Heat source device

Abstract

To provide a heat source device capable of performing drain discharge while eliminating a neutralizer and a drain discharge pipe, and excellent in cost and hygiene performance.SOLUTION: A water heater 1 includes a sensible heat exchanger 32 absorbing sensible heat from combustion exhaust of a burner 20, a latent heat exchanger 34 disposed in a combustion exhaust downstream side of the sensible heat exchanger 32 and absorbing latent heat from the combustion exhaust after passing through the sensible heat exchanger 32, an exhaust port 22a for discharging the combustion exhaust to the outside, a fan 14 supplying combustion air to the burner 20 and sending the combustion exhaust from the burner 20 to the exhaust port 22a through the sensible heat exchanger 32 and the latent heat exchanger 34, a drain receiving tray 76 for receiving drain 82 generated by condensation in the latent heat exchanger 34, an ultrasonic element 80 for imparting ultrasonic vibration to the drain 82 received by the drain receiving tray 76 so as to generate drain mist 84 which is obtained by atomizing the drain 82, and a mixing part 86 for mixing the drain mist 84 into the combustion exhaust to generate mist-mixed exhaust 88.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat source device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a conventional heat source device. This heat source device includes a burner, a sensible heat exchanger, a latent heat exchanger, an exhaust port, a fan, and a drain receiver.

[0003] The burner burns fuel. The sensible heat exchanger absorbs sensible heat from the combustion exhaust of the burner. The latent heat exchanger is disposed on the downstream side of the combustion exhaust of the sensible heat exchanger and absorbs latent heat from the combustion exhaust after passing through the sensible heat exchanger. The exhaust port discharges the combustion exhaust after passing through the latent heat exchanger to the outside of the device. The fan supplies combustion air to the burner and sends the combustion exhaust from the burner through the sensible heat exchanger and the latent heat exchanger to the exhaust port. The drain receiver receives the drain generated by condensation in the latent heat exchanger.

[0004] Further, this heat source device further includes a neutralizer. The neutralizer stores the drain received by the drain receiver. In this neutralizer, the acidic drain is neutralized by a neutralizing agent. The drain neutralized in the neutralizer is discharged to the outside of the device through the drain discharge passage in the device.

[0005] In this heat source device, for example, a water supply pipe is connected to the latent heat exchanger, and a hot water supply pipe is connected to the sensible heat exchanger. Thereby, the water in the water supply pipe can be heated by the latent heat exchanger, and the water heated by the latent heat exchanger can be further heated by the sensible heat exchanger and supplied to the hot water supply pipe. And by recovering the latent heat from the combustion exhaust after passing through the sensible heat exchanger, the heat can be recycled and the fuel consumption can be reduced. Therefore, according to this heat source device, high thermal efficiency and low CO2 emissions can be achieved.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-13300 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] However, when installing the above-mentioned conventional heat source equipment in an existing apartment building or other multi-unit dwelling, it is necessary to connect the drainage system installed in the building to the drainage channel via a drainage pipe. Installing such a drainage pipe incurs construction costs, which hinders the replacement of existing heat sources with high thermal efficiency and low CO2 emissions.

[0008] Furthermore, neutralizers require periodic replacement of the neutralizing agent, which leads to increased costs. In addition, if a neutralizer is installed outdoors, for example, there is a risk of Legionella bacteria growth.

[0009] This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and aims to solve the problem of providing a heat source device that is superior in terms of cost and hygiene, while being able to discharge drain while eliminating the neutralizer and drain discharge pipe. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The heat source device of the present invention comprises a burner for burning fuel, A sensible heat exchanger that absorbs sensible heat from the combustion exhaust of the burner, A latent heat exchanger is positioned downstream of the combustion exhaust of the sensible heat exchanger and absorbs latent heat from the combustion exhaust after it has passed through the sensible heat exchanger. An exhaust port for discharging combustion exhaust gas to the outside after it has passed through the latent heat exchanger, A fan supplies combustion air to the burner and sends the combustion exhaust from the burner through the sensible heat exchanger and the latent heat exchanger to the exhaust port. In a heat source device comprising a drain receiving section for receiving condensate generated by condensation in the latent heat exchanger, A mist generator that applies ultrasonic vibrations to the drain received in the drain receiving section to atomize the drain and generate drain mist, The system is characterized by comprising a mixing unit that mixes the drain mist with the combustion exhaust gas while it is passing through or after it has passed through the latent heat exchanger to generate a mist-mixed exhaust gas.

