Power generation device and steam system

Abstract

A power generation device 10 includes: a thermoelectric conversion module 1 that has a first surface 11 and a second surface 12 opposite to each other in the horizontal direction, and performs thermoelectric power generation according to the temperature difference between the first surface 11 and the second surface 12; a heating heat exchanger 3 that has a container-like body 30 on which a heating surface in contact with the first surface 11 is formed and to which steam is supplied, and that heats the first surface 11 via the heating surface using steam; and a cooling heat exchanger 4 that is in contact with the second surface 12 and cools the second surface 12. The heating heat exchanger 3 has a single second port that is formed on a bottom wall of the body 30, and into which steam flows and from which the condensate of steam generated by heating the first surface 11 in the body 30 flows out.

Description

Power Generation and Steam Systems

[0001] The technology of the present disclosure relates to a power generation device and a steam system including the same.

[0002] Power generation devices that generate thermoelectric power using a thermoelectric conversion element have been known for some time. For example, in a power generation device disclosed in Patent Document 1, a thermoelectric conversion element is provided between an inner tube through which exhaust gas flows and a heat dissipation fin. In this power generation device, the high-temperature side of the thermoelectric conversion element is heated by the exhaust gas, and the low-temperature side of the thermoelectric conversion element is cooled by the heat dissipation fin. This generates a temperature difference between the high-temperature side and the low-temperature side, resulting in thermoelectric power generation.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-234194

[0004] Incidentally, if the above-mentioned power generating device is to be used as a power source, it is preferable that it be as compact as possible.

[0005] The technology of the present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to make the power generation device and steam system more compact.

[0006] The power generation device disclosed herein includes a thermoelectric conversion module, a heating heat exchanger, and a cooling heat exchanger. The thermoelectric conversion module has a first surface and a second surface facing opposite each other in a predetermined horizontal direction, and generates thermoelectric power in response to a temperature difference between the first surface and the second surface. The heating heat exchanger has a container-shaped main body having a heating surface in contact with the first surface and supplied with heating gas, and the heating gas heats the first surface via the heating surface. The cooling heat exchanger contacts the second surface and cools the second surface. The heating heat exchanger is formed at the bottom of the main body and has a single inlet / outlet port through which the heating gas flows and through which condensate of the heating gas generated by heating the first surface in the main body flows out.

[0007] The steam system of the present disclosure includes a steam-using device to which steam is supplied and which uses the supplied steam, and the power generation device described above. The steam before being supplied to the steam-using device is supplied as heating gas to the main body of the heating heat exchanger.

[0008] According to the power generating device, it is possible to make it compact.

[0009] The steam system can be made compact.

[0010] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the power generating device as viewed from the first base side. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the power generating device as viewed from the second base side. FIG. 3 is a front view of the power generating device with a portion of the second base omitted. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the power generating device with the top plate omitted. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the shaft and slider of the support. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a heating heat exchanger and a drain trap. FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing displacement of a cooling heat exchanger, etc. FIG. 8 is a piping diagram showing the general configuration of a drain recovery system. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a heating heat exchanger and a drain trap according to a modified example.

[0011] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the power generating device 10 as viewed from the first base 6A side. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the power generating device 10 as viewed from the second base 6B side. Fig. 3 is a front view of the power generating device 10 with a portion of the second base 6B omitted. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the power generating device 10 with the top plate 67 omitted.

[0013] The power generation device 10 is a thermoelectric power generation device that generates electricity. The power generation device 10 includes a thermoelectric conversion module 1 that generates thermoelectric power by converting thermal energy into electrical energy, a heating heat exchanger 3 that heats the thermoelectric conversion module 1, and a cooling heat exchanger 4 that cools the thermoelectric conversion module 1. The thermoelectric conversion module 1 is disposed between the heating heat exchanger 3 and the cooling heat exchanger 4. In the power generation device 10, the heating heat exchanger 3 and the cooling heat exchanger 4 generate a temperature difference in the thermoelectric conversion module 1, and the thermoelectric conversion module 1 generates electricity in accordance with the temperature difference.

[0014] In this example, the power generation device 10 has a first cooling heat exchanger 4A and a second cooling heat exchanger 4B as the cooling heat exchangers 4. That is, the power generation device 10 is equipped with two cooling heat exchangers 4. In the power generation device 10, the heating heat exchanger 3 is disposed between the first cooling heat exchanger 4A and the second cooling heat exchanger 4B, and the thermoelectric conversion modules 1 are disposed between the heating heat exchanger 3 and the first cooling heat exchanger 4A and between the heating heat exchanger 3 and the second cooling heat exchanger 4B, respectively.

[0015] The power generation device 10 further includes a pressing device 5 that elastically presses one of the heating heat exchanger 3 and the cooling heat exchanger 4 toward the other. In this example, the heating heat exchanger 3 is a fixedly installed fixed heat exchanger, and the cooling heat exchanger 4 is a movable heat exchanger that is displaceably installed. In other words, the pressing device 5 presses the cooling heat exchanger 4 toward the heating heat exchanger 3.

[0016] The power generation device 10 further includes a positioning device 2 that positions the thermoelectric conversion module 1. In this example, the power generation device 10 includes two positioning devices 2. That is, the two positioning devices 2 position the thermoelectric conversion module 1 between the first cooling heat exchanger 4A and the heating heat exchanger 3, and the thermoelectric conversion module 1 between the second cooling heat exchanger 4B and the heating heat exchanger 3.

[0017] The power generation device 10 further includes a pair of bases 6 that sandwich the thermoelectric conversion module 1, the heating heat exchanger 3, the cooling heat exchanger 4, etc., and a connector 7 that connects the pair of bases 6 to each other to sandwich the pair of bases 6. When the pair of bases 6 are described separately, they are referred to as a first base 6A and a second base 6B.

[0018] In the power generation device 10, the first base 6A, the first cooling heat exchanger 4A, the thermoelectric conversion module 1, the heating heat exchanger 3, the thermoelectric conversion module 1, the second cooling heat exchanger 4B, the presser 5, and the second base 6B are stacked in this order. The direction in which the heating heat exchanger 3 and other components are stacked is referred to as the "stacking direction." The stacking direction coincides with a predetermined horizontal direction and with the pressing direction of the presser 5.

[0019] The power generation device 10 further includes a support 8 that supports the cooling heat exchanger 4 and the positioning device 2 so that they can be displaced in the stacking direction. In other words, the cooling heat exchanger 4 and the positioning device 2 are supported so that they can be displaced in the pressing direction of the pressing device 5.

[0020] =Thermoelectric Conversion Module= The thermoelectric conversion module 1 includes a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements. A thermoelectric conversion element is a device that converts thermal energy into electrical energy and is also called a Seebeck element. The thermoelectric conversion element is formed of a pair of a p-type semiconductor and an n-type semiconductor. In the thermoelectric conversion module 1, a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements are thermally arranged in parallel and electrically arranged in series via electrodes formed on both ends of the plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements.

[0021] The thermoelectric conversion module 1 is formed in a generally flat plate shape, more specifically, a generally rectangular plate shape in side view. The thermoelectric conversion module 1 has a first surface 11 and a second surface 12 that face opposite each other in a predetermined horizontal direction (i.e., the stacking direction). The multiple thermoelectric conversion elements are arranged two-dimensionally so that the high-temperature side electrodes face the first surface 11 and the low-temperature side electrodes face the second surface 12.

[0022] The thermoelectric conversion module 1 generates thermoelectric power in response to the temperature difference between the first surface 11 and the second surface 12. The first surface 11 is a high-temperature surface, and the second surface 12 is a low-temperature surface. Both the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 are formed in a flat shape.

[0023] In this example, the power generation device 10 includes a plurality of (specifically, four) thermoelectric conversion modules 1. That is, two thermoelectric conversion modules 1 are arranged on each side of the heating heat exchanger 3 in the stacking direction. Two thermoelectric conversion modules 1 arranged on the same side of the heating heat exchanger 3 are vertically arranged with a gap between them. The first surfaces 11 of the four thermoelectric conversion modules 1 face toward the heating heat exchanger 3. The second surfaces 12 of the two thermoelectric conversion modules 1 arranged on the first base 6A side of the heating heat exchanger 3 face toward the first cooling heat exchanger 4A, and the second surfaces 12 of the two thermoelectric conversion modules 1 arranged on the second base 6B side of the heating heat exchanger 3 face toward the second cooling heat exchanger 4B.

[0024] Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience, the stacking direction may be referred to as the "left-right direction," the arrangement direction of the thermoelectric conversion modules 1 may be referred to as the "up-down direction," and the direction perpendicular to both the left-right direction and the up-down direction may be referred to as the "front-back direction."

[0025] =Heating Heat Exchanger= The heating heat exchanger 3 heats the first surface 11 of the thermoelectric conversion module 1. Steam is supplied to the heating heat exchanger 3 as a heat source. The heating heat exchanger 3 exchanges heat between the steam and the first surface 11. That is, the heating heat exchanger 3 heats the first surface 11 with steam. Steam is an example of a heating gas.

