air (A1) is taken in from the outside, and on the other hand, the same amount of the cooled cold air (A2) as the taken-in outside air (A1) is exhausted. The cold air (A2) is sent to the heat exchanger (α) through the cold exhaust duct.

[0052] The heat exchanger (α) includes an air supply port for taking in the air (A2) sent from the cold exhaust duct, a cold and heat exchange space through which the air taken in from the air supply port passes, and a fan installed at the upper end of the heat exchanger (α). On the other hand, the refrigerant heated by cold and heat exchange in the heat exchanger (2) used as an air conditioner in the room to be air-conditioned is transported to the heat exchanger (α) through a water supply pipe connected to the upper part of the cold and heat exchange space in the heat exchanger (α). The pump for generating the power for the movement of the refrigerant is not shown in the figure.

[0053] In the cold and heat exchange space of the heat exchanger (α), a thin plate-shaped vaporization filler that undulates in the horizontal direction is arranged. And the refrigerant (for example, tap water at 20 to 30 degrees Celsius) is sprayed onto the vaporization filler by a spray nozzle provided on the water supply pipe. The refrigerant supplied from the spray nozzle to the vaporization filler is cooled by having its latent heat of vaporization taken away by the air taken in from the air supply port and then falls into the lower water tank, becoming a treated refrigerant at about 19 to 22 degrees Celsius (see Fig. 14).

[0054] The refrigerant stored in the lower water tank is supplied as the refrigerant of the heat exchanger (2) for cooling the room to be air-conditioned. The exhaust gas (A3) that has taken heat from the water (the refrigerant used in the heat exchanger (2)) sprayed on the vaporization filler is exhausted to the outside by a fan operated by a fan motor. Different from the system in which cold air circulates in the room to be air-conditioned, the air in the room to be air-conditioned is replaced with fresh outside air (A1), which is this exhaust gas utilization system (A) after cooling.

[0055] The indoor space to be air-conditioned has fresh outdoor air (A1) taken in from outside so that all the air is replaced within a predetermined time. Since the intake outdoor air is warmer than the room temperature, it needs to be cooled and is made into cold air by a heat exchanger (2). The refrigerant to be heat-exchanged to make it cold air is supplied from the return pipe of the heat exchanger (α), so it is not necessary to operate the outdoor unit as a cooling facility. Although the outdoor unit needs to be operated during the time period until the cooled exhaust air (A2) is provided to the heat exchanger (α), after the cooled exhaust air (A2) is provided to the heat exchanger (α), it is possible to achieve both ventilation and energy-saving air-conditioning.

[0056] (Figure 7) Figure 7 shows an exhaust air utilization system (B) after cooling. That is, there are two indoor spaces (1, 2) to be air-conditioned, and an embodiment is shown in which cold air is sent into these two indoor spaces through a cold air supply duct from a single cold air production room.

[0057] What is different from the exhaust air utilization system (A) after cooling shown in Figure 6 is that the fresh outdoor air (A1) as the air to be ventilated in the indoor spaces (1, 2) to be air-conditioned is taken in not in each room (1, 2) but in the cold air production room.

[0058] For reasons of illustration, the exhaust air cooled in the indoor space (2) to be air-conditioned cannot be shown, but like the indoor space (1) to be air-conditioned, it is taken into the heat exchanger (α) through a cold exhaust duct and exhausted outdoors (A3) through a fan after heat exchange.

[0059] (Figure 8) Figure 8 shows the control system in the exhaust air utilization system after cooling. The heat exchanger according to the present invention described above circulates and cools the refrigerant used to cool the indoor space to be air-conditioned, but a part evaporates during the heat exchange in the vaporization filler and is exhausted outdoors. Therefore, replenishment is necessary.

[0060] (Control of refrigerant amount) For this replenishment, the water level is measured by a water level gauge fixed to the inner wall surface of the lower water tank. When the water level drops, the replenishment water valve for replenishing the refrigerant (make-up water) into the lower water tank is opened to effect replenishment. Supply to the lower water tank would desirably require no electrical control if the opening and closing (and the opening level) of the replenishment water valve can be mechanically executed by a float valve to enable on / off control of the supply of replenishment water.

[0061] When the water level rises too high, the drain valve is opened to drain the water until it drops to a predetermined water level. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the control device receives the water level data and outputs a control signal for the drain valve. However, it would be desirable if the opening and closing (and the opening level) of the drain valve can be mechanically executed by a float valve to enable on / off control of the drainage, as this would eliminate the need for electrical control.