[0011] In the heat source device of the present invention, the combustion exhaust from the burner is sent to the exhaust port via a sensible heat exchanger and a latent heat exchanger in sequence by the airflow of a fan that supplies combustion air to the burner. Furthermore, the condensate generated by condensation in the latent heat exchanger and collected in the drain receiving section is atomized by a mist generator to produce drain mist. In the mixing section, the drain mist is mixed with the combustion exhaust during or after passing through the latent heat exchanger to produce mist-mixed exhaust. This mist-mixed exhaust is then discharged to the outside of the device through the exhaust port by the airflow of the fan. In this way, the condensate generated in the latent heat exchanger is discharged to the outside of the device along with the combustion exhaust as mist-mixed exhaust. Therefore, neutralizers and drain discharge pipes, which are of concern in terms of cost and hygiene, are not required.

[0012] Therefore, the heat source device of the present invention is superior in terms of cost and hygiene, as it allows for drain discharge while eliminating the need for a neutralizer and drain discharge pipe.

[0013] The mist generator is preferably an ultrasonic element that applies ultrasonic vibrations to the drain. In this case, when ultrasonic vibrations are applied from the ultrasonic element to the drain received in the drain receiving section, the drain is atomized and drain mist is generated.

[0014] The drain receiving section is preferably positioned within the combustion exhaust flow generated by the fan's airflow and is a drain pan located below the latent heat exchanger. The mist generator is preferably installed in the drain pan. The mixing section is preferably located above the drain pan.

[0015] In this case, a drain pan may be installed below the latent heat exchanger, which can simplify the structure. Further, in the combustion exhaust gas flow due to the blowing force of the fan, the drain received by the drain receiving part is atomized, so that the drain mist immediately after atomization and the combustion exhaust gas can be instantaneously mixed, promoting the generation of mist-mixed exhaust gas.

[0016] The drain receiving part preferably has a drain pan disposed below the latent heat exchanger and a drain container that is communicatively connected by an outgoing communication pipe and a return communication pipe to store the drain received by the drain pan. The mist generator is preferably installed in the drain container. Then, a part of the combustion exhaust gas after passing through the latent heat exchanger is guided into the outgoing communication pipe in the drain container, and the mixing part is preferably provided at the confluence of the drain container and the return communication pipe and the downstream side of the latent heat exchanger.

[0017] In this case, since the drain can be stored in the drain container, it is possible to cope with a situation where a large amount of drain is generated.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] The heat source device of the present invention can discharge drain while abolishing the neutralizer and the drain discharge pipe, and is excellent in terms of cost and hygiene.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the hot water supply device of Example 1. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the hot water supply device of Example 2.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, Examples 1 and 2 embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0021] (Example 1) The hot water supply device 1 of Example 1 is an example of a specific embodiment of the heat source device of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the hot water supply device 1 viewed from the front. The front side of FIG. 1 is defined as the front of the hot water supply device 1, the left side of FIG. 1 is defined as the left side of the hot water supply device 1, and the upper side of FIG. 1 is defined as the upper side of the hot water supply device 1.

[0022] <Housing> As shown in FIG. 1, the hot water supply device 1 includes a housing 10. The housing 10 partitions a substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped internal space.

[0023] <Cylinder body and fan> The hot water supply device 1 includes a cylinder body 12 and a fan 14.

[0024] The cylinder body 12 is disposed at the upper part within the housing 10. Inside the cylinder body 12, a combustion chamber 16 and an exhaust passage 18 extending above the combustion chamber 16 are formed. A burner 20 is disposed in the combustion chamber 16.

[0025] An exhaust pipe 22 protruding leftward from the cylinder body 12 is provided at the upper end side of the left side wall of the cylinder body 12. One end of the exhaust pipe 22 communicates with the exhaust passage 18. The exhaust port 22a, which is the other end of the exhaust pipe 22, penetrates the left side wall of the housing 10 and is exposed outside the housing 10. The combustion exhaust from the burner 20 is discharged to the outside through the combustion chamber 16, the exhaust passage 18, the exhaust pipe 22, and the exhaust port 22a.