[0026] Specifically, the heating heat exchanger 3 has a container-shaped main body 30 that has a heating surface in contact with the first surface 11 and is supplied with steam. The heating heat exchanger 3 heats the first surface 11 via the heating surface with the steam supplied to the main body 30. The main body 30 is formed in a substantially rectangular column shape that extends in the longitudinal direction. The longitudinal direction of the main body 30 coincides with the up-down direction, i.e., the arrangement direction of the thermoelectric conversion modules 1.

[0027] A first heating surface 32 and a second heating surface 33 are formed on a portion of the main body 30, more specifically, on a portion of the side peripheral wall of the main body 30. The first heating surface 32 and the second heating surface 33 are flat surfaces facing opposite each other in the stacking direction (i.e., the horizontal direction). The first heating surface 32 faces toward the first cooling heat exchanger 4A, and the second heating surface 33 faces toward the second cooling heat exchanger 4B. In other words, the heating heat exchanger 3 is disposed so that the first heating surface 32 and the second heating surface 33 face the first surface 11 of the thermoelectric conversion module 1.

[0028] The heating heat exchanger 3 further has a stand 38 to which the main body 30 is attached. Specifically, the main body 30 is provided with four screws 37 that are fastened to the stand 38. The four screws 37 extend downward from a bottom wall 30a that closes one end of the side peripheral wall of the main body 30, more specifically, from approximately four corners of the bottom wall 30a. The main body 30 is fixed to the stand 38 by threading the screws 37 into screw holes formed in the stand 38. In this way, the heating heat exchanger 3 is fixedly installed. The power generation device 10 is placed on the floor or the like via the stand 38.

[0029] Furthermore, the heating heat exchanger 3 has an attachment portion 34 that is attached to the support 8. The attachment portion 34 is fixed to an upper wall that closes the other end of the side peripheral wall of the main body 30. A through hole 34a through which the support 8 is inserted is formed in the attachment portion 34. More specifically, two through holes 34a are formed in the attachment portion 21. The two through holes 34a are holes that penetrate in the stacking direction and are aligned with each other in the front-to-rear direction.

[0030] =Cooling Heat Exchanger= The cooling heat exchanger 4 is in contact with the second surface 12 of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 and cools the second surface 12. Cooling water is supplied to the cooling heat exchanger 4 as a cooling source. The cooling heat exchanger 4 exchanges heat between the cooling water and the second surface 12. In other words, the cooling heat exchanger 4 cools the second surface 12 with the cooling water. The cooling water is an example of a cooling fluid.

[0031] Specifically, each of the first cooling heat exchanger 4A and the second cooling heat exchanger 4B has a container-shaped main body 40 to which cooling water is supplied, an inlet port 41, and an outlet port 42. The main body 40 is formed in a generally rectangular column shape extending in the longitudinal direction, more specifically, a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape extending in the longitudinal direction. The longitudinal direction of the main body 40 coincides with the up-down direction, i.e., the arrangement direction of the thermoelectric conversion modules 1. A planar cooling surface 43 that contacts the second surface 12 is formed in a portion of the main body 40. The first cooling heat exchanger 4A and the second cooling heat exchanger 4B cool the second surface 12 via the cooling surface 43 with the cooling water supplied to the main body 40.

[0032] The cooling surface 43 of the first cooling heat exchanger 4A and the cooling surface 43 of the second cooling heat exchanger 4B face each other in the stacking direction. The cooling surface 43 of the first cooling heat exchanger 4A faces the first heating surface 32, and the cooling surface 43 of the second cooling heat exchanger 4B faces the second heating surface 33. In other words, the first cooling heat exchanger 4A and the second cooling heat exchanger 4B are each arranged so that the cooling surface 43 faces the second surface 12 of the thermoelectric conversion module 1.

[0033] The inlet port 41 is provided at one longitudinal end of the main body 40, and the outlet port 42 is provided at the other longitudinal end of the main body 40. More specifically, the inlet port 41 is provided at the upper end of the side wall of the main body 40, and the outlet port 42 is provided at the lower end of the side wall of the main body 40.

[0034] Cooling water flows into the main body 40 through the inlet port 41. The cooling water that flows into the main body 40 flows through the main body 40 and flows out through the outlet port 42. While flowing through the main body 40, the cooling water exchanges heat with the thermoelectric conversion module 1. More specifically, the cooling water in the main body 40 absorbs heat from the second surface 12 of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 through the cooling surface 43. This cools the second surface 12.

[0035] Furthermore, each of the first cooling heat exchanger 4A and the second cooling heat exchanger 4B has an attachment portion 44 that is attached to the support 8. The attachment portion 44 is fixed to the upper wall of the main body 40. The attachment portion 44 has a through hole 44a formed therein, through which the support 8 is inserted. More specifically, the attachment portion 44 has two pairs of coaxial through holes 44a that penetrate in the stacking direction, lined up in the front-to-rear direction. In this way, the first cooling heat exchanger 4A and the second cooling heat exchanger 4B are supported by the support 8 by attaching the attachment portions 44 to the support 8. More specifically, the first cooling heat exchanger 4A and the second cooling heat exchanger 4B are supported by the support 8 so as to be displaceable in the stacking direction relative to the heating heat exchanger 3.

[0036] =Positioner= The positioner 2 determines the position of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 in the in-plane direction of the first surface 11 or the second surface 12 between the heating heat exchanger 3 and the cooling heat exchanger 4. More specifically, the positioner 2 has the function of determining the positions of the multiple thermoelectric conversion modules 1 and the function of insulating the multiple thermoelectric conversion modules 1 from each other. In other words, the positioner 2 positions the thermoelectric conversion module 1 at a position where it appropriately contacts the first heating surface 32 or the second heating surface 33 and the cooling surface 43, while insulating two adjacent thermoelectric conversion modules 1 from each other.

[0037] Specifically, the positioning device 2 has a frame 20. The frame 20 has a shape that partially follows the overall outline of the two thermoelectric conversion modules 1 in a plane that is approximately parallel to the first surface 11 or the second surface 12. The frame 20 has a spacer 22 that is disposed between the two adjacent thermoelectric conversion modules 1. The spacer 22 separates the two adjacent thermoelectric conversion modules 1 from each other. In this example, the positioning device 2 is formed of a heat insulating material. The thickness of the frame 20 (i.e., the dimension in the stacking direction) is thinner than the thickness of the thermoelectric conversion modules 1 (i.e., the dimension in the stacking direction).

[0038] Furthermore, the positioning device 2 has mounting portions 21 that are attached to the support 8. In this example, the positioning device 2 has two mounting portions 21. The two mounting portions 21 are integrally formed with the frame 20. The two mounting portions 21 are protruding pieces that protrude upward from the upper end of the frame 20. The two mounting portions 21 are aligned with each other in the front-to-rear direction. A through hole 21a is formed in the mounting portion 21, through which the support 8 is inserted. In this way, the positioning device 2 is supported by the support 8 by attaching the mounting portions 21 to the support 8. More specifically, the positioning device 2 is supported by the support 8 so as to be displaceable in the stacking direction relative to the heating heat exchanger 3.

[0039] =Base= The first base 6A and the second base 6B sandwich the thermoelectric conversion module 1, the heating heat exchanger 3, the first cooling heat exchanger 4A, the second cooling heat exchanger 4B, and the pressing device 5. The first base 6A and the second base 6B are connected to each other by a connector 7, thereby sandwiching the thermoelectric conversion module 1 and the like. Specifically, each of the first base 6A and the second base 6B has a plate-shaped main body 60 and a bent portion 61 provided on an edge portion of the main body 60.

[0040] The main body 60 is formed in a generally rectangular shape in a side view, with the longitudinal direction coinciding with the up-down direction. The main body 60 of the first base 6A and the main body 60 of the second base 6B extend in a plane generally perpendicular to the stacking direction and are generally parallel to each other. The bent portion 61 is integrally formed at the upper edge of the main body 60. The bent portion 61 of the first base 6A and the bent portion 61 of the second base 6B are bent in opposite directions in the stacking direction, more specifically, bent so as to face each other.

[0041] The pair of bases 6 further include guides 65 that restrict displacement of the cooling heat exchanger 4, more specifically, displacement of the second cooling heat exchanger 4B. Specifically, the guides 65 restrict displacement of the second cooling heat exchanger 4B in the front-to-rear direction while allowing displacement of the second cooling heat exchanger 4B in the stacking direction. In this example, the pair of bases 6 include four guides 65.

[0042] Four guides 65 are provided on the main body 60 of the second base 6B. The guides 65 are formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the stacking direction from the inner surface of the main body 60 toward the second cooling heat exchanger 4B. Two guides 65 are arranged on each outer side in the front-to-rear direction of the main body 40 of the second cooling heat exchanger 4B. More specifically, the guides 65 are in contact with two side walls of the main body 40 that face each other in the front-to-rear direction. In this way, by arranging the guides 65 so as to be in contact with both ends of the main body 40 in the front-to-rear direction, displacement of the second cooling heat exchanger 4B in the front-to-rear direction is restricted.

[0043] A top plate 67 is attached to the bending portion 61. The top plate 67 is formed in a flat plate shape that extends in a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction. A handle 68 is provided on the top plate 67. The top plate 67 is attached to the bending portion 61 with multiple (four in this example) screws 67b. The screws 67b are inserted into through holes 67a formed in the top plate 67 and through holes 61a formed in the bending portion 61. The through holes 61a in the bending portion 61 are circular and have approximately the same diameter as the screws 67b, and the through holes 67a in the top plate 67 are elongated holes that are long in the stacking direction. In other words, relative displacement of the pair of bases 6 with respect to the top plate 67 in the stacking direction is permitted.

