Heat pump and cooling power generation method

An adsorption heat pump includes: an evaporator/condenser including a section that evaporates a first heat exchange-medium and pipe through which a second heat exchange-medium flows; first adsorption devices, each including an adsorption-section in which the first heat exchange-medium that has been evaporated reacts and retains the first heat exchange-medium, and pipe through which the second heat exchange-medium flows; and second adsorption device in which first heat exchange-medium that has been released from the first adsorption devices reacts and retains the first heat exchange-medium. The adsorption-section of the first adsorption device in a state reacting with the first heat exchange-medium is in communication with the evaporator/condenser section, and the adsorption-section of the first adsorption device is in a state having adsorbed the first heat exchange-medium is in communication with the second adsorption device adsorption-section, and the first adsorption device pipe is connected to the evaporator/condenser pipe in series, thereby generating cooling.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-41800 filed Mar. 3, 2015.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a heat pump and a cooling power generation method.

RELATED ART

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 2014-40959 describes an adsorption heat pump including an evaporator, an adsorption device, a heat storage reactor, and a condenser, and is configured to first generate cooling in the evaporator by connecting the evaporator together with the heat storage reactor and connecting the adsorption device together with the condenser, and applying reaction heat generated in the heat storage reactor to the adsorption device to regenerate the adsorption device, and then generating cooling in the evaporator by connecting the evaporator together with the adsorption device.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

In adsorption heat pumps, adsorption heat is generated when an adsorbent in the adsorption device adsorbs a heat exchange medium. However, the adsorption amount of the heat exchange medium by the adsorbent changes with the temperature (adsorption temperature) of the adsorbent, and there is a tendency for the adsorption amount to decrease as the adsorption temperature rises. Accordingly, in the technology of Patent Document 1, the adsorption temperature rises due to the adsorption heat, accompanying which the adsorption amount of the adsorption device decreases. The amount of evaporation in the evaporator accordingly also decreases, and so the temperature of the cooling generated in the evaporator rises.

In the technology of Patent Document 1, the above issue is present regardless of which reaction type is utilized by a reactor that reacts with a heat exchange medium and retains the heat exchange medium, out of, for example, physical adsorption, chemical adsorption, absorption, or chemical reactions.

The present invention has been developed in consideration of the above circumstances.

Summary

According to a first aspect of the invention, a heat pump includes: an evaporator including an evaporation section that evaporates a first heat exchange medium and including a flow section through which a second heat exchange medium flows; plural first reactors, each including a reaction section in which the first heat exchange medium that has been evaporated in the evaporator reacts and that retains the first heat exchange medium, and including a flow section through which the second heat exchange medium flows; a second reactor in which the first heat exchange medium, which has been released from the first reactors, reacts and that retains the first heat exchange medium; and a switching section that, in a case in which the reaction section of one or more of the first reactors is placed in communication with the evaporation section of the evaporator, places the reaction section of another of the first reactors in communication with the second reactor, and connects the flow section of the other first reactor that has been placed in communication with the second reactor in series with the flow section of the evaporator.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a cooling power generation method includes: providing an evaporator including an evaporation section that evaporates a first heat exchange medium and including a flow section through which a second heat exchange medium flows; providing a plural of first reactors, each including a reaction section in which the first heat exchange medium that has been evaporated in the evaporator reacts and that retains the first heat exchange medium, and including a flow section through which the second heat exchange medium flows; providing a second reactor in which the first heat exchange medium, which has been released from the first reactors, reacts and that retains the first heat exchange medium; and when the reaction section of one or more of the first reactors is placed in communication with the evaporation section of the evaporator, placing the reaction section of another of the first reactors in communication with the second reactor, and connecting the flow section of the other first reactor that has been placed in communication with the second reactor in series with the flow section of the evaporator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed explanation follows regarding an example of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with reference to the drawings.FIG. 1illustrates an adsorption heat pump10according to the present exemplary embodiment. The adsorption heat pump10includes main configuration elements of an evaporator/condenser12, first adsorption devices14,16, a second adsorption device18, and a controller20(seeFIG. 2).

