Heat supply system

Abstract

Improve the efficiency of heat transfer medium supply. [Solution] A heat supply system connecting heat supply equipment and heat demand equipment by supply pipes, the heat supply equipment comprising a control device and a heat source machine that cools or heats a heat medium, the heat demand equipment comprising a heat consumption device that consumes heat from the heat medium and a demand-side heat storage tank that stores the heat medium, the control device controls the amount of heat medium supplied from the heat source machine to the supply pipe, the amount of heat medium supplied from the demand-side heat storage tank to the heat consumption device, and the amount of heat medium supplied from the demand-side heat storage tank to the supply pipe, and when the total amount of heat medium consumed by multiple heat consumption devices is relatively less than the total amount of heat medium supplied from the heat source machine, the heat supply system stores the heat medium in the demand-side heat storage tank of the heat demand equipment that is relatively farthest from the heat supply equipment among the multiple heat demand equipment.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat supply system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a heat supply system that supplies a heat medium supplied from a heat supply plant to a heat consumer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-132989 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional heat supply systems, for example, when there is a high demand for heat transfer medium from heat consumers, it is necessary to increase the flow rate of the circulating heat transfer medium within the pipes, which increases pressure loss and may reduce the efficiency of heat transfer medium supply.

[0005] In view of the above problems, the present invention has an object to provide a heat supply system that can improve the efficiency of supplying a heat medium. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the heat supply system of the present invention is a heat supply system in which a heat supply facility and a heat demand facility are connected through a supply conduit, and the heat supply facility includes a control device, a heat source machine that cools or heats a heat medium, and a supply-side heat storage tank that stores the heat medium;the heat demand facility comprises a heat consuming device that consumes the heat of the heat medium, and a demand-side heat storage tank that stores the heat medium, and the control device controls the amount of the heat medium supplied from the heat source machine to the supply conduit, the amount of the heat medium supplied from the demand-side heat storage tank to the heat consuming device, and the amount of the heat medium supplied from the demand-side heat storage tank to the supply conduit, and when the total amount of the heat medium consumed by the plurality of heat consuming devices is relatively smaller than the total amount of the heat medium supplied from the heat source machine, the control device stores the heat medium in the demand-side heat storage tank of the heat demand facility that is relatively farthest from the heat supply facility among the plurality of heat demand facilities in order.

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the heat supply system of the present invention is a heat supply system in which a heat supply facility and a heat demand facility are connected through a supply conduit, and the heat supply facility includes a control device, a heat source machine that cools or heats a heat medium, and a supply-side heat storage tank that stores the heat medium; the heat demand facility comprises a heat consuming device that consumes the heat of the heat medium, and a demand-side heat storage tank that stores the heat medium, and the control device controls the amount of the heat medium supplied from the heat source machine to the supply conduit, the amount of the heat medium supplied from the demand-side heat storage tank to the heat consuming device, and the amount of the heat medium supplied from the demand-side heat storage tank to the supply conduit, and when the total amount of the heat medium consumed by the multiple heat consuming devices is relatively greater than the total amount of the heat medium supplied from the heat source machine, the control device supplies the stored heat medium to the heat consuming device in order, starting from the demand-side heat storage tank that is relatively closest to the heat consuming device.

[0008] When the total amount of heat medium consumed by the plurality of heat consumption devices is relatively smaller than the total amount of heat medium supplied from the heat source machine, the control device may store the heat medium in the demand-side heat storage tank of the heat demand equipment that is located relatively farthest from the heat supply equipment among the plurality of heat demand equipment. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the efficiency of supplying the heat medium. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a heat supply system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the production efficiency and the load factor in a production facility. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the heat storage operation in the demand-side heat storage tank. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a supply operation in the demand-side heat storage tank. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the first heat exchange operation in the demand-side heat storage tank. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control process performed by the control device. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the heat-storage-priority operation process performed by the control device. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a heat radiation priority operation process performed by the control device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dimensions, materials, and other specific values ​​shown in the embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are designated by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanation, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0013] 1 is a schematic diagram of a heat supply system 1 according to this embodiment. The heat supply system 1 includes an energy center 100, a sub-energy center 150, a supply conduit Q1, a first demand-side conduit Q2, a first supply-side conduit Q3, a return conduit R1, a second demand-side conduit R2, a second supply-side conduit R3, and one or more consumers 200.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the energy center 100 includes a control device 110, a manufacturing facility 120, and a supply-side heat storage tank .

