Heat pump type steam generation system

Abstract

The objective is to expedite the transition from stopping to starting the supply of steam by the heat pump during batch operation, thereby achieving energy savings. The heat pump type steam generation system (10) uses a heat pump (20) to recover heat from a heat source hot water into a refrigerant, transfer the recovered heat from the refrigerant to the water to be heated to generate steam, and supply the generated steam to the heat utilization equipment (100). The heat pump type steam generation system includes a heat source hot water supply unit (50) that supplies heat source hot water to the evaporator (21) of the heat pump, a steam delivery line (L6) that sends the steam generated in the condenser (23) of the heat pump to the heat utilization equipment, a bypass line that supplies the steam from the steam delivery line to the heat source hot water supply unit, and a first solenoid valve (40) that switches between supplying and stopping steam from the bypass line to the heat source hot water supply unit.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a heat pump type steam generation system that supplies steam to heat utilization equipment. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a system comprising a heat pump and a heat source water tank for storing heat source water as a heat source for the heat pump. The heat pump is configured by sequentially connecting a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator in a ring shape. In the heat pump, the heat source water in the heat source water tank is heat-exchanged with a refrigerant in the evaporator, and the gaseous refrigerant is compressed in the compressor to become high temperature and high pressure. In the condenser, the gaseous refrigerant from the compressor is condensed and liquefied, and the refrigerant releases heat to warm the water supplied to the water supply tank. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-210118 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0004] Incidentally, heat pumps that generate steam are required to support batch operation, which allows for quick switching between supplying and stopping steam. However, if the heat pump's compressor and other components are completely stopped and cooled down, it takes time to restart the steam supply at the predetermined output. As a result, the amount of steam supplied from the heat pump decreases, and the amount of heat recovered from heat source water such as waste hot water also decreases, leading to a reduction in energy-saving effects.

[0005] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a heat pump type steam generation system that can expedite the process from stopping to starting the supply of steam by a heat pump in batch operation, thereby achieving energy-saving effects. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A heat pump type steam generation system according to one embodiment of the present invention is a heat pump type steam generation system that uses a heat pump to recover heat from a heat source hot water into a refrigerant, transfers the recovered heat from the refrigerant to water to be heated to generate steam, and supplies the generated steam to a heat utilization facility, comprising: a heat source hot water supply unit that supplies the heat source hot water to the evaporator of the heat pump; a steam delivery line that sends the steam generated in the condenser of the heat pump to the heat utilization facility side; a bypass line that supplies the steam from the steam delivery line to the heat source hot water supply unit; and a heat source supply switching unit that switches the supply of steam from the bypass line to the heat source hot water supply unit and stops the supply. The steam supply line includes an equipment supply switching unit that switches the supply of steam to the heat utilization equipment and stops the supply of steam, a pressure detection unit that detects the pressure of the steam flowing through the steam supply line, and a switching control unit that controls the switching in the heat source supply switching unit and the switching in the equipment supply switching unit based on the pressure value detected by the pressure detection unit, wherein the switching control unit compares the pressure value with a threshold value, and controls the heat source supply switching unit to supply steam and the equipment supply switching unit to stop supplying steam if the pressure value is greater than or equal to the threshold value, and controls the heat source supply switching unit to stop supplying steam and the equipment supply switching unit to supply steam if the pressure value is less than or equal to the threshold value. It is characterized by the following. Furthermore, one embodiment of the present invention is a heat pump type steam generation system that uses a heat pump to recover heat from a heat source hot water into a refrigerant, transfers the recovered heat from the refrigerant to the water to be heated to generate steam, and supplies the generated steam to a heat utilization facility, comprising: a heat source hot water supply unit that supplies the heat source hot water to the evaporator of the heat pump; a steam delivery line that sends the steam generated in the condenser of the heat pump to the heat utilization facility side; a bypass line that supplies the steam from the steam delivery line to the heat source hot water supply unit; and the supply and cessation of the steam from the bypass line to the heat source hot water supply unit. The system comprises a heat source supply switching unit for switching between the heat source supply and the equipment supply switching unit provided in the steam delivery line for switching the supply and cessation of the steam to the heat utilization equipment, and a switching control unit that controls the switching in the heat source supply switching unit based on a request from the heat utilization equipment, wherein the switching control unit controls the heat source supply switching unit to cease supplying the steam and the equipment supply switching unit to supply the steam in response to a steam request command from the heat utilization equipment, and controls the heat source supply switching unit to supply the steam and the equipment supply switching unit to cease supplying the steam in response to a steam cessation command from the heat utilization equipment. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, when the heat utilization equipment does not require steam, the steam generated by the heat pump can be supplied to the heat source hot water supply unit via a bypass line through a switch by the heat source supply switching unit. In other words, the operation of the heat pump can be continued without stopping, and the time from stopping to starting the supply of steam by the heat pump in batch operation can be accelerated. As a result, the amount of steam supplied from the heat pump to the heat utilization equipment can be increased, and the amount of heat recovered from the heat source hot water by utilizing the steam generated by the heat pump within the system can be increased, thereby enhancing the energy saving effect. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This diagram shows the configuration of a heat pump type steam generation system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This flowchart shows the control processing procedure when transitioning to idling operation mode. [Figure 3] This flowchart shows the control processing procedure when transitioning to normal operation mode. [Figure 4]It is a flowchart showing another example of the control processing procedure during the transition to the idling operation mode.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, a heat pump type steam generation system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and can be appropriately modified and implemented within the scope of not changing the gist thereof. In the following figures, for convenience of explanation, some configurations may be omitted.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a heat pump type steam generation system according to an embodiment. The heat pump type steam generation system 10 is a system that recovers heat from heat source hot water and generates water vapor (steam) using the recovered heat, and the generated water vapor is sent to an external heat utilization facility 100.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the heat pump type steam generation system 10 includes a heat pump 20, a steam separator 30, a first electromagnetic valve 40 serving as a heat source supply switching unit provided in a bypass line L7 described later, a heat source hot water supply unit 50, and a control unit 60. The heat source hot water supplied by the heat source hot water supply unit 50 uses, for example, waste hot water discharged from a factory or the like as the heat source of the heat pump 20. The heat source hot water can be exemplified as being used in a temperature range of 50 to 90°C.