In the present exemplary embodiment, the adsorption heat pump10is an example of a heat pump according to the present invention, the evaporator/condenser12is an example of an evaporator of the present invention (more specifically, the evaporator of claim5), and the first adsorption devices14,16are examples of a first reactor of the present invention. Moreover, in the present exemplary embodiment, the second adsorption device18is an example of a second reactor of the present invention, and the controller20configures an example of a switching section of the present invention together with a valve driver130, and a valve group132, described later.

The evaporator/condenser12includes an evaporation/condensation section12A that evaporates and condenses a first heat exchange medium, and a pipe12B that is disposed inside the evaporation/condensation section and through which flows a second heat exchange medium. At a first cooling power generation step and a second cooling power generation step, described later, the evaporator/condenser12generates cooling by evaporating (vaporizing) the first heat exchange medium in the evaporation/condensation section, thereby cooling the second heat exchange medium flowing through the pipe12B. At a second adsorption device regeneration step, described later, the evaporator/condenser12condenses the first heat exchange medium from a vaporized state in the evaporation/condensation section. The evaporation/condensation section12A of the evaporator/condenser12is an example of an evaporation section of an evaporator of the present invention, and the pipe12B is an example of a flow section of the evaporator of the present invention.

Water or ammonia, for example, may be employed as the first heat exchange medium. Water or ammonia can adsorb and desorb from an adsorbent under the (temperature and pressure) conditions demanded of the adsorption heat pump10, and can moreover be procured cheaply. However, the first heat exchange medium may also, for example, employ an alcohol with one to four carbon atoms, and may employ a single substance, or a mixture of two or more substances. For example, water or ammonia, or a solution of water and a water-miscible solvent, may be employed as the second heat exchange medium.

Respective pipes30,32are connected at one end to one end of the pipe12B of the evaporator/condenser12. The other end of the pipe30is connected to a cooling load22, and the other end of the pipe32is connected to a medium temperature heat source24. Valves34,36are provided partway along the respective pipes30,32. The valves34,36are opened and closed by the valve driver130(seeFIG. 2) that includes a motor and the like. InFIG. 2, the respective valves provided in the adsorption heat pump10are illustrated collectively as a “valve group132”. The valve driver130is connected to the controller20(seeFIG. 2), and the controller20controls opening and closing of the valves34,36so as to open and close the valves34,36selectively. The second heat exchange medium is thereby selectively supplied to the pipe12B of the evaporator/condenser12from the cooling load22, or from the medium temperature heat source24.

Specific examples of the cooling load22are not particularly limited; however, the cooling load22may be an air conditioning load, and more specifically, an external unit of an air conditioning device. In the present exemplary embodiment, the second heat exchange medium is supplied from the cooling load22at, for example, 30° C.

Specific examples of the medium temperature heat source24are not particularly limited, as long as the medium temperature heat source24has a higher temperature than the cooling generated by the adsorption heat pump10. For example, coolant water of an internal combustion engine may be employed as the medium temperature heat source24in cases in which the adsorption heat pump10is provided in a vehicle installed with an internal combustion engine. In the present exemplary embodiment, the second heat exchange medium is supplied from the medium temperature heat source24at, for example, 40° C.

Respective pipes38,40are connected at one end to the other end of the pipe12B of the evaporator/condenser12. The other end of the pipe38is connected to the medium temperature heat source24, and the other end of the pipe40is connected to one end of respective pipes54,56. Valves42,44are provided partway along the respective pipes38,40. The valves42,44are opened and closed by the valve driver130(seeFIG. 2), and the controller20controls opening and closing of the valves42,44so as to open and close the valves42,44selectively.

The first adsorption device14includes an adsorption section14A that is provided with an adsorbent to adsorb the first heat exchange medium, and that adsorbs and releases (desorbs) the first heat exchange medium, and a pipe14B that is disposed in the adsorption section14A and through which the second heat exchange medium flows. The first adsorption device16has a similar structure to the first adsorption device14, and includes an adsorption section16A that is provided with an adsorbent to adsorb the first heat exchange medium, and that adsorbs and releases the first heat exchange medium, and a pipe16B that is disposed in the adsorption section16A and through which the second heat exchange medium flows. In the present exemplary embodiment, AQSOA-Z05 (AQSOA is a registered trademark of Mitsubishi Plastics, Inc.) is employed as the adsorbent of the adsorption sections14A,16A of the first adsorption devices14,16; however, the present invention is not limited thereto, and, for example, the adsorbent may be AQSOA-Z01, activated carbon, mesoporous silica, a zeolite, silica gel, clay mineral, or the like.