[0015] The control device 110 is an information processing device (computer) having a semiconductor integrated circuit including a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which programs etc. are stored, a RAM (Random Access Memory) used as a work area etc., and a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SD Memory, an SSD (Solid State Drive), etc.

[0016] The control device 110 functions as a control unit 110a by, for example, running a program. In this embodiment, the control unit 110a is provided in one information processing device. However, some or all of the control units 110a may be provided in multiple information processing devices.

[0017] The control unit 110a controls the entire heat supply system 1. For example, the control unit 110a creates a plan for energy production in the production facility 120, and controls the production facility 120 to produce energy based on the energy production plan. The control unit 110a supplies the produced energy (heat medium in this embodiment) to each consumer 200.

[0018] 1, in this embodiment, the manufacturing facility 120 includes one or more manufacturing devices. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the manufacturing facility 120 includes a first manufacturing device 120a and a second manufacturing device 120b.

[0019] Specifically, for example, the first manufacturing apparatus 120a may be configured to include a heat source machine (not shown) (for example, an absorption refrigerator, an air-cooled heat pump chiller, a turbo refrigerator, etc.) The heat source machine (not shown) produces a cooled or heated heat medium (for example, steam, hot water, or cold water).

[0020] The second manufacturing equipment 120b may also be configured to include a power generator (not shown) (for example, a CGS (Co-Generation System)). The power generator (not shown) generates electric power and produces a heat medium by cooling or heating with the heat generated by the generation of electric power.

[0021] In this embodiment, as an example, a case will be described in which a cooled heat medium (chilled water) is produced by the first production equipment 120a and the second production equipment 120b.

[0022] The first manufacturing equipment 120a and the second manufacturing equipment 120b are controlled by the control unit 110a of the control device 110. The first manufacturing equipment 120a and the second manufacturing equipment 120b are provided with a heat source pump (not shown) controlled by the control unit 110a. The heat medium cooled by the first manufacturing equipment 120a or the second manufacturing equipment 120b is pressurized by the heat source pump (not shown) and supplied into the supply conduit Q1. In other words, by controlling the heat source pump (not shown), the control unit 110a can control the amount of heat medium produced per unit time by the first manufacturing equipment 120a or the second manufacturing equipment 120b, and can control the circulation amount (supply amount) of the cooled heat medium circulating in the supply conduit Q1.

[0023] The cooled heat medium supplied into the supply conduit Q1 circulates through the supply conduit Q1 and is then provided to each consumer 200. Alternatively, the heat medium cooled by the first production device 120a or the second production device 120b is provided to the supply-side heat storage tank 130.

[0024] The heat medium supplied to each consumer 200 is heat exchanged (heat consumed) at each consumer 200, and then flows through the return conduit R1 and returned to the energy center 100. That is, in this embodiment, the heat medium before heat exchange flows through the supply conduit Q1, and the heat medium after heat exchange flows through the return conduit R1.

[0025] Here, the supply conduit Q1, the first demand-side conduit Q2, and the first supply-side conduit Q3 shown by solid lines in Fig. 1 indicate that the heat medium before heat exchange flows. Also, in Fig. 1, the white arrows indicate the direction of flow of the heat medium before heat exchange. Also, the return conduit R1, the second demand-side conduit R2, and the second supply-side conduit R3 shown by dashed lines in Fig. 1 indicate that the heat medium after heat exchange flows.

[0026] The temperature of the heat medium circulating in the supply conduit Q1, the first demand conduit Q2, and the first supply conduit Q3 is basically controlled to be a constant temperature (e.g., 6°C). The temperature of the heat medium circulating in the return conduit R1, the second demand conduit R2, and the second supply conduit R3 is basically controlled to be a constant temperature (e.g., 16°C). Therefore, the temperature difference between the temperature of the heat medium circulating in the supply conduit Q1, the first demand conduit Q2, and the first supply conduit Q3 and the temperature of the heat medium circulating in the return conduit R1, the second demand conduit R2, and the second supply conduit R3 is also approximately constant.

