Carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system and carbon dioxide-containing gas supply method
The carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system addresses humidity and temperature control in greenhouse horticulture by using a boiler, heat exchanger, and heat storage tank to dehumidify and regulate greenhouse conditions, improving crop growth and yield.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2022097486
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-06-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-14
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-06-16
AI Technical Summary
Greenhouse horticulture systems face challenges in controlling humidity, which affects crop photosynthesis and respiration, and there is a need for a system that can supply carbon dioxide-containing gas while also managing humidity and temperature effectively.
A carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system that includes a boiler, heat exchanger, heat storage tank, and heat exchanger to dehumidify indoor air and control temperature, using adsorbents for heat storage and desorption to maintain optimal greenhouse conditions.
The system effectively supplies carbon dioxide while controlling humidity and temperature, enhancing crop growth and yield by maintaining suitable environmental conditions within the greenhouse.
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Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a system and a method for supplying a carbon dioxide-containing gas to a demand unit for the carbon dioxide-containing gas. [Background technology]
[0002] Conventionally, in greenhouse horticulture using greenhouses such as vinyl greenhouses, heat generated by burning fuels such as heavy oil and kerosene is supplied to the greenhouse as hot air or hot water for the purpose of temperature control within the greenhouse. In addition, in such greenhouse horticulture, carbon dioxide-containing gas generated by the combustion of the fuel is supplied to the greenhouse to promote crop growth and increase yields, thereby promoting crop photosynthesis.
[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a supply device that supplies carbon dioxide-containing gas and heat to a crop production facility. The supply device described in Patent Document 1 includes a combustion furnace that burns fuel and a heat exchanger that obtains heat by heat exchange with combustion exhaust gas discharged from the combustion furnace and supplies the heat to the crop production facility. Furthermore, the supply device described in Patent Document 1 removes sulfur oxides, soot, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and ethylene from the combustion exhaust gas, and supplies the purified combustion exhaust gas to the crop production facility. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-36334 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0005] In this type of greenhouse horticulture, in addition to the temperature control within the greenhouse by supplying heat and the carbon dioxide concentration control within the greenhouse by supplying carbon dioxide-containing gas as described above, humidity control within the greenhouse may also be required. If humidity control within the greenhouse is not carried out appropriately, it may affect the photosynthesis and respiration of crops and may cause the proliferation of pests and pathogens.
[0006] For example, greenhouse humidity control is achieved by installing ventilation fans to circulate and replace the air inside the greenhouse. However, when using ventilation fans to control humidity in a greenhouse, excessive ventilation can result in moisture being removed from the soil and crops. Furthermore, while using ventilation fans to control humidity in a greenhouse can reduce the relative humidity inside the greenhouse, it is difficult to reduce the absolute humidity inside the greenhouse.
[0007] The above-mentioned prior art does not disclose or suggest any improvements in this respect, and there has been a need for the development of a system that can supply heat and carbon dioxide-containing gas to the greenhouse while also controlling humidity, particularly dehumidifying, within the greenhouse.
[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and aims to provide a system that can not only supply carbon dioxide-containing gas to a greenhouse as a demand section for carbon dioxide-containing gas, but also control the humidity within the greenhouse. [Means for solving the problem]
[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system for a demand section of a carbon dioxide-containing gas, comprising: a boiler that generates carbon dioxide-containing gas to be supplied to the demand section by burning fuel; a heat exchanger that cools the carbon dioxide-containing gas by heat exchange with introduced outside air before supplying it to the demand section; a heat storage tank that is configured to be able to repeatedly perform heat storage operation and heat release operation by adsorption and desorption of an adsorbate to an adsorbent stored therein; an outward pipe that supplies indoor air to be treated from the demand section to the heat storage tank; and a return pipe that supplies the indoor air dehumidified by the heat release operation in the heat storage tank from the heat storage tank to the demand section, wherein the heat storage tank performs the heat storage operation by introducing the outside air that has been heated by heat exchange with the carbon dioxide-containing gas in the heat exchanger, and performs the heat release operation by introducing the indoor air supplied from the demand section.
[0010] According to the present invention, a heat exchanger is provided on a supply path of carbon dioxide-containing gas from a boiler to a demand unit of the carbon dioxide-containing gas, and heat is exchanged between the carbon dioxide-containing gas from the boiler and outside air in the heat exchanger. The outside air heated by heat exchange with the carbon dioxide-containing gas is supplied to a heat storage tank containing an adsorbent for heat storage operation. In the heat storage tank that has undergone heat storage operation with outside air, air is introduced from the demand unit for heat dissipation operation. Indoor air is dehumidified by this heat dissipation operation and then supplied to the demand unit. That is, according to the present invention, the indoor air is dehumidified by the heat dissipation operation in the heat storage tank, and then the dehumidified indoor air is returned to the demand section, thereby making it possible to lower the absolute humidity in the demand section.
[0011] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the action of the heat exchanger described above can cool the carbon dioxide-containing gas before it is supplied to the demand section, which allows only the carbon dioxide-containing gas to be supplied to the demand section without supplying heat from the boiler, particularly during summer operation when heat demand in the demand section is low. At this time, the heat recovered from the carbon dioxide-containing gas is used to desorb the adsorbate from the heat storage material contained in the heat storage tank, i.e., to operate the heat storage tank. According to the present invention, since heat is stored by desorbing the adsorbate in this way, the heat stored in the adsorbent is not lost over time, and the indoor air can be dehumidified by adsorbing the adsorbate by the adsorbent, i.e., by operating the heat release tank. In other words, the heat recovered from the carbon dioxide-containing gas can be used to appropriately control the humidity in the demand unit at any time.
[0012] The carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system may include a temperature control pipe for adjusting the room temperature in the demand section. According to the present invention, in addition to the humidity control within the demand section as described above, temperature control within the demand section can also be performed appropriately, thereby maintaining the temperature within the demand section at a temperature suitable for the crops to be grown.
[0013] The heat medium flowing through the temperature control pipe may be hot water produced by the boiler. By using hot water as the heat transfer medium in this way, it is possible to appropriately heat (control the temperature) the demand section, especially during winter and intermediate seasons when heat demand is high. Also, by using hot water from the boiler as the heat transfer medium in this way, there is no need to prepare a new heat transfer medium to run through the temperature control piping, which makes it possible to reduce resource and energy consumption during system operation.
[0014] The carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system may further include a second heat exchanger for heating the heat medium flowing through the temperature control pipe. The second heat exchanger may perform heat exchange between the indoor air dehumidified by the heat dissipation operation and the heat medium flowing through the temperature control pipe. According to the present invention, the dehumidified indoor air can be cooled by heat exchange with the heat medium flowing through the temperature control pipe, so that the ambient temperature in the demand unit can be prevented from rising excessively. In addition, at this time, the heat medium flowing through the temperature control pipe can be heated by heat exchange with the dehumidified indoor air, so that heating (temperature control) in the demand unit can be performed more appropriately, especially during operation in winter and intermediate seasons.