The adsorption sections14A,16A of the first adsorption devices14,16are examples of reaction sections of first reactors of the present invention, and the pipes14B,16B of the first adsorption devices14,16are examples of flow sections of the first reactors of the present invention. AQSOA-Z05 is an example of the reactant of claim3.

Respective pipes46,48are connected at one end to the evaporation/condensation section of the evaporator/condenser12. The other end of the pipe46is connected to the adsorption section14A of the first adsorption device14, such that the evaporation/condensation section12A of the evaporator/condenser12and the adsorption section14A of the first adsorption device14are in communication with each other through the pipe46. Similarly, the other end of the pipe48is connected to the adsorption section16A of the first adsorption device16, such that the evaporation/condensation section12A of the evaporator/condenser12and the adsorption section16A of the first adsorption device16are in communication with each other through the pipe48. Valves50,52are provided partway along the respective pipes46,48. The valves50,52are opened and closed by the valve driver130(seeFIG. 2), and opening and closing of the valves50,52is controlled by the controller20.

One end of the pipe54is connected to one end of the pipe14B of the first adsorption device14, and one end of the pipe56is connected to one end of the pipe16B of the first adsorption device16. Valves58,60are provided partway along the respective pipes54,56. The valves58,60are opened and closed by the valve driver130(seeFIG. 2), and opening and closing of the valves50,52is controlled by the controller20.

One end of a pipe62is also connected to the one end of the pipe14B of the first adsorption device14, and one end of a pipe64is also connected to the one end of the pipe16B of the first adsorption device16. The other ends of the pipes62,64are connected to each other. Valves66,68are provided partway along the respective pipes62,64. The valves66,68are opened and closed by the valve driver130(seeFIG. 2), and opening and closing of the valves66,68is controlled by the controller20. One end of a pipe70is connected to the connection portion of the other ends of the pipes62,64, and the other end of the pipe70is connected to the medium temperature heat source24.

The other end of the pipe14B of the first adsorption device14is connected to one end of respective pipes72,74. The other end of the pipe72is connected to the cooling load22, and the other end of the pipe74is connected to the medium temperature heat source24. Valves76,78are provided partway along the respective pipes72,74. The valves76,78are opened and closed by the valve driver130(seeFIG. 2), and opening and closing of the valves76,78is controlled by the controller20.

The other end of the pipe16B of the first adsorption device16is connected to one end of respective pipes80,82. The other end of the pipe80is connected to the cooling load22, and the other end of the pipe82is connected to the medium temperature heat source24. Valves84,86are provided partway along the pipes80,82. The valves84,86are opened and closed by the valve driver130(seeFIG. 2), and opening and closing of the valves84,86is controlled by the controller20.

Similarly to the first adsorption devices14,16described above, the second adsorption device18includes an adsorption section18A that is provided with an adsorbent to adsorb the first heat exchange medium, and that adsorbs and releases the first heat exchange medium, and a pipe18B that is disposed in the adsorption section18A and through which the second heat exchange medium flows. In the present exemplary embodiment, a Y zeolite is employed as the adsorbent of the adsorption section18A of the second adsorption device18; however, the present invention is not limited thereto, and, for example, the adsorbent may be activated carbon, mesoporous silica, a zeolite, silica gel, clay mineral, or the like. The adsorption capacity of the adsorption section18A of the second adsorption device18with respect to the first heat exchange medium is greater than (for example twice or more) the adsorption capacity of the respective adsorption sections14A,16A of the first adsorption devices14,16with respect to the first heat exchange medium. The second adsorption device18is an example of a second reactor of the present invention, and the Y zeolite is an example of the reactant of claim4.

One end of a pipe88is connected to the adsorption section14A of the first adsorption device14. The other end of the pipe88is connected to the adsorption section18A of the second adsorption device18, such that the adsorption section14A of the first adsorption device14and the adsorption section18A of the second adsorption device18are in communication with each other through the pipe88. Similarly, one end of a pipe90is connected to the adsorption section16A of the first adsorption device16. The other end of the pipe90is connected to the adsorption section18A of the second adsorption device18, such that the adsorption section16A of the first adsorption device16and the adsorption section18A of the second adsorption device18are in communication with each other through the pipe90. Valves92,94are provided partway along the respective pipes88,90. The valves92,94are opened and closed by the valve driver130(seeFIG. 2), and opening and closing of the valves92,94is controlled by the controller20.