[0012] The heat pump 20 is a refrigeration cycle device that sequentially connects an evaporator 21 that recovers heat from heat source hot water and heats a refrigerant, a compressor 22 that compresses the refrigerant heated by the evaporator 21, a condenser 23 that dissipates heat and condenses the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 22, and an expansion valve 24 that expands the refrigerant output from the condenser 23 in a circular manner with a refrigerant pipe to circulate the refrigerant. Note that the heat pump 20 in FIG. 1 shows a basic configuration, and other elements may be provided in the circuit.

[0013] The heat pump 20 further includes a refrigerant solenoid valve 25 provided in the refrigerant pipe between the condenser 23 and the expansion valve 24. The refrigerant solenoid valve 25 is controlled to be open during the operation of the heat pump 20 and is controlled to be closed during the stop of the operation of the heat pump 20.

[0014] The evaporator 21 is supplied with heat source hot water from a heat source hot water tank 51 described later via a heat source hot water delivery line L1 and a heat source hot water pump P1. In the evaporator 21, the liquid refrigerant exchanges heat with the heat source hot water, and the heat is recovered from the heat source hot water to the refrigerant and heated, so that the refrigerant is evaporated and sent to the compressor 22. The heat source hot water from which heat has been recovered by the refrigerant in the evaporator 21 is discharged via a heat source hot water discharge line L2.

[0015] In the compressor 22, the refrigerant evaporated in the evaporator 21 is compressed to become high temperature and high pressure and is sent to the condenser 23.

[0016] The condenser 23 is supplied with heated water from a water supply source such as a water pipe or a water tank (not shown) via a water supply line L3 and a water supply pump P2. The heated water is set to, for example, 25°C. In the condenser 23, the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant exchanges heat with the heated water, and the heat recovered in the evaporator 21 is transferred from the refrigerant to the heated water, so that the refrigerant is condensed and sent to the expansion valve 24. The heated water that has exchanged heat with the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant in the condenser 23 is heated, a part of which is evaporated to generate water vapor (steam), and the rest becomes water, resulting in a two-phase flow in which water and water vapor are mixed. Such a two-phase flow is introduced into the steam separator 30 from a two-phase flow line L4 on the outlet side of the condenser 23.

[0017] The refrigerant output from the condenser 23 is throttled and expanded by the expansion valve 24 and returns to the evaporator 21 again.