[0015] The carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system may be provided with a preheating heat exchanger that heats the outside air before heat exchange with the carbon dioxide-containing gas in the heat exchanger by heat exchange with a heat medium flowing through the temperature control piping. According to the present invention, it is possible to preheat the outside air prior to heat exchange with the carbon dioxide-containing gas in the heat exchanger, thereby making it possible to raise the temperature of the outside air introduced into the heat storage tank by heat exchange with the carbon dioxide-containing gas, and to more efficiently dry the adsorbent in the heat storage tank (heat storage operation).
[0016] The carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system may include a heat storage tank for storing heat obtained from the carbon dioxide-containing gas, a cooling tower for cooling the carbon dioxide-containing gas, and a third heat exchanger for cooling the carbon dioxide-containing gas before supply to the demand unit by heat exchange with a refrigerant circulated between at least one of the heat storage tank and the cooling tower. According to the present invention, the temperature of the carbon dioxide-containing gas supplied to the demand section can be further lowered, thereby improving the efficiency of operation, particularly in summer when the heat demand in the demand section is small.
[0017] The third heat exchanger is preferably disposed in the supply path of the carbon dioxide-containing gas downstream of the heat exchanger that exchanges heat with outside air. According to the present invention, the carbon dioxide-containing gas at a higher temperature can be recovered by the heat exchanger and used for the heat storage operation of the heat storage tank, thereby improving the heat storage efficiency of the heat storage tank.
[0018] The heat medium flowing through the temperature control pipe may be cold water produced in the cooling tower. By using chilled water as the heat medium that flows through the temperature control pipes, it is possible to appropriately cool (control the temperature) the demand area, especially during summer operation when demand for cooling is high. Also, by using chilled water from the cooling tower as the heat medium, there is no need to prepare a new heat medium to flow through the temperature control pipes, which makes it possible to reduce resource and energy consumption during system operation.
[0019] Also, hot water generated in the heat storage tank may be passed through the temperature adjustment pipe as a heat medium. This allows for appropriate heating (temperature control) within the demand area, especially during winter and intermediate periods, as with the case of using hot water from a boiler as a heat transfer medium, while also reducing the consumption of resources and energy involved in system operation.
[0020] The carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system may further include a measuring means for measuring the carbon dioxide concentration and temperature and humidity in the demand section, and a control means, wherein the control means preferably controls the flow rate, temperature, and humidity of the carbon dioxide-containing gas introduced into the demand section based on the measurement results by the measuring means. According to the present invention, the system is controlled based on the environment within the demand area, so that the greenhouse environment can be maintained more optimally for the crops being grown, thereby improving the quality and yield of the crops.
[0021] According to another aspect, the present invention is a method for supplying carbon dioxide-containing gas to a demand section for carbon dioxide-containing gas, comprising the steps of: generating carbon dioxide-containing gas by burning fuel; cooling the carbon dioxide-containing gas before supplying it to the demand section by heat exchange with introduced outside air; supplying the carbon dioxide-containing gas cooled by the heat exchange into the demand section; introducing the outside air heated by heat exchange with the carbon dioxide-containing gas into a heat storage tank containing an adsorbent to perform heat storage operation of the heat storage tank; introducing indoor air from the demand section into the heat storage tank to perform heat dissipation operation of the heat storage tank; and supplying the indoor air dehumidified by the heat dissipation operation into the demand section.
[0022] The carbon dioxide-containing gas supply method may further include a step of measuring the carbon dioxide concentration, temperature, and humidity in the demand section. At this time, it is desirable to determine the flow rate, temperature, and humidity of the carbon dioxide-containing gas to be introduced into the demand section based on the measured carbon dioxide concentration, temperature, and humidity in the demand section. [Effects of the Invention]
[0023] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a system that can not only supply carbon dioxide-containing gas to a greenhouse as a demand section for carbon dioxide-containing gas, but also control the humidity inside the greenhouse. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic overview of a carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the outline of the configuration of a heat storage tank containing an adsorbent. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic overview of a carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system according to another embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of operation of the carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system during the daytime in winter / intermediate seasons. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of operation of the carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system during the daytime in winter / intermediate seasons. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of operation of the carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system during the daytime in winter / intermediate seasons. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the operation of the carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system at night in winter / intermediate seasons. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of operation of the carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system during the daytime in summer. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the operation of the carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system at night in summer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system 1 according to the embodiment. In one embodiment, the carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system 1 includes a greenhouse 10, a boiler 20, a temperature and humidity adjustment unit 30, and a temperature adjustment unit 40.
[0026] The greenhouse 10 is a crop production facility such as a plant factory or a vinyl greenhouse, in which crops and the like are grown (greenhouse horticulture). The greenhouse 10 is provided with an internal supply pipe 11, an internal temperature control pipe 12, a temperature control heat exchanger 13, and a ventilation section 14.
[0027] The internal supply pipe 11 is a pipe for supplying carbon dioxide-containing gas from a boiler 20 described later into the greenhouse 10, and its upstream end is connected to an external supply pipe 21 described later, and its downstream end is positioned at a desired position within the greenhouse 10. The internal temperature control pipe 12 is a pipe for adjusting the temperature inside the greenhouse 10, and in one example is buried in the greenhouse 10, and adjusts the temperature inside the greenhouse 10 from underground by circulating hot water or cold water as a heat transfer medium between the greenhouse 10 and the boiler 20 via the external temperature control pipe 22 described below. The temperature control heat exchanger 13 controls the temperature of the atmosphere in the greenhouse 10, for example, by exchanging heat with a heat medium flowing through the internal temperature control pipe 12. In other words, the internal temperature control pipe 12 may be branched into branch pipes 12a for exchanging heat with the air inside the greenhouse 10 in the temperature control heat exchanger 13. In one embodiment, the ventilation unit 14 may include at least one of a ventilation fan, an opening, and a dehumidifier. The ventilation unit 14 reduces the humidity (relative humidity) inside the greenhouse 10 that has increased due to, for example, evapotranspiration from crops, evaporation of water from the soil surface, or artificial humidification.
[0028] The branch pipe 12 a for supplying the heat medium to the temperature adjustment heat exchanger 13 may be provided with a damper (not shown) for controlling the flow of the heat medium to the temperature adjustment heat exchanger 13 .
[0029] The boiler 20 burns the supplied fuel and discharges high-temperature carbon dioxide-containing gas as exhaust gas. The fuel supplied to the boiler 20 can be selected arbitrarily as long as it can generate carbon dioxide-containing gas. For example, liquid fuel such as heavy oil or kerosene, or gaseous fuel such as natural gas can be selected as the fuel. The carbon dioxide-containing gas generated in the boiler 20 is supplied into the greenhouse 10 via the external supply pipe 21 and the internal supply pipe 11.