One ends of respective pipes96,98are connected to one end of the pipe18B of the second adsorption device18. The other end of the pipe96is connected to the medium temperature heat source24, and the other end of the pipe98is connected to a high temperature heat source26. Valves100,102are provided partway along the respective pipes96,98. The valves100,102are opened and closed by the valve driver130(seeFIG. 2), and opening and closing of the valves100,102is controlled by the controller20.

One ends of respective pipes104,106are connected to the other end of the pipe18B of the second adsorption device18. The other end of the pipe104is connected to the medium temperature heat source24, and the other end of the pipe106is connected to the high temperature heat source26. Valves108,110are provided partway along the respective pipes104,106. The valves108,110are opened and closed by the valve driver130(seeFIG. 2), and opening and closing of the valves108,110is controlled by the controller20.

Specific examples of the high temperature heat source26are not particularly limited, as long as the high temperature heat source26is at a higher temperature than the medium temperature heat source24. For example, exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine may be employed as the high temperature heat source26in cases in which the adsorption heat pump10is provided to a vehicle installed with an internal combustion engine. In the present exemplary embodiment, the second heat exchange medium is supplied from the high temperature heat source26at, for example, 200° C.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the controller20includes a CPU120, memory122containing ROM, RAM, or the like, a non-volatile storage section124containing a hard disk drive or flash memory, and an input/output (I/O) interface section126. The CPU120is installed with a heat pump control program128for performing heat pump control processing, described later. The valve driver130previously described is connected to the I/O interface section126.

Next, explanation follows regarding operation of the present exemplary embodiment. The controller20of the adsorption heat pump10performs the heat pump control processing illustrated inFIGS. 3A, 3B and 3Cwhile being supplied with electrical power. The heat pump control processing is processing applied with the cooling power generation method according to the present invention.

The adsorption heat pump10according to the present exemplary embodiment performs operational steps of the first cooling power generation step, the second cooling power generation step, and the second adsorption device regeneration step. Each step is described in detail below. Briefly, however, at the first cooling power generation step, first heat exchange medium that has been evaporated in the evaporator/condenser12is adsorbed in the adsorption section16A of the first adsorption device16, and first heat exchange medium that has been released from the adsorption section14A of the first adsorption device14is adsorbed in the adsorption section18A of the second adsorption device18, thereby generating cooling in the evaporator/condenser12and the first adsorption device14.

At the second cooling power generation step, first heat exchange medium that has been evaporated in the evaporator/condenser12is adsorbed in the adsorption section14A of the first adsorption device14, and first heat exchange medium that has been released from the adsorption section16A of the first adsorption device16is adsorbed in the adsorption section18A of the second adsorption device18, thereby generating cooling in the evaporator/condenser12and the first adsorption device16. At the second adsorption device regeneration step, first heat exchange medium is released from the adsorption section18A of the second adsorption device18and condensed in the evaporator/condenser12, thereby regenerating the second adsorption device18.

At step200of the heat pump control processing, the controller20determines whether or not a timing to start the first cooling power generation step has been reached. The controller20transitions to step202in cases in which determination is negative at step200, and at step202, the controller20determines whether or not a timing to start the second cooling power generation step has been reached. The controller20transitions to step204in cases in which determination is negative at step202, and at step204, the controller20determines whether or not a timing to start the second adsorption device regeneration step has been reached. The controller20returns to step200in cases in which determination is negative at step204, and steps200to204are repeated until determination is affirmative at any one of steps200to204.

In the present exemplary embodiment, as an example of an execution sequence of the respective steps, a pattern may be configured in which the first cooling power generation step and the second cooling power generation step are repeated alternately, to be interrupted by execution of the second adsorption device regeneration step at a point in time when regeneration of the second adsorption device18has become necessary. Appropriate values for continuation durations of the first cooling power generation step and the second cooling power generation step may, for example, be derived by testing in advance, and the first cooling power generation step, continuing for a duration corresponding to the appropriate value, followed by the second cooling power generation step, continuing for a duration corresponding to the appropriate value, may be performed repeatedly. Alternatively, the temperature of the first heat exchange medium may be detected and relative pressures, described later, computed, with the continuation durations of the first cooling power generation step and the second cooling power generation step being determined based on the computed relative pressures.