[0018] The steam separator 30 is a cylindrical container oriented vertically, with a circulation line L5 connected to its lower wall. The steam separator 30 separates the two-phase flow introduced from the condenser 23 into water and steam, with water contained in the lower part and steam in the upper part. The water contained in the lower part of the steam separator 30 flows downward through the circulation line L5 by gravity, merges with the heated water in the feedwater line L3, and is supplied back to the condenser 23. The circulation line L5 is also provided with a blowdown outlet 31 for discharging the water stored in the steam separator 30 to the outside.

[0019] A steam discharge line L6 is connected to the upper wall of the steam separator 30. The steam discharge line L6 sends the steam separated from the two-phase flow in the steam separator 30, that is, the steam generated in the condenser 23, to the external heat utilization equipment 100. The steam sent from the steam separator 30 to the steam discharge line L6 is saturated steam and is set to, for example, approximately 150°C.

[0020] The steam delivery line L6 has an upstream steam inlet L61 connected to a steam separator 30, and a downstream steam outlet L62 connected to a process line L9 that supplies steam to an external heat utilization facility 100. The heat pump type steam generation system 10 further includes a first steam pressure sensor 33, a steam pressure regulating valve 34, a check valve 35, a bypass line L7, a second solenoid valve 36 (equipment supply switching unit), and a second steam pressure sensor 37 (pressure detection unit), which are installed in order from the steam inlet L61 to the steam outlet L62 side of the steam delivery line L6.

[0021] The first steam pressure sensor 33 detects the pressure of the steam flowing on the steam inlet L61 side of the steam delivery line L6, and the second steam pressure sensor 37 detects the pressure of the steam flowing on the steam outlet L62 side of the steam delivery line L6.

[0022] The steam pressure regulating valve 34 can be exemplified by being composed of a solenoid valve with an adjustable opening. The steam pressure regulating valve 34 controls the flow rate of steam flowing through the steam delivery line L6 to adjust the pressure of the steam supplied to the heat utilization equipment 100. The check valve 35 restricts the flow of steam from the second solenoid valve 36 to the steam inlet L61 side in the steam delivery line L6.

[0023] The bypass line L7 connects the space between the check valve 35 and the second solenoid valve 36 in the steam delivery line L6 to the heat source hot water tank 51 of the heat source hot water supply unit 50, which will be described later. The bypass line L7 is provided so that the steam delivered in the steam delivery line L6 can be supplied to the heat source hot water supply unit 50.

[0024] In the first solenoid valve 40 and the second solenoid valve 36 installed in the bypass line L7, a valve structure is adopted in which they are used either fully open or fully closed, rather than at an intermediate opening. When the first solenoid valve 40 is opened, steam can be supplied from the bypass line L7 to the heat source hot water supply unit 50, and when the first solenoid valve 40 is closed, the supply of steam from the bypass line L7 to the heat source hot water supply unit 50 is stopped. Therefore, the supply and cessation of steam from the bypass line L7 to the heat source hot water supply unit 50 can be switched by opening and closing the first solenoid valve 40.

[0025] Furthermore, when the second solenoid valve 36 is opened, steam can be supplied from the steam delivery line L6 to the heat utilization equipment 100, and when the second solenoid valve 36 is closed, the supply of steam from the steam delivery line L6 to the heat utilization equipment 100 is stopped. Thus, the supply and cessation of steam supply to the heat utilization equipment 100 can be switched by opening and closing the second solenoid valve 36.

[0026] Furthermore, when the first solenoid valve 40 is opened and the second solenoid valve 36 is closed, the steam sent to the steam delivery line L6 is supplied to the heat source hot water supply unit 50 from the bypass line L7, and the supply of steam to the heat utilization equipment 100 is stopped. On the other hand, when the first solenoid valve 40 is closed and the second solenoid valve 36 is opened, steam is supplied to the heat utilization equipment 100 from the steam delivery line L6, and the supply of steam to the heat source hot water supply unit 50 from the bypass line L7 is stopped. In this way, the first solenoid valve 40 and the second solenoid valve 36 enable switching between supplying and stopping steam from the bypass line L7 to the heat source hot water supply unit 50, and also enable switching between supplying and stopping steam to the heat utilization equipment 100.