[0026] The fan 14 is disposed below the cylinder body 12 within the housing 10. The fan 14 supplies combustion air to the burner 20 in the combustion chamber 16. Further, the fan 14 raises the combustion exhaust from the burner 20 within the cylinder body 12 and sends it to the exhaust port 22a through the combustion chamber 16, the exhaust passage 18, and the exhaust pipe 22 in sequence.

[0027] One end of a gas supply pipe 24 is connected to the burner 20. The other end of the gas supply pipe 24 is connected to a gas supply source (not shown) located outside the housing 10. A main gas solenoid valve 26, a gas proportional valve 28, and a gas solenoid valve 30 are arranged in this order on the gas supply pipe 24. As a result, fuel gas such as city gas or propane gas is supplied to the burner 20 from the external gas supply source via the main gas solenoid valve 26, the gas proportional valve 28, and the gas solenoid valve 30.

[0028] The main gas solenoid valve 26 controls the supply and cessation of fuel gas to the burner 20. The gas proportional valve 28 controls the amount of fuel gas supplied to the burner 20 by its valve opening. The gas solenoid valve 30 controls the supply and cessation of fuel gas to the burner 20. The burner 20 discharges the fuel gas from the flame port and burns it. As a result, the burner 20 generates high-temperature combustion exhaust.

[0029] <Sensible heat exchangers and latent heat exchangers> The hot water supply system 1 is equipped with a sensible heat exchanger 32 and a latent heat exchanger 34. The sensible heat exchanger 32 and the latent heat exchanger 34 are housed in the exhaust passage 18 in the upper part of the boiler body 12. The sensible heat exchanger 32 is located above the burner 20 and is positioned in the lower part of the exhaust passage 18. The latent heat exchanger 34 is located above the sensible heat exchanger 32 and is positioned in the upper part of the exhaust passage 18. The sensible heat exchanger 32 and the latent heat exchanger 34 extend almost the entire length of the boiler body 12 in the left-right direction of the hot water supply system 1.

[0030] The high-temperature combustion exhaust generated by the burner 20 rises from the combustion chamber 16 and flows into the exhaust passage 18, and while rising within the exhaust passage 18, it flows toward the exhaust pipe 22. That is, the combustion exhaust from the burner 20 rises within the exhaust passage 18 while passing sequentially through the sensible heat exchanger 32 and the latent heat exchanger 34. The combustion exhaust is cooled by heat exchange in the sensible heat exchanger 32, and then further cooled by heat exchange in the latent heat exchanger 34 before being discharged to the outside of the housing 10 from the exhaust port 22a of the exhaust pipe 22.

[0031] The sensible heat exchanger 32 has heat transfer tubes 36. The heat transfer tubes 36 meander, including multiple straight sections and multiple folded sections that are folded in an arc shape to connect the straight sections. Each straight section of the heat transfer tubes 36 has multiple heat transfer fins.

[0032] The sensible heat exchanger 32 performs heat exchange between the water flowing through the heat transfer tubes 36 and the high-temperature combustion exhaust generated by the burner 20, and absorbs the sensible heat of the combustion exhaust.

[0033] The latent heat exchanger 34 has heat transfer tubes 38. The heat transfer tubes 38 are corrugated tubes that meander, including multiple straight sections and multiple folded sections that are folded in an arc shape to connect the straight sections.

[0034] The latent heat exchanger 34 exchanges heat between the water flowing through the heat transfer tubes 38 and the high-temperature combustion exhaust generated by the burner 20, which has passed through the sensible heat exchanger 32, thereby cooling the combustion exhaust to below the dew point temperature and absorbing its latent heat.

[0035] In this way, the sensible heat exchanger 32 and the latent heat exchanger 34 each heat the water passing through them with high-temperature combustion exhaust, converting it into hot water.

[0036] <Water supply pipes, connecting pipes, hot water pipes, and bypass pipes> The hot water supply system 1 includes a water supply pipe 40, a connecting pipe 42, a hot water supply pipe 44, and a bypass pipe 46. The water supply pipe 40, the connecting pipe 42, the hot water supply pipe 44, and the bypass pipe 46 are housed within the casing 10.

[0037] The upstream end of the water supply pipe 40 is connected to a water supply connection member 56, which will be described later. The downstream end of the water supply pipe 40 is located above the upstream end of the water supply pipe 40 and is connected to the inlet of the heat transfer tube 38 of the latent heat exchanger 34.