A timing for interruption with execution of the second adsorption device regeneration step may, for example, be determined based on whether or not the number of cycles of the first cooling power generation step and the second cooling power generation step has reached a specific number. Alternatively, the timing for interruption with execution of the second adsorption device regeneration step may, for example, be determined based on whether or not the length of time elapsed since the second adsorption device regeneration step was last performed has exceeded a specific length of time. An appropriate value for the continuation duration of the second adsorption device regeneration step may, for example, be derived by testing in advance, with the second adsorption device regeneration step being continued for a duration corresponding to the appropriate value.

First Cooling Power Generation Step

When the timing for starting the first cooling power generation step is reached, determination is affirmative at step200, and the controller20transitions to step206. At step206, as illustrated inFIG. 4, the controller20opens each of the valve34between the pipe12B of the evaporator/condenser12and the cooling load22, the valves44,58between the pipe12B of the evaporator/condenser12and the pipe14B of the first adsorption device14, and the valve76between the pipe14B of the first adsorption device14and the cooling load22. The controller20moreover opens each of the valve52between the evaporation/condensation section12A of the evaporator/condenser12and the adsorption section16A of the first adsorption device16, the valves68,86between the pipe16B of the first adsorption device16and the medium temperature heat source24, the valve92between the adsorption section14A of the first adsorption device14and the adsorption section18A of the second adsorption device18, and the valves100,108between the pipe18B of the second adsorption device18and the medium temperature heat source24.

At the next step208, as illustrated inFIG. 4, the controller20closes each of the valves36,42between the pipe12B of the evaporator/condenser12and the medium temperature heat source24, the valve60between the pipe12B of the evaporator/condenser12and the pipe16B of the first adsorption device16, the valve84between the pipe16B of the first adsorption device16and the cooling load22, and valve50between the evaporation/condensation section12A of the evaporator/condenser12and the adsorption section14A of the first adsorption device14. The controller20also closes each of the valves66,78between the pipe14B of the first adsorption device14and the medium temperature heat source24, the valve94between the adsorption section16A of the first adsorption device16and the adsorption section18A of the second adsorption device18, and the valves102,110between the pipe18B of the second adsorption device18and the high temperature heat source26. Processing returns to step200once the processing of step208has been performed.

By opening and closing the valve group132as described above, as illustrated inFIG. 4, at the first cooling power generation step, the first heat exchange medium that has been evaporated in the evaporator/condenser12is supplied from the evaporator/condenser12to the adsorption section16A of the first adsorption device16. The adsorbent of the adsorption section16A reacts with the first heat exchange medium supplied to the adsorption section16A, and adsorbs the first heat exchange medium.

Suppose a temperature T1of the cooling generated in the adsorption heat pump10is 15° C., and a temperature T2of the second heat exchange medium supplied from the medium temperature heat source24to the pipe16B of the first adsorption device16is 30° C. The relative pressure φ2in the adsorption section16A of the first adsorption device16is φ2=P1/P2, where P1is the saturated vapor pressure at the temperature T1of the evaporator/condenser12and P2is the saturated vapor pressure at the temperature T2of the adsorption section16A of the first adsorption device16. For example, φ2≈0.348 when P1=1.5 kPa and P2=4.3 kPa.

FIG. 7illustrates a relationship between relative pressure and adsorption amount for various adsorbents that may be employed in the adsorption section14A of the first adsorption device14and the adsorption section16A of the first adsorption device16, and in the adsorption section18A of the second adsorption device18. As illustrated inFIG. 7, when AQSOA-Z05 is employed as the adsorbent in the adsorption section16A of the first adsorption device16, nearly all of the adsorbable first heat exchange medium can be adsorbed when the relative pressure φ2is 0.348.