[0027] The heat medium cooled by the first manufacturing equipment 120a or the second manufacturing equipment 120b can also be supplied into the first supply-side conduit Q3 by being pressurized by a heat source pump (not shown). The cooled heat medium supplied into the first supply-side conduit Q3 is stored (heat stored) in the supply-side heat storage tank 130. At this time, the heat medium after heat exchange is supplied from the supply-side heat storage tank 130 to the first manufacturing equipment 120a or the second manufacturing equipment 120b via the second supply-side conduit R3.

[0028] The supply-side heat storage tank 130 may be, for example, a so-called temperature-stratified heat storage tank in a stratified state in which the temperature is higher in an upper portion located relatively vertically above and lower in a lower portion located relatively vertically below. The supply-side heat storage tank 130 is provided with a plurality of temperature sensors (not shown) in the vertical direction, which are capable of detecting the temperature of the heat medium stored therein. This allows the amount of heat medium stored in the supply-side heat storage tank 130 before heat exchange to be detected. For example, the "free capacity" of the supply-side heat storage tank 130, i.e., the heat capacity remaining until it is fully charged, can be calculated based on the temperature distribution and the capacity of the heat medium (bottom area × height (temperature distribution)).

[0029] Furthermore, the heat medium before heat exchange stored in the supply-side heat storage tank 130 is pressurized by a heat storage tank pump (not shown) and supplied into the supply conduit Q1. At this time, the heat medium before heat exchange is introduced into the supply-side heat storage tank 130 from the return conduit R1. Therefore, the control unit 110a can control the amount of heat medium before heat exchange circulating in the supply conduit Q1 by controlling the heat storage tank pump (not shown).

[0030] The sub-energy center 150 can be configured in the same manner as the energy center 100. That is, the sub-energy center 150 may include a sub-manufacturing facility (not shown) that manufactures a heat medium, a sub-controller (not shown) that controls the sub-manufacturing facility, and a sub-thermal storage tank (not shown) that can store the heat medium.

[0031] Here, the control device 110 of the energy center 100 may perform various controls on the production of the heat medium in the sub-energy center 150, etc. The heat medium supplied to each consumer 200 is heat exchanged in each consumer 200, and then flows through the return conduit R1 so that it can be returned to the sub-energy center 150. The heat supply system 1 may include one or more sub-energy centers 150, or may not include any sub-energy centers 150.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the production efficiency and the load factor in the production facility 120. FIG. 2(a) shows an example of the relationship between the production efficiency and the load factor in the first production equipment 120a. In FIG. 2(a), the vertical axis indicates the production efficiency of the heat medium per unit time in the first production equipment 120a, and the horizontal axis indicates the load factor per unit time in the first production equipment 120a. For example, the coefficient of performance (COP), i.e., energy consumption efficiency, may be used as the production efficiency of the heat medium. The load factor indicates the amount of heat medium produced per unit time in the first production equipment 120a. In other words, the higher the value of the load factor, the greater the amount of heat medium produced per unit time in the first production equipment 120a.

[0033] 2(a), when the heat transfer medium is produced by the first production equipment 120a, if the load factor of the first production equipment 120a is increased in the order of L0, L1, and L2, the production efficiency increases from E0 to E1, and then decreases from E1 to E2. That is, when the heat transfer medium is produced in the first production equipment 120a at a load factor L1, which is between the minimum load factor L0 and the maximum load factor L2, the production efficiency tends to be highest. When the heat transfer medium is produced at a load factor exceeding L1, the production efficiency decreases as the load factor increases, creating a trade-off.

[0034] FIG. 2(b) shows an example of the relationship between the production efficiency and the load factor of the second production equipment 120b. In FIG. 2(b), the vertical axis represents the production efficiency of the heat medium per unit time of the second production equipment 120b, and the horizontal axis represents the load factor per unit time of the second production equipment 120b. As shown in FIG. 2(b), when the second production equipment 120b produces the heat medium, if the load factor of the second production equipment 120b is increased in the order of L3, L4, and L5, the production efficiency increases from E3 to E4, and then decreases from E4 to E5. That is, when the second production equipment 120b produces the heat medium at a load factor L4, which is between the minimum load factor L3 and the maximum load factor L5, the production efficiency tends to be highest. However, when the heat medium is produced at a load factor exceeding L4, the production efficiency decreases as the load factor increases, resulting in a trade-off.

