U.S. patent application number 15/025481 was filed with the patent office on 2016-07-21 for heat source control device, heat source system, and heat source control method.
This patent application is currently assigned to MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.. Invention is credited to Takeshi FUCHIMOTO, Minoru MATSUO, Satoshi NIKAIDO, Toshiaki OUCHI.
Application Number | 20160209053 15/025481 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53003766 |
Filed Date | 2016-07-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160209053 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MATSUO; Minoru ; et
al. |
July 21, 2016 |
HEAT SOURCE CONTROL DEVICE, HEAT SOURCE SYSTEM, AND HEAT SOURCE
CONTROL METHOD
Abstract
In a heat source control device, a heat source system, and a
heat source control method, heat source groups, a plurality of
group control units, and a number-of-units control unit are
included. The group control units include a first operating-range
output unit and a second operating-range output unit. When a
requested load exceeds a first proper operating range, the
number-of-units control unit increases the number of activated heat
source groups and controls the group control units so that the
number of activated heat source units is a predetermined
number.
Inventors: |
MATSUO; Minoru; (Tokyo,
JP) ; FUCHIMOTO; Takeshi; (Tokyo, JP) ;
NIKAIDO; Satoshi; (Tokyo, JP) ; OUCHI; Toshiaki;
(Tokyo, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES,
LTD.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
53003766 |
Appl. No.: |
15/025481 |
Filed: |
June 20, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
June 20, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2014/066373 |
371 Date: |
March 28, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24D 19/1048 20130101;
F24D 19/1009 20130101; F24F 11/62 20180101; F24F 11/54 20180101;
F24F 11/30 20180101; F24F 2140/50 20180101; F24D 3/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24D 19/10 20060101
F24D019/10; F24D 3/00 20060101 F24D003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 1, 2013 |
JP |
2013-228348 |
Claims
1. A heat source control device comprising: a plurality of group
control units configured to perform start/stop and load allocation
of a plurality of heat source units corresponding to heat source
groups of the plurality of heat source units; and a number-of-units
control unit configured to perform start/stop and load allocation
of the heat source groups, wherein the group control unit includes
a first operating-range output unit configured to output a load
range in which one of characteristic values of the heat source
units corresponding to the number of operating heat source units is
within a predetermined range as a first proper operating range to
the number-of-units control unit based on the characteristic values
of the heat source units, and a second operating-range output unit
configured to output a load range in which another of the
characteristic values is in the predetermined range as a second
proper operating range to the number-of-units control unit, and
wherein the number-of-units control unit increases the number of
activated heat source groups when a requested load exceeds the
first proper operating range.
2. The heat source control device according to claim 1, wherein the
first operating-range output unit uses COP information indicating a
relation between a coefficient of performance and a load ratio as
the characteristic value and outputs a load range in which one of
the characteristic values corresponding to the number of operating
heat source units is equal to or greater than a predetermined value
as the first proper operating range to the number-of-units control
unit, and wherein the second operating-range output unit outputs a
load range in which another of the characteristic values is equal
to or greater than the predetermined value as the second proper
operating range to the number-of-units control unit.
3. The heat source control device according to claim 1, wherein the
first operating-range output unit uses inverter input information
as the characteristic value and outputs a load range in which one
of the characteristic values corresponding to the number of
operating heat source units is equal to or less than a
predetermined value as the first proper operating range to the
number-of-units control unit, and wherein the second
operating-range output unit outputs a load range in which another
of the characteristic values is equal to or less than the
predetermined value as the second proper operating range to the
number-of-units control unit.
4. The heat source control device according to claim 1, wherein the
group control unit sets, as transmission data from the group
control unit, an optimum load range corresponding to the number of
operating heat source units among the connected heat source units
and an operatable load range corresponding to 1+the number of
operating heat source units.
5. The heat source control device according to claim 4, wherein,
when load distribution to the heat source groups from the
number-of-units control unit is greater than the operatable load
range for the number of operating heat source units, the number of
operating heat source units in the heat source group is increased
and the optimum load range and the operatable load range are
updated.
6. The heat source control device according to claim 5, wherein,
when load distribution to the heat source groups from the
number-of-units control unit is less than the operatable load range
for the number of operating heat source units, the number of
operating heat source units in the heat source group is decreased
and the optimum load range and the operatable load range are
updated.
7. A heat source system comprising: the heat source control device
according to claim 6; and heat source groups of the plurality of
heat source units.