At the first cooling power generation step, opening the valve92places the adsorption section14A of the first adsorption device14, this being in a state in which the first heat exchange medium has been adsorbed at the previous second cooling power generation step, in communication with the adsorption section18A of the second adsorption device18. The second heat exchange medium is supplied from the medium temperature heat source24to the pipe18B of the second adsorption device18by opening the valves100,108. The first heat exchange medium that was adsorbed by the adsorption section14A of the first adsorption device14is thereby released (desorbed) from the adsorption section14A, and is adsorbed by the adsorption section18A of the second adsorption device18.

Suppose a temperature T1of the adsorption section14A of the first adsorption device14is 15° C., and a temperature T2of the second heat exchange medium supplied from the medium temperature heat source24to the pipe18B of the second adsorption device18is 30° C. The relative pressure φ1of the adsorption section14A of the first adsorption device14is defined as φ1=P3/P4, where P3is the equilibrium pressure at the temperature T2of the adsorption section18A of the second adsorption device18, and P4is the saturated vapor pressure at the temperature T1of the adsorption section14A of the first adsorption device14. In practice, P4≈P1.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the adsorption section18A of the second adsorption device18employs a Y zeolite as the adsorbent. In the adsorption isotherm of the Y zeolite illustrated inFIG. 7, in a hypothetical case in which the Y zeolite is employed until the relative pressure φ1reaches 0.05, the equilibrium pressure P3at the temperature T2of the adsorption section18A of the second adsorption device18is P3=P2×0.05=4.3 kPa×0.05=0.215 kPa.

Accordingly, φ1=0.143. As is clear fromFIG. 7, AQSOA-Z05, this being the adsorbent of the adsorption section14A of the first adsorption device14, is capable of desorbing nearly all of the adsorbable first heat exchange medium when relative pressure is 0.143.

Note that the above explanation hypothesizes a case in which the temperature T2of the second heat exchange medium supplied from the medium temperature heat source24is 30° C. However, in the present exemplary embodiment, the second heat exchange medium is supplied from the medium temperature heat source24at a temperature T2of 40° C., and so the temperature (adsorption temperature) T2of the adsorption section16A of the first adsorption device16is also 40° C. As illustrated inFIG. 8, in the first adsorption device16, in which AQSOA-Z05 is employed as the adsorbent, if the adsorption temperature T2is 30° C., nearly all of the adsorbable first heat exchange medium can be adsorbed even when the temperature T1of the evaporator/condenser12is 15° C. However, when the adsorption temperature T2rises to 35° C., the adsorption amount of the first heat exchange medium by the first adsorption device16decreases markedly when the temperature T1of the evaporator/condenser12is 15° C. Moreover, when the adsorption temperature T2rises to 40° C., the first adsorption device16becomes almost incapable of adsorbing the first heat exchange medium when the temperature T1of the evaporator/condenser12is 15° C.

Accordingly, in the adsorption heat pump10according to the present exemplary embodiment, when the temperature of the second heat exchange medium supplied from the medium temperature heat source24reaches a comparatively high temperature (for example, 40° C.), it becomes difficult to generate cooling at a temperature T1of 15° C. in the evaporator/condenser12by adsorption of the first heat exchange medium in the first adsorption device16alone.

Conversely, as illustrated inFIG. 9, in the second adsorption device18that employs the Y zeolite as the adsorbent, when the desorption temperature T1of the adsorption section14A of the first adsorption device14is 15° C., there is almost no reduction in the desorption amount of the first heat exchange medium from the adsorption section14A of the first adsorption device14(the adsorption amount of the first heat exchange medium by the adsorption section18A of the second adsorption device18) even when the adsorption temperature T2rises from 30° C. to 40° C. Cooling can accordingly be generated accompanying desorption of the first heat exchange medium from the adsorption section14A in the first adsorption device14.

At the first cooling power generation step, opening the valves44,58,76connects together the pipe12B of the evaporator/condenser12, the pipe14B of the first adsorption device14, and the cooling load22in series, and the second heat exchange medium flows around a circulation path formed by these connections (a circulation path circulating around the cooling load22→pipe30→pipe12B of the evaporator/condenser12→pipe40→pipe54→pipe14B of the first adsorption device14→pipe72→cooling load22).

