JP7611738B2 - Hot water supply control device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a hot water supply control device that controls a hot water supply system for an apartment building.

Conventionally, there is known a hot water supply system that uses multiple heat source units to heat water and generate hot water in order to supply hot water to the hot water consumption devices of each unit in an apartment building (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Since this hot water supply system uses multiple heat source units to heat water, it improves energy efficiency by controlling the number of heat source units, and can supply hot water to each unit even if a malfunction occurs in one heat source unit.

The hot water supply system described in Patent Document 1 includes a heat source unit consisting of a water heater, and a circulation path that circulates hot water between multiple heat source units, a hot water storage tank, and each household's faucet (hot water consumption device), and is provided with a multi-controller that drives or stops a circulation pump installed in the circulation path depending on the hot water temperature in the hot water storage tank, thereby controlling the hot water temperature supplied to each household's faucet.

JP 2013-148298 A

The multi-controller described in Patent Document 1 simply drives or stops the circulation pump depending on the hot water temperature in the hot water storage tank, so even if the hot water consumption in the entire apartment building is low, the heat source unit continues to supply a constant amount of heat. Although energy consumption can be reduced by controlling the number of heat source units depending on hot water consumption, the output load of each heat source unit remains unchanged, leaving room for improvement in terms of increasing energy efficiency. In particular, in newly built apartment buildings, the total hot water consumption is unknown, so multiple heat source units must be operated at rated output, which can easily lead to a deterioration in energy efficiency.

Therefore, there is a demand for hot water control devices that can improve energy efficiency in a variety of apartment buildings.

A characteristic configuration of the hot water supply control device according to the present invention is a hot water supply control device that controls a hot water supply system having a plurality of heat source units that generate hot water by heating a fluid circulating in a common flow path, and a plurality of hot water consumption devices that are respectively connected to a plurality of branch paths that branch off from a single hot water outlet path through which the hot water heated via the plurality of heat source units flows, the hot water outlet path is connected to a hot water storage tank that stores hot water, and includes a first circulation path upstream of the branch path and a second circulation path downstream of the branch path, the common flow path connects the hot water storage tank and the plurality of heat source units, and the fluid circulating in the common flow path is connected to the hot water storage tank and the plurality of heat source units. The hot water supply system includes a control unit that controls the circulation flow rate, a heat load data acquisition unit that acquires heat load data including the heat load consumed by a plurality of hot water consumption devices for one hot water supply system having a plurality of the hot water consumption devices, a memory unit that stores the plurality of heat load data, and a setting unit that sets the operating conditions of the control unit in different hot water supply systems by referring to the heat load and the circulation flow rate included in the heat load data stored in the memory unit and acquired based on the difference between a first temperature of the hot water circulating through the first circulation path and a second temperature of the hot water circulating through the second circulation path.

In this configuration, heat load data is acquired for a hot water supply system installed in a certain apartment building, and multiple pieces of heat load data corresponding to various apartment buildings are stored. The setting unit then refers to the multiple pieces of heat load data and sets the operating conditions of a control unit that controls the circulating flow rate of hot water heated by a heat source unit in a hot water supply system in, for example, a newly built apartment building.

In other words, even in apartment buildings where the heat load data required for control is not available or is not collected throughout the year, the setting unit sets the operating conditions of the control unit, so there is no need to operate all heat source units at a constant output, and a highly energy-efficient hot water system can be realized. In this way, a hot water control device that can improve energy efficiency in a variety of apartment buildings can be provided.

Another characteristic configuration is that the control unit controls the circulation flow rate in accordance with the thermal load so that the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature falls within a predetermined range.

In this configuration, the thermal load of the hot water consuming device is known from the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature, and the circulating flow rate supplied to the heat source unit is controlled according to this thermal load. In other words, by controlling the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature to be within a specified range, when the thermal load is high, the circulating flow rate can be increased to ensure the heat output of the heat source unit and provide the required amount of hot water to each household, and when the thermal load is low, the circulating flow rate can be reduced to reduce the heat output of the heat source unit and reduce energy consumption. Thus, the heat source unit does not supply excessive heat and can improve energy efficiency.