[0030] In the external supply pipe 21, which is the supply path for the carbon dioxide-containing gas, a first heat exchanger 31 (described later) of the temperature and humidity adjustment section 30, an air supply means 21a, and a third heat exchanger 41 (described later) of the temperature adjustment section 40 are arranged in this order from the upstream side.
[0031] In one embodiment, the air supplying means 21a includes a fan. The fan of the air supplying means 21a may be an inverter-controlled fan. The air supplying means 21a introduces the carbon dioxide-containing gas through a damper (not shown) provided on the inlet side (boiler 20 side), and sends the introduced carbon dioxide-containing gas toward the third heat exchanger 41 arranged downstream.
[0032] In addition, hot water is generated during combustion of the fuel in the boiler 20. The generated hot water is circulated between the internal temperature control pipe 12 (greenhouse 10) via the external temperature control pipe 22 and is used to adjust the temperature inside the greenhouse 10. In this embodiment, the external temperature control pipe 22 and the internal temperature control pipe 12 correspond to the "temperature control pipe" according to the present invention.
[0033] A circulation means 22a is disposed in the external temperature control pipe 22, which is a circulation path for the heat medium. In one embodiment, the circulation means 22a includes a pump. The pump of the circulation means 22a may be an inverter-controlled pump. In this embodiment, hot water or cold water as a heat medium is circulated through the temperature control pipe by the action of the circulation means 22a.
[0034] The temperature and humidity adjusting unit 30 includes a first heat exchanger 31, a heat storage tank 32, a second heat exchanger 33, an outward pipe 34, and a return pipe 35. The temperature and humidity adjusting unit 30 cools the carbon dioxide-containing gas supplied from the boiler 20 and reduces the humidity of the humid air RA supplied from the greenhouse 10.
[0035] The first heat exchanger 31 is disposed upstream of the air supply means 21a in the external supply pipe 21, which is a supply path for the carbon dioxide-containing gas. The first heat exchanger 31 lowers the temperature of the carbon dioxide-containing gas discharged from the boiler 20 before it is supplied to the greenhouse 10 by heat exchange with the introduced outside air OA. The outside air OA that has been subjected to heat exchange with the carbon dioxide-containing gas is introduced into the heat storage tank 32 described below via the outside air inlet pipe 31a as dry air DA that is at least higher in temperature and lower in humidity than the outside air OA before being introduced into at least the first heat exchanger 31.
[0036] In one embodiment, the outside air introduction pipe 31a is connected to an air supply means 31c for supplying outside air OA to the first heat exchanger 31. The air supply means 31c includes a fan. The fan of the air supply means 31c may be an inverter-controlled fan. The air supply means 31c introduces outside air OA from the inlet side and blows the introduced outside air OA toward the first heat exchanger 31 located downstream.
[0037] 2, the heat storage tank 32 has a filling section 32a that is divided by a breathable partition plate and filled with an adsorbent M, and spaces 32b and 32c are provided on the upstream and downstream sides of the filling section 32a. An outside air introduction pipe 31a and an outward pipe 34 are connected to the upstream space 32b. An outside air discharge pipe 31b and an inward pipe 35 are connected to the downstream space 32c.
[0038] 2 illustrates an example in which the outside air introduction pipe 31a and the outward pipe 34 are connected to the upstream space 32b after joining, i.e., only one pipe is connected to the space 32b, but the outside air introduction pipe 31a and the outward pipe 34 may be connected to the space 32b independently, as shown in Fig. 1. Similarly, the outside air discharge pipe 31b and the return pipe 35 may be connected to the upstream space 32c as a single pipe that branches off therefrom, as shown in Fig. 2, or the outside air discharge pipe 31b and the return pipe 35 may be connected independently, as shown in Fig. 1. In the drawings (Figures 3 to 9) used in the following explanation, for the sake of clarity, an example is shown in which the outside air inlet pipe 31a, the outward pipe 34, the outside air exhaust pipe 31b, and the return pipe 35 are independently connected to the heat storage tank 32.
[0039] 2, dampers d1 to d4 are provided in the outside air inlet pipe 31a, the outside air exhaust pipe 31b, the outward pipe 34, and the return pipe 35 connected to the heat storage tank 32. The temperature and humidity adjusting unit 30 controls the opening and closing of these dampers d1 to d4 to control the introduction of dry air DA and humid air RA, which will be described later, into the heat storage tank 32. Note that, for example, motor dampers, which are easy to control, may be used for these dampers d1 to d4.
[0040] Further, the outgoing pipe 34 that introduces the humid air RA from the greenhouse 10 into the heat storage tank 32 is provided with an air sending means 34a. In one embodiment, the air supply means 34a includes a fan. The fan of the air supply means 34a may be an inverter-controlled fan. The air supply means 34a introduces humid air RA through a damper (not shown) provided on the inlet side (greenhouse 10 side), and blows the introduced humid air RA toward the heat storage tank 32 located downstream.
[0041] In one embodiment, the adsorbent M filled in the filling section 32a can be, for example, a granulated adsorbent. This adsorbent M can be a known adsorbent that generates heat by adsorbing an adsorbate, such as silica gel or zeolite. Granulated adsorbent bodies having desired properties, such as ventilation resistance and heat / mass transfer, can be used as an adsorbent with a heat storage function. In such cases, the adsorbent M can be a composite of amorphous aluminum silicate and low-crystalline clay, such as HASClay (registered trademark), a low-temperature regenerating adsorbent made of a polymeric sorbent, or a conventional adsorbent (such as silica gel or zeolite).
[0042] In the heat storage tank 32, the dry air DA introduced through the outside air inlet pipe 31a desorbs the adsorbate from the adsorbent M, i.e., performs a heat storage operation. The dry air DA used for the heat storage operation of the heat storage tank 32 is discharged to the outside of the heat storage tank 32 through the outside air discharge pipe 31b. Furthermore, in the heat storage tank 32, the humid air RA introduced from the greenhouse 10 via the outgoing pipe 34 is used to adsorb the adsorbate onto the adsorbent M, i.e., a heat dissipation operation is performed. The humid air RA used in the heat dissipation operation of the heat storage tank 32 is heated and dried by the heat generated by the adsorbent M and the adsorption of the adsorbate onto the adsorbent M associated with the heat dissipation operation, and is supplied to the greenhouse 10 as low-humidity air SA that is at least higher in temperature and lower in humidity than the humid air RA.