[0035] 2(a) and 2(b), the load factor at which the manufacturing efficiency is highest is different between the first manufacturing equipment 120a and the second manufacturing equipment 120b. In this embodiment, the load factor at which the manufacturing efficiency is highest is higher in the second manufacturing equipment 120b than in the first manufacturing equipment 120a.

[0036] As described above, the load factor at which the production efficiency is highest varies depending on the type of production equipment. Therefore, by setting a load factor at which the production efficiency is highest depending on the type of production equipment and combining multiple types of production equipment to produce the heat transfer medium, it becomes possible to produce an appropriate amount of heat transfer medium according to the demand of each consumer 200 with high efficiency.

[0037] Returning to FIG. 1, each consumer 200 includes a consumer facility 202, a consumer-side heat storage tank 204, a switching device 206, a consumer-side first conduit Q2, and a consumer-side second conduit R2.

[0038] The demand-side heat storage tank 204 stores the heat medium supplied from the supply pipe Q1 before heat exchange.

[0039] The demand facility 202 of the consumer 200 is an air conditioning facility or the like that consumes heat supplied by a heat medium through heat exchange. Specifically, when the heat medium before heat exchange supplied from the supply conduit Q1 is heat exchanged by the demand facility 202, the heat medium after the heat exchange flows through the return conduit R1 and is then returned to the energy center 100.

[0040] In addition, when the heat medium before heat exchange supplied from the demand-side heat storage tank 204 of the consumer 200 itself is heat exchanged by the demand equipment 202, the heat medium after the heat exchange is returned to the demand-side heat storage tank 204 of the consumer 200 itself via the demand-side second conduit R2.

[0041] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the heat medium before heat exchange stored in the demand-side heat storage tank 204 of each consumer 200 can be supplied to the supply pipe Q1. This allows the demand facility 202 of one consumer 200 to use the heat medium before heat exchange supplied from the demand-side heat storage tank 204 of each other consumer 200 via the supply pipe Q1, in addition to the heat medium before heat exchange supplied from the energy center 100 or the sub-energy center 150 via the supply pipe Q1.

[0042] In this embodiment, a case is shown in which the heat medium before heat exchange stored in the demand-side heat storage tanks 204 of each of the other consumers 200 can be supplied to one consumer 200 via the supply conduit Q1, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a conduit that directly connects the demand-side heat storage tanks 204 of the consumers 200 to each other may be provided in addition to the supply conduit Q1. Alternatively, a conduit that directly connects the demand equipment 202 of one consumer 200 to the demand-side heat storage tanks 204 of the other consumers 200 may be provided in addition to the supply conduit Q1.

[0043] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a heat storage operation in the demand-side heat storage tank 204. Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a supply operation in the demand-side heat storage tank 204. Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a first heat exchange operation in the demand-side heat storage tank 204.

[0044] In this embodiment, the demand-side heat storage tank 204 may be, for example, a so-called temperature-stratified heat storage tank in a stratified state where the temperature is high in an upper portion located relatively vertically above and low in a lower portion located relatively vertically below. As shown in Fig. 3, the demand-side heat storage tank 204 is provided with a plurality of temperature sensors 204a in the vertical direction. This makes it possible to detect the temperature of the heat medium stored inside the demand-side heat storage tank 204.

[0045] The control unit 110a (FIG. 1) of the energy center 100 is capable of detecting the amount of heat medium before heat exchange stored in the demand-side heat storage tank 204 of each consumer 200 based on the detection result by the temperature sensor 204a of the demand-side heat storage tank 204 of each consumer 200. For example, based on the temperature distribution and the capacity of the heat medium (bottom area × height (temperature distribution)), it is possible to calculate the "free capacity" of the demand-side heat storage tank 204, that is, the heat capacity until the demand-side heat storage tank 204 is fully stored with the heat medium before heat exchange.

[0046] In Fig. 3(a), the hatched area below the demand-side heat storage tank 204 indicates the heat medium before heat exchange. In addition, the white area above the demand-side heat storage tank 204 in Fig. 3(a) indicates the heat medium after heat exchange.

[0047] Therefore, Fig. 3(a) shows a case where about 30% of the heat medium stored in the demand-side heat storage tank 204 is the heat medium before heat exchange, and the remaining about 70% is the heat medium after heat exchange. That is, in the example shown in Fig. 3(a), the "free capacity" is about 70%.