[0044] =Coupler= The coupler 7 connects the first base 6A and the second base 6B, thereby sandwiching the heating heat exchanger 3 and the like between the first base 6A and the second base 6B. More specifically, the coupler 7 connects the first base 6A and the second base 6B while maintaining a constant distance between the pair of bases 6 in the stacking direction (hereinafter also referred to as the sandwiching distance). The pair of bases 6 are integrally formed by being connected by the coupler 7. In this example, the power generation device 10 includes four couplers 7.

[0045] Each coupler 7 includes a shaft 71 and a spacer 72. The shaft 71 is formed in a rod shape extending in the stacking direction, and both ends thereof are connected to the main body 60 of the first base 6A and the main body 60 of the second base 6B. Male threads are formed at both ends of the shaft 71. Four through holes 60a are formed in the main body 60 of each of the first base 6A and the second base 6B, through which the ends of the shafts 71 of the four couplers 7 are inserted. Both ends of the shaft 71 are fastened with nuts from the outside of the first base 6A and the second base 6B. The spacer 72 maintains a constant clamping distance between the pair of bases 6. The spacer 72 is formed in a tubular shape, specifically, a cylindrical shape, through which the shaft 71 is inserted. The spacer 72 of each of the four couplers 7 is disposed between the main body 60 of the first base 6A and the main body 60 of the second base 6B, with the shaft 71 inserted therethrough. In this way, by disposing the spacer 72 between the first base 6A and the second base 6B, the sandwiching distance is maintained constant.

[0046] Furthermore, the connectors 7 suppress deviation in the relative position of the pair of bases 6 with respect to the heating heat exchanger 3, the cooling heat exchanger 4, etc. in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the connectors 7 are disposed on both sides of the heating heat exchanger 3 and the cooling heat exchanger 4 in the front-rear direction. The connectors 7 contact both ends of at least one of the heating heat exchanger 3 and the cooling heat exchanger 4 in the front-rear direction. In this example, as shown in FIG. 4 , the main body 30 of the heating heat exchanger 3 protrudes further on both sides in the front-rear direction than the main body 40 of the cooling heat exchanger 4. Therefore, each connector 7 is disposed so as to contact both ends of the main body 30 of the heating heat exchanger 3 in the front-rear direction.

[0047] Specifically, two couplers 7 are arranged on each side in the front-to-rear direction of the main body 30 of the heating heat exchanger 3. More specifically, two couplers 7 are lined up in the vertical direction on each side in the front-to-rear direction of the main body 30. The couplers 7 are arranged so that the spacers 72 contact both ends in the front-to-rear direction of the main body 30 (specifically, the side peripheral walls of the main body 30).

[0048] In this way, because the connectors 7 are in contact with both ends of the main body 30 in the front-rear direction, the connectors 7 restrict the front-rear displacement of the pair of bases 6. In other words, the pair of bases 6 cannot be displaced in the front-rear direction relative to the fixedly installed heating heat exchanger 3. This prevents the pair of bases 6 from shifting in their relative positions in the front-rear direction relative to the heating heat exchanger 3, cooling heat exchanger 4, etc. As a result, the heating heat exchanger 3, cooling heat exchanger 4, etc. are properly sandwiched between the pair of bases 6, thereby properly maintaining contact between the thermoelectric conversion module 1 and the heating heat exchanger 3 and cooling heat exchanger 4.

[0049] =Presser= The presser 5 has a spring 51 that urges the cooling heat exchanger 4 toward the heating heat exchanger 3, and a support 52 that supports the spring 51. The presser 5 presses the cooling heat exchanger 4 in the stacking direction by the elastic force of the spring 51. The presser 5 elastically presses one of the first cooling heat exchanger 4A and the second cooling heat exchanger 4B, in this example, the second cooling heat exchanger 4B, toward the heating heat exchanger 3 by the spring 51.

[0050] More specifically, the pressing device 5 has a plurality of springs 51. In this example, the pressing device 5 has four springs 51. The springs 51 are arranged between the second cooling heat exchanger 4B and the second base 6B, more specifically, between the main body 40 of the second cooling heat exchanger 4B and the main body 60 of the second base 6B. The springs 51 have elasticity in the stacking direction and can expand and contract in the stacking direction. In this example, the springs 51 are coil springs. The four springs 51 are attached to the second base 6B via supports 52.

[0051] The pressing device 5 has the same number of supports 52 as the number of springs 51 (i.e., four). The four supports 52 are attached to the main body 60 of the second base 6B. The supports 52 are shafts, more specifically, screws, that penetrate the main body 60 in the stacking direction. The supports 52 are inserted into screw holes formed in the main body 60 from the outside in the stacking direction of the main body 60. In other words, the supports 52 protrude from the inner surface of the main body 60 in the stacking direction. The portions of the supports 52 that protrude from the inner surface of the main body 60 are inserted into the springs 51. In this way, the springs 51 are attached to the main body 60 via the supports 52 by being fitted onto the supports 52, i.e., by being disposed on the outer periphery of the supports 52.

[0052] The springs 51 are arranged in a compressed and deformed state. The base ends of the springs 51, i.e., the ends of the springs 51 on the second base 6B side, are in contact with the main body 60. The tip ends of the springs 51, i.e., the ends of the springs 51 on the second cooling heat exchanger 4B side, are in contact with the main body 40. In this way, the four springs 51 elastically urge the second cooling heat exchanger 4B toward the heating heat exchanger 3. The four springs 51 are arranged so that the elastic force acts evenly over the entire main body 40.

[0053] Pressing the second cooling heat exchanger 4B by the presser 5 in this manner maintains appropriate contact between the cooling surface 43 of the second cooling heat exchanger 4B and the second surface 12 of the thermoelectric conversion module 1, and between the first surface 11 of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 and the second heating surface 33 of the heating heat exchanger 3. This improves the efficiency of heat exchange between the thermoelectric conversion module 1 and the heating heat exchanger 3 and the second cooling heat exchanger 4B.

[0054] Furthermore, in this power generation device 10, the pair of bases 6 are arranged so as to be displaceable in the stacking direction. That is, the pair of bases 6 formed integrally by the connector 7 are displaceable in the stacking direction relative to the fixed heating heat exchanger 3. In other words, the first base 6A and the second base 6B can be displaced in the same direction in the stacking direction while maintaining a sandwiching gap between them. Therefore, by simply providing the presser 5 only on one of the two cooling heat exchangers 4, in this example, only on the second cooling heat exchanger 4B side, both of the two cooling heat exchangers 4 can be supported so as to be elastically displaceable in the stacking direction.

[0055] Specifically, the spring 51 is disposed only between the first cooling heat exchanger 4A and the first base 6A and between the second cooling heat exchanger 4B and the second base 6B. The elastic force of the spring 51 acts directly on the second cooling heat exchanger 4B. That is, the second cooling heat exchanger 4B is elastically pressed directly in the stacking direction by the pressing device 5. On the other hand, the elastic force of the spring 51 acts on the first cooling heat exchanger 4A via the second base 6B, the connector 7, and the first base 6A. That is, the first cooling heat exchanger 4A is elastically pressed indirectly in the stacking direction by the pressing device 5. In this way, the first cooling heat exchanger 4A and the second cooling heat exchanger 4B can be elastically displaced in the stacking direction.

[0056] This configuration not only properly maintains contact between the cooling surface 43 of the second cooling heat exchanger 4B and the second surface 12 of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 and between the first surface 11 of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 and the second heating surface 33 of the heating heat exchanger 3, but also properly maintains contact between the cooling surface 43 of the first cooling heat exchanger 4A and the second surface 12 of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 and between the first surface 11 of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 and the first heating surface 32 of the heating heat exchanger 3. As a result, the efficiency of heat exchange between the thermoelectric conversion module 1 and the heating heat exchanger 3, the first cooling heat exchanger 4A, and the second cooling heat exchanger 4B is improved. This eliminates the need for a spring on the other cooling heat exchanger 4 side, leading to a more compact and cost-effective device.

[0057] A first contact plate 55 is disposed between the first heating surface 32 and the first surface 11 and between the second heating surface 33 and the first surface 11. A second contact plate 56 is disposed between the cooling surface 43 and the second surface 12 of the first cooling heat exchanger 4A and between the cooling surface 43 and the second surface 12 of the second cooling heat exchanger 4B. The first contact plate 55 and the second contact plate 56 are formed as flat plates extending in a plane perpendicular to the stacking direction. In other words, the first heating surface 32 and the second heating surface 33 are in contact with the first surface 11 via the first contact plate 55, and the cooling surface 43 is in contact with the second surface 12 via the second contact plate 56.

[0058] =Support= The support 8 supports the cooling heat exchanger 4 and the positioning device 2 so that they can be displaced in the stacking direction but not in the up-down direction. The support 8 has two shafts 81 and a first slider 82 and a second slider 83 attached to each shaft 81. The support 8 suspends the cooling heat exchanger 4 and the positioning device 2 from the shaft 81 via the first slider 82 and the second slider 83.