8. A heat source control method comprising: a plurality of group
control steps of performing start/stop and load allocation of a
plurality of heat source units corresponding to heat source groups
of the plurality of heat source units; and a number-of-units
control step of performing start/stop and load allocation of the
heat source groups, wherein the group control step includes a first
operating-range output step of outputting a load range in which one
of characteristic values of the heat source units corresponding to
the number of operating heat source units is within a predetermined
range as a first proper operating range in the number-of-units
control step based on the characteristic values of the heat source
units, and a second operating-range output step of outputting a
load range in which another of the characteristic values is in the
predetermined range as a second proper operating range in the
number-of-units control step, and wherein, in the number-of-units
control step, the number of activated heat source groups is
increased when a requested load exceeds the first proper operating
range.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a heat source control
device, a heat source system, and a heat source control method.
[0002] Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No.
2013-228348, filed Nov. 1, 2013, the content of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] In large buildings, chilled and hot water systems in which a
plurality of heat sinks and heat sources are provided in parallel
and secondary-side heat load sources such as air conditioners are
connected to the heat sinks and heat sources are used. Each of the
heat sinks and heat sources includes a chilled and hot water pump
circulating chilled and hot water generated by each of the heat
sinks and heat sources.
[0004] In such chilled and hot water systems, necessary flow rates
of chilled and hot water are changed to handle heat loads according
to secondary-side loads. Accordingly, in such chilled and hot water
systems, flow rates of chilled and hot water to be supplied to
secondary-side heat load sources have to be controlled.
[0005] As such chilled and hot water control methods, there are
methods of controlling bypass flow rates of secondary-side heat
load sources and controlling the numbers of heat sinks and heat
sources. In such a method of controlling the numbers of heat sinks
and heat sources, the number of operating heat sinks and heat
sources is selected in accordance with schemes considering flow
rates, heat amounts, and both of flow rates and heat amounts.
[0006] In this case, chilled and hot water pumps of the used heat
sinks and heat sources circulate chilled and hot water by changing
flow rates according to loads.
[0007] As technologies related to such a background, various
technologies are known (for example, see Patent Literature 1).
[0008] For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a heat sink and
heat source output distribution control method of a chilled and hot
water system that includes a plurality of heat sinks and heat
sources disposed in parallel, chilled and hot water pumps included
in the heat sinks and heat sources, and a secondary-side heat load
source connected to the plurality of heat sinks and heat sources.
More specifically, in the heat sink and heat source output
distribution control method, the number of heat sinks and heat
sources to be used is selected according to heat loads of
secondary-side heat sources. In the heat sink and heat source
output distribution control method, when a plurality of heat sinks
and heat sources are used, the heat sinks and heat sources to be
used are divided into two groups which each have one heat sink and
one heat source or a plurality of heat sinks and heat sources, and
a ratio of a flow rate of chilled and hot water of the heat sinks
and heat sources of both groups to a flow rate of chilled and hot
water supplied to the secondary-side heat load source is changed so
that a sum system COP of the two groups of the heat sinks and heat
sources is the maximum. The flow rate is changed in a direction in
which a ratio of one group increases in accordance with a
predetermined period and the system COP is calculated. When the
system COP increases more than the system COP before the change,
the flow rate is changed in the same direction. When the system COP
decreases, the flow rate is changed in the opposite direction. In
this way, according to the heat sink and heat source output
distribution control method, the heat sinks and heat sources work
with the maximum efficiency from the viewpoint of the entire
system, and thus power consumption can be reduced.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[Patent Literature 1]
[0009] Japanese Patent No. 4435651
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0010] In the invention described in Patent Literature 1, when the
numbers of heat sinks and heat sources increase, a control period
may increase, and thus there is a possibility that a load state to
be handled is changed. Therefore, in the invention described in
Patent Literature 1, search results may not always be optimum.
[0011] In the invention described in Patent Literature 1, when
group control is performed and the same function of a
number-of-units control function mounted on a high-order control
device is mounted, a load range that can be handled with one group
becomes broader than a load range that can be handled with one
unit. Therefore, in the invention described in Patent Literature 1,
for example, when ten units are operating in an operating group and
another group is newly activated in this state, sudden changes in
control may be performed in such a manner that the number of
operating units of the operating group is changed from 10 to 5 and
the number of operating units of the newly activated group is
changed from 0 to 5. Therefore, control may not be performed to
prevent the number of operating units connected to the group from
changing suddenly.
