Patent ID: 7930882
Filing Date: 2011-04-26
Classification: F02B,F02G,Y02E,Y02P,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A cogeneration system comprising: an engine, a generator for generating electrical energy, the generator being driven by the engine; an exhaust heat exchanger for converting cold water into hot water using exhaust heat released from the engine as a heat source; a hot water tank communicating with the exhaust heat exchanger, for storing hot water whose temperature has been increased by heat released from the engine, the hot water tank having a hot water supply outlet from which the hot water is supplied to an exterior; a hot water circulation channel which links the exhaust heat exchanger and the hot water tank for circulating the hot water through the exhaust heat exchanger, the hot water circulation channel having a return passage for returning the hot water from the hot water tank to the exhaust heat exchanger; a temperature adjustment valve disposed in the hot water circulation channel, downstream of the exhaust heat exchanger; a bypass path connecting the temperature adjustment valve and the return passage of the hot water circulation channel, wherein the temperature adjustment valve is capable of being gradually opened when the hot water in the hot water circulation channel reaches a first predetermined temperature, thereby allowing the hot water to flow into an upper part of the hot water tank, the temperature adjustment valve being configured to open increasingly wider as the temperature of the hot water in the hot water circulation channel increases; a hot water supply passage connected to the hot water supply outlet of the hot water tank for supplying the hot water from the hot water tank to the exterior; a drain valve disposed in the hot water supply passage and being capable of being opened to release the hot water to the exterior; and a control part for performing a control such that the drain valve opens when the heat of the water in the hot water tank exceeds a second predetermined temperature.