[0059] The two shafts 81 extend in the stacking direction and are parallel to each other. The two shafts 81 are aligned in the front-to-rear direction. The two shafts 81 are connected to the main bodies 60 of the first base 6A and the second base 6B. The two shafts 81 are disposed above the main body 30 of the heating heat exchanger 3 and the main body 40 of the cooling heat exchanger 4. The two shafts 81 are inserted into the through-holes 34a of the mounting portion 34 so as to be displaceable in the stacking direction.

[0060] The first slider 82 and the second slider 83 are formed in a cylindrical shape through which the shaft 81 is inserted. Hereinafter, when the first slider 82 and the second slider 83 are collectively referred to, they will be referred to as sliders 82, 83. The sliders 82, 83 are positioned between the first base 6A and the second base 6B with the shaft 81 inserted therethrough. The sliders 82, 83 are arranged to be slidable in the stacking direction relative to the shaft 81. The sliders 82, 83 have an inner diameter that is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the shaft 81, and their displacement in the vertical direction is substantially restricted by the shaft 81.

[0061] The first slider 82 is inserted through the through-hole 44a of the first cooling heat exchanger 4A and the through-hole 21a of the positioning device 2, and the second slider 83 is inserted through the through-hole 44a of the second cooling heat exchanger 4B and the through-hole 21a of the positioning device 2. In this way, the cooling heat exchangers 4 and the positioning device 2 are fixed to the sliders 82, 83 of each shaft 81 and suspended from the shaft 81 so as to be displaceable in the stacking direction but not displaceable in the up-down direction.

[0062] 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the shaft 81 and sliders 82, 83 of the support 8. The shaft 81 has a male screw formed in the area where the sliders 82, 83 slide. The threads 81a of the male screw of the shaft 81 contact the inner circumferential surface 82a of the first slider 82 and the inner circumferential surface 83a of the second slider 83 over the entire circumference. In this example, the shaft 81 is made of metal, and the first slider 82 and the second slider 83 are made of resin.

[0063] =Details of the Heating Heat Exchanger= Next, a more detailed configuration of the heating heat exchanger 3 will be described. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the heating heat exchanger 3 and the drain trap 9. In Fig. 6, dashed arrows indicate the flow of steam, and solid arrows indicate the flow of drain.

[0064] The heating heat exchanger 3 has a single inlet / outlet port formed in the bottom wall 30a of the main body 30. Steam flows into the inlet / outlet port, and condensate (i.e., drainage) of the steam generated by heating the first surface 11 inside the main body 30 flows out of the inlet / outlet port. In other words, the inlet / outlet port is a single port that has both the function of allowing steam to flow into the main body 30 and the function of allowing drainage to flow out of the main body 30. The bottom wall 30a is an example of the bottom of the main body 30.

[0065] Specifically, the heating heat exchanger 3 has a pipe fitting 31 connected to the bottom wall 30a of the main body 30. The pipe fitting 31 is a so-called T-shaped pipe fitting having three ports. More specifically, the pipe fitting 31 has a first port 31a, a second port 31b, and a third port 31c. The second port 31b is an example of an inlet / outlet port. In the pipe fitting 31, the first port 31a and the third port 31c face each other, and the second port 31b is connected to the bottom wall 30a and communicates with the inside of the main body 30. The pipe fitting 31 is arranged such that the first port 31a and the third port 31c open horizontally, and the second port 31b opens vertically. A steam inlet pipe 161 is connected to the first port 31a.

[0066] In the heating heat exchanger 3, steam that has flowed into the first port 31a from the inlet pipe 161 flows upward from the second port 31b into the main body 30. The steam that has flowed into the main body 30 condenses and becomes drainage through heat exchange with the thermoelectric conversion module 1. The drainage within the main body 30 flows out from the second port 31b. Specifically, the steam within the main body 30 radiates heat to the first surface 11 of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 via the first heating surface 32 and the second heating surface 33. This heats the first surface 11. By radiating heat to the first surface 11, the steam within the main body 30 condenses and becomes drainage on the inner wall surfaces of the main body 30 that correspond to the first heating surface 32 and the second heating surface 33. The drainage thus generated flows down along the inner wall surfaces of the main body 30 and finally flows out from the second port 31b.

[0067] In the main body 30 of the heating heat exchanger 3, steam flows in and condensate flows out in parallel through the single second port 31b. That is, in the main body 30, steam flows in from the second port 31b in an amount corresponding to the amount of condensate that flows out from the second port 31b, thereby replacing the steam with condensate. In this way, the main body 30 appropriately allows steam to flow in and condensate to flow out without providing separate ports for the steam inflow and the condensate outflow.

[0068] The heating heat exchanger 3 further includes an outflow pipe 36 that communicates with the second port 31b and through which drain flows out from the second port 31b. Specifically, the outflow pipe 36 is connected to the third port 31c of the pipe joint 31. In this example, the outflow pipe 36 extends horizontally. The drain that flows out from the second port 31b flows through the outflow pipe 36 via the third port 31c.

[0069] Furthermore, the power generation device 10 is provided with a drain trap 9 connected to the outflow pipe 36 and having a drain storage chamber 93. The drain trap 9 allows drain to flow out when drain has flowed in, and prevents steam from flowing out when steam has flowed in.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 6 , the drain trap 9 includes a casing 91 having a drain storage chamber 93 and a valve mechanism provided in the storage chamber 93. Specifically, the casing 91 is formed with an inlet 92 and outlet 94 for drain, and a discharge passage 95. The inlet 92 communicates with the storage chamber 93, and the discharge passage 95 communicates between the storage chamber 93 and the outlet 94. More specifically, the inlet 92 and the outlet 94 are formed on the same horizontal axis. The inlet 92 communicates with the upper part of the storage chamber 93. The upstream end of the discharge passage 95 is connected to the lower part of the storage chamber 93, and the downstream end of the discharge passage 95 is connected to the outlet 94. A connecting pipe 36 is connected to the inlet 92.

[0071] The valve mechanism allows drain to flow from the storage chamber 93 to the discharge passage 95, while preventing steam from flowing from the storage chamber 93 to the discharge passage 95. The valve mechanism has a valve hole 96 formed in the storage chamber 93 and a valve body 97 that opens and closes the valve hole 96. The valve hole 96 is disposed at a connection portion of the storage chamber 93 with the discharge passage 95, and connects the storage chamber 93 and the discharge passage 95. In other words, the valve hole 96 is disposed in the storage chamber 93 below the communication portion of the inlet 92. The valve body 97 is a hollow spherical float that is housed in the storage chamber 93 in a free state.

[0072] In the valve mechanism, a valve element 97 rises and falls to open and close a valve hole 96 depending on the level of condensate stored in the storage chamber 93. Specifically, when the amount of condensate in the storage chamber 93 increases, the valve element 97 rises and opens the valve hole 96, allowing the condensate to flow out of the storage chamber 93 through the discharge passage 95 and the outlet 94. When the amount of condensate in the storage chamber 93 decreases, the valve element 97 falls and closes the valve hole 96, stopping the outflow of condensate. In this way, the condensate trap 9 temporarily stores and allows the condensate to flow out by opening and closing the valve hole 96. In other words, the condensate trap 9 temporarily stores the condensate that flows out from the second port 31b of the heating heat exchanger 3. When steam flows into the storage chamber 93, the steam accumulates above the condensate, preventing the steam from flowing out of the storage chamber 93.

[0073] In this way, the drain flowing out from the second port 31b of the heating heat exchanger 3 is accumulated in the drain trap 9, which can prevent the drain flowing out from the second port 31b from accumulating in the pipe joint 31 or the inflow pipe 161. This ensures an appropriate flow of steam from the inflow pipe 161 to the second port 31b. This allows the inflow of steam and the outflow of drain to occur more appropriately in the main body 30 of the heating heat exchanger 3.

[0074] =Operation of the Power Generator= Next, the operation of the power generator 10 will be described.

[0075] In the heating heat exchanger 3, steam flows into the main body 30 from the inlet pipe 161 via the second port 31b. The steam remains in the main body 30. Meanwhile, in the cooling heat exchanger 4, cooling water flows into the main body 40 from the inlet port 41. The cooling water flows through the main body 40.

[0076] The first surface 11 of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 is in contact with the first heating surface 32 and the second heating surface 33 of the heating heat exchanger 3 via the first contact plate 55, and is therefore heated by steam in the main body 30 via the first heating surface 32 and the second heating surface 33. Meanwhile, the second surface 12 of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 is in contact with the cooling surface 43 of the cooling heat exchanger 4 via the second contact plate 56, and is therefore cooled by the cooling water in the main body 40 via the cooling surface 43. This creates a temperature difference between the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 of the thermoelectric conversion module 1, and the thermoelectric conversion module 1 generates electricity in accordance with the temperature difference. In this way, the power generation device 10 generates electricity by utilizing the thermal energy of the steam.