[0027] The heat source hot water supply unit 50 includes the heat source hot water delivery line L1 and heat source hot water pump P1 described above, as well as a heat source hot water tank 51 for storing heat source hot water that serves as the heat source for the heat pump 20, and supplies the heat source hot water to the evaporator 21 of the heat pump 20. Waste hot water from factories and other sources is supplied to the heat source hot water tank 51, and this waste hot water is used as heat source hot water. Steam is also supplied to the heat source hot water tank 51 from the bypass line L7. The heat source hot water stored in the heat source hot water tank 51 is heated by the steam supplied from the bypass line L7, and this heating raises the temperature of the heat source hot water by, for example, 5°C. The downstream end of the bypass line L7 is connected to a silencer 52 to suppress the generation of noise and vibration caused by the supply of steam.

[0028] The control unit 60 is connected to the heat pump 20, the heat source hot water pump P1, the water supply pump P2, the first steam pressure sensor 33, the steam pressure regulating valve 34, the first solenoid valve 40, the second solenoid valve 36, and the second steam pressure sensor 37. The control unit 60 also includes a switching control unit 61, a heat pump output control unit 62, an idling monitoring control unit 63, and a steam pressure control unit 64. The control unit 60 controls the operation and function of the heat pump 20, each pump P1, pump P2, and each valve 34, 36, and 40.

[0029] The switching control unit 61 controls the switching of the steam outlet destination by opening and closing the first solenoid valve 40 and the switching of the steam outlet destination by opening and closing the second solenoid valve 36, based on the pressure value detected by the second steam pressure sensor 37. For example, the switching control unit 61 receives the steam pressure value in the steam outlet line L6 detected by the second steam pressure sensor 37. Then, it compares the pressure value detected by the second steam pressure sensor 37 with a set steam pressure threshold, and controls the opening and closing of the first solenoid valve 40 and the second solenoid valve 36 based on the comparison result.

[0030] The heat pump output control unit 62 controls the output of the heat pump 20 based on the pressure value detected by the second steam pressure sensor 37. For example, the heat pump output control unit 62 receives the pressure value detected by the second steam pressure sensor 37 as input and compares the pressure value detected by the second steam pressure sensor 37 with a set steam pressure that serves as a threshold. Based on the result of this comparison, the unit controls the rotational speed of the compressor 22 in the heat pump 20 to adjust the amount of steam generated, which becomes the output of the heat pump 20. In addition, the valve opening of the expansion valve 24 of the heat pump 20 may also be controlled when adjusting the amount of steam generated.

[0031] The idling monitoring control unit 63 measures the operating time of the idling operation mode, which will be described later, and controls the continuation and stopping of the operation of the heat pump 20 based on the measurement result of the operating time.

[0032] The steam pressure control unit 64 controls the valve opening of the steam pressure regulating valve 34 according to the steam pressure value in the steam delivery line L6 detected by the first steam pressure sensor 33, thereby adjusting the pressure of the steam supplied to the heat utilization equipment 100 and the heat source hot water supply unit 50. However, if the steam pressure regulating valve 34 has a function to adjust its valve opening according to the detection result of the first steam pressure sensor 33, the steam pressure control unit 64 may be omitted.

[0033] The heat utilization equipment 100 includes a steam utilization process 101 for sterilization, drying, distillation, etc., and a process solenoid valve 102 installed in a process line L9 that communicates with the steam outlet L62 of the steam delivery line L6. The heat utilization equipment 100 also includes a boiler 103 that supplies steam to the steam utilization process 101 from the downstream side of the process solenoid valve 102 in the process line L9.

[0034] In this embodiment, the heat utilization equipment 100 alternates between periods when it requires steam generated by the heat pump 20 and periods when it does not require steam, at short intervals (for example, a few minutes to a few tens of minutes). For example, during periods when the heat utilization equipment 100 does not require steam, the process solenoid valve 102 is closed, and the supply of steam from the steam delivery line L6 to the steam utilization process 101 is stopped. On the other hand, during periods when the heat utilization equipment 100 requires steam, the process solenoid valve 102 is opened, and steam is supplied from the steam delivery line L6 to the steam utilization process 101.

