JP2009007995A - Energy recovery system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently regenerate an energy in response to the change of a requested water amount, and also keep a water supply pressure constant at all times. <P>SOLUTION: A water turbine having a generator 4 is installed in a pipe 2 for supplying water from a water storage tank 1 to users 5, and a power is generated by rotating the water turbine. A pressure reducing valve 7 is installed in the pipe 2 on the downstream side of the water turbine, and a the water supply pressure to the users 5 is set at a proper constant one. The water turbine is controlled, by a controller 9, to a proper rotational speed according to the supplied amount of water in the pipe 2. The AC power with a specified frequency according to the rotational speed of the water turbine which is generated by the generator is supplied to the controller 9, and converted to a DC power, then converted to an AC power with a specified frequency (50 Hz or 60 Hz) by a power conditioner, and then supplied to a system power supply 11 for supplying a power to the users. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an energy recovery system that is used in a water supply facility, an aquatic thermal air conditioning facility of a building, and the like and recovers energy as electric power using a micro water turbine.

  In the water supply facilities, water is supplied from the high reservoir to the low-end customer by piping. Depending on the customer, if the water supply pressure is too high, a pressure reducing valve is installed in front of the customer to ensure a proper level. Water is supplied to customers with water pressure. In this case, since the amount of water supply required by the customer changes according to time, the pressure reducing valve has an appropriate constant pressure even if the flow rate changes, so that the pressure on the outlet side of the pressure reducing valve becomes an appropriate constant pressure. Operate.

  On the other hand, due to the need for energy saving, in such water supply facilities, a technique has been proposed in which water pressure energy consumed by the pressure reducing valve is recovered with electric power by providing a water turbine in a pipe and generating electric power ( For example, see Patent Document 1).

  In the technique described in Patent Document 1, a water turbine provided with a generator is provided in a pipe, and a bypass pipe that communicates the upstream side and the downstream side of the water turbine is provided in parallel with the water turbine. Even if the amount of demand water at the customer changes, by controlling this pressure reducing valve, the quantity in the pipeline can be changed and the amount of water flowing to the water turbine can be reduced. The water turbine is operated at a constant rotational speed.

  In addition, the technology of the micro-hydraulic power generation apparatus using surplus pressure, in which water is distributed from the upstream water distribution layer to the downstream water distribution layer via a pipe line, and a turbine of a hydroelectric generator is arranged in this pipe line. Has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

The technology described in Patent Document 2 sets the flow rate of water flowing through a pipeline to a target value by controlling the opening of an input valve of a water turbine based on the measured value of a flow rate system or a pressure gauge by remote control. At the same time, the regenerative inverter controls the rotation speed of the water turbine and synchronizes the frequency of the generated power with the power system so that the power generated by the hydroelectric generator is maximized.
Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-83758 Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-22745

  By the way, in the technique described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the frequency of generated power is set to a specified frequency such as 50 Hz or 60 Hz by making the rotation speed of the water turbine constant. By controlling the flow rate, the flow rate at the water turbine is made constant.

  Therefore, even if the amount of water required by the customer decreases, in order for the generator to generate electric power of the specified frequency by rotating the turbine, it is necessary to generate such power at the minimum flow rate required by the customer. In this way, even if the flow rate required by the customer increases, the flow rate that flows to the water turbine is constant, and a large amount of flow does not pass through the bypass pipe without being generated. The problem is that sufficient energy regeneration is not possible.

  In addition, in order to supply water at an appropriate constant pressure to the customer, it is necessary to further provide a pressure reducing valve for controlling the flow rate to the customer on the upstream side of the water turbine, which increases the equipment cost. There is also a problem.

  Further, the invention described in Patent Document 2 described above sets the flow rate flowing through the water turbine to a target value without providing a bypass pipe as in the technique described in Patent Document 1, and at this target flow rate, the generated power Since the rotation speed of the water turbine is set so that the maximum value is obtained, the rotation speed of the water wheel can be set to the rotation speed according to the flow rate, and sufficient energy regeneration can be realized. This is related to a generator device that rotates the water turbine by setting the amount of water flowing to the outside to a constant target value. The amount of water required changes with time, and the water supply pressure must be kept constant on the consumer side. It cannot be applied to water supply facilities such as a general household water supply.