[0043] The second heat exchanger 33 is disposed on the supply path of the low-humidity air SA from the heat storage tank 32, i.e., on the return pipe 35. The second heat exchanger 33 lowers the temperature of the high-temperature low-humidity air SA discharged from the heat storage tank 32, for example, by heat exchange with a heat medium flowing through the external temperature control pipe 22. In other words, the external temperature control pipe 22 may be branched into a branch pipe 22b for performing heat exchange with the low-humidity air SA in the second heat exchanger 33.
[0044] A damper (not shown) may be provided at the branch point of the external temperature control pipe 22 with the branch pipe 22b to control the flow of the heat medium to the second heat exchanger 33. By opening and closing this damper, it is possible to select whether the heat medium circulating through the external temperature control pipe 22 is supplied to the greenhouse 10 via the second heat exchanger 33 or is supplied to the greenhouse 10 without passing through the second heat exchanger 33.
[0045] The temperature adjustment unit 40 includes a third heat exchanger 41, a refrigerant pipe 42, a heat storage 43, and a cooling tower 44. In the temperature adjustment unit 40, the carbon dioxide-containing gas supplied from the boiler 20 is cooled.
[0046] The third heat exchanger 41 is disposed downstream of the air supply means 21a in the external supply pipe 21, which is a supply path for the carbon dioxide-containing gas. In other words, the temperature adjustment unit 40 is disposed downstream of the temperature and humidity adjustment unit 30. The third heat exchanger 41 is also connected to a heat storage 43 and a cooling tower 44 (described later) via a refrigerant pipe 42, and is configured to be able to circulate a refrigerant between the heat storage 43 and the cooling tower 44.
[0047] The third heat exchanger 41 lowers the temperature of the carbon dioxide-containing gas discharged from the boiler 20 by heat exchange with the refrigerant circulating inside the refrigerant pipe 42. More specifically, when there is no need to dehumidify the carbon dioxide-containing gas to be supplied to the greenhouse 10 (when there is no need to operate the temperature and humidity adjustment unit 30), the temperature of the carbon dioxide-containing gas from the boiler 20 is lowered. The carbon dioxide-containing gas cooled in the third heat exchanger 41 is then supplied to the greenhouse 10. The heat recovered from the carbon dioxide-containing gas by the third heat exchanger 41 is sent to the heat storage 43 via the refrigerant pipe 42 as described below, and is stored in the heat storage 43.
[0048] However, the third heat exchanger 41 may be used not only when there is no need to dehumidify the carbon dioxide-containing gas supplied to the greenhouse 10, but also when it is desired to further lower the temperature of the carbon dioxide-containing gas discharged from the boiler 20 after it has been cooled by the first heat exchanger 31.
[0049] A circulating means 42a is disposed in the refrigerant pipe 42, which is a circulation path for the refrigerant. In one embodiment, the circulating means 42a includes a pump. The pump of the circulating means 42a may be an inverter-controlled pump. In this embodiment, in the temperature adjustment unit 40, the refrigerant is circulated within the refrigerant pipe 42 by the action of the circulating means 42a.
[0050] As described above, the heat storage 43 introduces a refrigerant heated by heat exchange with the carbon dioxide-containing gas, and stores the heat obtained from the carbon dioxide-containing gas in a heat storage material (e.g., water) contained within the heat storage 43. The heat storage method in the heat storage 43 is not particularly limited, that is, sensible heat storage or latent heat storage may be performed.
[0051] The heat storage 43 is also connected to the external temperature control pipe 22 as a temperature control pipe via a connection pipe 43a. The connection pipe 43a is provided with a damper (not shown), and is configured so that the connection of the connection pipe 43a to the external temperature control pipe 22 can be switched as desired. In the heat storage 43, by opening a damper (not shown), the connecting pipe 43a can be connected to the external temperature control pipe 22, allowing the heat medium to circulate between the greenhouse 10, thereby heating the heat medium using the heat stored in the heat storage material.
[0052] The cooling tower 44 is disposed in the refrigerant pipe 42, which is a circulation path of the refrigerant, downstream of the heat storage 43. The cooling tower 44 cools the refrigerant whose temperature has risen due to heat exchange with the carbon dioxide-containing gas in the third heat exchanger 41 and heat storage in the heat storage material in the heat storage 43. The refrigerant cooled in the cooling tower 44 is supplied again to the third heat exchanger 41 via the refrigerant pipe 42, and is used to cool the carbon dioxide-containing gas.
[0053] The cooling tower 44 is also connected to the external temperature control pipe 22 as a temperature control pipe via a connection pipe 44a. The connection pipe 44a is provided with a damper (not shown), and is configured so that the connection of the connection pipe 44a to the external temperature control pipe 22 can be switched as desired. In the cooling tower 44, by opening a damper (not shown) to connect the connecting pipe 44a to the external temperature control pipe 22, cold water can be circulated as a heat transfer medium between the greenhouse 10 and the cooling tower 44, thereby lowering the internal temperature of the greenhouse 10.
[0054] When circulating cold water from the cooling tower 44 through the temperature control piping in this way, in other words, when connecting a cold water system to the temperature control piping, it is desirable that the temperature control piping be fluidly separated from the hot water system, such as the boiler 20 and the second heat exchanger 33. Switching between the hot water system and the cold water system can be achieved, for example, by opening and closing a damper (not shown).
[0055] The refrigerant pipe 42 may further be provided with a damper (not shown) for controlling the flow of the refrigerant to the heat storage 43 and / or the cooling tower 44. By opening and closing this damper, it is possible to select whether the refrigerant circulating through the refrigerant pipe 42 is circulated to both the heat storage 43 and the cooling tower 44, or to only one of them.
[0056] The carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system 1 configured as above may be provided with a control means 2. The control means 2 may be configured integrally with the carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system 1, or may be configured to be able to remotely control the carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system 1. The control means 2 may, for example, individually control the operation of various dampers, air supply means, and circulation means provided in the carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system 1. Furthermore, the control means 2 may, for example, be configured to control the operation of various elements provided in the carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system 1 based on the internal environment of the greenhouse 10 (for example, internal temperature, internal humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration) measured by a measurement means (not shown), and to be able to appropriately change the air volume and temperature of the carbon dioxide-containing gas supplied to the greenhouse 10, the temperature and flow rate of the heat medium, etc.
[0057] Although various exemplary embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments, and various additions, omissions, substitutions, and modifications may be made. Furthermore, elements in different embodiments may be combined to form other embodiments.
[0058] For example, in the above embodiment, the boiler 20 is a hot water boiler that can generate hot water simultaneously with exhaust gas (carbon dioxide-containing gas). However, a device that can generate and supply at least carbon dioxide-containing gas may be connected instead of the boiler 20. In this case, instead of circulating the hot water generated by the boiler 20 through the temperature adjustment piping, a heat medium may be circulated or supplied to the temperature adjustment piping using another heat medium supply means.