Solution to Problem
[0012] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a heat source control device including: a plurality of
group control units configured to perform start/stop and load
allocation of a plurality of heat source units corresponding to
heat source groups of the plurality of heat source units; and a
number-of-units control unit configured to perform start/stop and
load allocation of the heat source groups. The group control unit
includes a first operating-range output unit configured to output a
load range in which one of characteristic values of the heat source
units corresponding to the number of operating heat source units is
within a predetermined range as a first proper operating range to
the number-of-units control unit based on the characteristic values
of the heat source units, and a second operating-range output unit
configured to output a load range in which another of the
characteristic values is in the predetermined range as a second
proper operating range to the number-of-units control unit. The
number-of-units control unit increases the number of activated heat
source groups when a requested load exceeds the first proper
operating range.
[0013] According to a second aspect of the present invention, in
the heat source control device according to the first aspect, the
first operating-range output unit may use COP information
indicating a relation between a coefficient of performance and a
load ratio as the characteristic value and output a load range in
which one of the characteristic values corresponding to the number
of operating heat source units is equal to or greater than a
predetermined value as the first proper operating range to the
number-of-units control unit. The second operating-range output
unit may output a load range in which another of the characteristic
values is equal to or greater than the predetermined value as the
second proper operating range to the number-of-units control
unit.
[0014] According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the
heat source control device according to the first aspect, the first
operating-range output unit may use inverter input information as
the characteristic value and output a load range in which one of
the characteristic values corresponding to the number of operating
heat source units is equal to or less than a predetermined value as
the first proper operating range to the number-of-units control
unit. The second operating-range output unit may output a load
range in which another of the characteristic values is equal to or
less than the predetermined value as the second proper operating
range to the number-of-units control unit.
[0015] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in
the heat source control device according to any one of the first to
third aspects, the group control unit may set, as transmission data
from the group control unit, an optimum load range corresponding to
the number of operating heat source units among the connected heat
source units and an operatable load range corresponding to 1+the
number of operating heat source units.
[0016] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the
heat source control device according to any one of the first to
fourth aspects, when load distribution to the heat source groups
from the number-of-units control unit is greater than the
operatable load range for the number of operating heat source
units, the number of operating heat source units in the heat source
group may be increased and the optimum load range and the
operatable load range may be updated.
[0017] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the
heat source control device according to any one of the first to
fifth aspects, when load distribution to the heat source groups
from the number-of-units control unit is less than the operatable
load range for the number of operating heat source units, the
number of operating heat source units in the heat source group may
be decreased and the optimum load range and the operatable load
range may be updated.
[0018] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a heat source system including: the heat source
control device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects;
and heat source groups of the plurality of heat source units.
[0019] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a heat source control method including: a
plurality of group control steps of performing start/stop and load
allocation of a plurality of heat source units corresponding to
heat source groups of the plurality of heat source units; and a
number-of-units control step of performing start/stop and load
allocation of the heat source groups. The group control step
includes a first operating-range output step of outputting a load
range in which one of characteristic values of the heat source
units corresponding to the number of operating heat source units is
within a predetermined range as a first proper operating range in
the number-of-units control step based on the characteristic values
of the heat source units, and a second operating-range output step
of outputting a load range in which another of the characteristic
values is in the predetermined range as a second proper operating
range in the number-of-units control step. In the number-of-units
control step, the number of activated heat source groups is
increased when a requested load exceeds the first proper operating
range.
[0020] In the overview of the first to eighth aspects of the
present invention, not all of the characteristics necessary in the
present invention are listed. Sub-combinations of such
characteristic groups can also be aspects of the present
invention.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0021] According to the heat source control device, the heat source
system, and the heat source control method described above, it is
possible to control the number of operating heat source units
included in the plurality of heat source groups without sudden
changes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the system
configuration of a heat source system 100 according to a first
embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configurations of
group control devices 11 and 21.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating COP characteristics applied
to the heat source system 100.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating power consumption amount
characteristics applied to the heat source system 100.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for describing a basic control
operation of the heat source system 100.
[0027] FIG. 6 is a flowchart for describing a specific control
operation of the heat source system 100.
[0028] FIG. 7 is a flowchart for describing the specific control
operation of the heat source system 100.
[0029] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for describing a basic control
operation of a heat source system 100 according to a second
embodiment.
[0030] FIG. 9 is a flowchart for describing a basic control
operation of a heat source system 100 according to a third
embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0031] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described
according to embodiments of the invention. However, the following
embodiments do not limit the invention within the scope of the
claims, and not all of the combinations of the characteristics
described in the embodiments are requisites for the solution of the
invention.
[0032] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the system
configuration of a heat source system 100 according to a first
embodiment. Here, the heat source system 100 is a system that
controls a plurality of heat sources.