[0038] The upstream end of the connecting pipe 42 is connected to the outlet of the heat transfer tube 38 of the latent heat exchanger 34. The downstream end of the connecting pipe 42 is located below the upstream end of the connecting pipe 42 and is connected to the inlet of the heat transfer tube 36 of the sensible heat exchanger 32.

[0039] A hot water high-limit switch 48 is provided near the inlet of the heat transfer tube 36 of the sensible heat exchanger 32 in the connecting pipe 42. The hot water high-limit switch 48 detects overheating of the sensible heat exchanger 32.

[0040] The upstream end of the hot water supply pipe 44 is connected to the outlet of the heat transfer tube 36 of the sensible heat exchanger 32. The downstream end of the hot water supply pipe 44 is located below the upstream end of the hot water supply pipe 44 and is connected to the hot water supply connection member 58, which will be described later.

[0041] A heat exchanger outlet thermistor 52 is provided near the outlet of the heat transfer tube 36 of the sensible heat exchanger 32 in the hot water supply pipe 44. The heat exchanger outlet thermistor 52 detects the temperature of the hot water flowing from the sensible heat exchanger 32 into the hot water supply pipe 44. A hot water thermistor 54 is provided downstream of the point where the hot water supply pipe 44 merges with the bypass pipe 46 near the hot water supply connection member 58, which will be described later. The hot water thermistor 54 detects the temperature of the hot water sent from the hot water supply pipe 44 to the external hot water supply line 66, which will be described later.

[0042] The upstream end of the bypass pipe 46 is connected to the water supply pipe 40. The downstream end of the bypass pipe 46 is connected to the hot water supply pipe 44. A bypass servo 74 of the water volume control unit 60, which will be described later, is provided at the connection point between the water supply pipe 40 and the bypass pipe 46.

[0043] <Water supply connection member, hot water connection member, and water volume control unit> The hot water supply device 1 includes a water supply connection member 56, a hot water supply connection member 58, and a water volume control unit 60.

[0044] The water supply connection member 56 is connected to a water supply channel 62 located outside the housing 10. The water supply connection member 56 has a water filter and drain plug 64.

[0045] The hot water supply connection member 58 is connected to the hot water supply passage 66 located outside the housing 10. The hot water supply connection member 58 has an overpressure relief valve / drain valve 68 that operates to release pressure when the pressure inside the hot water supply pipe 44 becomes excessive.

[0046] The water flow control unit 60 is located near the water supply connection member 56 in the water supply pipe 40. The water flow control unit 60 includes a water flow sensor 70, a water flow servo 72, and a bypass servo 74. The water flow control unit 60 controls the flow rate of water flowing through the water supply pipe 40 and the bypass pipe 46.

[0047] The water flow sensor 70 detects the flow rate of water flowing through the water supply pipe 40. The water flow servo 72 adjusts the flow rate of water flowing through the water supply pipe 40. The bypass servo 74 adjusts the ratio of the flow rate of water sent to the latent heat exchanger 34 via the water supply pipe 40 to the flow rate of water sent from the water supply pipe 40 to the bypass pipe 46 by adjusting the degree of opening to the bypass pipe 46. The bypass servo 74 also switches between a bypass closed state, which directs the water supplied to the water flow control unit 60 only to the water supply pipe 40, and a bypass open state, which directs the water supplied to the water flow control unit 60 to both the water supply pipe 40 and the bypass pipe 46. The water flow servo 72 controls the total flow rate of hot water sent from the hot water supply pipe 44 to the external hot water supply line 66.

[0048] <Drain receiving section, ultrasonic element, and mixing section> The hot water supply device 1 is equipped with a drain pan 76 that receives the drain 82 generated by condensation in the latent heat exchanger 34. The drain pan 76 is an example of a drain receiving part of the present invention.

[0049] The drain pan 76 is located within the exhaust passage 18, between the sensible heat exchanger 32 and the latent heat exchanger 34, and below the latent heat exchanger 34. The drain pan 76 is positioned within the combustion exhaust flow caused by the airflow of the fan 14. The drain pan 76 extends in the left-right and front-back directions of the hot water supply unit 1 to a length approximately equal to that of the latent heat exchanger 34.