  The object of the present invention is to solve such problems, to perform efficient energy regeneration in response to changes in the required amount of water, and to keep the water supply pressure constant at all times. It is to provide an energy regeneration system.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is configured such that a water turbine equipped with a generator is installed in a pipe through which a water flow flows, and the water turbine rotates by pressure energy of the water flow in the pipe. In the energy recovery system to be taken out, a pressure reducing valve for making the pressure of the water flow constant is provided on the downstream side of the water wheel, and when the flow rate in the pipe is large, the rotation speed of the water wheel is increased, and when the flow rate is small, Means for reducing the rotational speed of the water turbine is provided.

  Moreover, this invention supplies a water flow which made the pressure constant with the pressure-reduction valve to a consumer.

  Moreover, this invention converts the alternating current power generated with the generator into direct current power, converts direct current power into alternating current power of a defined frequency, and supplies it to the system power supply for consumers.

  In the present invention, the water wheel is a water wheel of a fixed blade runner, and a water flow whose flow rate is not adjusted is supplied.

  Further, the present invention provides a plurality of air-conditioning loads installed in a building, and each of the air-conditioning heat-type air-conditioning equipment for supplying cold and hot water for animal heat pumped from an underground water storage tank through a pipe for each air-conditioning load. In addition to installing a pressure reducing valve in the piping to set the flowing water supplied to the air conditioning load to an appropriate constant pressure, a water turbine equipped with a generator is installed upstream from the pressure reducing valve of the piping, and the flow rate in the piping is A means for increasing the rotational speed of the water turbine when the flow rate is large, and a means for decreasing the rotational speed of the water wheel when the flow rate is small is provided.

  In the present invention, a plurality of air conditioning loads are installed on each floor of the building.

  In addition, the present invention converts the AC power generated by each generator into DC power and adds it, and converts the DC power obtained by the addition into AC power of a prescribed frequency for consumers. The power is supplied to the system power supply.

  Moreover, this invention provides the apparatus for a heating for every floor, and uses the electric power generated with the generator as the electric power of the apparatus for a heating.

  In the present invention, the heating device is a water heater, and the AC power generated by the generator is converted into DC power, and the DC power is used as the power of the water heater.

  According to the present invention, even if the required amount of water changes through the pipe, power generation is always performed and energy recovery is performed efficiently, and water is always supplied at an appropriate constant pressure by the pressure reducing valve on the water supply side. Will be.

  Further, there is no need to provide a bypass pipe for the water wheel, and only one pressure reducing valve is required, so the number of parts can be reduced and the equipment cost can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of an energy regeneration system according to the present invention as a water supply system, wherein 1 is a water storage tank, 2 is a pipe, 3 is a water wheel, 4 is a generator, Customer, 6 is a flow rate measuring means, 7 is a pressure reducing valve, 8 is a control panel, 9 is a controller, 10 is a power conditioner, and 11 is a system power supply.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the relationship between the change in the required amount of water required by the customer over time and the rotational speed of the water turbine.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a change in energy collected by the water turbine relative to the amount of water supplied to the consumer.

  In FIG. 1, a pipe 2 for supplying water from a water tank 1 installed at a high point to a consumer 5 such as a general household is installed, and a flow rate measuring means 6 is provided on the upstream side of the pipe 2 and on the downstream side. A pressure reducing valve 7 for supplying water to the customer 5 at an appropriate constant pressure is provided. Further, the pipe 2 is provided with a water turbine 3 on the downstream side of the flow rate measuring means 6 and on the upstream side of the pressure reducing valve 7. The water turbine 3 has no governor, has a fixed blade runner, has a generator 4, and is supplied with running water whose water amount is not adjusted through the pipe 2. The generator 4 is electrically connected to the control panel 6. The control panel 8 is provided with a controller 9 for controlling the rotation speed of the water turbine 3 and a power conditioner 10 connected to a system power supply 11 such as a general household. The controller 9 also has a function of converting AC power generated by the generator 4 into DC power, and the power conditioner 10 converts the DC power into AC power having a specified frequency such as 50 Hz or 60 Hz. And supplied to the system power supply 11.

  Water flows from the water tank 1 through the pipe 2 and is supplied to the customer 5 through the water wheel 3 and the pressure reducing valve 7. Here, the amount of water supplied to the consumer 5 varies with time, as shown in FIG. Such a water supply amount is obtained by a difference in water pressure between a pressure sensor (not shown) provided on the inlet side of the water wheel 3 and a pressure sensor (not shown) provided on the outlet side, and the controller 9 of the control panel 8 detects this. Depending on the amount of water supplied, the rotational speed (number of revolutions) of the water turbine 3 is controlled so that the amount of power generated by the generator 4 is maximized. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the water turbine 3 is controlled such that the rotation speed is increased when the water supply amount is large, and is controlled so that the rotation speed is decreased when the water supply amount is small.