Another characteristic feature is that the memory unit stores the installation conditions for each of the multiple hot water systems and the thermal load data for the multiple hot water systems corresponding to the installation conditions, and the setting unit sets the operating conditions by referring to the thermal load data corresponding to each of the installation conditions.

As in this configuration, if the setting unit references heat load data for buildings with similar installation conditions, such as the size and region of the apartment complex, hot water supply control that is more in line with the actual situation becomes possible, making it possible to improve energy efficiency from the very start, even in newly built apartment complexes.

Another characteristic configuration is that the installation conditions include the outside air temperature and water temperature, and the setting unit generates corrected heat load data by correcting the referenced heat load data based on the outside air temperature and water temperature, and sets the operating conditions based on the corrected heat load data.

As in this configuration, by generating corrected heat load data based on the outside air temperature and water temperature, more appropriate operating conditions can be set.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a hot water supply system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hot water supply control device. FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram relating to setting of operating conditions.

Below, an embodiment of the hot water supply control device according to the present invention is described with reference to the drawings.

The hot water supply system 100 in this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is installed in an apartment building with multiple dwelling units. This hot water supply system 100 generates hot water (an example of a fluid) by heating it in multiple water heaters 2 (an example of a heat source device), and supplies this hot water to hot water consumption devices 9 installed in each dwelling unit. The hot water supply control device 1 in this embodiment controls the operation of the multiple hot water supply systems 100 installed in each apartment building. This hot water supply control device 1 may be a part of the function of a computer installed in a management center that centrally manages the status of the hot water supply system 100 from a remote location, or may be a control mechanism that functions as part of the hot water supply system 100, or may be a combination of these. The hot water supply control device 1 is configured by the cooperation of hardware and software, with a CPU, memory, etc. at the core that executes various processes.

[Basic configuration of hot water supply system]
The hot water supply system 100 includes a hot water consumption device 9 provided in each unit of an apartment building, a plurality of water heaters 2 (an example of a heat source machine) that generate hot water to be supplied to the hot water consumption device 9, and a hot water storage tank 3 that stores hot water generated by heating the hot water in the plurality of water heaters 2. This hot water supply system 100 returns hot water generated by heating the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 3 in the plurality of water heaters 2 to the hot water storage tank 3, and supplies this hot water from the hot water storage tank 3 to each of the hot water consumption devices 9. The hot water supply system 100 is also configured to be capable of mutual communication with a hot water supply control device 1 via wire or wirelessly, and its operation is controlled by the hot water supply control device 1.

The multiple water heaters 2 are connected in parallel and generate hot water by heating the water circulating in one hot water circulation path 41. The water heaters 2 may also be connected in series. The heat source device that heats the water to generate hot water is not limited to the water heaters 2, and various devices that provide heat, such as fuel cells, gas engine cogeneration devices, electric heat pump devices, and solar heat collectors, may be used.

The water heater 2 has piping 22 inside a casing 21, and a heat exchanger 23, which is a hot water heat source, is provided in the piping 22. This water heater 2 is a gas water heater that performs a hot water supply function by providing heat obtained from the combustion flame of combustion gas such as city gas 13A supplied from a gas piping 24 to hot water flowing through the piping 22 by the heat exchanger 23.

The hot water tank 3 is configured to store thermal energy from multiple water heaters 2 (i.e., store heat using hot water as a heat medium) and discharge hot water from a branch path 91 via a hot water outlet pipe 42 to a hot water consumption device 9. A water supply pipe 45 through which tap water is supplied is connected to the bottom of the hot water tank 3, and the inside of the hot water tank 3 is filled with hot water.