[0050] An ultrasonic element 80 is installed on the upper surface of the bottom wall 78 of the drain pan 76. The ultrasonic element 80 is an example of a mist generator of the present invention. The ultrasonic element 80 extends over almost the entire bottom wall 78. The ultrasonic element 80 applies ultrasonic vibrations to the drain 82 received in the drain pan 76, atomizing the drain 82 and generating drain mist 84.

[0051] Above the drain pan 76 is a mixing section 86. That is, the mixing section 86 is located within the combustion exhaust flow generated by the fan 14. In the mixing section 86, drain mist 84 is mixed with the combustion exhaust passing through the latent heat exchanger 34 to generate mist-mixed exhaust 88. The mist-mixed exhaust 88 in the mixing section 86 is discharged to the outside through the exhaust port 22a via the exhaust pipe 22, under the influence of the fan 14's airflow.

[0052] <Hot water supply operation> When the hot water heater 1 supplies hot water to the external hot water supply line 66, the fan 14 is activated to supply combustion air to the burner 20, and fuel gas is supplied to the burner 20 from an external gas supply source to burn the fuel gas. At this time, the water supplied from the external water supply source to the water supply line 62 is sent to the latent heat exchanger 34 via the water supply pipe 40. This water is heated by heat exchange in the latent heat exchanger 34, and then further heated by heat exchange in the sensible heat exchanger 32 to become high-temperature hot water. This hot water is supplied to the external hot water supply line 66 via the hot water supply pipe 44. At this time, the high-temperature hot water flowing from the sensible heat exchanger 32 into the hot water supply pipe 44 and the low-temperature water flowing from the water supply pipe 40 into the hot water supply pipe 44 via the bypass pipe 46 are mixed to adjust the temperature of the hot water supplied to the hot water supply line 66. By adjusting the combustion rate of the burner 20 and the opening degree of the bypass pipe 46 in the bypass servo 74, the temperature of the hot water supplied to the hot water supply line 66 can be adjusted to a desired temperature.

[0053] <Effects and Effects> In the hot water supply device 1 of Example 1, the exhaust gas from the burner 20 is blown by the fan 14 that supplies combustion air to the burner 20, flowing from the combustion chamber 16 through the exhaust passage 18, passing sequentially through the sensible heat exchanger 32 and the latent heat exchanger 34 before being sent to the exhaust pipe 22.

[0054] The drain 82 generated by condensation in the latent heat exchanger 34 and collected in the drain pan 76 is subjected to ultrasonic vibrations by the ultrasonic element 80. This atomizes the drain 82, generating drain mist 84. In the mixing section 86 located above the latent heat exchanger 34, the drain mist 84 is mixed with the combustion exhaust passing through the latent heat exchanger 34, generating mist-mixed exhaust 88. The mist-mixed exhaust 88 thus generated is discharged to the outside of the hot water supply device 1 through the exhaust port 22a by the airflow of the fan 14.

[0055] In this way, the drain 82 generated in the latent heat exchanger 34 becomes mist-mixed exhaust 88 and is discharged to the outside of the hot water supply unit 1 together with the combustion exhaust. Therefore, neutralizers and drain pipes, which are of concern in terms of cost and hygiene, are not required.

[0056] Therefore, this hot water supply system 1 is superior in terms of cost and hygiene because it can discharge condensate while eliminating the need for a neutralizer and drain pipe.

[0057] In this hot water heater 1, the drain 82 collected in the drain pan 76 is immediately atomized by ultrasonic vibrations to become drain mist 84. This reduces the amount of drain 82 stored in the drain pan 76. Furthermore, the drain pan 76 is positioned within the combustion exhaust flow generated by the fan 14, and the mixing unit 86 is located within this combustion exhaust flow. This allows for immediate mixing of the newly atomized drain mist 84 with the combustion exhaust, promoting the generation of mist-mixed exhaust 88. In addition, the drain 82 stored in the drain pan 76 is heated by the combustion exhaust, thus promoting the evaporation of the drain 82. As a result, this hot water heater 1 can easily handle situations where a large amount of drain 82 is generated.

[0058] Furthermore, with this hot water supply system 1, it is only necessary to install a drain pan 76 below the latent heat exchanger 34, thus simplifying the structure.

[0059] In this hot water supply system 1, the combustion exhaust, including the mist-mixed exhaust 88 discharged to the outside from the exhaust port 22a, has the same composition as the combustion exhaust discharged from a sensible heat recovery type heat source system that does not have a latent heat exchanger 34 and only has a sensible heat exchanger 32. Therefore, the combustion exhaust discharged from this hot water supply system 1 is guaranteed to have the same level of safety as the combustion exhaust discharged from a sensible heat recovery type heat source system.