[0048] 3, a supply conduit Q1 through which the heat medium before heat exchange flows and a first demand-side conduit Q2 are connected to the lower part of the demand-side heat storage tank 204. The first demand-side conduit Q2 connects the demand-side heat storage tank 204 and the demand facility 202, and supplies the heat medium before heat exchange from the demand-side heat storage tank 204 to the demand facility 202.

[0049] A return conduit R1, through which the heat medium after heat exchange flows, and a demand-side second conduit R2 are connected to the upper part of the demand-side heat storage tank 204. The demand-side second conduit R2 connects the demand-side heat storage tank 204 and the demand facility 202, and returns the heat medium after heat exchange from the demand facility 202 to the demand-side heat storage tank 204.

[0050] Returning to Fig. 1, the switching device 206 provided in the demand-side heat storage tank 204 is controlled by the control unit 110a to switch between performing the heat storage operation shown in Fig. 3, the supply operation shown in Fig. 4, and the first heat exchange operation shown in Fig. 5. The switching device 206 includes, for example, one or more pumps (not shown) driven by an electric motor, and one or more on-off valves (not shown) that can be controlled to open and close.

[0051] The heat storage operation is an operation in which the heat medium before heat exchange is introduced from the lower part of the demand-side heat storage tank 204 into the demand-side heat storage tank 204 via the supply conduit Q1. At this time, the heat medium after heat exchange is discharged into the return conduit R1 from the upper part of the demand-side heat storage tank 204. As a result, the heat medium before heat exchange stored in the demand-side heat storage tank 204 increases in the order of Figures 3(a), 3(b), and 3(c).

[0052] 4(a), the supply operation is an operation in which the heat medium before heat exchange is supplied into the supply conduit Q1 from the lower part of the demand-side heat storage tank 204. At this time, the heat medium after heat exchange is led from the upper part of the demand-side heat storage tank 204 via the return conduit R1. As a result, the heat medium before heat exchange stored in the demand-side heat storage tank 204 decreases and the heat medium after heat exchange stored in the demand-side heat storage tank 204 increases in the order of FIGS. 4(a), 4(b), and 4(c).

[0053] 5(a), the first heat exchange operation is an operation in which the heat medium before heat exchange is supplied from the lower part of the demand-side heat storage tank 204 to the demand equipment 202 via the demand-side first conduit Q2. At this time, the heat medium after heat exchange by the demand equipment 202 is guided from the upper part of the demand-side heat storage tank 204 via the demand-side second conduit R2. As a result, the heat medium after heat exchange stored in the demand-side heat storage tank 204 increases in the order of FIG. 5(a), FIG. 5(b), and FIG. 5(c).

[0054] The switching device 206 is controlled by the control unit 110a so as to be able to switch between performing and not performing a second heat exchange operation, which will be described later. The switching device 206 includes, for example, one or more pumps (not shown) driven by an electric motor, and one or more on-off valves (not shown) that can be controlled to open and close.

[0055] The second heat exchange operation is an operation in which the heat medium before heat exchange is directly supplied to the demand facility 202 via the supply conduit Q1. At this time, the heat medium after heat exchange by the demand facility 202 flows through the return conduit R1 and is then returned to the energy center 100.

[0056] In one consumer facility 200, the heat storage operation, supply operation, first heat exchange operation, and second exchange operation may be performed simultaneously in parallel.

[0057] In this embodiment, the control device 110 realizes the overall optimization of the heat supply system 1 by planning and managing the production of the heat medium and the two-way interchange of the heat medium between the heat storage tanks (the supply-side heat storage tank 130 and the demand-side heat storage tank 204).

[0058] 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control processing performed by the control device 110. The control unit 110a of the control device 110 calculates the total heat demand, which is the total amount of heat medium consumed in the demand facilities 202 of each consumer 200 per unit time (e.g., several tens of minutes) (P1-1). For example, the control unit 110a calculates the total heat demand based on data regarding past trends in demand. However, the criteria for calculating the total heat demand are not limited to this, and any criteria may be used.

[0059] The control unit 110a creates a production plan (P1-2) for highly efficient production of the heat medium based on the total heat demand calculated in step P1-1, the relationship between the production efficiency and load factor for each production device (FIG. 3), and various conditions such as the temperature of the heat medium before heat exchange. The production plan may include settings for the type of production device to be operated and the load factor of the production device to be operated. In addition, the total amount of heat medium produced per unit time is calculated here.