The hot water tank 3 is connected to one hot water circulation path 41 (an example of a common flow path) that circulates hot water between the hot water tank 3 and the multiple water heaters 2. In other words, the hot water stored in the hot water tank 3 circulates between the multiple water heaters 2 and the hot water tank 3 through the hot water circulation path 41. A circulation pump P is provided in the middle of this hot water circulation path 41, and the circulation flow rate of the hot water flowing through the hot water circulation path 41 can be changed by changing the driving force of the circulation pump P. The hot water circulation path 41 is provided so that the hot water taken out from the lower part of the hot water tank 3 returns to the upper part of the hot water tank 3 via the multiple water heaters 2. In other words, the relatively low-temperature hot water taken out from the lower part of the hot water tank 3 recovers heat in the multiple water heaters 2, and the relatively high-temperature hot water that has recovered the heat discharged from the multiple water heaters 2 returns to the upper part of the hot water tank 3. As a result, the hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank 3 with a relatively high temperature in the upper part and a relatively low temperature in the lower part, forming a temperature stratification.

A hot water outlet pipe 42 is connected to the top of the hot water storage tank 3, which discharges the stored high-temperature hot water. The hot water outlet pipe 42 discharges the relatively high-temperature hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 3. A regulating valve 6 is connected to the hot water outlet pipe 42, and the relatively high-temperature hot water discharged from the hot water storage tank 3 via the hot water outlet pipe 42 and the relatively low-temperature water supplied via the water supply pipe 45 flow into the regulating valve 6. The hot water supply control device 1 controls the operation of the regulating valve 6 so that the temperature of the hot water flowing from the regulating valve 6 to the hot water outlet path 43 downstream becomes the target hot water outlet temperature (e.g., 30 to 45°C). The regulating valve 6 may be omitted and the hot water outlet pipe 42 and the hot water outlet path 43 may be directly connected.

The adjusting valve 6 is a valve member composed of a three-way valve or the like that controls the flow rate of hot water in the hot water outlet pipe 42 and the combined flow rate of water from the water supply pipe 45. In addition, a rotary valve, a solenoid valve, or the like can be used as the valve member used for the adjusting valve 6. This adjusting valve 6 adjusts the opening degree of the hot water outlet pipe 42 and the water supply pipe 45 according to an instruction from the hot water supply control device 1. In other words, the hot water supply control device 1 controls the adjustment valve 6 so that the hot water outlet pipe 42 is in an open state, thereby enabling hot water to be supplied to the hot water consumption device 9 through the hot water outlet path 43, and controls the communication opening degree of the water supply pipe 45 based on the hot water outlet target temperature. On the other hand, when the hot water supply to the hot water consumption device 9 is stopped, the hot water supply control device 1 blocks the hot water outlet pipe 42 on the hot water storage tank 3 side and controls the valve position of the adjusting valve 6 so that the water supply pipe 45 side is fully open. In other words, when the hot water supply to the hot water consumption device 9 is stopped, the adjusting valve 6 is in a valve position that allows water from the water supply pipe 45 to flow to the hot water outlet pipe 42. Information regarding the valve position of the adjustment valve 6 is output to the hot water supply control device 1.

The water supply pipe 45 is provided with a water temperature sensor Sw for measuring the water temperature. The water circulation path 41 is provided with a water temperature sensor Sa for measuring the water temperature Ta upstream of the water heater 2, and a target temperature sensor Sb for measuring the target water temperature Tb downstream of the water heater 2. The water circulation path 41 is also provided with a flow rate sensor Sv for measuring the circulation flow rate V of the water flowing through the water circulation path 41. The hot water outlet path 43 includes a first circulation path 43a connected to the hot water outlet pipe 42 from the hot water storage tank 3 that stores hot water to the branch path 91, and a second circulation path 43b from the branch path 91 to the hot water storage tank 3. In other words, the hot water outlet path 43 is connected to the hot water storage tank 3 that stores hot water, and includes a first circulation path 43a upstream of the branch path 91 and a second circulation path 43b downstream of the branch path 91. The first circulation path 43a is provided with a pre-heat recovery temperature sensor Sc that measures the outlet hot water temperature T1 before heat recovery is performed by the hot water consumption device 9, and the second circulation path 43b is provided with a post-heat recovery temperature sensor Sd that measures the return temperature T2 of the hot water after heat recovery is performed by the hot water consumption device 9. The clean water temperature sensor Sw, the hot water temperature sensor Sa, the target temperature sensor Sb, the pre-heat recovery temperature sensor Sc, and the post-heat recovery temperature sensor Sd each include, for example, a thermocouple, and output information related to the temperature detected by the thermocouple to the hot water supply control device 1. The flow rate sensor Sv is, for example, a propeller-type flow meter, and outputs information related to the flow rate detected by the flow meter to the hot water supply control device 1.