[0062] (Measurement data regarding the exhausted air after cooling) Regarding the cooled exhausted air (A2) taken into the heat exchanger, its air temperature (inlet air temperature), humidity (inlet humidity), and air volume (inlet air volume) are measured, and the measurement data is transmitted to the control device.

[0063] (Refrigerant after use, treated refrigerant) The refrigerant warmed by cooling the air in the room to be cooled is taken into the heat exchanger via the water supply pipe, and its water temperature is measured by a water thermometer. Also, the treated refrigerant cooled by the heat exchanger is returned as the refrigerant for cooling the air in the room to be cooled from the lower water tank, and its water temperature and flow rate are measured by a water thermometer and a flow meter.

[0064] (Control targets) The data measured for the cooled exhausted air, the warmed refrigerant, and the treated refrigerant is transmitted to the control device. The control device uses the input various data to control, for example, the opening and closing of the drain valve described above, and also controls the output of the fan motor. For example, when the output of the fan has multiple levels, it selects strong operation, weak operation, stop, etc. When the output of the fan is stepless, it continuously controls the strength of the output.

[0065] (Ultrasonic vibrator) In the lower water tank, a vaporization device (ultrasonic vibrator) for vaporizing the treated refrigerant is submerged. And the operation of this vaporization device is also controlled using the data measured for the exhaust after cooling, the warmed refrigerant, and the treated refrigerant. The vaporization device using an ultrasonic vibrator can vaporize the refrigerant with power saving.

[0066] When the water temperature of the treated refrigerant is higher than the desired water temperature, the output of the vaporization device is increased to vaporize the refrigerant. The vaporized refrigerant moves near the vaporization filler and contributes to taking heat from the refrigerant supplied from the water supply nozzle. As a result, the water temperature of the treated refrigerant will be lowered.

[0067] (Fig. 9) Since the heat exchanger (α) shown in Figs. 6 to 8 can be formed by modifying a cooling tower, which is a popular product, it shows the structure of a general cooling tower.

[0068] The cooling tower has a cylindrical outer shape with a narrowed upper opening. It takes in outside air from the air intake provided at the lower part, passes it through the filler provided inside the cylinder, and discharges it from the upper opening. The power for discharging the taken-in outside air from the upper opening is provided by a fan provided near the opening and a fan motor for operating the fan.

[0069] A water spray pipe through which water such as tap water flows is arranged above the filler, and water is sprayed onto the filler by a water spray nozzle provided on the water spray pipe. The water adhering to the filling material is partly evaporated while having its latent heat of vaporization taken away by the outside air flowing from the air intake opening toward the upper opening, and the remaining water has its temperature lowered. The water with its temperature lowered is stored in the lower water tank and then used for cooling equipment etc. via the cooling water supply pipe.

[0070] The lower water tank is equipped with a drain valve for draining when there is too much water, a water supply valve (not shown in the figure) for supplying water when there is too little water, and a float for opening and closing the drain valve and the water supply valve.

[0071] Cooling towers that are widespread on the premise of being used in Japan are designed assuming that the wet-bulb temperature is 27 degrees Celsius when the outside air temperature is 34 degrees Celsius and the humidity is 58.4%. The case of using this cooling tower is shown in Fig. 14. Assume that the outside air temperature is 34.4 degrees Celsius and the humidity is 57%, and the dry-bulb temperature at the inlet of the indoor exhaust is 27 degrees Celsius, the relative humidity is 50%, the wet-bulb temperature is 19.5 degrees Celsius, and 6000 cubic meters per hour flows in (CASE1). In this case, at the outlet of the cooling tower, cooling water with a dry-bulb temperature of 22.4 degrees Celsius can be obtained as the refrigerant used for indoor cooling. The cooling heat quantity at this time is 23.6 KW.

[0072] By connecting part of the outside air intake opening in such a cooling tower to the exhaust air supply opening and closing the outside air intake opening that is not connected to the exhaust air supply opening, the heat exchanger (α) shown in Fig. 6 etc. can be formed. Since the heat exchanger according to the present invention can be formed by modifying an existing cooling tower, various laborious tasks can be reduced compared to the case of designing and manufacturing from scratch.