[0035] In this embodiment, the heat pump type steam generation system 10 switches the operating mode according to the repetition of the time when steam is required and the time when steam is not required in the heat utilization equipment 100. More specifically, the system is controlled to alternate between a normal operating mode in which the heat utilization equipment 100 requires steam and an idling operating mode in which the heat utilization equipment 100 does not require steam. This makes it possible to handle batch operation in which the supply and stop of steam can be switched in a short time. The control processing procedure when transitioning to the idling operating mode will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 2, and the control processing procedure when transitioning to the normal operating mode will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 3.

[0036] <When switching to idling operation mode> Until just before switching to idling mode, the system operates in normal operation mode. In normal operation mode, the first solenoid valve 40 is closed and the second solenoid valve 36 is open, and steam is supplied from the steam delivery line L6 to the heat utilization equipment 100.

[0037] During normal operation, as shown in Figure 2, the set steam pressure P is a pre-stored threshold value, and the pressure value P detected by the second steam pressure sensor 37 is also stored. a The two values ​​are compared in the switching control unit 61 and the heat pump output control unit 62 (step S101). As a result of the comparison, the pressure value P detected by the second steam pressure sensor 37 is compared. a If the pressure is less than or equal to the set steam pressure P (P a ≤P, step S101: No), step S101 is repeated at predetermined time intervals. In other words, the normal operating mode is continued.

[0038] As a result of the comparison in step S101, the pressure value P detected by the second steam pressure sensor 37 a If the set steam pressure P is greater than (P a >P, step S101: Yes), the switching control unit 61 controls the first solenoid valve 40 to open and the second solenoid valve 36 to close (step S102). As a result, the supply of steam sent to the steam delivery line L6 to the heat utilization equipment 100 is stopped, and steam is supplied from the bypass line L7 to the heat source hot water supply unit 50. In other words, the destination of the steam sent to the steam delivery line L6 is switched from the heat utilization equipment 100 to the heat source hot water supply unit 50. This switch supplies steam from the bypass line L7 to the heat source hot water tank 51, and the heat source hot water stored in the heat source hot water tank 51 is heated.

[0039] The pressure value P detected by the second steam pressure sensor 37 a One example of why the pressure increases is that the process solenoid valve 102 is closed in the heat utilization equipment 100 to eliminate the need for steam, causing the steam pressure in the steam delivery line L6 to rise.

[0040] After the implementation of step S102, the heat pump output control unit 62 controls the drive rotation speed of the compressor 22 in the heat pump 20 to be reduced based on the result of the comparison in step S101 (step S103). For example, the drive rotation speed of the compressor 22 can be reduced to the minimum rotation speed allowable in the operation of the heat pump 20 to lower the output, and the power consumption of the compressor 22 can be suppressed. By implementing steps S102 and S103, the transition to the idling operation mode is completed.

[0041] <During transition to normal operation mode> Until immediately before transitioning to the normal operation mode, it is operated in the idling operation mode. During the operation in the idling operation mode, as shown in FIG. 3, the set vapor pressure P which is a threshold value stored in advance and the pressure value P detected by the second vapor pressure sensor 37 a are compared by the switching control unit 61 and the heat pump output control unit 62 (step S201). As a result of the comparison, the pressure value P detected by the second vapor pressure sensor 37 a is greater than the set vapor pressure P (P a > P, step S201: No), and step S201 is repeatedly implemented at predetermined time intervals. In other words, the idling operation mode is continued.

[0042] As a result of the comparison in step S201, when the pressure value P detected by the second vapor pressure sensor 37 a is less than or equal to the set vapor pressure P (P a ≦ P, step S201: Yes), the switching control unit 61 controls the first solenoid valve 40 to be closed and the second solenoid valve 36 to be opened (step S202). Thereby, the supply from the bypass line L7 to the heat source hot water supply unit 50 is stopped, and steam is supplied from the steam delivery line L6 to the heat utilization facility 100. In other words, the delivery destination of the steam delivered to the steam delivery line L6 is switched from the heat source hot water supply unit 50 to the heat utilization facility 100.

[0043] Note that the pressure value P detected by the second vapor pressure sensor 37 aOne example of a reason for the decrease is that the process solenoid valve 102 is opened to allow the heat utilization equipment 100 to utilize steam, which reduces the steam pressure in the steam delivery line L6.

[0044] After step S202 is performed, the heat pump output control unit 62 controls the rotational speed of the compressor 22 in the heat pump 20 to increase based on the comparison results of step S201 (step S203). For example, the rotational speed of the compressor 22 is increased to a predetermined rotational speed stored in advance, increasing the heat pump 20 to the set output and supplying steam at a predetermined temperature to the heat utilization equipment 100. The transition to the normal operation mode is completed by performing steps S202 and S203.