[0033] The heat source system 100 includes a first heat source
group 10, a first group control device 11, a second heat source
group 20, a second group control device 21, and a number-of-units
control device 30.
[0034] The first heat source group 10 includes a plurality of heat
source units 12. Here, the heat source unit 12 is a unit that
includes a heat source device and a unit-integrated control device
13. An input side of each heat source unit 12 is connected to
communicate with a water inlet 41 and an output side thereof is
connected to communicate with a water outlet 42. The output side of
each heat source unit 12 is connected to the first group control
device 11 and the number-of-units control device 30.
[0035] When the first group control device 11 controls the heat
source units 12, the first group control device 11 receives
necessary data from the unit-integrated control device 13 and
transmits control data to the unit-integrated control device 13.
Then, the first group control device 11 performs start/stop and
load allocation of each heat source unit 12.
[0036] The second heat source group 20 is connected to the first
heat source group 10 in parallel and includes a plurality of heat
source units 22. Here, the heat source unit 22 is a unit that
includes a heat source device and a unit-integrated control device
23. An input side of each heat source unit 22 is connected to
communicate with the water inlet 41 and an output side thereof is
connected to communicate with the water outlet 42. The output side
of each heat source unit 22 is connected to the second group
control device 21 and the number-of-units control device 30. When
the second group control device 21 controls the heat source units
22, the second group control device 21 receives necessary data from
the unit-integrated control device 23 and transmits control data to
the unit-integrated control device 23. Here, the data received from
the unit-integrated control device 23 also includes COP information
indicating a relation between a coefficient of performance and a
load ratio of the heat source units 12 and 22.
[0037] The first group control device 11 performs start/stop and
load allocation of each heat source unit 22.
[0038] The number-of-units control device 30 performs start/stop
and load allocation of the first heat source group 10 and the
second heat source group 20. From the viewpoint of the
number-of-units control device 30, the first heat source group 10
and the second heat source group 20 are each treated like a
large-capacity chiller.
[0039] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configurations of
the group control devices 11 and 21. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the
group control devices 11 and 21 respectively include first
operating-range output units 14 and 24 that output a load range in
which a coefficient of performance corresponding to the number of
operating heat source units 12 and 22 is equal to or greater than a
predetermined value as a first proper operating range to the
number-of-units control device 30 based on the COP information
which is a characteristic value indicating the relation between the
coefficient of performance and the load ratio of the heat source
units 12 and 22.
[0040] The group control devices 11 and 21 respectively include
second operating-range output units 15 and 25 that output a load
range in which a coefficient of performance corresponding to the
predetermined number of units greater than the operating heat
source units 12 and 22 is equal to or greater than a predetermined
value as a second proper operating range to the number-of-units
control device 30 based on the COP information.
[0041] The number-of-units control device 30 increases the number
of activated units of each of the heat source groups 10 and 20 when
a requested load exceeds the first proper operating range.
[0042] The heat source system 100 sets an optimum load range
corresponding to the number of operating units among the heat
source units 12 and 22 respectively connected to the group control
devices 11 and 21 and an operatable load range corresponding to
1+the number of operating units as data to be transmitted from the
group control devices 11 and 21 to the number-of-units control
device 30.
[0043] Specifically, for example, when ten heat source units 12 are
connected to the first group control device 11 and one heat source
unit is operating, an optimum load range for one unit and an
operatable load range for two units are set as an optimum load
range and an operatable load range of the whole group.
[0044] When all of the units stop among the heat source units 12
and 22 respectively connected to the group control devices 11 and
21, the heat source system 100 sets an optimum load range and an
operatable load range for one unit as data to be transmitted from
the group control devices 11 and 21 to the number-of-units control
device 30.
[0045] When the operating heat source units are in the heat source
groups 10 and 20, the number-of-units control device 30 sets
optimum load ranges and operatable load ranges of both of the heat
source groups 10 and 20 using the following Expressions (1) to
(12).
[0046] In Expressions (1) to (6), Loh_gi and Lol_gi are a Hi-side
and a Lo-side of the optimum load range of each of the heat source
groups 10 and 20, Lh_gi and Ll_gi are a Hi-side and a Lo-side of
the operatable load range, and Loph_gi and Lopl_gi are a Hi-side
and a Lo-side of the operatable load range of the operating unit
(where i=1 to 20). Further, Loh_gkui and Lol_gkui are a Hi-side and
a Lo-side of the optimum load range of each of the heat source
units 12 and 22, Lh_gkui and Ll_gkui are a Hi-side and a Lo-side of
the operatable load range (where k=1 to 6 and i=1 to 20), and m is
the number of operating units.