[0073] When a cooling tower is modified to form a heat exchanger (α), the vaporization device shown in Fig. 8 is effective. This is because many general cooling towers simply have holes provided in the cooling water return pipe with the intention of reducing manufacturing costs instead of using the "spray nozzles" shown in Fig. 6 etc. In that case, only the refrigerant drips, and heat exchange with the filler material becomes insufficient, resulting in the water temperature of the processed refrigerant not being able to drop to the desired water temperature in some cases (as a measure to lower the temperature to the desired water temperature, the ultrasonic vibrator shown in Fig. 8 is used to evaporate the water stored in the lower water tank and increase the heat dissipation port in the vaporization filler material).

[0074] (Fig. 10) Fig. 10 shows a case where a refrigerant used to cool a plurality of rooms (R, S) to be cooled is supplied by a single heat exchanger (α). For example, when a single heat exchanger (α) is installed on the roof of a building with a small floor area, for the heat exchangers for cooling a plurality of floors in that building, the refrigerant is circulated by the heat exchanger (α), and the cold exhaust air from each floor can be supplied to the heat exchanger (α) for heat exchange and then exhausted after the heat exchange.

[0075] The room (R) to be cooled is cooled by the cold air provided from the cold air production room, and the cold exhaust air is sent to the heat exchanger (α) via the exhaust fan and the cold exhaust duct. The cold air production room sucks in the outside air (warm air) taken in from the supply air fan and produces cold air using the heat exchanger (2). Then, the cold air is provided to the room (R) to be cooled via the supply air fan, the cold supply duct, and the supply air fan.

[0076] Instead of producing cold air, the heat exchanger (2) causes the refrigerant to warm up. The warmed refrigerant is sent into the heat exchanger (α) via the refrigerant pipe. In that heat exchanger (α), it is cooled by heat exchange with the cold exhaust air, which is the exhaust air from the rooms (R, S) to be cooled, and then returned to the heat exchanger (2) via the refrigerant pipe.

[0077] The room (S) to be cooled is cooled via an indoor unit (3) and an outdoor unit (4). The outside air (warm air) taken into the room (S) via the air supply fan is taken into the indoor unit (3), and heat is removed from the warm air using the refrigerant produced by the outdoor unit (4) to provide cold air. The refrigerant warmed by the warm air is sent to the heat exchanger (α) via the outdoor unit (4) and the refrigerant piping (shown by the broken line). Also, the cold air in the room (S) is sent to the heat exchanger (α) via the exhaust fan and the cold exhaust duct.

[0078] In the heat exchanger (α), the cold air taken into the heat exchanger (α) as the exhaust from the rooms (R, S) takes heat from the refrigerant sprinkled when the refrigerant warmed in the heat exchanger (2) or the outdoor unit (4) and is exhausted. The refrigerant that has been cooled by undergoing the process of having heat taken away is returned to the heat exchanger (2) or the outdoor unit (4) via the refrigerant piping.

[0079] Even when the room to be cooled uses a cold air production room or in the case of a combination of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, the refrigerant can be circulated via the heat exchanger (α), and ventilation of the room to be cooled can be carried out.

[0080] (Figure 11) Figure 11 shows the case where the space volume of the room to be cooled is large and a plurality of heat exchangers (α, β) according to the present application are used.

[0081] The outside air is taken in via the air supply fan, and the outside air (warm air) is cooled into cold air by the heat exchangers (3, 4), which are a plurality of indoor units, to cool the room. The refrigerant that has absorbed heat from the warm air and warmed in the heat exchangers (3, 4) is sent to the heat exchangers (α, β) via the refrigerant piping. Also, the cold air in the room is sent to the heat exchangers (α, β) via the exhaust fan and the cold exhaust duct in order to exchange the air in the room.

[0082] In the heat exchangers (α, β), the cold air taken into the heat exchangers (α, β) as indoor exhaust is exhausted after taking heat from the refrigerant that is sprinkled by the refrigerant warmed by the heat exchangers (3, 4). The refrigerant that has been cooled by undergoing the process of having heat taken away is returned to the heat exchangers (3, 4) via the refrigerant pipes. is

[0083] The heat exchangers (α, β) according to the invention of the present application shown in FIG. 11 function as the outdoor units of the heat exchangers (3, 4) used as indoor units. A general outdoor unit requires a mechanism such as compressing the refrigerant and the electrical energy for operating such a mechanism, but such a mechanism is not required in the heat exchangers (α, β). Although the heat exchangers (α, β) require electrical energy for a fan for moving the cold exhaust and a pump (not shown) for circulating the refrigerant pipes, etc., it is smaller than the power consumed by a general outdoor unit. Therefore, it contributes to suppressing the consumed electrical energy (and at the same time the electricity cost).