The hot water consumption devices 9 are each connected to a plurality of branch paths 91 branching off from one hot water outlet path 43 through which hot water heated via the hot water heaters 2 flows. The hot water consumption devices 9 are used for hot water supply, heating, etc. When the hot water consumption device 9 is used for hot water supply, the consumed hot water does not return to the hot water storage tank 3. When the hot water consumption device 9 is used for heating, only the heat contained in the hot water is consumed, and the hot water returns to the hot water storage tank 3. The branch path 91 may be provided with an auxiliary heat source device (not shown) composed of a heat exchanger such as a water heater in order to reheat the hot water flowing through the branch path 91. When the temperature of the hot water flowing out from the top of the hot water storage tank 3 is lower than the temperature of the hot water required by the hot water consumption device 9, the auxiliary heat source device is operated to control the temperature of the hot water supplied to the hot water consumption device 9 to the desired temperature.

[Hot water supply control device]
1 and 2, the hot water supply control device 1 controls the operation of a plurality of hot water systems 100 installed in each apartment building. The hot water supply control device 1 has a communication unit 11 (an example of a heat load data acquisition unit), a control unit 12, a memory unit 13, a setting unit 14, and a learning unit 15.

The communication unit 11 is configured with a communication interface capable of wired or wireless communication with the hot water supply system 100. This communication unit 11 is provided in a management center that centrally manages the status of the hot water supply system 100 from a remote location.

The control unit 12 controls the operation of the hot water supply system 100, but in this embodiment, the control unit 12 mainly controls the circulation flow rate V of hot water circulating through the hot water circulation path 41. The control unit 12 is provided in a management center, but some of its functions may be assigned to the hot water supply system 100.

Based on the calculation formula (1), the control unit 12 controls the circulation flow rate V so that the difference between the outlet hot water temperature T1 measured by the pre-heat recovery temperature sensor Sc and the return temperature T2 measured by the post-heat recovery temperature sensor Sd is within a predetermined range (e.g., 20°C≦(T1-T2)≦30°C) in accordance with the total amount of heat consumed by the hot water consumption devices 9 installed in each unit of the apartment building (the heat load Q of the apartment building). Here, the heat load Q of the apartment building can be obtained by operating the hot water supply system 100 under certain conditions (e.g., the water heater 2 at a constant output and the circulation flow rate V at a constant flow rate).
Q = (T1 - T2) x V x heat conversion coefficient α ... formula (1)
Q: Total heat consumed by the hot water consumption device 9 (heat load of the apartment building)
T1: Outlet temperature of hot water flowing through the first circulation path 43a before heat recovery T2: Return temperature of hot water flowing through the second circulation path 43b after heat recovery V: Circulation flow rate of hot water flowing through the hot water circulation path 41 V
α: 4.182

The control unit 12 also controls the number of operating water heaters 2 and the amount of combustion gas supplied based on the hot water temperature Ta of the hot water circulating from the hot water storage tank 3 to the water heater 2 in the hot water circulation path 41, the hot water temperature Tb of the hot water circulating from the water heater 2 to the hot water storage tank 3 in the hot water circulation path 41, and the circulation flow rate V, in a form proportional to (Tb-Ta) x V. Here, the hot water temperature Tb is a target temperature (e.g., 35 to 50°C) that is set in advance as the hot water temperature to be stored in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 3. In other words, the control unit 12 controls the number of operating water heaters 2 and the amount of combustion gas supplied based on the circulation flow rate V set by the above-mentioned formula (1) and the hot water temperature Ta measured by the hot water temperature sensor Sa.