L oh _ gi = k = 1 m L oh _ giu k [ Expression 1 ] L ol _ gi = k = 1
m L ol _ giu k [ Expression 2 ] L h _ gi = k = 1 m + 1 L h _ giu k
[ Expression 3 ] L l _ gi = k = 1 m L l _ giu k [ Expression 4 ] L
oph _ gi = k = 1 m L h _ giu k [ Expression 5 ] L opl _ gi = k = 1
m L l _ giu k [ Expression 6 ] ##EQU00001##
[0047] In Expressions (7) to (12), Loh_gi and Lol_gi are a Hi-side
and a Lo-side of the optimum load range of each of the heat source
groups 10 and 20, and Lh_gi and Ll_gi are a Hi-side and a Lo-side
of the operatable load range (where i=1 to 20). Further, Loh_gkui
and Lol_gkui are a Hi-side and a Lo-side of the optimum load range
of each of the heat source units 12 and 22, Lh_gkui and Ll_gkui are
a Hi-side and a Lo-side of the operatable load range (where k=1 to
6 and i=1 to 20), and the number of operating units is 0.
L oh _ gi = k = 1 m L oh _ giu k [ Expression 7 ] L ol _ gi = k = 1
m L ol _ giu k [ Expression 8 ] L h _ gi = k = 1 m + 1 L h _ giu k
[ Expression 9 ] L l _ gi = k = 1 m L l _ giu k [ Expression 10 ] L
oph _ gi = k = 1 m L h _ giu k [ Expression 11 ] L opl _ gi = k = 1
m L l _ giu k [ Expression 12 ] ##EQU00002##
[0048] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating COP characteristics applied
to the heat source system 100. Information regarding the COP
characteristics indicates a relation between the coefficient of
performance and a load ratio of each of the heat source units 12
and 22 and includes data received from the unit-integrated control
device 23. In FIG. 3, the horizontal axis represents a chiller
output capacity and the vertical axis represents a COP value. As
illustrated in FIG. 3, in the COP characteristics, the COP has a
parabolic shape according to an increase in the chiller output
capacity when outside air temperature is, for example, 15.degree.
C., 25.degree. C., and 32.degree. C. At this time, the proper
operating range is a load range equal to or greater than a
predetermined value.
[0049] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating power consumption amount
characteristics applied to the heat source system 100. In FIG. 4,
the horizontal axis represents a chiller output capacity and the
vertical axis represents an inverter input. As illustrated in FIG.
4, in power consumption amount characteristics, power consumption
increases directly proportionally with an increase in the chiller
output capacity when an outside air temperature is, for example,
15.degree. C., 25.degree. C., and 32.degree. C. At this time, the
proper operating range is a load range equal to or less than a
predetermined value.
[0050] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for describing a basic control
operation of the heat source system 100. As illustrated in FIG. 5,
when the control starts, the number-of-units control device 30
first determines whether the operating heat source unit is in
either of the heat source groups 10 and 20 (S101).
[0051] When the operating unit is in either of the heat source
groups 10 and 20, the number-of-units control device 30 decides the
optimum load range and the operatable load range of both of the
heat source groups 10 and 20 according to the above-described
Expressions (1) to (6) (S102).
[0052] When the operating unit is not present in either of the heat
source groups 10 and 20, the number-of-units control device 30
decides the optimum load range and the operatable load range of
both of the heat source groups 10 and 20 according to the
above-described Expressions (7) to (12) (S103).
[0053] FIGS. 6 and 7 are flowchart for describing a specific
control operation of the heat source system 100. FIG. 6 illustrates
a case in which the first heat source group 10 works first. As
illustrated in FIG. 6, when the control starts, the number-of-units
control device 30 first starts operating and issues a group
operating instruction (S111). The group operating instruction is
transmitted to the first group control device 11, and thus the
first group control device 11 starts operating (S112).
[0054] The first group control device 11 transmits the optimum load
range and the operatable load range calculated from Expressions (1)
to (6) to the number-of-units control device 30 (S113). The optimum
load range and the operatable load range are periodically
transmitted to the number-of-units control device 30.
[0055] At this time, the second group control device 21 transmits
the optimum load range and the operatable load range calculated
according to Expressions (7) to (12) to the number-of-units control
device 30 (S114). The optimum load range and the operatable load
range are periodically transmitted to the number-of-units control
device 30.
[0056] The number-of-units control device 30 determines whether a
request load is greater than the optimum load range during the
operating (S115). The second group control device 21 starts
operating when the number-of-units control device 30 determines
that the request load is greater than the optimum load range during
the operating (S116).