[0084] (FIG. 12) FIG. 12 shows an embodiment in the case of cooling an indoor space (R) to be cooled in an existing building. For the indoor space (R) to be cooled, an existing outdoor unit is fixed to provide cold air to that indoor space. Further, an exhaust fan for exhausting the air in that indoor space is provided with an exhaust duct (shown by a dotted line in the figure) for exhausting the exhaust to the rooftop of the building.

[0085] Adjacent to the existing exhaust opening on the rooftop, a pedestal (shown by a dotted line in the figure) is installed on the rooftop. And the heat exchanger (α) shown in FIG. 6 is fixed to that pedestal. At the air supply port of the heat exchanger (α), the position of the exhaust port in the existing exhaust duct is changed to be in communication. That is, measures such as laying an extension duct from the existing exhaust port and connecting it to the air supply port of the heat exchanger (α) are taken.

[0086] For the existing outdoor unit, a new outdoor unit is installed. The new outdoor unit provides cold air to the existing outdoor unit, and the existing outdoor unit provides cold air to the indoor space (R) to be cooled. The newly installed outdoor unit takes in outside air and extracts heat from the outside air using the refrigerant provided by the outdoor heat exchanger (α). The refrigerant that has absorbed heat returns to the outdoor heat exchanger (α) via the refrigerant pipe (warm). The refrigerant is sprayed onto the vaporization filler in the outdoor heat exchanger (α) and is cooled by having its latent heat of vaporization taken away by the exhaust air (see Fig. 6). The refrigerant that has been cooled and collected in the lower water tank is heat-exchanged in the outdoor unit via the refrigerant pipe (cold) once it has been cooled.

[0087] The refrigerant pipes (warm, cold) are newly installed. Since they are liquid refrigerant pipes, heat insulation treatment such as wrapping them with heat insulation material is carried out. Although the cost is low, the effect of suppressing energy efficiency, that is, power consumption, is significant. On the other hand, there is little need for an exhaust duct because the cost-effectiveness is low.

[0088] In the room (R) to be cooled, the air exhausted from the exhaust fan does not circulate, and the air in the room is completely replaced within a predetermined time. Therefore, it is effective for measures against infectious diseases and the like. Although power is required for a pump (not shown) for circulating the liquid refrigerant, a fan of the outdoor heat exchanger (α), etc., a compressor for cooling the refrigerant is not required, and the interior space (R) of the building can be cooled in an energy-saving manner. That is, it is possible to achieve complete ventilation and energy-saving cooling without significantly changing the existing facilities.

[0089] For example, when there are multiple rooms to be cooled (in addition to R, there is S), it is more efficient if the refrigerant required in the multiple rooms can be provided by the outdoor heat exchanger (α). Also, if a single outdoor heat exchanger (α) is not sufficient in terms of capacity, a large outdoor heat exchanger can be used, or if there is installation space on the roof, multiple outdoor heat exchangers (α) can be installed.

[0090] (Fig. 13) In Fig. 13, the configuration of the main parts is the same as that of the embodiment shown in Fig. 6 and the like, but an embodiment is shown in which a dehumidification rotor is provided to reduce the humidity of the air taken in from the exhaust and supply air openings. Here, the dehumidification rotor is formed, for example, by cylindrically forming a honeycomb laminate combined with an adsorbent or a hygroscopic agent, and separating it into an adsorption zone and a regeneration zone with a separator.

[0091] In facilities that discharge high-temperature and low-humidity exhaust air (for example, at an air temperature of about 50 degrees Celsius and a humidity of about 5 - 10%), piping and the like are arranged so that the high-temperature and low-humidity exhaust air (A4) can be taken into the regeneration zone of the above-described dehumidification rotor. Then, the humidity of the air taken in from the exhaust air supply port in the adsorption zone can be reduced. As a result, there may be a case where the temperature of the treated refrigerant obtained by the heat exchanger α can be reduced to 20 degrees Celsius or less.

[0092] Since the heat exchangers (α, β) according to the present invention shown in FIGS. 6 to 13 are installed outdoors, there is a possibility that impurities such as sand and dust are mixed in the treated refrigerant. Therefore, an impurity treatment device, for example, a multi-cyclone, is attached to the inlet of the heat exchanger immediately before using the treated refrigerant as a cooling refrigerant. By centrifugal separation by the multi-cyclone, dirt is removed, enabling continuous operation.