The storage unit 13 is composed of a storage medium that stores the installation conditions and heat load data of each of the hot water supply systems 100. The installation conditions include the installation area, the environmental information of the area (outdoor air temperature, tap water temperature, etc.), the age of the building, the number of dwelling units, the number of water heaters 2 installed, etc., in the apartment building equipped with the hot water supply system 100. The heat load data includes, as time-series data in the apartment building equipped with the hot water supply system 100, the usage status of the hot water consumption device 9 (date, time period, simultaneous usage rate, etc.), the number of operating water heaters 2, the outlet hot water temperature T1 (an example of the first temperature) measured by the pre-heat recovery temperature sensor Sc, the return temperature T2 (an example of the second temperature) measured by the post-heat recovery temperature sensor Sd, and the circulation flow rate V of hot water circulating through the hot water circulation path 41 measured by the flow rate sensor Sv. The simultaneous usage rate refers to the rate at which the hot water consumption devices 9 of each unit are used simultaneously on a specified date and time.

The setting unit 14 sets the operating conditions of the control unit 12 in the different hot water supply systems 100 by referring to the heat load data stored in the memory unit 13. The setting unit 14 also sets the operating conditions based on the installation conditions under which the hot water supply system 100 is installed. As an example, as shown in FIG. 4, the setting unit 14 compares the installation conditions of the apartment buildings A to D stored in the memory unit 13 with the installation conditions of the newly built apartment building X, and extracts the apartment building B, which has similar installation conditions. The setting unit 14 then sets the operating conditions of the control unit 12 in the newly built apartment building X by referring to the heat load data of the apartment building B. Specifically, the setting unit 14 sets the operating conditions to be the same as the referenced heat load data (the circulation flow rate V by time period of the apartment building B stored in the memory unit 13). The control unit 12 then controls the number of operating water heaters 2 and the amount of combustion gas supplied in a form proportional to (Tb-Ta) x V from the target hot water temperature Tb and the measured hot water temperature Ta based on this set circulation flow rate V. In addition, once the circulation flow rate V has been set, it may be corrected at predetermined intervals (e.g., every other day) based on the heat load Q acquired over a predetermined period (e.g., one day) using formula (1) so that 20°C≦(T1-T2)≦30°C.

When setting these operating conditions, for example, corrected heat load data (heat load Qa of apartment X) may be generated by correcting the reference heat load data (heat load Qb of apartment B and circulation flow rate V stored in memory unit 13) based on the outside air temperature and water temperature as installation conditions, and the operating conditions may be set based on the corrected heat load data. Specifically, as shown in formula (2), the heat load Qa of apartment X is corrected in proportion to the difference between the average water temperature of apartment B and the average water temperature of apartment X. Then, using the corrected heat load Qa of apartment X as the operating condition, control unit 12 adjusts the circulation flow rate V so that 20°C≦(T1-T2)≦30°C in formula (1), and controls the number of water heaters 2 in operation and the amount of combustion gas supplied in a form proportional to (Tb-Ta)×V. This correction may be performed when the absolute value of (average outside temperature of apartment building B - average outside temperature of apartment building X) is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (e.g., 5°C) and the absolute value of (average water temperature of apartment building B - average water temperature of apartment building X) is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (e.g., 5°C).
Qa = Qb + (average water temperature of apartment B - average water temperature of apartment X) x V x heat conversion coefficient α
...Equation (2)

