Cogeneration system

Abstract

In a cogeneration system having a generation unit comprising a generator connectable to an AC power feed line between a commercial power network and an electrical load, and an internal combustion engine for driving the generator and having a coolant circulation passage through which a coolant circulates, there are provided a first heat exchanger installed at the coolant circulation passage of the engine to exchange heat with the coolant, a blower that supplies intake air to the first heat exchanger to exchange heat and heat-exchanged hot air to a hot-air passage, a selector comprising a damper that selectively connects the hot-air passage to a room or to exterior, and a controller that controls operation of the selector based on thermal demand, i.e., to lead the hot air to the exterior when there is no thermal demand.

1 . A cogeneration system having at least a generation unit comprising a generator connectable to an AC power feed line between a commercial power network and an electrical load, and an internal combustion engine for driving the generator and having a coolant circulation passage through which a coolant circulates, comprising:
 a first heat exchanger installed at the coolant circulation passage of the engine to exchange heat with the coolant;   a blower that supplies intake air to the first heat exchanger to exchange heat and heat-exchanged hot air to a hot-air passage;   a selector that selectively connects the hot-air passage to a room or to exterior; and   a controller that controls operation of the selector based on thermal demand.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , further including:
 a burner that burns a mixture of fuel and air to heat the hot air and having an exhaust pipe through which combustion gas generated by the burning is discharged to the exterior;   and the blower supplies the hot air to the hot-air passage.   
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 2 , further including:
 a second heat exchanger installed at the exhaust pipe of the burner;   and the blower supplies the intake to the second heat exchanger to exchange heat.   
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the second heat exchanger comprises a sensible heat exchanger and a latent heat exchanger installed at the exhaust pipe. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the selector comprises a damper installed in the hot-air passage to lead the hot to the room or to the exterior. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 5 , wherein the damper comprises a door. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the controller controls operation of the burner to burn when temperature of the room is lower than a desired temperature. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the controller controls operation of the burner to burn when temperature of the room is lower than a desired temperature.