The cooling generated by the evaporator/condenser12and the cooling generated by the first adsorption device14are accordingly superimposed, and the second heat exchange medium supplied from the medium temperature heat source24is at a temperature of 40° C. Even under these conditions, for example, the second heat exchange medium supplied from the cooling load22to the pipe12B of the evaporator/condenser12at a temperature of 30° C. is cooled to 23° C. at the exit of the evaporator/condenser12, and cooled to 14° C. at the exit of the first adsorption device14, before being supplied to the cooling load22. Moreover, at the first cooling power generation step, as described above, nearly all of the first heat exchange medium that was adsorbed by the adsorption section14A of the first adsorption device14is desorbed, and then adsorbed by the adsorbent of the adsorption section18A of the second adsorption device18, thereby regenerating the adsorption section14A of the first adsorption device14.

Second Cooling Power Generation Step

When the timing for starting the second cooling power generation step is reached, determination is affirmative at step202, and the controller20transitions to step210. At step210, as illustrated inFIG. 5, the controller20opens each of the valve34between the pipe12B of the evaporator/condenser12and the cooling load22, the valves44,60between the pipe12B of the evaporator/condenser12and the pipe16B of the first adsorption device16, the valve84between the pipe16B of the first adsorption device16and the cooling load22, and the valve50between the evaporation/condensation section12A of the evaporator/condenser12and the adsorption section14A of the first adsorption device14. The controller20also opens each of the valves66,78between the pipe14B of the first adsorption device14and the medium temperature heat source24, the valve94between the adsorption section16A of the first adsorption device16and the adsorption section18A of the second adsorption device18, and the valves100,108between the pipe18B of the second adsorption device18and the medium temperature heat source24.

At the next step212, as illustrated inFIG. 5, the controller20closes each of the valves36,42between the pipe12B of the evaporator/condenser12and the medium temperature heat source24, the valve58between the pipe12B of the evaporator/condenser12and the pipe14B of the first adsorption device14, the valve76between the pipe14B of the first adsorption device14and the cooling load22, and the valve52between the evaporation/condensation section12A of the evaporator/condenser12and the adsorption section16A of the first adsorption device16. The controller20also closes each of the valves68,86between the pipe16B of the first adsorption device16and the medium temperature heat source24, the valve92between the adsorption section14A of the first adsorption device14and the adsorption section18A of the second adsorption device18, and the valves102,110between the pipe18B of the second adsorption device18and the high temperature heat source26. Processing returns to step200once the processing of step212has been performed.

By opening and closing the valve group132as described above, as illustrated inFIG. 5, at the second cooling power generation step, the first heat exchange medium that has been evaporated in the evaporator/condenser12is supplied from the evaporator/condenser12to the adsorption section14A of the first adsorption device14. The adsorbent of the adsorption section14A reacts with the first heat exchange medium supplied to the adsorption section14A, and adsorbs the first heat exchange medium.

At the second cooling power generation step, opening the valve94places the adsorption section16A of the first adsorption device16that is in a state in which the first heat exchange medium has been adsorbed at the previous first cooling power generation step in communication with the adsorption section18A of the second adsorption device18. Opening the valves100,108supplies the second heat exchange medium from the medium temperature heat source24to the pipe18B of the second adsorption device18. The first heat exchange medium that was adsorbed by the adsorption section16A of the first adsorption device16is thereby released (desorbed) from the adsorption section16A and is adsorbed by the adsorption section18A of the second adsorption device18.

Moreover, at the second cooling power generation step, opening the valves44,60,84connects together the pipe12B of the evaporator/condenser12, the pipe16B of the first adsorption device16, and the cooling load22in series, and the second heat exchange medium flows around a circulation path formed by these connections (a circulation path circulating around the cooling load22→pipe30→pipe12B of the evaporator/condenser12→pipe40→pipe56→pipe16B of the first adsorption device16→pipe80→cooling load22).

The cooling generated by the evaporator/condenser12and the cooling generated by the first adsorption device16are accordingly superimposed, and the second heat exchange medium supplied from the medium temperature heat source24is at a temperature of 40° C. Even under these conditions, for example, the second heat exchange medium supplied from the cooling load22to the pipe12B of the evaporator/condenser12at a temperature of 30° C. is cooled to 23° C. at the exit of the evaporator/condenser12, and cooled to 14° C. at the exit of the first adsorption device16, before being supplied to the cooling load22. Moreover, at the second cooling power generation step, as described above, nearly all of the first heat exchange medium that was adsorbed by the adsorption section16A of the first adsorption device16is desorbed, and then adsorbed by the adsorbent in the adsorption section18A of the second adsorption device18, thereby regenerating the adsorption section16A of the first adsorption device16.