[0077] In the heating heat exchanger 3, steam that flows into the main body 30 radiates heat to the first surface 11 on the inner wall surfaces of the main body 30 corresponding to the first heating surface 32 and the second heating surface 33, condenses, and becomes drainage. Here, the first surface 11 is approximately perpendicular to the horizontal direction (i.e., the stacking direction), so the heating surfaces in contact with the first surface 11 and the corresponding inner wall surfaces are also approximately perpendicular to the horizontal direction. Therefore, the drainage flows down the inner wall surfaces of the main body 30 due to its own weight. Because the drainage flows down the inner wall surfaces and separates from the first heating surface 32 and the second heating surface 33, the drainage does not inhibit the heat radiation of the steam to the first surface 11 via the first heating surface 32 and the second heating surface 33. The drainage that flows down the inner wall surfaces of the main body 30 flows down to the bottom wall 30a and finally flows out from the second port 31b.

[0078] In this way, the drain generated inside the main body 30 naturally and smoothly flows out from the second port 31b located at the bottom of the main body 30. Steam flows into the main body 30 from the second port 31b in an amount corresponding to the amount of drain that flows out from the second port 31b. In this way, the inflow of steam and the outflow of drain occur in parallel through the single second port 31b.

[0079] The drain that flows out from the second port 31b flows into the drain trap 9 via the connecting pipe 36. Here, because the drain trap 9 has a storage chamber 93, the drain that flows out from the second port 31b is stored in the drain trap 9 without accumulating in the pipe joint 31 or the inflow pipe 161. This ensures an appropriate flow of steam from the inflow pipe 161 to the second port 31b, so that the inflow of steam and the outflow of drain in the heating heat exchanger 3 are more appropriate.

[0080] Meanwhile, in the cooling heat exchanger 4, the cooling water that flows into the main body 40 from the inlet port 41 absorbs heat from the second surface 12 of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 via the cooling surface 43. The cooling water is heated while flowing through the main body 40 and flows out from the outlet port 42. Here, since the inlet port 41 is located at the upper end of the main body 40 and the outlet port 42 is located at the lower end of the main body 40, the cooling water flows smoothly from top to bottom within the main body 40. In other words, the cooling water, which is a heat medium, flows smoothly through the cooling surface 43 and the second surface 12. This improves the cooling efficiency of the cooling heat exchanger 4.

[0081] =Displacement Operation of Cooling Heat Exchanger, etc.= Next, the displacement operation of the cooling heat exchanger 4, etc. will be described. Fig. 7 is a diagram schematically showing the displacement of the cooling heat exchanger 4, etc. Note that the first contact plate 55 and the second contact plate 56 are omitted in Fig. 7.

[0082] In the heating heat exchanger 3, the main body 30 may expand due to the heat and pressure of the steam. In this example, a case where the main body 30 expands and deforms in both directions in the stacking direction will be described. Here, the cooling heat exchanger 4 and the thermoelectric conversion module 1 are supported so as to be elastically displaceable in the stacking direction relative to the heating heat exchanger 3. More specifically, of the two cooling heat exchangers 4, the second cooling heat exchanger 4B is elastically pressed by a pressing device 5 toward the heating heat exchanger 3 in the stacking direction. The pair of bases 6 are formed integrally with each other and are disposed so as to be displaceable in the stacking direction.

[0083] Therefore, the first cooling heat exchanger 4A, the adjacent thermoelectric conversion module 1, and the positioning device 2 are displaced in the direction of arrow X1 in the stacking direction in response to the expansion and deformation of the main body 30. Accordingly, the pair of bases 6 are displaced in the direction of arrow X3 in the stacking direction, i.e., in the same direction as the first cooling heat exchanger 4A, while maintaining the clamping distance D. Furthermore, the first slider 82, together with the first cooling heat exchanger 4A and the positioning device 2, is displaced in the direction of arrow X4 in the stacking direction, i.e., in the same direction as the first cooling heat exchanger 4A. In other words, the first slider 82 is displaced in the direction of arrow X4 together with the shaft 81.

[0084] Meanwhile, the second cooling heat exchanger 4B, the adjacent thermoelectric conversion module 1, and the positioning device 2 are displaced in the direction of arrow X2 in the stacking direction, i.e., in the direction opposite to the pair of bases 6, in response to the expansion and deformation of the main body 30. Accordingly, the second slider 83, together with the second cooling heat exchanger 4B and the positioning device 2, is displaced in the direction of arrow X5 in the stacking direction, i.e., in the same direction as the pair of bases 6. In other words, the second slider 83 slides relative to the shaft 81 in the direction of arrow X5. These displacements cause the spring 53 to shorten. In this way, the spring 51 of the pressing device 5 directly absorbs the displacement of the second cooling heat exchanger 4B and the like, and also absorbs the displacement of the first cooling heat exchanger 4A and the like via the pair of bases 6.

[0085] In this way, the thermoelectric conversion module 1 and the cooling heat exchanger 4 follow the expansion and deformation of the heating heat exchanger 3. This reduces damage to the thermoelectric conversion module 1 due to compression between the heating heat exchanger 3 and the cooling heat exchanger 4, and also maintains appropriate contact between the thermoelectric conversion module 1 and the heating heat exchanger 3 and the cooling heat exchanger 4. By maintaining appropriate contact between the thermoelectric conversion module 1 and the like, the efficiency of heat exchange between the thermoelectric conversion module 1 and the heating heat exchanger 3 and the cooling heat exchanger 4 is improved.

[0086] At this time, the pair of bases 6 are restricted from being displaced in the front-to-rear direction by the connectors 7, and thus positional deviation of the pair of bases 6 in the front-to-rear direction relative to the heating heat exchanger 3, the cooling heat exchanger 4, etc. is suppressed. This allows the heating heat exchanger 3, the cooling heat exchanger 4, etc. to be properly sandwiched between the pair of bases 6. As a result, contact between the thermoelectric conversion module 1 and the heating heat exchanger 3 and the cooling heat exchanger 4 is more appropriately maintained.

[0087] Furthermore, the support 8 restricts vertical displacement of the cooling heat exchanger 4 and the positioning device 2. Restricting the vertical displacement of the cooling heat exchanger 4 suppresses vertical displacement of the cooling heat exchanger 4 relative to the thermoelectric conversion module 1. Restricting the vertical displacement of the positioning device 2 also suppresses vertical displacement of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 relative to the heating heat exchanger 3 and the cooling heat exchanger 4. In other words, mutual displacement of the thermoelectric conversion module 1, the heating heat exchanger 3, and the cooling heat exchanger 4 in the in-plane direction of the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 is suppressed. As a result, appropriate contact between the thermoelectric conversion module 1 and the heating heat exchanger 3 and the cooling heat exchanger 4 is maintained.

[0088] Furthermore, because the cooling heat exchanger 4 and the positioning device 2 are each suspended from two shafts 81, rotational displacement around an axis extending in the stacking direction is restricted. That is, if the cooling heat exchanger 4 and the positioning device 2 were suspended from a single shaft, there would be a risk of the cooling heat exchanger 4 rotating around the axis of that shaft. However, in this example, such rotational displacement of the cooling heat exchanger 4 and the like is prevented. By restricting the rotational displacement of the cooling heat exchanger 4, misalignment of the cooling heat exchanger 4 relative to the thermoelectric conversion module 1 caused by the rotational displacement of the cooling heat exchanger 4 is suppressed. Furthermore, by restricting the rotational displacement of the positioning device 2, the rotational displacement of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 is suppressed. This suppresses misalignment of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 relative to the heating heat exchanger 3 and the cooling heat exchanger 4 caused by the rotational displacement of the positioning device 2. Therefore, misalignment of the thermoelectric conversion module 1, the heating heat exchanger 3, and the cooling heat exchanger 4 relative to each other in the in-plane direction of the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 is further suppressed.

[0089] Furthermore, because male threads are formed in the sliding regions of the sliders 82 and 83 on the shaft 81, the contact area between the shaft 81 and the sliders 82 and 83 is reduced, resulting in reduced frictional resistance between the shaft 81 and the sliders 82 and 83. This reduction in frictional resistance improves the smoothness of the sliding movement of the sliders 82 and 83 relative to the shaft 81.

[0090] Furthermore, by having one of the shaft 81 and the sliders 82, 83 made of metal and the other made of resin, frictional resistance between the shaft 81 and the sliders 82, 83 is reduced compared to, for example, a case where both are made of metal. Moreover, in this example, the sliders 82, 83 are made of resin, which further improves the smoothness of the sliding movement of the sliders 82, 83. Because the sliders 82, 83 are supported by the shaft 81, the gravity of the sliders 82, 83 acts on the shaft 81. Because the sliders 82, 83 are made of resin, the gravity of the sliders 82, 83 acting on the shaft 81 is reduced compared to a case where the sliders are made of metal. This reduces frictional resistance between the shaft 81 and the sliders 82, 83, improving the smoothness of the sliding movement of the sliders 82, 83 relative to the shaft 81.

[0091] In this way, smooth sliding of the sliders 82, 83 allows smooth displacement of the cooling heat exchanger 4 and the positioning device 2 in the stacking direction. Therefore, contact between the thermoelectric conversion module 1 and the heating heat exchanger 3 and cooling heat exchanger 4 is maintained appropriately. That is, when the cooling heat exchanger or the like is displaced in the stacking direction in response to expansion and deformation of the heating heat exchanger 3, there is a risk that the suspended portion of the cooling heat exchanger or the like may get caught on the shaft due to frictional resistance or the like. In this case, there is a risk that the cooling heat exchanger or the like may tilt in the vertical direction, and contact between the thermoelectric conversion module and the cooling heat exchanger or heating heat exchanger may not be ensured. However, this example eliminates such a risk.