[0059] For example, in the above embodiment, heat exchange is performed between the carbon dioxide-containing gas from the boiler 20 and the outside air OA in the first heat exchanger 31, but heat exchange with the carbon dioxide-containing gas does not necessarily have to be performed with the outside air OA. In other words, for example, factory utility gas or other exhaust gas may be used as long as it has a temperature at least lower than that of the carbon dioxide-containing gas from the boiler 20 and can be used for the heat storage operation of the heat storage tank 32 after heat exchange with the carbon dioxide-containing gas.
[0060] For example, in the above embodiment, the temperature and humidity adjustment unit 30 (first heat exchanger 31) and the temperature adjustment unit 40 (third heat exchanger 41) are arranged in this order from the upstream side in the external supply pipe 21, which is the supply path for the carbon dioxide-containing gas, but it is also possible to arrange the temperature adjustment unit 40 upstream of the temperature and humidity adjustment unit 30.
[0061] For example, in the above embodiment, only one heat storage tank 32 is arranged in the temperature and humidity adjustment unit 30, but the number of heat storage tanks 32 can be changed appropriately depending on the temperature of the carbon dioxide-containing gas supplied from the boiler 20. In this case, the multiple heat storage tanks 32 may be connected in series or in parallel to the external supply pipe 21, which is the supply path for the carbon dioxide-containing gas.
[0062] Furthermore, for example, in the above embodiment, the outside air OA introduced into the heat storage tank 32 is heat exchanged only with the carbon dioxide-containing gas from the boiler 20, but as shown in Figure 3, a preheating heat exchanger 50 may be provided upstream of the heat exchanger 31 in the supply path (outside air introduction pipe 31a) of the outside air OA to the heat storage tank 32. By performing heat exchange between the heat medium circulating through the temperature control piping and the outside air OA prior to heat exchange with the carbon dioxide-containing gas, the temperature of the dry air DA after heat exchange with the carbon dioxide-containing gas introduced into the heat storage tank 32 can be increased, and the heat storage density of the adsorbent M in the heat storage tank 32 can be increased. Furthermore, as will be described later, particularly during summer operation, by performing heat exchange between cold water as a heat medium circulating through the temperature control piping and outside air OA, the temperature of the outside air OA introduced into the first heat exchanger 31 can be lowered, and the temperature of the carbon dioxide-containing gas supplied to the greenhouse 10 can be reduced.
[0063] The carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system 1 according to this embodiment is configured as described above. Next, examples of seasonal and time-based control of the carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system 1 will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0064] <Example of control during the daytime in winter / intermediate season> 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of operation of the carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system 1 during the daytime in winter / intermediate seasons. In FIG. 4, the black outlined areas and thick lined areas represent operating areas, and the white outlined areas and thin lined areas represent non-operating areas. In the carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system 1, during the daytime when the crops in the greenhouse 10 are photosynthesizing, the heat storage tank 32 is operated to store heat, and the carbon dioxide-containing gas is supplied into the greenhouse 10.
[0065] Specifically, first, fuel is supplied to the boiler 20 and burned to generate carbon dioxide-containing gas and hot water. The generated carbon dioxide-containing gas is supplied to the greenhouse 10 via the external supply pipe 21 and the internal supply pipe 11, thereby promoting photosynthesis of crops within the greenhouse 10. It is desirable that the carbon dioxide concentration within the greenhouse 10 be controlled to about three times the atmospheric concentration (approximately 1000 to 1200 ppm), for example. Excess carbon dioxide-containing gas can be discharged to the outside of the greenhouse 10 via an exhaust pipe (not shown) connected to the external supply pipe 21. Furthermore, when the outside temperature is high during the day and there is no need to increase the internal temperature of the greenhouse 10, the generated hot water does not need to be circulated within the greenhouse 10, and can be discharged to the outside of the greenhouse 10 via an exhaust pipe (not shown) connected to the external temperature control pipe 22. On the other hand, when the outside temperature is low, for example on rainy days, and there is a need to heat the inside of the greenhouse 10, the hot water from the boiler 20 may be circulated between the greenhouse 10 and the outside temperature as a heat medium.
[0066] Here, high-temperature carbon dioxide-containing gas is emitted from the boiler 20 due to the combustion of fuel, but if this high-temperature carbon dioxide-containing gas is supplied directly to the greenhouse 10, there is a risk that the temperature inside the greenhouse 10 will rise excessively. If this causes the temperature inside the greenhouse 10 to exceed the appropriate temperature for the crops being grown, this could cause, for example, a decrease in the photosynthetic ability of the crops or an increase in respiration, which could result in a decrease in the quality and yield of the crops.
[0067] Therefore, in the carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system 1 according to this embodiment, the temperature and humidity adjusting unit 30 is used to lower the temperature of the carbon dioxide-containing gas, and then the carbon dioxide-containing gas is supplied into the greenhouse 10.
[0068] Specifically, the high-temperature carbon dioxide-containing gas discharged from the boiler 20 is heat-exchanged with outside air OA, which is at least lower in temperature than the carbon dioxide-containing gas from the boiler 20, in the first heat exchanger 31 of the temperature and humidity adjustment unit 30. The carbon dioxide-containing gas is cooled by this heat exchange with the outside air OA.
[0069] The carbon dioxide-containing gas cooled by the first heat exchanger 31 is then supplied to the greenhouse 10 and used for photosynthesis of crops.
[0070] Note that, when the carbon dioxide-containing gas cooled by the first heat exchanger 31 is not cooled to a level that allows it to be supplied to the greenhouse 10, for example, the carbon dioxide-containing gas may be further cooled in a third heat exchanger 41 of the temperature adjustment unit 40, as shown in Fig. 5. The amount of cooling of the carbon dioxide-containing gas by the refrigerant in the third heat exchanger 41, in other words, the temperature of the refrigerant introduced into the third heat exchanger 41, may be determined, for example, based on the difference between the temperature of the carbon dioxide-containing gas after cooling by the first heat exchanger 31, acquired by a measurement means (not shown), and the target temperature of the carbon dioxide-containing gas to be supplied to the greenhouse 10 (or the internal temperature of the greenhouse 10). The temperature of the refrigerant introduced into the third heat exchanger 41, in other words, the cooling capacity of the refrigerant by the cooling tower 44, may be controlled, for example, by the control means 2.
[0071] The outside air OA subjected to heat exchange with the high-temperature carbon dioxide-containing gas in the first heat exchanger 31 is heated and dehumidified by such heat exchange, and is introduced into the heat storage tank 32 as dry air DA which is at least higher in temperature and lower in humidity than the outside air OA before being introduced into the first heat exchanger 31.
