Heat source system, hot water supply system, hot water supply method, and hot water supply control program
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hot water supply systems face inefficiencies when integrating new water heaters, as they often require a minimum flow rate for heating operation, leading to delayed activation of multiple systems and inefficient hot water supply until demand reaches a certain threshold, limiting energy-saving potential.
Innovation Solution
A heat source system with a control part that regulates water flow using a water regulation valve, detecting flow rates and adjusting operations to ensure efficient heating by activating or deactivating heat source devices based on flow rate thresholds, allowing for seamless integration with existing systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple water heaters are simply connected to increase hot water supply capacity, then the hot water supply capacity increases, but the minimum flow rate requirement causes delayed activation and inefficient hot water supply
Solution Approach 1:
A control device is introduced as an intermediary between the flow meter and the water heaters. This control device aggregates flow rate information from multiple water heaters, compares the total flow rate against a threshold value, and activates individual water heaters based on the aggregated demand. This mediator enables low-flow activation by combining flow demands from multiple sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device merges flow rate information from multiple water heaters into a single aggregated flow rate value. By combining the flow demands of multiple water heaters, the system achieves a cumulative effect that allows activation at lower individual flow rates, thus reducing the minimum flow rate threshold for activation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a new water heater compatible with the existing system is installed, then the system compatibility is maintained, but the choice of water heater is narrowed and energy-saving performance is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The control device serves multiple functions: it aggregates flow rate information, compares total flow against thresholds, determines which water heaters to activate, and transmits control signals. This multi-functional control device enables different types of water heaters (including energy-saving hybrid systems) to be integrated into the existing system without requiring system-wide redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is segmented into independent components: a flow meter for measurement, a control device for decision-making, and individual water heaters for execution. This segmentation allows the control device to be upgraded or replaced with more advanced energy-saving control algorithms without replacing the entire system or the water heaters themselves.
3Reliability
If both hot water supply systems operate in standby state, then the system redundancy is increased, but the flow rate is divided between systems causing neither system to activate heating
Solution Approach 1:
The control device dynamically adjusts the activation state of individual water heaters based on real-time aggregated flow rate information. Instead of static standby operation, the system transitions between active and inactive states dynamically, activating only the necessary water heaters based on current demand, thus avoiding the energy waste of simultaneous standby operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device receives feedback from the flow meter about the total flow rate through the hot water supply line. This feedback loop enables the control device to continuously monitor system demand and adjust water heater activation accordingly, ensuring that at least one water heater is activated when the aggregated flow rate exceeds the threshold, thus preventing the energy waste of having both systems in standby.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient hot water supply by ensuring that heat source devices are only activated when necessary, optimizing energy use and allowing for flexible integration with various hot water supply systems, thereby enhancing overall system performance and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a water regulation valve configured to regulate a flow rate of supply water flowing in the device
Implementation Method 2
is configured to heat the supply water
Data Source
AI summary
A heat source system is to be connected to another heat source system. The heat source system includes a heat source device and a control part. The heat source device includes a water regulation valve configured to regulate a flow rate of supply water flowing in the device and is configured to heat the supply water. The control part is connected to the heat source device, and is configured to acquire flow rate information of the supply water supplied to the other heat source system and the heat source device, to close the water regulation valve when a flow rate of the supply water is 0 or more and less than a first set value, and to open the water regulation valve when the flow rate of the supply water is equal to or greater than the first set value.