[0092] =Drain Recovery System= Next, an application example of the power generation device 10 will be described. The power generation device 10 is incorporated into a drain recovery system 100. FIG. 8 is a piping diagram showing a schematic configuration of the drain recovery system 100.

[0093] The drain recovery system 100 recovers drain generated by condensation of steam and recovers heat from flash steam (including steam) generated from the drain. The drain recovery system 100 is an example of a steam system.

[0094] The drain recovery system 100 includes steam-using equipment that receives a supply of steam and uses the supplied steam, and a power generation device 10. More specifically, the drain recovery system 100 includes a gas-liquid separator 110 that separates incoming drain and steam into drain and steam, a heat recovery device 140 that recovers heat from the steam separated by the gas-liquid separator 110 via cooling water, a liquid pumping device 150 that pumps the drain separated by the gas-liquid separator 110 to the outside, and the power generation device 10. The drain recovery system 100 further includes a header tank 120 that stores drain. The liquid pumping device 150 is an example of a pump and an example of steam-using equipment.

[0095] The gas-liquid separator 110 separates the mixed fluid of the incoming condensate and its flash steam into condensate and steam. An inlet pipe 112, a liquid pipe 113, and a gas pipe 114 are connected to the gas-liquid separator 110. The inlet pipe 112 carries condensate and its flash steam generated in steam-using equipment (not shown) outside the condensate recovery system 100. The condensate and steam flow into the gas-liquid separator 110 via the inlet pipe 112.

[0096] The gas-liquid separator 110 discharges the separated drain from a liquid pipe 113. The liquid pipe 113 is connected to a header tank 120. The drain is supplied to the header tank 120 via the liquid pipe 113. The gas-liquid separator 110 discharges the separated steam from a gas pipe 114. The gas pipe 114 is connected to a heat recovery unit 140. The steam is supplied to the heat recovery unit 140 via the gas pipe 114.

[0097] The header tank 120 stores the drain. In this example, the header tank 120 is a water-sealed header tank. The header tank 120 has a tank body 121 and a water-seal trap 126.

[0098] Drain is stored in the lower part of the internal space of the tank body 121, and steam is stored in the upper part of the internal space of the tank body 121. In other words, the lower part of the internal space is a storage section 123 that stores drain, and the upper part of the internal space is a storage section 124 that stores steam. The liquid pipe 113 is connected to the upper part of the tank body 121 and communicates with the storage section 124. Drain is supplied to the tank body 121 via the liquid pipe 113. The tank body 121 stores drain in the storage section 123, and also stores flash steam generated from the drain in the storage section 124.

[0099] An overflow pipe 125 is connected to the tank body 121. The overflow pipe 125 passes through the tank body 121. One end of the overflow pipe 125 is disposed in the storage section 123, and the other end of the overflow pipe 125 is disposed outside the tank body 121. When the amount of drainage stored in the storage section 123 of the tank body 121 increases to or exceeds a certain amount, the excess drainage flows out of the tank body 121 via the overflow pipe 125.

[0100] The water seal trap 126 stores seal water. Under normal circumstances, the water seal trap 126 prevents steam from leaking out of the tank body 121 by using a water seal, but in an emergency where the tank body 121 becomes abnormally high pressure, the water seal is broken and the steam in the tank body 121 is released into the atmosphere. The internal space of the tank body 121 is sealed by the water seal of the water seal trap 126.

[0101] The water seal trap 126 is connected to the tank body 121 via a connecting pipe 127. One end of the connecting pipe 127 is connected to the upper part of the tank body 121 and communicates with the retention section 124. The other end of the connecting pipe 127 is connected to the water seal trap 126 and communicates with the seal water storage section of the water seal trap 126. In other words, the other end of the connecting pipe 127 is water-sealed. The water seal trap 126 is also connected to the tank body 121 via an outlet pipe 128. One end of the outlet pipe 128 is connected to the water seal trap 126. The other end of the outlet pipe 128 is disposed within the storage section 123 of the tank body 121. The outlet pipe 128 allows excess condensate to flow out of the water seal trap 126 when steam condenses in the water seal trap 126 and the seal water increases. The outflowing condensate is supplied to the tank body 121 via the outlet pipe 128.

[0102] The heat recovery device 140 is a heat exchanger. The heat recovery device 140 has a first flow path 141 and a second flow path 142. The heat recovery device 140 exchanges heat between a fluid flowing through the first flow path 141 and a fluid flowing through the second flow path 142. A gas pipe 114 is connected to the upstream end of the first flow path 141. That is, steam from the gas-liquid separator 110 flows into the first flow path 141. A downstream end of the first flow path 141 is connected to the tank body 121 via an outlet pipe 144. A downstream end of the outlet pipe 144 is connected to the upper part of the tank body 121 and communicates with the retention section 124. A water supply pipe 145 that supplies water is connected to the upstream end of the second flow path 142. Cooling water flows through the water supply pipe 145. An outlet pipe 146 through which water flows out is connected to the downstream end of the second flow path 142.

[0103] In the heat recovery unit 140, steam supplied from the gas-liquid separator 110 flows into the first flow path 141 and circulates through the first flow path 141. Meanwhile, cooling water is supplied to the second flow path 142 from a water supply pipe 145, and the cooling water circulates through the first flow path 141. Heat exchange occurs between the steam circulating through the first flow path 141 and the cooling water circulating through the second flow path 142. The steam is cooled and condensed, and the cooling water is heated. Drain flows from the first flow path 141 through the outlet pipe 144 to the header tank 120 and is stored in the header tank 120. The heated water flows from the second flow path 142 to the outlet pipe 146. In this way, the heat recovery unit 140 recovers heat from the steam using water. The water heated by recovering the heat is supplied to a desired location or device through the outlet pipe 146.

[0104] The liquid pressure-feeding device 150 uses the supplied steam to pressure-feed the drain. The liquid pressure-feeding device 150 supplies the drain from the header tank 120 to a predetermined drain usage location. The liquid pressure-feeding device 150 alternately performs an inflow operation, in which the drain is introduced and stored, and a pressure-feed operation, in which the drain is pressure-fed. The liquid pressure-feeding device 150 has a casing 151, which is a sealed container, a valve device 152, and a float 153.

[0105] An inlet pipe 154 through which drain flows in and an outlet pipe 155 through which drain flows out are connected to the casing 151. The upstream end of the inlet pipe 154 is connected to the header tank 120. Specifically, the inlet pipe 154 is connected to the lower part of the tank body 121 and communicates with the storage section 123. The inlet pipe 154 is provided with a check valve 156 that allows only flow from the header tank 120 to the casing 151. The outlet pipe 155 is connected to a relatively lower part of the casing 151, specifically, at least below the connection port of the inlet pipe 154. The downstream end of the outlet pipe 155 is connected to a location where the drain is used. The outlet pipe 155 is provided with a check valve 157 that allows only flow in the direction out of the casing 151. Specifically, the check valve 157 is closed by an elastic member such as a spring and opens when a pressure equal to or greater than a predetermined valve opening pressure is applied.

[0106] The internal space of the casing 151 serves as a storage space for drain. A float 153 is disposed in the internal space of the casing 151. The float 153 is formed in a hollow spherical shape. A lever 153a is connected to the float 153. The lever 153a is supported by the casing 151 so as to be rotatable around a predetermined rotation axis. The float 153 floats on the drain inside the casing 151. The float 153 moves up and down depending on the amount of drain stored inside the casing 151. At this time, the lever 153a rotates around the rotation axis in accordance with the up and down movement of the float 153.

[0107] A supply pipe 158 that supplies steam as a working gas and a discharge pipe 159 that discharges the steam from the casing 151 are connected to the casing 151. High-pressure steam flows through the supply pipe 158. A downstream end of the supply pipe 158 is connected to the valve device 152. An upstream end of the discharge pipe 159 is connected to the valve device 152. A downstream end of the discharge pipe 159 is connected to the header tank 120.

[0108] Although not shown, the valve device 152 includes an intake valve and an exhaust valve. The intake valve is provided at the downstream end of the supply pipe 158. The intake valve switches the supply pipe 158 between open and closed states. The exhaust valve is provided at the upstream end of the exhaust pipe 159. The exhaust valve switches the exhaust pipe 159 between open and closed states. The valve device 152 also has a switching mechanism that switches the intake valve and exhaust valve between open and closed states. The switching mechanism switches between an intake state in which the intake valve is open and the exhaust valve is closed, and an exhaust state in which the intake valve is closed and the exhaust valve is open. A lever 153a extending from the float 153 is connected to the switching mechanism. The switching mechanism is driven by the lever 153a to switch between the intake state and the exhaust state.

[0109] Specifically, when the float 153 is located at a relatively low position within the casing 151, the switching mechanism is in an exhaust state. When the float 153 rises to a predetermined first switching position, the lever 153a switches the switching mechanism from the exhaust state to the supply state. When the float 153 is in the supply state of the switching mechanism, the lever 153a switches the switching mechanism from the supply state to the exhaust state when the float 153 descends to a second switching position that is lower than the first switching position.