[0072] In the heat storage tank 32, heat storage operation is performed by introducing dry air DA. Specifically, in the heat storage tank 32, dampers d1 and d2 (see FIG. 2) corresponding to the outside air inlet pipe 31a and the outside air discharge pipe 31b are opened, and dampers d3 and d4 corresponding to the outward pipe 34 and the return pipe 35 are closed. As a result, the dry air DA from the first heat exchanger 31 is sent from the space 32c of the heat storage tank 32 to the filling section 32a, passes through the adsorbent M filled in the filling section 32a, and is discharged from the space 32b through the outside air discharge pipe 31b as exhaust air that is lower in temperature and higher in humidity than the dry air DA. At this time, the high-temperature, low-humidity dry air DA desorbs moisture (adsorbate) from the adsorbent M, thereby regenerating the adsorbent M and enabling the heat dissipation operation of the heat storage tank 32.
[0073] When cooling a carbon dioxide-containing gas in the third heat exchanger 41, the refrigerant subjected to heat exchange with the carbon dioxide-containing gas in the third heat exchanger 41 is heated by such heat exchange and then circulated to the heat storage 43 and the cooling tower 44 in that order. In the heat storage 43, the heat obtained by heat exchange with the carbon dioxide-containing gas is stored in a heat storage material (for example, water) contained in the heat storage 43. In the cooling tower 44, the introduced refrigerant is re-cooled and the heat obtained by heat exchange with the carbon dioxide-containing gas is discarded.
[0074] In addition, if the heat obtained by heat exchange with the carbon dioxide-containing gas is small, the supply of refrigerant to the heat storage 43 may be omitted as appropriate, and in this case, the refrigerant from the third heat exchanger may be circulated only to the cooling tower 44.
[0075] Furthermore, in the carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system 1 of this embodiment, if there is no need to dehumidify the greenhouse 10 as described above and it is desired to cool the carbon dioxide-containing gas to be supplied into the greenhouse 10, instead of cooling the carbon dioxide-containing gas using the first heat exchanger 31 of the temperature and humidity adjustment unit 30 shown in Figure 4, the carbon dioxide-containing gas may be cooled using only the third heat exchanger 41 of the temperature adjustment unit 40, as shown in Figure 6. In this case, the refrigerant subjected to heat exchange with the carbon dioxide-containing gas in the third heat exchanger 41 is heated by such heat exchange and then circulated to the heat storage 43, where the heat obtained by the heat exchange with the carbon dioxide-containing gas is stored in a heat storage material (e.g., water). The cooling of the carbon dioxide-containing gas using only the third heat exchanger 41 of the temperature adjustment unit 40 is carried out in a state where heat has been sufficiently stored in the adsorbent M in the heat storage tank 32, for example.
[0076] According to this embodiment, by providing the temperature and humidity adjusting unit 30 on the supply path (external supply pipe 21) of the carbon dioxide-containing gas from the boiler 20 to the greenhouse 10, the carbon dioxide-containing gas is cooled before being supplied to the greenhouse 10. This prevents the internal temperature of the greenhouse 10 from rising excessively due to the supply of the carbon dioxide-containing gas, and as a result, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the quality and yield of crops.
[0077] According to the present invention, the outside air OA heated by heat exchange with the carbon dioxide-containing gas is used for the heat storage operation of the heat storage tank 32 containing the adsorbent M, that is, for desorption of the adsorbate from the adsorbent M. Conventionally, the heat obtained from the carbon dioxide-containing gas is stored in a heat storage material in the heat storage 43, for example, but in this case, there is a problem in that heat loss occurs over time. In this regard, in the present invention, heat obtained from the carbon dioxide-containing gas is stored in the form of desorption of the adsorbate from the adsorbent M, thereby eliminating the conventional heat radiation loss and enabling long-term heat storage that transcends time and seasons. Furthermore, by selecting a material with a high heat storage density as the adsorbent M to be stored in the heat storage tank 32, it is possible to store more heat from the carbon dioxide-containing gas than in the past.
[0078] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, by further providing a temperature adjustment unit 40 on the supply path (external supply pipe 21) of the carbon dioxide-containing gas, the carbon dioxide-containing gas can be appropriately cooled before being supplied to the greenhouse 10, for example, even when the temperature and humidity adjustment unit 30 cannot sufficiently cool the carbon dioxide-containing gas, or even after heat storage in the adsorbent M contained in the heat storage tank 32 has fully progressed.
[0079] <Example of control during winter / intermediate season nighttime> 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the operation of the carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system 1 at night in winter / intermediate seasons. In the carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system 1, at night when the crops in the greenhouse 10 do not perform photosynthesis, the heat storage tank 32 performs heat dissipation operation to dehumidify the greenhouse 10 and supply heat to the greenhouse 10.
[0080] During the night when crops are not photosynthesizing, the internal temperature of the greenhouse 10 drops as the outside air temperature drops, and the humidity rises as the crops respire. As described above, if the internal humidity of the greenhouse 10 rises excessively, it may affect the respiration of the crops or cause the proliferation of pests and pathogens.
[0081] Therefore, in this embodiment, first, the supply of fuel to the boiler 20 is stopped, and the supply of carbon dioxide-containing gas and hot water from the boiler 20 to the greenhouse 10 is stopped. Next, the air sending means 34a of the outgoing pipe 34 is operated, and the humid air RA in the greenhouse 10, which has an increased humidity, is introduced into the heat storage tank 32 via the outgoing pipe 34.
[0082] In the heat storage tank 32, heat dissipation operation is performed by introducing humid air RA. Specifically, in the heat storage tank 32, dampers d1 and d2 corresponding to the outside air inlet pipe 31a and the outside air outlet pipe 31b are closed, and dampers d3 and d4 corresponding to the outward pipe 34 and the return pipe 35 are opened. As a result, the humid air RA from the air supply means 34a is sent from the space 32b of the heat storage tank 32 to the filling section 32a and passes through the adsorbent M filled in the filling section 32a. At this time, moisture (adsorbate) in the humid air RA is adsorbed by the adsorbent M, which generates heat and causes the adsorbent M to be discharged from the space 32c to the return pipe 35 as low-humidity air SA, which has a higher temperature and lower humidity than the humid air RA. As a result, the adsorbent M is dried, and in the heat storage tank 32, heat storage operation can be performed by again introducing dry air DA from the outside air inlet pipe 31a.
[0083] The high-temperature, low-humidity air SA drawn out from the heat storage tank 32 is then introduced into the second heat exchanger 33. As described above, if high-temperature air is introduced into the greenhouse 10 and the internal temperature rises excessively, this may have a negative effect on the crops. Therefore, in the temperature and humidity adjustment unit 30 of this embodiment, the high-temperature, low-humidity air SA drawn out from the heat storage tank 32 is cooled by heat exchange with a heat medium circulating through the temperature adjustment piping, and after lowering its temperature, it is supplied to the inside of the greenhouse 10.