The setting unit 14 may also change the operating conditions of the control unit 12 in the apartment house by referring to the heat load data of the apartment house acquired by the communication unit 11. For example, when the average water temperature of the apartment house X corrected by the formula (2) deviates from the actual water temperature, for example, in winter, the operating conditions are changed. As an example, when the fluctuation of the outdoor air temperature between days and seasons in the same apartment house is a predetermined value (for example, 5°C) or more, and the fluctuation of the tap water temperature is a predetermined value (for example, 5°C) or more, the already generated heat load Qc may be corrected to generate corrected heat load data. Specifically, as shown in the formula (3), the corrected heat load Qd of the apartment house is corrected in proportion to the difference between the average water temperature of the apartment house and the actual water temperature of the apartment house. At this time, if the actual thermal load in the apartment building derived from the usage status of the hot water consumption devices 9 (date, time period, simultaneous usage rate, etc.) and the number of operating water heaters 2 is close to the corrected thermal load Qd, the setting unit 14 may update the thermal load Qc of the apartment building as the thermal load Qd.
Qd = Qc + (average water temperature in the housing complex - actual water temperature in the housing complex) x V x heat conversion coefficient α
...Equation (3)

The learning unit 15 learns the operating conditions of the control unit 12 based on the installation conditions of the apartment building. The learning unit 15 performs machine learning, for example, using the installation conditions of the apartment building as input data and the heat load Q and circulation flow rate V of the apartment building as output data. This machine learning is learning with teacher data, in which the operating conditions of the control unit 12 in different hot water supply systems 100 are set by referring to the heat load data of multiple hot water supply systems 100 stored in the memory unit 13. Note that the learning unit 15 may be omitted, and for example, the setting unit 14 may perform filtering only by the number of dwelling units and the number of heat source units, and refer to the heat load data of similar apartment buildings.

Next, referring mainly to FIG. 3, we will explain the control method of the hot water supply control device 1 in the hot water supply system 100 of a newly constructed apartment building.

The hot water supply control device 1 acquires heat load data of the hot water supply systems 100 of multiple apartment buildings through the communication unit 11 and stores it in the memory unit 13 (#31). Next, the setting unit 14 searches for whether there is an apartment building with installation conditions similar to those of the newly built apartment building, and if there is an apartment building with similar installation conditions (#32 YES judgment), it refers to the heat load data of the hot water supply system 100 of that apartment building (#33). In the example shown in FIG. 4, the existing apartment building B and the newly built apartment building X have similar numbers of dwelling units and heat source units, so the setting unit 14 refers to the heat load data of the apartment building B. Then, the setting unit 14 sets the operating conditions of the control unit 12 in the newly built apartment building X based on the referenced heat load data of the apartment building B. Specifically, the setting unit 14 sets the operating conditions based on the corrected heat load data obtained by correcting the referenced heat load data (the heat load Qb and circulation flow rate V of the apartment building B stored in the memory unit 13) using the above-mentioned formula (2).

On the other hand, if there is no apartment building with similar installation conditions (No judgment in #32), the operating conditions of the control unit 12 in the newly built apartment building X are set to maximum circulation flow rate V and all water heaters 2 are set to rated output (#34). The operating conditions set in #33 and #34 are transmitted to the hot water supply system 100 of the newly built apartment building X via the communication unit 11, and the hot water supply system 100 is operated based on the operating conditions (#35). The circulation flow rate V set in this way is corrected at predetermined intervals (e.g., every other day) based on the heat load Qa of the apartment building X acquired over a predetermined period (e.g., one day) so that 20°C≦(T1-T2)≦30°C using formula (1).

Next, the communication unit 11 acquires the actual heat load data and installation conditions (actual outdoor air temperature and actual water temperature) in the newly built apartment building X (#36). Next, for example, if the fluctuation in the outdoor air temperature in the apartment building X is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (e.g., 5°C) and the fluctuation in the tap water temperature is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (e.g., 5°C), the operating conditions of the apartment building X are changed (#37 YES judgment). When changing the operating conditions, the setting unit 14 calculates the corrected heat load Qd of the apartment building X based on the above-mentioned formula (3), changes the operating conditions of the apartment building X to this corrected heat load Qd, and resets the operating conditions as corrected heat load data (#38). At this time, the corrected heat load Qd may be compared with the actual heat load, and the operating conditions of the apartment building X may be reset only if they are close. These processes from #35 to #38 are repeated at predetermined intervals (e.g., one week) until one year of heat load data can be acquired in the newly built apartment building X, for example.