[0110] In the liquid pumping device 150 configured as described above, when the switching mechanism is in the exhaust state, the supply pipe 158 is blocked and the discharge pipe 159 is open. The float 153 is located at a relatively low position within the casing 151. In this state, the pressure within the header tank 120 causes drainage from the header tank 120 to flow into the casing 151 via the inlet pipe 154. When the differential pressure between the inlet pressure and the back pressure acting on the check valve 157 is less than the opening pressure of the check valve 157, the check valve 157 remains closed, and drainage accumulates in the casing 151. As the drainage flows into the casing 151, steam within the casing 151 flows out to the discharge pipe 159 via the exhaust valve. The steam that has flowed out to the discharge pipe 159 flows into the header tank 120. In this manner, the liquid pumping device 150 performs an inflow operation.

[0111] During the inflow operation, the float 153 rises as the amount of accumulated drain increases. As the float 153 rises, the lever 153a rotates around the rotation axis. When the float 153 rises to the first switching position, the lever 153a switches the switching mechanism of the valve device 152 from the exhaust state to the supply state. The supply pipe 158 is opened, and the discharge pipe 159 is blocked. As a result, the liquid pressure-feeding device 150 switches from the inflow operation to the pressure-feeding operation.

[0112] In the pumping operation, steam is supplied into the casing 151 through the supply pipe 158. When the pressure inside the casing 151 rises, the check valve 156 closes, stopping the inflow of condensate into the casing 151 through the inflow pipe 154 and preventing backflow of steam from the casing 151 to the header tank 120 through the inflow pipe 154. When the differential pressure between the inlet pressure and the back pressure acting on the check valve 157 exceeds the opening pressure of the check valve 157, the check valve 157 opens, causing the condensate inside the casing 151 to flow out to the outflow pipe 155. The condensate is supplied through the outflow pipe 155 to a location where the condensate is used.

[0113] During the pumping operation, the inflow of condensate from the inflow pipe 154 stops, so the amount of condensate stored decreases. As the amount of condensate stored decreases, the float 153 descends. As the float 153 descends, the lever 153a rotates around the rotation axis. When the float 153 descends to the second switching position, the lever 153a switches the switching mechanism of the valve device 152 from the air supply state to the exhaust state. The supply pipe 158 is blocked, and the discharge pipe 159 is opened. In this way, the liquid pumping device 150 switches from the pumping operation to the inflow operation. Eventually, when the pressure inside the casing 151 decreases, the check valve 156 opens, and the inflow of condensate from the inflow pipe 154 begins.

[0114] In this way, the liquid pumping device 150 uses steam as a driving source to supply the drain of the header tank 120 to the drain usage location.

[0115] The power generation device 10 is supplied with steam before being supplied to the liquid pumping device 150 , and is also supplied with cooling water before being supplied to the heat recovery device 140 .

[0116] Specifically, an inlet pipe 161 branching from the supply pipe 158 is connected to the heating heat exchanger 3 (more specifically, the first port 31a of the pipe joint 31). An outlet pipe 162 for condensate is connected to the drain trap 9. The downstream end of the outlet pipe 162 is connected to the gas pipe 114. Steam circulating through the supply pipe 158 flows into the heating heat exchanger 3 via the inlet pipe 161. The condensate that has flowed out from the heating heat exchanger 3 flows into the gas pipe 114 via the drain trap 9 and the outlet pipe 162. It should be noted that the downstream end of the outlet pipe 162 may be connected to the inlet pipe 112 or the liquid pipe 113 instead of the gas pipe 114.

[0117] Meanwhile, an inlet pipe 163 branching from the water supply pipe 145 is connected to the inlet ports 41 of the two cooling heat exchangers 4. An outlet pipe 164 is connected to the outlet ports 42 of the two cooling heat exchangers 4. The downstream end of the outlet pipe 164 is connected to a part of the water supply pipe 145 downstream of the branching point of the inlet pipe 163. Water circulating through the water supply pipe 145 flows into the cooling heat exchanger 4 via the inlet pipe 163. The water flowing out of the cooling heat exchanger 4 returns to the water supply pipe 145 via the outlet pipe 164.

[0118] In this way, steam is supplied to the heating heat exchanger 3 and water is supplied to the two cooling heat exchangers 4, thereby heating the first surface 11 of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 and cooling the second surface 12. In this way, thermoelectric power generation is performed in the power generation device 10.

[0119] In this way, the drain recovery system 100 recovers the drain and supplies the recovered drain to a point where the drain is used by the liquid pumping device 150. Furthermore, the drain recovery system 100 recovers heat from flash steam generated from the drain by cooling water via the heat recovery device 140. The power generation device 10 generates power by utilizing the steam used in the drain recovery system 100, specifically the steam used in the liquid pumping device 150. Furthermore, the power generation device 10 increases the amount of power generation by utilizing the cooling water used in the drain recovery system 100, specifically the cooling water used in the heat recovery device 140.

[0120] In a steam system such as the condensate recovery system 100, there may be a surplus of thermal energy in the steam. In such a case, the thermal energy of the steam used in the condensate recovery system 100 can be effectively utilized for power generation. Furthermore, the power generation device 10 can function as a local power source. Therefore, for example, a power source can be secured without installing a power source or laying electric wires from the power source.

[0121] Furthermore, some of the steam may condense and generate drain in the inflow pipe 161. In this case, the drain generated in the inflow pipe 161 does not flow into the main body 30 of the heating heat exchanger 3, but flows into the drain trap 9 via the connecting pipe 36 and is stored therein. In this way, since the flow of drain into the main body 30 of the heating heat exchanger 3 is prevented, a decrease in the heat exchange amount in the heating heat exchanger 3, i.e., a decrease in the amount of heating by the heating heat exchanger 3, can be suppressed.

[0122] As described above, the power generation device 10 includes the thermoelectric conversion module 1, the heating heat exchanger 3, and the cooling heat exchanger 4. The thermoelectric conversion module 1 has a first surface 11 and a second surface 12 that face opposite each other in the stacking direction (a predetermined horizontal direction), and generates thermoelectric power in response to the temperature difference between the first surface 11 and the second surface 12. The heating heat exchanger 3 has a container-shaped main body 30 that has a heating surface in contact with the first surface 11 and is supplied with steam, and the first surface 11 is heated by the steam via the heating surface. The cooling heat exchanger 4 is in contact with the second surface 12 and cools the second surface 12. The heating heat exchanger 3 is formed at the bottom of the main body 30 and has a single second port 31b (inlet / outlet port) through which steam flows in and through which condensate (i.e., drainage) of the steam generated by heating the first surface 11 in the main body 30 flows out.

[0123] According to this configuration, the first surface 11 is heated by the heating heat exchanger 3, and the second surface 12 is cooled by the cooling heat exchanger 4. This generates a temperature difference between the first surface 11 and the second surface 12, and the thermoelectric conversion module 1 generates electricity in response to the temperature difference. In the heating heat exchanger 3, steam that flows into the main body 30 from the second port 31b dissipates heat to the first surface 11 via the heating surface. In this way, the first surface 11 is heated, and the steam condenses on the inner wall surface of the main body 30 that corresponds to the heating surface, becoming drain.

[0124] Here, because the first surface 11 is approximately perpendicular to the horizontal direction, the heating surface in contact with the first surface 11 and the corresponding inner wall surface are also approximately perpendicular to the horizontal direction. Therefore, the drain flows down the inner wall surface due to its own weight. The drain flowing down the inner wall surface reaches the bottom and finally flows out through the second port 31b. In this way, the drain generated within the main body 30 can be naturally and smoothly discharged from the second port 31b located at the bottom. Steam flows into the main body 30 from the second port 31b in an amount corresponding to the drain flowing out of the second port 31b. In other words, steam and drain are replaced through the second port 31b. In this way, the inflow of steam and the outflow of drain can be performed in parallel through the single second port 31b, without the need for separate steam inflow and drain outflow ports. Therefore, the power generation device 10 can be made more compact.

[0125] The heating heat exchanger 3 further includes an outflow pipe 36 that communicates with the second port 31 b and through which drain flows out from the second port 31 b. The power generation device 10 further includes a drain trap 9 that is connected to the outflow pipe 36 and has a reservoir 93 for drain.

[0126] According to this configuration, the drain that flows out from the second port 31b flows into the drain trap 9 via the connecting pipe 36. Here, because the drain trap 9 has a drain storage chamber 93, the drain that flows out from the second port 31b is stored in the drain trap 9 without accumulating near the second port 31b. This ensures that the flow of steam to the second port 31b is not obstructed by the drain. Therefore, the inflow of steam and the outflow of drain can be more appropriately performed through the single second port 31b.

[0127] Furthermore, a first heating surface 32 and a second heating surface 33 facing opposite to each other in the horizontal direction (i.e., the stacking direction) are formed on the main body 30 of the heating heat exchanger 3. The power generation device 10 includes, as the cooling heat exchangers 4, a first cooling heat exchanger 4A in contact with the second surface 12 of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 in contact with the first heating surface 32, and a second cooling heat exchanger 4B in contact with the second surface 12 of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 in contact with the second heating surface 33.