[0060] The control unit 110a compares the total heat demand calculated in step P1-1 with the production amount of the heat medium derived in step P1-2, and determines whether the production amount is relatively greater than the total heat demand (P1-3).

[0061] As a result, if the production amount is greater than the total heat demand amount (YES in P1-3), the control unit 110a executes a heat storage priority operation process (P2), which will be described in detail later.

[0062] Furthermore, if the total heat demand amount is equal to or less than the production amount (NO in P1-3), the control unit 110a executes a heat radiation priority operation process (P3), which will be described in detail later.

[0063] 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the heat-storage-priority operation process (P2) performed by the control device 110. The control unit 110a estimates the available capacity of each heat storage tank (the supply-side heat storage tank 130, the demand-side heat storage tank 204) (P2-1). Specifically, the control unit 110a detects the available capacity of the supply-side heat storage tank 130 based on the detection result from a temperature sensor (not shown) provided in the supply-side heat storage tank 130. The control unit 110a also detects the available capacity of the demand-side heat storage tank 204 based on the detection result from the temperature sensor 204a provided in the demand-side heat storage tank 204.

[0064] The control unit 110a produces the heat medium with high efficiency (P2-2) in accordance with the production plan created in step P1-2. Specifically, the control unit 110a controls the amount of heat medium produced per unit time by the first production apparatus 120a or the second production apparatus 120b and the flow rate of the heat medium before heat exchange circulating through the supply conduit Q1 by controlling a heat source pump (not shown). At this time, the control unit 110a controls the switching device 206 of each consumer 200 to perform the second heat exchange operation described above, thereby directly supplying the heat medium before heat exchange to the demand equipment 202 of each consumer 200 via the supply conduit Q1.

[0065] The control unit 110a controls the switching device 206 of each consumer 200 to perform the heat storage operation described above, thereby storing the heat medium before heat exchange remaining after being supplied to the demand equipment 202 of each consumer 200 in step P2-2 above in the demand-side heat storage tank 204 of each consumer 200 (P2-3). At this time, the control unit 110a performs the heat storage operation described above in order, starting with the demand-side heat storage tank 204 of the consumer 200 located farthest from the energy center 100 and the sub-energy center 150.

[0066] 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the heat dissipation priority operation process (P3) performed by the control device 110. The control unit 110a estimates the available capacity of each heat storage tank (supply-side heat storage tank 130, demand-side heat storage tank 204) (P3-1). Specifically, the control unit 110a detects the available capacity of the supply-side heat storage tank 130 based on the detection result from a temperature sensor (not shown) provided in the supply-side heat storage tank 130. The control unit 110a also detects the available capacity of the demand-side heat storage tank 204 based on the detection result from the temperature sensor 204a provided in the demand-side heat storage tank 204.

[0067] The control unit 110a performs highly efficient production of the heat medium in accordance with the production plan created in step P1-2 (P3-2). Specifically, the control unit 110a controls the amount of heat medium produced per unit time by the first production equipment 120a or the second production equipment 120b and the flow rate of the heat medium before heat exchange that flows through the supply conduit Q1 by controlling a heat source pump (not shown).

[0068] The control unit 110a controls the switching device 206 of each consumer 200 to perform the first heat exchange operation described above, thereby supplying the heat medium before heat exchange from the demand-side heat storage tank 204 of each consumer 200 itself to the demand equipment 202 of each consumer 200 itself (P3-3). At this time, the control unit 110a controls the switching device 206 of each consumer 200 to control the supply amount of heat medium per unit time supplied from the demand-side heat storage tank 204 of each consumer 200 itself to the demand equipment 202 of each consumer 200 itself, in accordance with the heat demand of each consumer 200.

[0069] Furthermore, when the heat medium before heat exchange stored in the demand-side heat storage tank 204 of a consumer 200 itself is depleted, the control unit 110a controls the switching device 206 of the consumer 200 to perform the second heat exchange operation described above, thereby directly supplying the heat medium before heat exchange via the supply conduit Q1 to the demand equipment 202 of each consumer 200. At this time, the control unit 110a controls the switching device 206 of each consumer 200 to control the supply amount of heat medium per unit time supplied from the supply conduit Q1 to the demand equipment 202 of each consumer 200 itself in accordance with the heat demand of each consumer 200.