[0084] The heat medium subjected to heat exchange with the high-temperature, low-humidity air SA in the second heat exchanger 33 is heated by this heat exchange, thereby producing hot water. Next, the hot water produced by heat exchange with the low-humidity air SA is introduced into the internal temperature control pipe 12 via the branch pipe 22b and the external temperature control pipe 22, and is used to regulate the temperature of the greenhouse 10.
[0085] The hot water introduced into the internal temperature control pipe 12 may be circulated through the internal temperature control pipe 12 to regulate the temperature inside the greenhouse 10 from underground, or may be introduced into the temperature control heat exchanger 13 via the branch pipe 12a to regulate the temperature by heat exchange with the indoor air of the greenhouse 10. Furthermore, if there is no need to increase the internal temperature of the greenhouse 10, i.e., if the inside of the greenhouse 10 is sufficiently warm, the generated hot water can be discharged outside the greenhouse 10 through an exhaust pipe (not shown) connected to the external temperature control pipe 22. On the other hand, if it is necessary to further increase the internal temperature of the greenhouse 10, that is, if sufficient temperature control effect of the greenhouse 10 cannot be obtained by the heat dissipation operation of the heat storage tank 32 of the greenhouse 10 alone, the heat stored in the heat storage 43 may be used to further heat the heat medium flowing through the temperature control piping.
[0086] According to this embodiment, the heat storage tank 32, which has performed heat storage operation during the day using high-temperature carbon dioxide-containing gas, which is exhaust gas from the boiler 20, is then subjected to heat dissipation operation using the humid air RA inside the greenhouse 10. The humid air RA used in the heat dissipation operation of the heat storage tank 32 is heated and dehumidified by heat dissipation from the adsorbent M contained in the heat storage tank 32, and is returned to the greenhouse 10 as low-humidity air SA. In this way, the air inside the greenhouse 10 is ventilated from the humid air RA to low-humidity air SA, and as a result, the absolute humidity inside the greenhouse 10 can be reduced.
[0087] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the heat generated by the heat dissipation operation of the heat storage tank 32 is used to heat the heat medium circulating through the temperature control piping by heat exchange with the high-temperature, low-humidity air SA. This allows the temperature inside the greenhouse 10 to be adjusted at night by using the heat obtained from the carbon dioxide-containing gas during the day.
[0088] According to this embodiment, without operating the boiler 20 at night, it is possible to control the temperature (hot water supply) and also the humidity (dehumidification) inside the greenhouse 10 using only the heat stored in the adsorbent M by the daytime heat storage operation. Furthermore, since there is no need to operate the boiler 20 at night, the amount of fuel used by the boiler 20 can be reduced compared to conventional methods.
[0089] <Example of control during the day in summer> Next, a control example of the carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system 1 in summer will be described. Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an operation example of the carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system 1 during the daytime in summer. In the following description of the control example in summer, detailed description of controls that are substantially the same as those in winter / intermediate seasons will be omitted.
[0090] First, fuel is supplied to the boiler 20 and burned to generate a carbon dioxide-containing gas. The produced carbon dioxide-containing gas is supplied to the greenhouse 10 via the external supply pipe 21 and the internal supply pipe 11, thereby promoting photosynthesis of crops within the greenhouse 10. At this time, since the carbon dioxide-containing gas produced by the boiler 20 is at a high temperature, the temperature of the carbon dioxide-containing gas is lowered using the temperature and humidity adjustment unit 30, as in operation during the winter / intermediate seasons, and then the carbon dioxide-containing gas is supplied into the greenhouse 10. Furthermore, the outside air OA that has been subjected to heat exchange with the high-temperature carbon dioxide-containing gas in the first heat exchanger 31 is heated and dehumidified by this heat exchange, and is then used for the heat storage operation of the heat storage tank 32.
[0091] During summer operation, the outside air temperature is high and there is no need to circulate hot water inside the greenhouse 10. Therefore, the hot water generated in the boiler 20 can be discharged to the outside of the greenhouse 10 through a discharge pipe (not shown) connected to the external temperature control pipe 22. Furthermore, during such summer operation, even if hot water is not circulated as a heat transfer medium in the greenhouse 10 as described above, there is a risk that the indoor temperature of the greenhouse 10 may exceed the appropriate temperature for the crops being grown due to the outside air temperature. Therefore, during summer operation of the carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system 1 according to this embodiment, cold water from the cooling tower 44 is circulated as a heat medium through the temperature control piping instead of hot water from the boiler 20. The connection between the hot water system including the boiler 20 and the cold water system including the cooling tower 44 can be switched by opening and closing a damper (not shown) as described above.
[0092] According to this embodiment, even when the carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system 1 is operated in summer, it is possible to supply carbon dioxide-containing gas to the greenhouse 10 in the same way as in winter / intermediate season operation, thereby promoting photosynthesis of crops. In addition, at this time, the outside air OA heated by heat exchange with the carbon dioxide-containing gas allows the heat storage tank 32 to perform heat storage operation appropriately.
[0093] Furthermore, during summer operation according to this embodiment, cold water from the cooling tower 44 is circulated through the temperature control piping as a heat medium instead of hot water from the boiler 20. This allows the temperature inside the greenhouse 10 to be lowered even during summer operation when the outside air temperature is high, and the temperature can be appropriately maintained at an appropriate level for crops.
[0094] As described above, there is no need to circulate hot water as a heat medium through the greenhouse 10 (internal temperature control pipe 12) during summer operation of the carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system 1. In other words, there is no need to heat the heat medium circulating through the temperature control pipe. From this perspective, and taking into consideration the heat radiation loss in the heat storage 43 described above, during summer operation, the refrigerant circulating through the refrigerant pipe 42 of the temperature adjustment unit 40 may be circulated only through the cooling tower 44, without being supplied to the heat storage 43. The refrigerant circulation path in the temperature adjustment unit 40 can be controlled by opening and closing a damper (not shown), as described above.
[0095] Although not shown in the figure, if the carbon dioxide-containing gas cooled by the first heat exchanger 31 is not cooled to a level that can be supplied to, for example, the greenhouse 10, the carbon dioxide-containing gas from the boiler 20 may be further cooled in the third heat exchanger 41 of the temperature adjustment unit 40, as in the example shown in Figure 5.
[0096] <Example of control during summer nighttime> 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the operation of the carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system 1 at night in summer. In the following description of the control example in summer, detailed description of the control that is substantially the same as that in winter / intermediate seasons will be omitted.
[0097] First, the supply of fuel to the boiler 20 is stopped, and the supply of carbon dioxide-containing gas to the greenhouse 10 is stopped. Next, the air supply means 34a of the outward pipe 34 is operated, and the humid air RA with increased humidity is introduced from the greenhouse 10 into the heat storage tank 32 via the outward pipe 34. In the heat storage tank 32, the heat dissipation operation proceeds with the humid air RA from the greenhouse 10. The low humidity air SA that has been heated and dehumidified by the heat dissipation operation of the heat storage tank 32 is cooled by heat exchange with the heat medium circulating through the temperature adjustment piping in the second heat exchanger 33, and is returned to the greenhouse 10.