[0128] According to this configuration, in the thermoelectric conversion module 1 in contact with the first heating surface 32, the first surface 11 is heated by the heating heat exchanger 3 via the first heating surface 32, and the second surface 12 is cooled by the first cooling heat exchanger 4A. In the thermoelectric conversion module 1 in contact with the second heating surface 33, the first surface 11 is heated by the heating heat exchanger 3 via the second heating surface 33, and the second surface 12 is cooled by the second cooling heat exchanger 4B. This allows each thermoelectric conversion module 1 to generate power. In this way, heating surfaces are formed on both sides of the main body 30 in the horizontal direction (i.e., the stacking direction), thereby increasing the amount of power generation.

[0129] In the heating heat exchanger 3, steam in the main body 30 condenses and becomes drain on the inner wall surfaces corresponding to the first heating surface 32 and the second heating surface 33 of the main body 30. The drain flows down the inner wall surfaces and finally flows out through the second port 31b. Because drain is generated on the inner wall surfaces on both sides of the main body 30, the amount of drain flowing out from the second port 31b is increased compared to, for example, when drain is generated on the inner wall surface on one side of the main body. This increases the amount of steam flowing into the second port 31b. This can promote the inflow of steam and the outflow of drain through the second port 31b. As a result, heat exchange between the thermoelectric conversion module 1 and the heating heat exchanger 3 is promoted, improving power generation efficiency.

[0130] <<Modification>> In this modification, the connection between the main body 30 of the heating heat exchanger 3 and the drain trap 9 is changed in the power generation device 10 of the above embodiment. That is, in the above embodiment, the drainage water flowing out from the main body 30 flows horizontally and into the drain trap 9, but in this modification, the drainage water flowing out from the main body 30 flows downward and into the drain trap 9. Here, differences from the above embodiment will be described. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the heating heat exchanger 3 and the drain trap 9 according to the modification.

[0131] Similar to the previous embodiment, the heating heat exchanger 3 of this example has a single inlet / outlet port formed in the bottom wall 30a of the main body 30. Specifically, the heating heat exchanger 3 has a pipe fitting 39 connected to the bottom wall 30a of the main body 30. The pipe fitting 39 is a so-called T-shaped pipe fitting having a first port 39a, a second port 39b, and a third port 39c. The second port 39b is an example of an inlet / outlet port. In the pipe fitting 39, the second port 39b and the third port 39c face each other, and the second port 39b is connected to the bottom wall 30a and communicates with the inside of the main body 30. The pipe fitting 39 is arranged so that the first port 39a opens horizontally and the second port 39b and the third port 39c open vertically. A steam inlet pipe 161 is connected to the first port 39a.

[0132] In the heating heat exchanger 3, steam that has flowed into the first port 39a from the inlet pipe 161 flows upward from the second port 39b into the main body 30. As in the above embodiment, the steam that has flowed into the main body 30 becomes condensate through heat exchange with the thermoelectric conversion module 1, and the condensate flows out from the second port 39b. In this way, the inflow of steam and the outflow of condensate occur in parallel through the single second port 39b.

[0133] The outflow pipe 36 extends in the vertical direction and is connected to the third port 39c of the pipe fitting 39 and the drain trap 9. The configuration of the drain trap 9 is substantially the same as that of the previous embodiment. That is, in the casing 91, the inlet 92 communicates with the storage chamber 93, and the discharge passage 95 communicates between the storage chamber 93 and the outlet 94. In this example, the inlet 92 and the outlet 94 are formed on the same axis extending in the vertical direction. The inlet 92 communicates with the upper part of the storage chamber 93, and the discharge passage 95 is connected to the lower part of the storage chamber 93. The valve hole 96 is located at the connection portion of the discharge passage 95 in the storage chamber 93, i.e., below the communication portion of the storage chamber 93 with the inlet 92, and is opened and closed by a valve body 97.

[0134] In this example, the drain trap 9 temporarily stores drain in the storage chamber 93 and then allows drain to flow out by opening and closing the valve hole 96. In this way, the drain flowing out from the second port 39b of the heating heat exchanger 3 is stored in the drain trap 9, thereby suppressing the accumulation of drain in the pipe joint 39 and the inlet pipe 161. In particular, the drain flowing downward from the second port 39b flows directly toward the drain trap 9, promoting the flow of drain into the drain trap 9. The accumulation of drain in the inlet pipe 161 and the like is further suppressed. This ensures an appropriate flow of steam from the inlet pipe 161 to the second port 39b, thereby more appropriately allowing steam to flow in and drain out of the main body 30. Other configurations, operations, and effects are the same as those of the above embodiment.

[0135] Other Embodiments As described above, the above-described embodiments have been described as examples of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made as appropriate. Furthermore, the components described in the above-described embodiments can be combined to create new embodiments. Furthermore, the components described in the accompanying drawings and detailed description may include not only components essential for solving the problem, but also components that are not essential for solving the problem in order to exemplify the technology. Therefore, the fact that these non-essential components are described in the accompanying drawings or detailed description should not be interpreted as immediately determining that these non-essential components are essential.

[0136] For example, the inlet / outlet port may be formed in the lower part of the side peripheral wall of the main body 30 instead of the bottom wall 30a of the main body 30. In other words, the inlet / outlet port is formed in the bottom part of the main body 30, where the drain can flow down the inner wall surface of the main body 30 and finally flow out.

[0137] Furthermore, the drain trap 9 and the connecting pipe 36 may be omitted.

[0138] Furthermore, the cooling heat exchanger 4 and the thermoelectric conversion module 1 may be disposed on only one side of the heating heat exchanger 3, rather than on both sides of the heating heat exchanger 3. In other words, the number of cooling heat exchangers 4 may be one.

[0139] The heating heat exchanger 3 may also be a movable heat exchanger that is displaceably installed.

[0140] Alternatively, the pair of bases 6 may be fixedly installed. In this case, a spring is provided between the first base 6A and the first cooling heat exchanger 4A to press the first cooling heat exchanger 4A toward the heating heat exchanger 3.

[0141] Furthermore, the heating gas supplied to the main body 30 of the heating heat exchanger 3 is not limited to steam, but may be other condensable gases.

[0142] Furthermore, the cooling fluid supplied to the main body 40 of the cooling heat exchanger 4 is not limited to water, but may be other fluids.

[0143] Furthermore, the spring 51 of the pressing device 5 is not limited to a coil spring, but may be, for example, a leaf spring. In this case, too, the leaf spring is arranged so as to have elasticity in the stacking direction (i.e., the horizontal direction).

[0144] Furthermore, the power generation device 10 may be provided in a steam system other than the drain recovery system 100 .

[0145] As described above, the techniques of the present disclosure are useful for power generation devices and steam systems.

[0146] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Power generation device 1 Thermoelectric conversion module 11 First surface 12 Second surface 3 Heating heat exchanger 30 Main body 30a Bottom wall (bottom) 31b Second port (inlet / outlet port) 32 First heating surface (heating surface) 33 Second heating surface (heating surface) 36 Outlet pipe 4 Cooling heat exchanger 4A First cooling heat exchanger 4B Second cooling heat exchanger 9 Drain trap 93 Reservoir 100 Drain recovery system (steam system) 110 Gas-liquid separator 140 Heat recovery device 150 Liquid pressure transfer device (steam-using equipment, pump)

Claims

1. A power generation device comprising: a thermoelectric conversion module having a first surface and a second surface facing opposite each other in a predetermined horizontal direction, and generating thermoelectric power in response to the temperature difference between the first surface and the second surface; a heating heat exchanger having a container-like body on which a heating surface in contact with the first surface is formed and to which heating gas is supplied, the heating heat exchanger heating the first surface via the heating surface with the heating gas; and a cooling heat exchanger in contact with the second surface and cooling the second surface, the heating heat exchanger being formed at the bottom of the body and having a single inlet / outlet port through which the heating gas flows in and through which condensate of the heating gas generated by heating the first surface within the body flows out.

2. A power generating device according to claim 1, wherein the heating heat exchanger further has an outflow pipe communicating with the inflow / outflow port through which condensate flows out from the inflow / outflow port, and further comprises a drain trap connected to the outflow pipe and having a storage chamber for condensate.

3. A power generation device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the main body of the heating heat exchanger is formed with a first heating surface and a second heating surface facing opposite each other in the horizontal direction as the heating surface, and the cooling heat exchanger is provided with a first cooling heat exchanger in contact with the second surface of the thermoelectric conversion module in contact with the first heating surface, and a second cooling heat exchanger in contact with the second surface of the thermoelectric conversion module in contact with the second heating surface.

4. A steam system comprising: steam-using equipment that receives a supply of steam and uses the supplied steam; and the power generation device according to claim 1, wherein the steam before being supplied to the steam-using equipment is supplied as heating gas to the main body of the heating heat exchanger.

5. A steam system as claimed in claim 4, comprising: a gas-liquid separator that separates incoming condensate and steam into condensate and steam; a heat recovery device that recovers heat from the steam separated by the gas-liquid separator via cooling water; and a pump that pressurizes the condensate separated by the gas-liquid separator to the outside, wherein the pump is the steam-using equipment that pressurizes the condensate using supplied steam, and the cooling heat exchanger is supplied with cooling water before being supplied to the heat recovery device, and cools the second surface with the supplied cooling water.

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