[0060] Furthermore, since the drain 82 that accumulates in the drain pan 76 is not neutralized, the growth of Legionella bacteria can be suppressed.

[0061] (Example 2) As shown in Figure 2, the hot water supply device 2 of Example 2 has a modified configuration of the drain receiving section, ultrasonic element, and mixing section compared to the hot water supply device 1 of Example 1.

[0062] The hot water supply device 2 includes a drain pan 76, an ultrasonic element 80, a drain container 90, a supply connecting pipe 92, and a return connecting pipe 94. The drain pan 76 and the drain container 90 are examples of drain receiving parts of the present invention.

[0063] The drain pan 76 is located within the exhaust passage 18, between the sensible heat exchanger 32 and the latent heat exchanger 34, and below the latent heat exchanger 34. The drain pan 76 is positioned within the combustion exhaust flow caused by the airflow of the fan 14. The drain pan 76 extends in the left-right and front-back directions of the hot water supply unit 2 to a length approximately equal to that of the latent heat exchanger 34.

[0064] The upper surface of the bottom wall 78 of the drain pan 76 is an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the downstream side of the combustion exhaust, that is, from the right to the left of the housing 10. One end of the supply pipe 92 is connected to the bottom wall 78 of the drain pan 76 at its leftmost lowest point. The other end of the supply pipe 92 is connected to the upper end of the drain container 90.

[0065] The drain container 90 is located at the bottom of the left end of the housing 10. One end of the return connecting pipe 94 is connected to the upper end of the drain container 90. The other end of the return connecting pipe 94 is connected to the middle of the exhaust pipe 22. The inside of the drain container 90 is a sealed space except for communication with the supply connecting pipe 92 and the return connecting pipe 94. Drain 82 received in the drain pan 76 is introduced into the drain container 90 via the supply connecting pipe 92. In addition, a portion of the combustion exhaust that has passed through the latent heat exchanger 34 is introduced into the drain container 90 via the supply connecting pipe 92 by the airflow of the fan 14.

[0066] An ultrasonic element 80 is positioned at the bottom of the drain container 90. The ultrasonic element 80 applies ultrasonic vibrations to the drain 82 stored in the drain container 90, atomizing the drain 82 and generating drain mist 84.

[0067] The upper part of the drain container 90 and the junction 22b of the return connecting pipe 94 and the exhaust pipe 22 downstream of the latent heat exchanger 34 are designated as a mixing section 86. In the upper part of the drain container 90, drain mist 84 is mixed with a portion of the combustion exhaust after it has passed through the latent heat exchanger 34, generating a portion of the mist-mixed exhaust 88. Also, at the junction 22b of the return connecting pipe 94 and the exhaust pipe 22, drain mist 84 that has risen through the return connecting pipe 94 is mixed with the combustion exhaust after it has passed through the latent heat exchanger 34, generating the mist-mixed exhaust 88. The mist-mixed exhaust 88 is discharged to the outside through the exhaust port 22a via the exhaust pipe 22, under the influence of the airflow from the fan 14.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the return connecting pipe 94 is connected to the exhaust pipe 22 and the confluence section 22b is provided inside the exhaust pipe 22. However, the return connecting pipe 94 may be connected to the downstream end of the latent heat exchanger 34 and the confluence section 22b may be formed inside the latent heat exchanger 34.

[0069] The other components of Example 2 are the same as those of Example 1. Therefore, components identical to those of Example 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0070] The hot water supply device 2 of Example 2, like the hot water supply device 1 of Example 1, can supply hot water to the external hot water supply passage 66 through its hot water supply operation.

[0071] <Effects and Effects> In the hot water supply device 2 of Example 2, the drain 82 received in the drain pan 76 is introduced into the drain container 90 via the supply connecting pipe 92.