[0098] Here, even during nighttime operation in summer, hot water is generated by heat exchange with low-humidity air SA in the second heat exchanger 33, but as mentioned above, in summer, the indoor temperature of the greenhouse 10 may exceed the appropriate temperature for the crops being grown due to the influence of the outside air temperature. Therefore, similar to the operation during the daytime in summer described above, during nighttime operation in summer, instead of hot water from the boiler 20, cold water from the cooling tower 44 may be circulated through the temperature control piping as a heat medium, and this cold water may be used to cool the heat medium and air-condition the greenhouse 10.
[0099] According to this embodiment, when the carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system 1 is operated at night in summer, the air in the greenhouse 10 can be ventilated from humid air RA to low-humidity air SA by the heat dissipation operation of the heat storage tank 32, just as in the case of night operation in winter / intermediate seasons, and as a result, the absolute humidity inside the greenhouse 10 can be reduced.
[0100] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, as in daytime operation, cold water from the cooling tower 44 is circulated through the temperature control piping instead of hot water from the boiler 20. This allows the temperature inside the greenhouse 10 to be lowered and maintained at an appropriate temperature for crops even during summer operation when the outside air temperature is high.
[0101] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, humidity control (dehumidification) within the greenhouse 10 can be performed without operating the boiler 20 at night, using only the heat stored in the adsorbent M through heat storage operation during the day, and the amount of fuel used by the boiler 20 can be reduced compared to conventional methods. [Industrial Applicability]
[0102] The present invention is useful for a carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system used to control the temperature and humidity in a greenhouse in greenhouse horticulture. However, the application of the carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system 1 according to the present invention is not limited to the greenhouses in greenhouse horticulture described above, but can be applied to various demand areas that use carbon dioxide-containing gas for various purposes. Possible uses of the carbon dioxide-containing gas include, in addition to the agricultural use described above, algae cultivation, chemical products (microbial reactions, methanation), oxygen-formic acid (artificial photosynthesis), concrete production, dry ice production, and arc welding. That is, the carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system according to the present invention is also useful in greenhouses in greenhouse horticulture, chemical plants, chemical experimental facilities, artificial photosynthesis facilities, concrete manufacturing facilities, dry ice manufacturing facilities, arc welding sites, and the like, which are demand areas for carbon dioxide-containing gas. [Explanation of symbols]
[0103] 1. Carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system 2. Control measures 10 Greenhouse 20 Boiler 30 Temperature and humidity adjustment section 31 First heat exchanger 32 Heat storage tank 33 Second heat exchanger 34 Outgoing pipe 35 Return Pipe 40 Temperature adjustment section 41 Third heat exchanger 43 Heat Storage 44 Cooling Tower 50 Preheating heat exchanger DA Dry Air M Adsorbent OA Outside air RA Humid air SA Low humidity air
Claims
1. A carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system to a carbon dioxide-containing gas demand unit, a boiler that generates a carbon dioxide-containing gas by burning fuel to be supplied to the demand unit; a heat exchanger that cools the carbon dioxide-containing gas before supplying it to the demand unit by heat exchange with introduced outside air; a heat storage tank configured to be capable of repeating heat storage operation and heat release operation by adsorption and desorption of an adsorbate onto and from an adsorbent contained therein; an outgoing pipe that supplies the indoor air to be treated from the demand unit to the heat storage tank; a return pipe that supplies the indoor air dehumidified by the heat dissipation operation in the heat storage tank from the heat storage tank to the demand unit, The heat storage tank is The heat storage operation is performed by introducing the outside air heated by heat exchange with the carbon dioxide-containing gas in the heat exchanger, A carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system, characterized in that the heat dissipation operation is performed by introducing the indoor air supplied from the demand unit.
2. 2. The carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system according to claim 1, further comprising a temperature control pipe for controlling a room temperature in the demand section.
3. 3. The carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system according to claim 2, wherein hot water generated by the boiler is passed through the temperature control pipe as a heat medium.
4. The carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that it is provided with a second heat exchanger that heats the heat medium flowing through the temperature control piping by heat exchange with the indoor air after being dehumidified by the heat dissipation operation.
5. 4. The carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that it is provided with a preheating heat exchanger that heats the outside air before heat exchange with the carbon dioxide-containing gas in the heat exchanger by heat exchange with a heat medium flowing through the temperature control piping.
6. a heat storage tank for storing heat obtained from the carbon dioxide-containing gas; a cooling tower for cooling the carbon dioxide-containing gas; The carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system of claim 1, further comprising a third heat exchanger that cools the carbon dioxide-containing gas before supplying it to the demand section by heat exchange with a refrigerant circulated between at least one of the heat storage tank and the cooling tower.
7. 7. The carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system according to claim 6, wherein the third heat exchanger is disposed downstream of the heat exchanger in the supply path of the carbon dioxide-containing gas.
8. a temperature control pipe for adjusting a room temperature in the demand unit; 8. The carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system according to claim 6, wherein cold water produced in the cooling tower is passed through the temperature adjustment pipe as a heat medium.
9. a temperature control pipe for adjusting a room temperature in the demand unit; 8. The carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system according to claim 6, wherein hot water produced in the heat storage tank is passed through the temperature adjustment pipe as a heat medium.
10. a measuring means for measuring the carbon dioxide concentration and the temperature and humidity in the demand unit; and a control means, 2. The carbon dioxide-containing gas supply system according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the air volume, temperature and humidity of the carbon dioxide-containing gas introduced into the demand section based on the measurement results obtained by the measurement means.
11. A method for supplying a carbon dioxide-containing gas to a demand unit of the carbon dioxide-containing gas, comprising: generating a carbon dioxide-containing gas by combustion of a fuel; a step of cooling the carbon dioxide-containing gas before supplying it to the demand unit by heat exchange with introduced outside air; supplying the carbon dioxide-containing gas cooled by the heat exchange into the demand unit; a step of introducing the outside air heated by heat exchange with the carbon dioxide-containing gas into a heat storage tank containing an adsorbent, and performing a heat storage operation of the heat storage tank; a step of introducing indoor air from the demand unit into the heat storage tank to perform a heat radiation operation of the heat storage tank; and supplying the indoor air dehumidified by the heat dissipation operation to the demand unit.
12. The method further includes measuring a carbon dioxide concentration and a temperature and humidity in the demand unit, The carbon dioxide-containing gas supply method according to claim 11, characterized in that the air volume and temperature and humidity of the carbon dioxide-containing gas to be introduced into the demand section are determined based on the carbon dioxide concentration and temperature and humidity measured in the demand section.
Citation Information
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