Second Adsorption Device Regeneration Step

When the timing for starting the second adsorption device regeneration step is reached, determination is affirmative at step204, and the controller20transitions to step214. At step214, as illustrated inFIG. 6, the controller20opens each of the valves36,42between the pipe12B of the evaporator/condenser12and the medium temperature heat source24, and the valves50,52between the evaporation/condensation section12A of the evaporator/condenser12and the adsorption sections14A,16A of the first adsorption devices14,16. The controller20also opens each of the valves92,94between the adsorption sections14A,16A of the first adsorption devices14,16, and the adsorption section18A of the second adsorption device18, and the valves102,110between the pipe18B of the second adsorption device18and the high temperature heat source26.

At the next step216, as illustrated inFIG. 6, the controller20closes each of the valve34between the pipe12B of the evaporator/condenser12and the cooling load22, the valves44,58,60between the pipe12B of the evaporator/condenser12and the pipes14B,16B of the first adsorption devices14,16, and the valves76,84between the pipes14B,16B of the first adsorption devices14,16and the cooling load22. The controller20also closes each of the valves66,78,68,86between the pipes14B,16B of the first adsorption devices14,16and the medium temperature heat source24, and the valves100,108between the pipe18B of the second adsorption device18and the medium temperature heat source24. Processing returns to step200once the processing of step216has been performed.

By opening and closing the valve group132as described above, as illustrated inFIG. 6, at the second adsorption device regeneration step, the second heat exchange medium is supplied from the high temperature heat source26to the second adsorption device18at a high temperature, heating the adsorbent of the adsorption section18A of the second adsorption device18. Accordingly, the first heat exchange medium that has been adsorbed by the adsorbent of the adsorption section18A of the second adsorption device18is desorbed. This thereby regenerates the adsorption section18A of the second adsorption device18. The first heat exchange medium desorbed from the adsorption section18A is supplied to the evaporator/condenser12through the first adsorption devices14,16, and is condensed in the evaporator/condenser12.

The first heat exchange medium condensed in the evaporator/condenser12may be discharged to outside the adsorption heat pump10system, or may be stored in a liquid tank, not illustrated in the drawings, before being reused as the first heat exchange medium evaporated in the evaporator/condenser12.

Explanation has been given regarding a configuration in which, in the second adsorption device regeneration step described above, the first heat exchange medium desorbed (vaporized) from the adsorption section18A of the second adsorption device18is supplied to the evaporator/condenser12through the first adsorption devices14,16; however, there is no limitation thereto. Configuration may be made in which a bypass pipe is provided to connect the adsorption section18A of the second adsorption device18and the evaporation/condensation section12A of the evaporator/condenser12together directly, and the first heat exchange medium may be supplied from the adsorption section18A of the second adsorption device18to the evaporation/condensation section12A of the evaporator/condenser12through this bypass pipe.

Explanation has been given above regarding a configuration in which the first heat exchange medium desorbed (vaporized) from the adsorption section18A of the second adsorption device18is condensed in the evaporator/condenser12; however, there is no limitation thereto. For example, the first heat exchange medium desorbed (vaporized) from the adsorption section18A of the second adsorption device18may be condensed in a condenser provided separately to the evaporator/condenser12. As another example, the first heat exchange medium desorbed (vaporized) from the adsorption section18A of the second adsorption device18may be discharged to outside the adsorption heat pump10system without being condensed.

Explanation has been given above using the adsorption heat pump10as an example of a heat pump according to the present invention, and using the first adsorption device14and the second adsorption device18as examples of a first reactor and a second reactor of the present invention that are configured to adsorb and desorb the first heat exchange medium using an adsorbent. However, the first reactor and the second reactor of the present invention are not limited to configurations that adsorb and desorb the first heat exchange medium using an adsorbent. It is sufficient for it to be a reactor capable of lowering the pressure in a system by reacting with the first heat exchange medium at a pressure of the saturated vapor pressure of the first heat exchange medium or below. Such reactions include physical adsorption, chemical adsorption, absorption, chemical reactions, or the like.