[Other embodiments]
<1> In the above-described embodiment, the setting unit 14 sets the operating conditions of the control unit 12 based on the installation conditions of the apartment house, but the operating conditions of the control unit 12 may be set based on factors other than the installation conditions. For example, if the heat load of the apartment house can be predicted in advance, the setting unit 14 may refer to a plurality of heat load data stored in the memory unit 13 and set the operating conditions of the control unit 12 based on similar heat load data. In addition, the setting unit 14 may refer to a plurality of heat load data for a plurality of apartment houses, store a heat load Q-circulation flow rate V map in the memory unit 13, and set the operating conditions (circulation flow rate V) of the control unit 12 according to the heat load of different apartment houses acquired in real time.

<2> The hot water storage tank 3 in the above-described embodiment may be omitted, and the hot water generated by heating tap water (an example of a fluid) in multiple water heaters 2 may be directly supplied to the hot water consumption device 90.

<3> In the above-described embodiment, in formulas (2) and (3), the setting unit 14 uses the tap water temperature when calculating the corrected heat load data, but other parameters, such as the outside air temperature, may also be used.

<4> In the above embodiment, specific numerical values are given to explain examples of control performed by the hot water supply system 100, but these numerical values are given for illustrative purposes and can be changed as appropriate.

The configurations disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiments can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, so long as no contradictions arise. Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. They can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the purpose of the present invention.

The present invention can be used in a hot water control device that controls a hot water system for an apartment building.

1: Hot water supply control device 2: Hot water supply device (heat source device)
3: Hot water storage tank 9: Hot water consumption device 11: Communication unit (heat load data acquisition unit)
12: Control unit 13: Memory unit 14: Setting unit 41: Hot and cold water circulation path (common flow path)
43: Hot water outlet path 43a: First circulation path 43b: Second circulation path 90: Hot water consumption device 91: Branch path 100: Hot water supply system T1: Outlet hot water temperature (first temperature)
T2: Return temperature (second temperature)
V: Circulation flow rate

Claims (4)

A hot water supply control device for controlling a hot water supply system having a plurality of heat source devices for generating hot water by heating a fluid circulating in a common flow path, and a plurality of hot water consumption devices respectively connected to a plurality of branch paths branching from a single hot water outlet path through which the hot water heated via the plurality of heat source devices circulates,
The hot water outlet path is connected to a hot water storage tank that stores hot water, and includes a first circulation path upstream of the branch path and a second circulation path downstream of the branch path,
The common flow path connects the hot water storage tank and the plurality of heat source units,
A control unit for controlling a circulation flow rate of a fluid circulating through the common flow path;
a heat load data acquisition unit that acquires heat load data including heat loads consumed by the hot water consuming devices for one hot water supply system having the hot water consuming devices ;
A storage unit that stores a plurality of the heat load data;
A hot water supply control device comprising: a setting unit that sets the operating conditions of the control unit in the different hot water supply systems by referring to the thermal load and the circulation flow rate that are included in the thermal load data stored in the memory unit and obtained based on the difference between a first temperature of the hot water circulating through the first circulation path and a second temperature of the hot water circulating through the second circulation path. The hot water supply control device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls the circulation flow rate so that a difference between the first temperature and the second temperature falls within a predetermined range in accordance with the thermal load . The storage unit stores installation conditions of each of the hot water supply systems and the heat load data related to the hot water supply systems corresponding to the installation conditions,
The hot water supply control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the setting unit sets the operating conditions by referring to the heat load data corresponding to each of the installation conditions. The installation conditions include an outside air temperature and a water temperature,
The hot water control device according to claim 3 , wherein the setting unit generates corrected heat load data by correcting the referenced heat load data based on the outside air temperature and water temperature, and sets the operating conditions based on the corrected heat load data.

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