[0057] Thereafter, the first group control device 11 periodically
transmits the optimum load range and the operatable load range
calculated according to Expressions (1) to (6) to the
number-of-units control device 30 (S117).
[0058] The second group control device 21 periodically transmits
the optimum load range and the operatable load range calculated
according to Expressions (1) to (6) (S118).
[0059] Next, the number-of-units control device 30 transmits load
allocation to the first group control device 11 and the second
group control device 21. The first group control device 11
determines whether the allocated load is greater than a load range
that can be handled with the number of operating units (S119). When
the first group control device 11 determines that the load
allocated by the number-of-units control device 30 is greater than
the load range that can be handled with the number of operating
units, the first group control device 11 increases the number of
operating units in the heat source group (S120). Conversely, when
the first group control device 11 determines that the load
allocated by the number-of-units control device 30 is not greater
than the load range that can be handled with the number of
operating units, the first group control device 11 does not change
the number of operating units.
[0060] The second group control device 21 determines whether the
allocated load is greater than the load range that can be handled
with the number of operating units (S121). When the second group
control device 21 determines that the load allocated by the
number-of-units control device 30 is greater than the load range
that can be handled with the number of operating units, the second
group control device 21 increases the number of operating units in
the heat source group (S122). Conversely, when the load allocated
by the number-of-units control device 30 is not greater than the
load range that can be handled with the number of operating units,
the second group control device 21 does not change the number of
operating units.
[0061] Subsequently, the first group control device 11 determines
whether the allocated load is less than the load range that can be
handled with the number of operating units (S123). When the first
group control device 11 determines that the load allocated by the
number-of-units control device 30 is less than the load range that
can be handled with the number of operating units, the first group
control device 11 decreases the number of operating units in the
heat source group (S124). Conversely, when the load allocated by
the number-of-units control device 30 is not less than the load
range that can be handled with the number of operating units, the
first group control device 11 does not change the number of
operating units.
[0062] The second group control device 21 determines whether the
allocated load is less than the load range that can be handled with
the number of operating units (S125). When the second group control
device 21 determines that the load allocated by the number-of-units
control device 30 is less than the load range that can be handled
with the number of operating units, the second group control device
21 decreases the number of operating units in the heat source group
(S126). When the second group control device 21 determines that the
load allocated by the number-of-units control device 30 is not less
than the load range that can be handled with the number of
operating units, the second group control device 21 does not change
the number of operating units.
[0063] The number-of-units control device 30 determines whether the
requested load is less than the optimum load range during the
operating (S127). When the number-of-units control device 30
determines that the requested load is less than the optimum load
range during the operating, a stop instruction is issued to the
first group control device 11, and thus the operating of the first
group control device 11 ends (S128). At this time, when the
operating group is only one first heat source group 10, the stop
instruction is not issued.
[0064] When the number-of-units control device 30 determines that
the requested load is not less than the optimum load range during
the operating, the number-of-units control device 30 determines
whether only the second heat source group 20 is operating (S129).
When the number-of-units control device 30 determines that only the
second heat source group 20 is operating, the process proceeds to
(S145) illustrated in FIG. 7. When the number-of-units control
device 30 determines that only the second heat source group 20 is
not operating, the number-of-units control device 30 determines
whether only the first heat source group 10 is operating (S130).
When the number-of-units control device 30 determines that only the
first heat source group 10 is operating, the process proceeds to
(S115). When the number-of-units control device 30 determines that
only the first heat source group 10 is not operating, the process
proceeds to (S117) to repeat the routine.
[0065] FIG. 7 illustrates a case in which the second heat source
group 20 works first. As illustrated in FIG. 7, when the control
starts, the number-of-units control device 30 first starts
operating and issues a group operating instruction (S141). The
group operating instruction is transmitted to the second group
control device 21, and thus the second group control device 21
starts operating (S142).
[0066] The second group control device 21 transmits the optimum
load range and the operatable load range calculated from
Expressions (1) to (6) to the number-of-units control device 30
(S143). The optimum load range and the operatable load range are
periodically transmitted to the number-of-units control device
30.
[0067] At this time, the first group control device 11 transmits
the optimum load range and the operatable load range calculated
according to Expressions (7) to (12) to the number-of-units control
device 30 (S144). The optimum load range and the operatable load
range are periodically transmitted to the number-of-units control
device 30.
[0068] The number-of-units control device 30 determines whether a
request load is greater than the optimum load range during the
operating (S145). The first group control device 11 starts
operating when the number-of-units control device 30 determines
that the request load is greater than the optimum load range during
the operating (S146).