[0093] (FIG. 15) FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram showing a case where a plurality of heat exchangers (α, β, ···) according to the present invention are remotely operated. The heat exchangers α and β can transmit and receive data to and from a management server via a communication network.

[0094] The above-described control device can also be provided in the management server for centralized control. On the other hand, while a local control device is provided in each air conditioner, the comprehensive control device in the management server may transmit the latest version of the control program to the local control device to update the control program.

[0095] Measurement data from each thermometer, each hygrometer, and each flow meter is transmitted from the heat exchangers α, β, ··· to the management server. In the management server, there are provided measurement data receiving means for receiving measurement data transmitted from each of the heat exchangers α, β, ···, a measurement database for storing the measurement data, calculation means for calculating control data using the received measurement data and past measurement data, and control data transmission means for transmitting the calculated control data to each of the heat exchangers α, β, ···.

[0096] Each of the heat exchangers α, β, ··· that has received the control data controls the outside air intake fan, the adjustment air blower fan, each pump, each valve, etc. with the received control data, and continues optimal operation.

[0097] (Utilization of weather forecast data) The management server may be provided with weather forecast data receiving means for receiving weather forecast data. In that case, the calculation means shown in FIG. 15 calculates control data using the received weather forecast data as well. Thereby, it contributes to predicting changes in temperature and humidity and controlling for a reasonable overall operation.

[0098] For example, increasing the operation just before the predicted time zone of the maximum temperature and weakening the operation during the time zone of the maximum temperature, etc., emphasizing electricity charges or emphasizing the cooling effect. Also, even if the high-temperature and low-humidity exhaust gas (A4) as shown in FIG. 13 cannot be obtained, a dehumidifying rotor is provided, and when the outside air according to the weather forecast data is high-temperature and low-humidity, it may be possible to take in the outside air into the regeneration zone of the dehumidifying rotor. As described above, data from various sensings and weather forecast data are utilized for control to contribute to reasonable operation.

Industrial applicability

[0099] The present invention has applicability in the manufacturing industry of heat exchangers, the information service industry providing control programs for heat exchangers, the consulting industry related to air conditioning, etc.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger for cooling a refrigerant by utilizing the air exhausted from the space to be cooled and using the refrigerant for cooling the space to be cooled, comprising: An exhaust air supply port for taking in the air exhausted from the space to be cooled; A cold heat exchange space through which the air taken in from the exhaust air supply port passes; A vaporization material disposed in the cold heat exchange space; A supply facility for supplying a liquid refrigerant to the vaporization material; A treated refrigerant supply facility for supplying, as a refrigerant for cooling the space to be cooled, the treated refrigerant cooled by having the heat of vaporization taken away from the refrigerant supplied from the supply facility to the vaporization material by the air taken in from the exhaust air supply port; A fan for exhausting the air that has completed heat exchange in the cold heat exchange space outdoors; A vaporizer for vaporizing the treated refrigerant in the treated refrigerant communicating with the cold heat exchange space in the treated refrigerant supply facility. A heat exchanger comprising the above.

2. The supply facility includes a water supply pipe disposed above in the cold heat exchange space, and a plurality of nozzles for dropping the refrigerant from within the water supply pipe toward the vaporization material, and is provided with The exhaust air supply port is disposed below the cold heat exchange space, The treated refrigerant supply facility is disposed below the exhaust air supply port, The fan is configured to function so as to exhaust from above the cold heat exchange space. The heat exchanger according to Claim 1.

3. An air supply measuring instrument for measuring the temperature, humidity, and air volume of the air taken in from the exhaust air supply port; An incoming refrigerant measuring instrument for measuring the temperature of the refrigerant supplied from the supply facility; An outlet refrigerant measuring device that measures the temperature and flow rate of the refrigerant supplied from the processed refrigerant supply device to cool the space to be cooled; Comprising The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 or 2.

4. A storage amount measuring device that measures the storage amount of the refrigerant in the processed refrigerant supply facility; A refrigerant replenishing device that supplies refrigerant to increase the storage amount measured by the storage amount measuring device; A refrigerant discharging device that discharges refrigerant to reduce the storage amount measured by the storage amount measuring device; The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 or 2, comprising.