[0072] Ultrasonic vibrations are applied from the ultrasonic element 80 to the drain 82 stored in the drain container 90, generating drain mist 84. In the mixing section 86 provided inside the drain container 90, the drain mist 84 is mixed with a portion of the combustion exhaust after it has passed through the latent heat exchanger 34, generating a portion of the mist-mixed exhaust 88. Furthermore, at the junction 22b of the return connecting pipe 94 and the exhaust pipe 22, the drain mist 84 that has risen through the return connecting pipe 94 is mixed with the combustion exhaust after it has passed through the latent heat exchanger 34, generating the mist-mixed exhaust 88. The mist-mixed exhaust 88 thus generated is discharged to the outside of the hot water supply device 2 through the exhaust pipe 22 and the exhaust port 22a by the airflow of the fan 14.

[0073] In this way, the drain 82 generated in the latent heat exchanger 34 becomes mist-mixed exhaust 88 and is discharged to the outside of the hot water supply unit 2 along with the combustion exhaust. Therefore, neutralizers and drain pipes, which are of concern in terms of cost and hygiene, are not required.

[0074] Therefore, this hot water supply system 2 also eliminates the need for a neutralizer and drain pipe while still allowing for drain discharge, making it superior in terms of cost and hygiene.

[0075] This hot water supply system 2 can store drain 82 in the drain container 90. Therefore, it can handle situations where a large amount of drain 82 is generated.

[0076] Furthermore, the combustion exhaust from this hot water supply system 2 has the same composition as the combustion exhaust discharged from the sensible heat recovery type heat source system, thus ensuring the same level of safety.

[0077] Furthermore, since the drain 82 stored in the drain container 90 is not neutralized, the growth of Legionella bacteria can be suppressed.

[0078] Although the present invention has been described above in reference to Examples 1 and 2, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to Examples 1 and 2, and can be applied with appropriate modifications without departing from its spirit.

[0079] For example, the location of the ultrasonic element 80 can be changed as appropriate, within a range that allows ultrasonic vibrations to be applied to the drain 82 received in the drain receiving section, thereby atomizing the drain 82 and generating drain mist 84.

[0080] Furthermore, the mist generator is not limited to the ultrasonic element 80; the drain 82 may also be atomized by evaporation using a heater or by ultra-fine atomization using a stirrer.

[0081] Furthermore, the installation location of the drain container 90 is not limited to that of Example 2, and can be changed as appropriate. [Industrial applicability]

[0082] The present invention can be used, for example, in heat source devices such as a hot water supply device having only a hot water supply function, a hot water supply device having a hot water supply function and a bath reheating function, and a hot water heater having a hot water supply function and a heating function that circulates hot water between the hot water supply device and a heating device. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0083] 1, 2... Hot water supply equipment (heat source equipment) 14…fan 20... Burner 22a... Exhaust port 22b…merging part 32…Sensible heat exchanger 34...Latent heat exchanger 76... Drain pan (drain receiving section) 80… Ultrasonic element (mist generator) 82... Drain 84... Drain mist 86…Mixing section 88... Mist-mixed exhaust 90... Drain container (drain receiving section) 92... Outbound connecting pipe 94... Return liaison pipe

Claims

1. A burner that burns fuel, A sensible heat exchanger that absorbs sensible heat from the combustion exhaust of the burner, A latent heat exchanger is positioned downstream of the combustion exhaust of the sensible heat exchanger and absorbs latent heat from the combustion exhaust after it has passed through the sensible heat exchanger. An exhaust port for discharging combustion exhaust gas to the outside after it has passed through the latent heat exchanger, A fan supplies combustion air to the burner and sends the combustion exhaust from the burner through the sensible heat exchanger and the latent heat exchanger to the exhaust port. In a heat source device comprising a drain receiving section for receiving condensate generated by condensation in the latent heat exchanger, A mist generator that produces a mist by atomizing the drain received in the drain receiving section, The system includes a mixing unit that mixes the drain mist with the combustion exhaust after it has passed through the latent heat exchanger to generate a mist-mixed exhaust, The drain receiving section includes a drain pan located below the latent heat exchanger, and a drain container connected by a supply pipe and a return pipe for storing the drain received in the drain pan. The mist generator is installed in the drain container, A portion of the combustion exhaust after passing through the latent heat exchanger is guided into the drain container by the supply connecting pipe, and the mixing section is provided in the drain container and at the junction of the return connecting pipe and the downstream side of the latent heat exchanger. A heat source device characterized in that the drain container is not connected to a drain discharge pipe for discharging the drain from the drain container.

2. The heat source device according to claim 1, wherein the mist generator is an ultrasonic element that applies ultrasonic vibrations to the drain.

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