[0069] Thereafter, the first group control device 11 periodically
transmits the optimum load range and the operatable load range
calculated according to Expressions (1) to (6) to the
number-of-units control device 30 (S147).
[0070] The second group control device 21 periodically transmits
the optimum load range and the operatable load range calculated
according to Expressions (1) to (6) (S148).
[0071] Next, the number-of-units control device 30 transmits load
allocation to the first group control device 11 and the second
group control device 21. The first group control device 11
determines whether the allocated load is greater than a load range
that can be handled with the number of operating units (S149). When
the first group control device 11 determines that the load
allocated by the number-of-units control device 30 is greater than
the load range that can be handled with the number of operating
units, the first group control device 11 increases the number of
operating units in the heat source group (S150). Conversely, when
the first group control device 11 determines that the load
allocated by the number-of-units control device 30 is not greater
than the load range that can be handled with the number of
operating units, the first group control device 11 does not change
the number of operating units.
[0072] The second group control device 21 determines whether the
allocated load is greater than the load range that can be handled
with the number of operating units (S151). When the second group
control device 21 determines that the load allocated by the
number-of-units control device 30 is greater than the load range
that can be handled with the number of operating units, the second
group control device 21 increases the number of operating units in
the heat source group (S152). Conversely, when the second group
control device 21 determines that the load allocated by the
number-of-units control device 30 is not greater than the load
range that can be handled with the number of operating units, the
second group control device 21 does not change the number of
operating units.
[0073] Subsequently, the first group control device 11 determines
whether the allocated load is less than the load range that can be
handled with the number of operating units (S153). When the first
group control device 11 determines that the load allocated by the
number-of-units control device 30 is less than the load range that
can be handled with the number of operating units, the first group
control device 11 decreases the number of operating units in the
heat source group (S154). Conversely, when the first group control
device 11 determines that the load allocated by the number-of-units
control device 30 is not less than the load range that can be
handled with the number of operating units, the first group control
device 11 does not change the number of operating units.
[0074] The second group control device 21 determines whether the
allocated load is less than the load range that can be handled with
the number of operating units (S155). When the second group control
device 21 determines that the load allocated by the number-of-units
control device 30 is less than the load range that can be handled
with the number of operating units, the second group control device
21 decreases the number of operating units in the heat source group
(S156). When the second group control device 21 determines that the
load allocated by the number-of-units control device 30 is not less
than the load range that can be handled with the number of
operating units, the second group control device 21 does not change
the number of operating units.
[0075] The number-of-units control device 30 determines whether the
requested load is less than the optimum load range during the
operating (S157). When the number-of-units control device 30
determines that the requested load is less than the optimum load
range during the operating, a stop instruction is issued to the
second group control device 21, and thus the operating of the
second group control device 21 ends (S158). At this time, when the
number-of-units control device 30 determines that the operating
group is only one second heat source group 20, the stop instruction
is not issued.
[0076] When the number-of-units control device 30 determines that
the requested load is not less than the optimum load range during
the operating, the number-of-units control device 30 determines
whether only the first heat source group 10 is operating (S159).
When the number-of-units control device 30 determines that only the
first heat source group 10 is operating, the process proceeds to
(S115) illustrated in FIG. 6. When the number-of-units control
device 30 determines that only the first heat source group 10 is
not operating, the number-of-units control device 30 determines
whether only the second heat source group 20 is operating (S160).
When the number-of-units control device 30 determines that only the
second heat source group 20 is operating, the process proceeds to
(S145). When the number-of-units control device 30 determines that
only the second heat source group 20 is not operating, the process
proceeds to (S147) to repeat the routine.
[0077] As described above, the heat source system 100 according to
the embodiment first performs the process of increasing the number
of heat source groups when the load departs from the optimum load
range. Accordingly, in the heat source system 100, when only one
heat source unit is operating between the heat source units 12 and
22 connected to the heat source groups 10 and 20, the number of
operating target heat source groups can first be increased.
Therefore, even when the load can be equally distributed to the
heat source groups 10 and 20, control can be performed such that
the number of operating heat source units 12 and 22 connected to
the heat source groups 10 and 20 is not changed suddenly.
[0078] In the heat source system 100 according to the embodiment,
the control of the number of units and the load distribution in the
plurality of heat source groups 10 and 20 can be performed without
considerable change in the number of operating heat source units 12
and 22 connected to the heat source groups 10 and 20. Further, the
optimum operating state in which the power consumption is small can
be kept as the operating state of the heat source units 12 and
22.