5. Comprising a control device that controls the exhaust amount exhausted through the fan based on the measured values measured by the air supply measuring device, the inlet refrigerant measuring device, and the outlet refrigerant measuring device The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 3 or 4.

6. The control device controls the refrigerant discharging device based on the measured values measured by the air supply measuring device, the inlet refrigerant measuring device, and the outlet refrigerant measuring device The heat exchanger according to claim 5.

7. The control device controls the vaporizer based on the measured values measured by the air supply measuring device, the inlet refrigerant measuring device, and the outlet refrigerant measuring device The heat exchanger according to claim 1.

8. The heat exchanger diverts a cooling tower, A part of the outside air intake in the cooling tower is communicated with the exhaust air supply port, The outside air intake that is not communicated with the exhaust air supply port is formed by closing it The heat exchanger according to claim 1.

9. It is provided with a dehumidifier for reducing the humidity of the air taken in from the exhaust air intake port described above. The heat exchanger according to claim 1.

10. A cooling facility for a building, An exhaust facility for exhausting the air in the internal space of the building described above, A cold air heat exchanger for taking in outside air and converting it into cold air to be provided to the internal space of the building described above, An outdoor heat exchanger installed outside the building for recooling the liquid refrigerant that has exchanged heat with the cold air by the conversion of the cold air heat exchanger, A refrigerant pipe for communicating the refrigerant between the outdoor heat exchanger and the cold air heat exchanger described above, Comprising The outdoor heat exchanger described above An exhaust air intake port for taking in the air exhausted from the exhaust facility described above, A cold and heat exchange space through which the air taken in from the exhaust air intake port passes, A vaporization material disposed in the cold and heat exchange space, A supply facility for supplying liquid refrigerant from the refrigerant pipe to the vaporization material, A processed refrigerant supply facility for supplying the processed refrigerant cooled by the vaporization heat being taken away from the refrigerant supplied from the supply facility to the vaporization material by the air taken in from the exhaust air intake port, as the refrigerant of the cold air heat exchanger by communicating with the refrigerant pipe, A fan for exhausting the air that has completed heat exchange in the cold and heat exchange space to the outside, A vaporization device for vaporizing the processed refrigerant in the processed refrigerant communicating with the cold and heat exchange space in the processed refrigerant supply facility described above Comprising A cooling facility for a building.

11. The refrigerant pipe is provided with heat insulation measures The cooling facility for a building according to claim 10.

12. When the exhaust equipment described above is provided in advance with equipment for exhausting air from the internal space of the building, it is formed by connecting the exhaust port of the equipment and the exhaust air supply port in the outdoor heat exchanger described above. The outdoor heat exchanger described above is fixed adjacent to the exhaust port of the equipment. The air conditioning equipment of the building according to any one of claims 10 or 11.

13. A control method for a heat exchanger that cools a refrigerant by utilizing the air exhausted from the space to be cooled and uses the refrigerant as the refrigerant for cooling the space to be cooled, comprising: The heat exchanger has an exhaust air supply port for taking in the air exhausted from the space to be cooled, a cold heat exchange space through which the air taken in from the exhaust air supply port passes, a vaporization material disposed in the cold heat exchange space, a supply facility for supplying a liquid refrigerant to the vaporization material, a processed refrigerant supply facility that supplies, as the refrigerant for cooling the space to be cooled, the processed refrigerant cooled by the vaporization heat being taken away by the air taken in from the exhaust air supply port from the refrigerant supplied to the vaporization material from the supply facility, a fan for exhausting the air that has completed heat exchange in the cold heat exchange space to the outside, and a vaporization device for vaporizing the processed refrigerant in the processed refrigerant communicating with the cold heat exchange space in the processed refrigerant supply facility described above. It is provided with an intake air measurement procedure for measuring the temperature, humidity, and air volume of the air taken in from the exhaust air supply port, an incoming refrigerant measurement procedure for measuring the temperature of the refrigerant supplied from the supply facility, an outgoing refrigerant measurement procedure for measuring the temperature and flow rate of the refrigerant supplied from the processed refrigerant supply device for cooling the space to be cooled, a fan control procedure for controlling the operation of the fan, An evaporation control procedure for controlling the operation of the vaporizer using the data measured based on the intake air measurement procedure, the incoming refrigerant measurement procedure, and the outgoing refrigerant measurement procedure described above, and A control method for a heat exchanger that has executed this.

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