  In this way, the flow rate of water in the pipe 2 changes in accordance with the change in the amount of water supplied to the customer 5, and the rotational speed of the water turbine 3 changes accordingly. The frequency of electric power also changes with this change in rotation speed. As described above, the AC voltage is supplied to the controller 9 of the control panel 8 to be converted into DC power, and the DC power is converted into AC power of a specified frequency by the power conditioner 10 to the system power supply 11. Supplied.

  Therefore, even if the amount of water supply requested by the customer changes, energy regeneration can be performed without wasting the amount of water flowing in the pipe 2, and the maximum electric power is generated according to the amount of water supply at that time. Moreover, AC power with a specified frequency can always be obtained by this power generation.

  By the way, since the amount of water stored in the water storage tank 1 is much larger than the amount of water required by general consumers 5, as shown in FIG. Almost no change. Further, when water passes through the water turbine 3, the water pressure energy E corresponding to the generated electric power at the rotation speed is recovered by the water turbine 3. The water pressure energy is consumed by the pressure reducing valve 7, but the water supply pressure D to the consumer 5 needs to be adjusted to an appropriate constant pressure, and this adjustment is consumed by the pressure reducing valve 7. Pressure F.

Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the pressure energy E recovered by the water turbine 3 changes according to the required water amount of the customer 5, that is, the water supply amount A, and increases as the water supply amount A increases. The pressure reducing valve 7 makes the water supply pressure D to the customer 5 constant, and therefore, the water supply pressure C− (recovered pressure energy E in the water turbine 3 + appropriate pressure D of the customer 5).
The pressure energy F is consumed by the pressure reducing valve 7. In this case, since the recovered pressure energy E at the water turbine 3 increases with an increase in the water supply amount A, the energy consumption F of the pressure reducing valve 7 decreases with an increase in the water supply amount A. Note that the energy consumption of the pressure reducing valve 7 is also controlled by detecting the flow rate (water supply amount) based on the difference in water pressure detected by the sensors provided on the inlet side and the outlet side of the pressure reducing valve 7. This is done by controlling the opening of the pressure reducing valve 7 in accordance with the amount of water supplied.

  FIG. 4 is a system configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of the energy regeneration system according to the present invention as an aquatic thermal air conditioning system, wherein 2 ′ is a pipe, 12 is an underground water tank, 13 is a pump, and 14 is an air conditioner ( (Air conditioner), 15 is a building, and parts corresponding to those in FIG.

  In the figure, for example, each floor of a four-story building 15 such as a building is provided with an air conditioner 14 as a load that uses water, and in the basement, underground hot water for storing livestock heat is stored. A water storage tank 12 is provided, and the underground water storage tank 12 and the air conditioner 14 on each floor are connected by a pipe 2. A pump 13 is provided on the side of the underground water storage tank 12 of the pipe 2. The pump 13 assembles cold / hot water for livestock heat in the underground water storage tank 12, and supplies water to the air conditioning 14 on each floor via the pipe 2. Is done. The cold and hot water for livestock heat that has passed through the respective air conditioners 14 is returned to the underground water storage tank 12 through the pipe 2 'on the opposite side.

  The piping 2 leading to the air conditioning 14 on each floor is provided with a pressure reducing valve 7 for maintaining the pressure of the hot and cold water for livestock heat to the air conditioning 14 at an appropriate constant pressure, and each floor except for the top floor 4F is provided. A water turbine 3 having a generator 4 is provided on the upstream side of the pressure reducing valve 7 of the pipe 2. Each generator 4 is connected to a controller 9 of the control panel 8.

  This controller 9 is provided for each generator 4 on each floor, and the AC power generated by the generator 4 on each floor is converted into DC power by each controller 9, and these DC powers are added. It is supplied to the inverter 10. The power conditioner 10 converts the supplied DC power into AC power having a specified frequency and is supplied to the system power supply 11. The system power supply 11 is used as a power supply for the house 15.

  Here, the flow rate (hence, water pressure) of the cold / hot water for livestock heat passing through the pipe 2 is different for each floor, and the higher the floor, the smaller the flow rate. For this reason, the rotational speed of the water turbine 3 is controlled by the controller 9 so that the rotational speed of the water turbine 3 is lower as the floor is higher. However, depending on the floor, the air conditioner 14 may not be used. Therefore, the flow rate (that is, the water pressure) of the pipe 2 on the floor where the air conditioner 14 is used increases, and the rotation speed of the water turbine 3 increases accordingly.

  In this way, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained also in the aquatic heat air conditioning equipment.