[0070] Furthermore, the control unit 110a extracts consumers 200 for which the pre-heat exchange heat medium stored in the demand-side heat storage tank 204 has not run out, based on the available capacity calculated in step P3-1 above. Furthermore, the control unit 110a determines, from the extracted consumers 200, another consumer 200 that is relatively closest to the consumer 200 performing the second heat exchange operation. Then, the control unit 110a controls the switching device 206 of the determined other consumer 200 to control the supply amount of the pre-heat exchange heat medium stored in the demand-side heat storage tank 204 of the other consumer 200 that is supplied into the supply conduit Q1, thereby performing the above-mentioned supply operation.

[0071] If the amount of heat medium circulating through the supply conduit Q1 is still insufficient even after the control unit 110a executes the supply operation in step P3-3, the control unit 110a supplies the heat medium before heat exchange into the supply conduit Q1 from the supply side heat storage tank 130 of the energy center 100 and the sub-heat storage tank (not shown) of the sub-energy center 150 (P3-4).

[0072] If the amount of heat medium circulating in the supply conduit Q1 is still insufficient even after the supply of the heat medium before heat exchange into the supply conduit Q1 in step P3-4, the control unit 110a modifies the production plan created in step P1-2 and produces the heat medium (P3-5). Here, the control unit 110a may, for example, modify the production plan by increasing the types of manufacturing equipment to be operated or by changing the settings of the load factors of the manufacturing equipment to be operated. For example, the control unit 110a may modify the production plan to reduce the production efficiency of the heat medium in order to prioritize increasing the production amount of the heat medium in the energy center 100 or the sub-energy center 150.

[0073] Furthermore, when it is expected that the production amount of the heat medium will decrease at the energy center 100 or the sub-energy center 150 due to the performance of maintenance or the like, the heat storage priority operation process (P2) can be performed in advance. As a result, even if the production amount of the heat medium decreases due to the performance of maintenance or the like, it becomes possible to cover the heat demand with the heat medium stored in the supply-side heat storage tank 130 of the energy center 100, the sub-heat storage tank (not shown) of the sub-energy center 150, and the demand-side heat storage tank 204 of each consumer 200.

[0074] As described above, in the heat supply system 1 of this embodiment, when the production amount is greater than the total heat demand, i.e., in a situation where there is a surplus of produced heat medium, it is possible to preferentially store the heat medium before heat exchange in the demand-side heat storage tank 204 of the consumer 200 that is far from the energy center 100 and the sub-energy center 150 and tends to experience relatively large piping pressure loss during the transportation of the heat medium.

[0075] Here, when the total heat demand is relatively small, the amount of heat medium circulating through the supply conduit Q1 is relatively small, and the flow rate of the heat medium circulating through the supply conduit Q1 is relatively slow. On the other hand, when the total heat demand is relatively large, the amount of heat medium circulating through the supply conduit Q1 is relatively large, and the flow rate of the heat medium circulating through the supply conduit Q1 is relatively fast. In general, the piping pressure loss during the transport of the heat medium tends to be proportional to the square of the flow rate of the heat medium circulating through the conduit.

[0076] In this embodiment, in a situation where the total heat demand is relatively small and the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the supply conduit Q1 is relatively slow, the heat medium before heat exchange is preferentially stored in the demand-side heat storage tank 204 of the consumer 200 that is far from the energy center 100 and the sub-energy center 150. In this way, it is possible to reduce the piping pressure loss that occurs when storing the heat medium before heat exchange in the demand-side heat storage tank 204 of the consumer 200 that is far from the energy center 100 and the sub-energy center 150 compared to when the total heat demand is relatively large. This makes it possible to improve the supply efficiency of the heat medium.

[0077] Furthermore, in the heat supply system 1 of this embodiment, by installing demand-side heat storage tanks 204 not only on the energy center 100 and the sub-energy center 150 side but also on the consumer 200 side, the amount of heat medium that can be stored in the entire region can be increased. Furthermore, by networking the heat storage tanks (the supply-side heat storage tank 130 and the demand-side heat storage tank 204) and planning and managing the two-way interchange of the heat medium, the heat supply system 1 as a whole can be optimized. As a result, even if the heat demand at each consumer 200 temporarily increases, the heat medium can be stably supplied to the demand facilities 202 of each consumer 200 by supplying the heat medium from each heat storage tank to the supply pipe Q1. Furthermore, the energy center 100 and the sub-energy center 150 can produce the heat medium as efficiently as possible, thereby improving the supply efficiency of the heat medium. Furthermore, by distributing the heat medium transport to each consumer 200, piping pressure loss can be reduced and the transport power can be reduced, thereby improving the supply efficiency of the heat medium.

