HEAT PUMP TYPE HOT-WATER SUPPLY DEVICE AND HOT WATER STERILIZATION METHOD

• US 20110076190A1
• Filed: 05/22/2009
• Published: 03/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Daikin Industries Ltd
• Original Assignee: Daikin Industries Ltd
• Inventors: Mizutani, Kazuhide, Kagawa, Kenkichi, Fujiyoshi, Ryuusuke, Tanaka, Toshio
• Application Number:
  US12/994,179
• Publication Number:
  US 20110076190A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/28
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/32 with ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/4608 using electrical discharges
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/4672 by electrooxydation
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/72 by oxidation C02F1/4672 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/78 with ozone C02F1/4672 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/04 Disinfection
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 17/0073 Arrangements for preventing the occurrence or proliferation of microorganisms in the water
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 17/0078 Recirculation systems
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 17/02 using heat pumps

Abstract

A heat pump type hot-water supply device including a hot water storage tank and a hot water circulation circuit is provided with a bactericidal component generator, such as a discharge device for generating a streamer discharge, in order to prevent development of bacteria, such as Legionella, at low cost. The bactericidal component generator generates, at a temperature lower than or equal to that of hot water in a hot water circulation circuit, a bactericidal component so as to bring about an effect on the hot water.

Claims

1. A heat pump type hot-water supply device, comprising:

a heat pump thermal source system configured to generate hot water by applying heat to water;

a hot water storage tank configured to store the generated hot water; and

a hot water circulation circuit connected to the hot water storage tank, wherein

the hot water circulation circuit includes a bactericidal component generator configured to generate, at a temperature lower than or equal to a temperature of hot water in the hot water circulation circuit, a bactericidal component so as to bring about an effect on the hot water.

2. The heat pump type hot-water supply device of claim 1, wherein the bactericidal component generator includes a discharge device.

3. The heat pump type hot-water supply device of claim 2, wherein the discharge device disposed in air, and

the heat pump type hot-water supply device further comprising:

a processing unit connected to the hot water circulation circuit so as to bring active species generated by an electric discharge into contact with the hot water.

4. The heat pump type hot-water supply device of claim 2, wherein the discharge device is disposed in water, and

the heat pump type hot-water supply device further comprising:

a processing unit connected to the hot water circulation circuit so as to treat the hot water with active species generated by an electric discharge.

5. The heat pump type hot-water supply device of claim 2, wherein the discharge device is a streamer discharge device configured to generate a streamer discharge.

6. The heat pump type hot-water supply device of claim 5, further comprising:

a water spraying mechanism; and

a processing unit connected to the hot water circulation circuit so as to bring sprayed water droplets and active species generated by the streamer discharge device into contact with each other.

7. The heat pump type hot-water supply device of claim 5, further comprising:

a water film forming mechanism; and

a processing unit connected to the hot water circulation circuit so as to bring a formed water film and active species generated by the streamer discharge device into contact with each other.

8. The heat pump type hot-water supply device of claim 1, wherein the bactericidal component generator is made of an ozone generating device.

9. The heat pump type hot-water supply device of claim 1, wherein the bactericidal component generator is made of an ultraviolet light generator.

10. The heat pump type hot-water supply device of claim 2, further comprising:

an air bubble supplier configured to supply the bactericidal component generated by the bactericidal component generator into water together with air bubbles.

11. The heat pump type hot-water supply device of claim 8, further comprising:

an air bubble supplier configured to supply the bactericidal component generated by the bactericidal component generator into water together with air bubbles.

12. The heat pump type hot-water supply device of claim 9, further comprising:

an air bubble supplier configured to supply the bactericidal component generated by the bactericidal component generator into water together with air bubbles.

13. A hot water sterilization method used in a heat pump type hot-water supply device including a heat pump thermal source system configured to generate hot water by applying heat to water, a hot water storage tank configured to store the generated hot water, and a hot water circulation circuit connected to the hot water storage tank, the hot water sterilization method including the step of:

generating, at a temperature lower than or equal to a temperature of hot water in the hot water circulation circuit, a bactericidal component so as to bring about an effect on the hot water circulating in the hot water circulation circuit.