[0079] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference
to FIG. 8. The same reference numerals are given to the same
portions as those of the first embodiment. The description thereof
will be omitted and only differences will be described. FIG. 8 is a
flowchart for describing a basic control operation of a heat source
system 100 according to a second embodiment.
[0080] When the load distribution to the heat source groups 10 and
20 from the number-of-units control device 30 is greater than an
operatable load range of the number of operating heat source units,
the heat source system 100 increases the number of operating heat
source units in the heat source groups 10 and 20 and updates the
optimum load range and the operatable load range. Specifically, in
the heat source system 100, for example, when ten heat source units
12 are connected to the first group control device 11 (the load
range that can be handled with the whole heat source group is
assumed to be 100%) and the load distribution from the
number-of-units control device 30 is greater than 10% in the case
of an operating state of one unit (the operatable load range
corresponding to the operating state is 10%), the number of
operating units is updated from one to two and the optimum load
range for two heat source units and the operatable load range for
three heat source units are assumed to be the optimum load range
and the operatable load range of the whole heat source group.
[0081] As illustrated in FIG. 8, when control starts, the first
group control device 11 and the second group control device 21
determine whether the load distribution is greater than a Hi-side
of an operatable load range of the operating heat source units
(S201).
[0082] When the load distribution is greater than the Hi-side of
the operatable load range of the operating heat source units, the
first group control device 11 and the second group control device
21 increase the number of operating heat source units and update
the optimum load range and the operatable load range of both of the
heat source groups 10 and 20.
[0083] At this time, when the load distribution is not greater than
the Hi-side of the operatable load range of the operating heat
source units, the first group control device 11 and the second
group control device 21 end the process.
[0084] The heat source system 100 according to the embodiment can
automatically increase the number of operating heat source units of
the heat source groups 10 and 20 by increasing the load allocation
once all the subordinate heat source groups 10 and 20 are in an
operating state of one heat source unit from the viewpoint of the
number-of-units control device 30.
[0085] Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to
FIG. 9. The same reference numerals are given to the same portions
as those of the first embodiment. The description thereof will be
omitted and only differences will be described. FIG. 9 is a
flowchart for describing a basic control operation of a heat source
system 100 according to a third embodiment.
[0086] When the load distribution to the heat source groups from
the number-of-units control device 30 is less than an operatable
load range of the number of operating heat source units, the heat
source system 100 decreases the number of operating heat source
units in the heat source groups 10 and 20 and updates the optimum
load range and the operatable load range. Specifically, for
example, when ten heat source units are connected to the group
control devices 11 and 21 (the load range that can be handled with
both of the heat source groups is assumed to be 100%) and the load
distribution from the number-of-units control device 30 is less
than 20% in the case of an operating state of two units (the
operatable load range corresponding to the operating state is 20%),
the number of operating units is updated from two to one and the
optimum load range for one heat source unit and the operatable load
range for two heat source units are assumed to be the optimum load
range and the operatable load range of both of the heat source
groups.
[0087] As illustrated in FIG. 9, when control starts, the first
group control device 11 and the second group control device 21
determine whether the load distribution is less than a Lo-side of
an operatable load range of the operating heat source units
(S301).
[0088] When the load distribution is less than the Lo-side of the
operatable load range of the operating heat source units, the first
group control device 11 and the second group control device 21
decrease the number of operating heat source units and update the
optimum load range and the operatable load range of both of the
heat source groups 10 and 20.
[0089] At this time, when the load distribution is not less than
the Lo-side of the operatable load range of the operating heat
source units, the first group control device 11 and the second
group control device 21 end the process.
[0090] The heat source system 100 according to the embodiment can
automatically decrease the number of operating heat source units of
the heat source groups 10 and 20 by decreasing the load allocation
once all the subordinate heat source groups are in an operating
state of the plurality of heat source units from the viewpoint of
the number-of-units control device 30.
[0091] The heat source system and the heat source control method
are not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be
appropriately modified or improved.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0092] It is possible to control the number of operating heat
source units included in the plurality of heat source groups
without sudden changes.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0093] 100 Heat source system [0094] 10 First heat source group
[0095] 11 First group control device [0096] 12, 22 Heat source unit
[0097] 13, 23 Unit-integrated control device [0098] 14, 24 First
operating-range output unit [0099] 15, 25 Second operating-range
output unit [0100] 20 Second heat source group [0101] 21 Second
group control device [0102] 30 Number-of-units control device
[0103] 41 Water inlet [0104] 42 Water outlet
* * * * *