[0078] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. It is clear that those skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications and alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that such modifications and alterations also fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0079] The processing according to the present embodiment described above may be implemented using software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. The program constituting the software is stored in advance in, for example, a non-transitory storage medium provided inside or outside the information processing device. The program is then read from, for example, the non-transitory storage medium (for example, a ROM) to a transitory storage medium (for example, a RAM) and executed by a processor such as a CPU.

[0080] Furthermore, a program for realizing each function of the information processing device can be created and installed in the information processing device. The processor then executes the program stored in the memory, thereby performing the above-described processing. At this time, the program may be shared and executed by multiple processors, or the program may be executed by a single processor. Furthermore, the processing may be performed by cloud computing using multiple computers interconnected by a communication network (not shown). The program may be provided to the information processing device by distribution from an external device via a communication network (not shown), and then installed.

[0081] Also provided are programs that cause the information processing device to function as the control unit 110a, and storage media on which the programs are recorded, such as computer-readable flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CDs, DVDs, and BDs. Here, the program refers to data processing means written in any language or description method.

[0082] The processes shown in this specification do not necessarily have to be performed in chronological order according to the order shown in the flowcharts, but may include parallel or subroutine processes. Furthermore, the above-described embodiment and various modifications may be implemented as an information processing method (evaluation method) that realizes the functions and processes shown in the flowcharts. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1 Heat supply system 100 Energy Center (heat supply facility) 110 Control device 120 Manufacturing equipment (heat source machine) 130 Supply side heat storage tank 200 Consumers (heat demand equipment) 202 Demand equipment (heat consumption equipment) 204 Demand side heat storage tank Q1 Supply conduit

Claims

1. A heat supply system in which a heat supply facility and a heat demand facility are connected through a supply pipe, The heat supply facility includes: a control device; a heat source machine that cools or heats a heat medium; a supply-side heat storage tank that stores the heat medium; Equipped with The heat demand facility includes: a heat consuming device that consumes heat from the heat medium; a demand-side heat storage tank that stores the heat medium; Equipped with The control device controlling the amount of the heat medium supplied from the heat source device to the supply conduit, the amount of the heat medium supplied from the demand-side heat storage tank to the heat consuming device, and the amount of the heat medium supplied from the demand-side heat storage tank to the supply conduit; When the total amount of heat medium consumed by the plurality of heat consuming devices is relatively smaller than the total amount of heat medium supplied from the heat source machine, the heat medium is stored in the demand-side heat storage tank of the heat demand equipment that is located relatively farthest from the heat supply equipment among the plurality of heat demand equipment.

2. A heat supply system in which a heat supply facility and a heat demand facility are connected through a supply pipe, The heat supply facility includes: a control device; a heat source machine that cools or heats a heat medium; a supply-side heat storage tank that stores the heat medium; Equipped with The heat demand facility includes: a heat consuming device that consumes heat from the heat medium; a demand-side heat storage tank that stores the heat medium; Equipped with The control device controlling the amount of the heat medium supplied from the heat source device to the supply conduit, the amount of the heat medium supplied from the demand-side heat storage tank to the heat consuming device, and the amount of the heat medium supplied from the demand-side heat storage tank to the supply conduit; When the total amount of heat medium consumed by the heat consuming devices is relatively greater than the total amount of heat medium supplied from the heat source machine, the heat supply system supplies the stored heat medium to the heat consuming devices in order, starting from the demand-side heat storage tank that is relatively closest to the heat consuming device.

3. The control device When the total amount of the heat medium consumed by the heat consuming devices is relatively smaller than the total amount of the heat medium supplied from the heat source device, The heat supply system according to claim 2 , wherein the heat medium is stored in the demand-side heat storage tank of the heat demanding facility located at a relatively farthest distance from the heat supplying facility among the plurality of heat demanding facilities.

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