  In the second embodiment, since the water pressure of the cold / hot water for livestock heat is low on the top floor, the water turbine 3 is provided in order to provide an appropriate water pressure (flow rate) to the air conditioner 14. In this case, however, when the water pressure of the cold / hot water for livestock heat can be high, power generation may be performed by providing a water wheel.

  FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram showing a third embodiment of an energy regeneration system according to the present invention as an aquatic heat air conditioning system, wherein 16 is a water heater (electric heater), and a portion corresponding to FIG. The same reference numerals are assigned and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

  In the figure, for example, each floor except for the top floor of a four-story building 15 such as a building, together with the controller 9 instead of the control panel 8 and the system power supply 11 connected thereto, A water heater 16 is provided. Other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment shown in FIG.

  In this third embodiment, the AC power generated by the generator 4 is supplied to the controller 9 for each floor where the water turbine 3 is provided to convert it into DC power, and the water heater is heated with this DC power. To do.

  In this way, the third embodiment can also obtain the same effects as those of the previous embodiment, and further generates electricity using the water pressure of the cold and hot water for animal heat used for the air conditioner 14, and the water heater Can be used for heating.

  In the third embodiment, the generated electric power is used for heating the water heater. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be used for other devices.

  In the second and third embodiments, the building 15 has been described as an example of a building. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a two-story general house may be used for air conditioning in each room. Are equally applicable. In this case, the water turbine 3 is provided in a tap water pipe or the like.

It is a system configuration figure showing a 1st embodiment of an energy regeneration system by the present invention as water supply equipment. It is a figure which shows typically the relationship between the change of the required amount of water which a consumer demands with time progress in FIG. 1, and the rotational speed of a water turbine. It is a figure which shows the change of the energy which the watermill etc. collect | recover with respect to the amount of water supply to a consumer in FIG. It is a system configuration figure showing a 2nd embodiment of the energy regeneration system by the present invention as aquatic heat air-conditioning equipment. It is a system configuration figure showing a 3rd embodiment of the energy regeneration system by the present invention as aquatic heat air-conditioning equipment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Reservoir 2, 2 'piping 3 Water wheel 4 Generator 5 Consumer 6 Flow rate measuring means 7 Pressure-reducing valve 8 Control panel 9 Controller 10 Power conditioner 11 System power supply 12 Underground water tank 13 Pump 14 Air conditioning (air conditioner)
15 Tianjin 16 Water heater (electric heater)

Claims (9)

In an energy recovery system in which a turbine equipped with a generator is installed in a pipe through which a water flow flows, and the turbine rotates with the pressure energy of the water stream in the pipe, so that electric energy is taken out by the generator.
A pressure reducing valve for making the pressure of the water flow constant is provided on the downstream side of the water wheel,
An energy recovery system comprising means for increasing the rotation speed of the water turbine when the flow rate in the pipe is large, and decreasing the rotation speed of the water wheel when the flow rate is small. In claim 1,
An energy recovery system, characterized in that the water flow whose pressure is kept constant by the pressure reducing valve is supplied to a consumer. In claim 1,
An energy recovery system, wherein AC power generated by the generator is converted into DC power, the DC power is converted into AC power having a specified frequency and supplied to a system power supply for a consumer. In claim 1,
The said water turbine is a turbine of a fixed blade runner, Comprising: The said water flow which is not adjusted flow volume is supplied, The energy recovery system characterized by the above-mentioned. In the aquatic thermal air conditioning equipment that supplies the water flow of cold and hot water for animal heat pumped up from underground water tanks to the multiple air conditioning loads installed in the building through the piping,
A water turbine provided with a pressure reducing valve for making the flowing water supplied to the air conditioning load an appropriate constant pressure for each air conditioning load, and having a generator upstream of the pressure reducing valve in the piping Install
An energy recovery system comprising means for increasing the rotation speed of the water turbine when the flow rate in the pipe is large, and decreasing the rotation speed of the water wheel when the flow rate is small. In claim 5,
The energy recovery system, wherein the plurality of air conditioning loads are installed on each floor of the building. In claim 5 or 6,
The AC power generated by each of the generators is converted to DC power and added, and the DC power obtained by the addition is converted to AC power of a specified frequency and supplied to the system power supply for consumers. An energy recovery system characterized by
An energy recovery system characterized by that. In claim 6,
A heating device is provided for each floor,
The energy recovery system, wherein the power generated by the generator is used as the power of the heating device. In claim 8,
The heating device is a water heater,
An AC energy generated by the generator is converted into DC power, and the DC power is used as power for the water heater.

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