[0045] According to the above embodiment, steam can be supplied to the heat source hot water supply unit 50 through the bypass line L7 via the opening and closing of the first solenoid valve 40 and the second solenoid valve 36. Therefore, in idling operation mode, the operation of the heat pump 20 can be continued by reducing the drive speed of the compressor 22 without stopping the operation, and when transitioning to normal operation mode, the drive speed of the compressor 22 can be increased to a predetermined speed in a short time. As a result, the time from stopping to starting the supply of steam at a predetermined temperature by the heat pump 20 in batch operation can be accelerated, and the amount of steam supplied to the heat utilization equipment 100 can be increased, thereby enhancing the energy saving effect.

[0046] Furthermore, in idling operation mode, steam can be supplied to the heat source hot water supply unit 50 through the bypass line L7, thereby heating the heat source hot water stored in the heat source hot water tank 51. As a result, the temperature of the heat source hot water supplied to the evaporator 21 of the heat pump 20 can be increased, and the pressure of the refrigerant produced in the evaporator 21 can be increased. This enables low compression ratio operation in idling operation mode, suppresses the power consumption of the compressor 22, and further enhances the energy-saving effect.

[0047] Furthermore, the heat pump type steam generation system 10 can support batch operation, which allows for switching between supplying and stopping steam in a short time, so that the operation of the heat pump 20 can be continued without stopping. This suppresses an increase in the number of times the refrigerant solenoid valve 25 of the heat pump 20 is opened and closed, thereby extending the lifespan of the refrigerant solenoid valve 25. If the heat pump 20 is repeatedly started and stopped without batch operation, and the number of times the refrigerant solenoid valve 25 is opened and closed increases, the lifespan of the refrigerant solenoid valve 25 will be shortened. As a result, refrigerant recovery, refrigerant solenoid valve replacement, airtightness check, vacuuming, and refrigerant recharging work will be required, and maintenance will be performed frequently. In contrast, the above embodiment extends the lifespan of the refrigerant solenoid valve 25 and significantly reduces the number of such maintenance tasks.

[0048] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing another example of the control processing procedure when transitioning to the idling operation mode. As shown in Figure 4, when transitioning to the idling operation mode, after performing steps S101 to S103 in the same manner as described above, step S104 described below may be performed. In step S104, the idling monitoring control unit 63 controls the operating time t of the idling operation mode. a The operating time t is measured. a For example, this is the elapsed time from the moment the first solenoid valve 40 is controlled to open in step S102, or in other words, the elapsed time from the time the stop supply of steam to the heat source hot water supply unit 50 by the first solenoid valve 40 is released. In addition, the idling monitoring control unit 63 uses a pre-stored threshold time t and the measured operating time t. a The two were compared, and the driving time t a If the time is less than or equal to the set time t (t a If ≤t, step S104: No) Step S104 is repeated at predetermined time intervals. In other words, the idling operation mode is continued.

[0049] As a result of the comparison in step S104, the measured operating time t a If the time is greater than the set time t (t a>t, step S104: Yes), the idling monitoring control unit 63 controls the operation of the heat pump 20 to stop. This prevents the idling operation mode from being prolonged, that is, the heat pump 20 from continuing to operate without supplying steam to the heat utilization equipment 100.

[0050] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented with various modifications. In the embodiments described above, the size, shape, orientation, etc., shown in the accompanying drawings are not limited thereto, and can be appropriately modified within the scope that allows the present invention to exert its effects. Furthermore, it can be implemented with appropriate modifications as long as it does not deviate from the scope of the objectives of the present invention.

[0051] For example, in the above embodiment, if the process solenoid valve 102 of the heat utilization equipment 100 can switch the supply and cessation of steam to the heat utilization equipment 100 in the same way as the second solenoid valve 36, the second solenoid valve 36 may be omitted. In this configuration, the opening and closing of the process solenoid valve 102 changes the pressure of the steam flowing through the steam delivery line L6, and the pressure value detected by the second steam pressure sensor 37 also changes. Based on this change, the switching control unit 61 controls the opening and closing of the first solenoid valve 40, thereby switching the supply and cessation of steam from the bypass line L7 to the heat source hot water supply unit 50.

[0052] Furthermore, if it is possible to omit the second solenoid valve 36 as described above, and if it is possible to issue commands to the control unit 60 for steam supply and / or not to supply steam from the heat utilization equipment 100, the second steam pressure sensor 37 may also be omitted. In this configuration, the switching control unit 61 controls the opening and closing of the first solenoid valve 40 based on a command from the heat utilization equipment 100, thereby switching the supply and cessation of steam supply from the bypass line L7 to the heat source hot water supply unit 50. Also, the heat pump output control unit 62 controls the output of the heat pump 20 based on a command from the heat utilization equipment 100, thereby adjusting the amount of steam generated between the normal operation mode and the idling operation mode.

[0053] Furthermore, the first solenoid valve 40 and the second solenoid valve 36 can be configured to have valve structures that can be used at intermediate openings. In addition, the heat source supply switching unit is configured as the first solenoid valve 40 and the equipment supply switching unit as the second solenoid valve 36, and the supply and cessation of steam are switched by opening and closing the valves, but this can be changed as long as the switching is still possible. For example, the heat source supply switching unit and the equipment supply switching unit may be configured as pumps, and the supply and cessation of steam may be switched by controlling the continuation and cessation of operation of the pumps.

Claims

1. A heat pump type steam generation system that uses a heat pump to recover heat from a heat source hot water into a refrigerant, transfers the recovered heat from the refrigerant to the water to be heated to generate steam, and supplies the generated steam to a heat utilization facility, A heat source hot water supply unit that supplies the aforementioned heat source hot water to the evaporator of the heat pump, A steam delivery line that sends the steam generated in the heat pump's condenser to the heat utilization equipment, A bypass line that supplies the steam from the steam delivery line to the heat source hot water supply unit, A heat source supply switching unit that switches the supply and cessation of steam from the bypass line to the heat source hot water supply unit, The steam delivery line includes an equipment supply switching unit that switches between supplying and stopping the steam to the heat utilization equipment, A pressure detection unit for detecting the pressure of the steam flowing through the steam delivery line, The system includes a switching control unit that controls the switching in the heat source supply switching unit and the switching in the equipment supply switching unit based on the pressure value detected by the pressure detection unit, The switching control unit compares the pressure value with a threshold value, and if the pressure value is greater than the threshold value, controls the heat source supply switching unit to supply steam and the equipment supply switching unit to stop supplying steam. A heat pump type steam generation system characterized in that, when the pressure value is below the threshold, the heat source supply switching unit controls the supply of steam to stop, and the equipment supply switching unit controls the supply of steam.

2. A heat pump type steam generation system that uses a heat pump to recover heat from a heat source hot water into a refrigerant, transfers the recovered heat from the refrigerant to the water to be heated to generate steam, and supplies the generated steam to a heat utilization facility, A heat source hot water supply unit that supplies the aforementioned heat source hot water to the evaporator of the heat pump, A steam delivery line that sends the steam generated in the heat pump's condenser to the heat utilization equipment, A bypass line that supplies the steam from the steam delivery line to the heat source hot water supply unit, A heat source supply switching unit that switches the supply and cessation of steam from the bypass line to the heat source hot water supply unit, The steam delivery line includes an equipment supply switching unit that switches between supplying and stopping the steam to the heat utilization equipment, The system includes a switching control unit that controls the switching in the heat source supply switching unit based on a request from the heat utilization equipment side, The switching control unit controls the heat source supply switching unit to stop supplying the steam and the equipment supply switching unit to supply the steam in response to a steam request command from the heat utilization equipment side. A heat pump type steam generation system characterized in that, upon receiving a command from the heat utilization equipment side to discontinue the supply of steam, the heat source supply switching unit controls the supply of steam, and the equipment supply switching unit controls the supply of steam to stop.

3. The heat pump type steam generation system according to claim 1, further comprising a heat pump output control unit that controls the output of the heat pump based on the pressure value.

4. The heat pump type steam generation system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an idling monitoring control unit that controls the continuation and stopping of the operation of the heat pump based on the elapsed time from the time when the stop of steam supply to the heat source hot water supply unit by the heat source supply switching unit is released.

5. The heat pump type steam generation system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the heat source hot water supply unit includes a heat source hot water tank that stores the heat source hot water and from which the steam is supplied via the bypass line.

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