Method and Apparatus for Generating Chilled Water for Air-Conditioning

Abstract

Any one of heat medium, hot water, steam, and high-temperature gas generated by solar heat collected in a solar thermal collector (68), and geotherm, or waste heat from co•generation system or other power plant is used as the driving heat source of a multiple-effect absorption chiller (58) of triple effects or more. The multiple-effect absorption chiller includes at least an absorber, an evaporator, a condenser, a solution heat exchanger, and n stages (n≧3) of regenerators, and has multiple effects. By constructing in this manner, the invention presents a system of generating chilled water for air-conditioning reduced in the CO2 emission by utilizing solar heat, earth's heat, and waste heat from co•generation system or power plant.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a chilled-water air-conditioning system (method and apparatus) intended to reduce the CO₂ emission by making use of solar heat, geotherm, or waste heat from co•generation (thermoelectric combined supply) system or other power plant.

Conventionally, an example of absorption chiller as shown in FIG. 9 was known. This absorption chiller constitutes a cycle in which an absorption solution (for example, an aqueous solution of lithium bromide) flows from an absorber 10 into a regenerator 14. The absorption cycle of this absorption chiller is explained. First, the absorption solution (diluted absorption solution or diluted solution) lowered in concentration by absorbing a huge volume of refrigerant vapor in the absorber 10 is supplied from the absorber 10 into a heat exchanger 12, and is heated in the heat exchanger 12, and then supplied into the regenerator 14. The diluted absorption solution (diluted solution) is regenerated in the regenerator 14, and part of the absorbed refrigerant is released and the concentration is heightened, and a concentrated absorption solution (concentrated solution) is produced.

This concentrated absorption solution is returned to the heating side of the heat exchanger 12 as a heating source for heating the diluted absorption solution, and is fed back to the absorber 10. The fed-back absorption solution is sprinkled over heating tubes in the absorber 10, and is cooled by cooling water, and absorbs the refrigerant vapor again to become the diluted absorption solution. Reference numeral 32 is an absorption solution pump, numeral 38 is a cooling water pump, and numeral 40 is a chilled water pump.

The regenerator 14 receives hot water or steam as a heating source (driving heat source). The refrigerant vapor from the regenerator 14 is returned to a condenser 22, and is condensed. The refrigerant solution (for example, water) from the condenser 22 gets into an evaporator 24, and the condensed refrigerant solution is sprinkled over the heating tubes (in which water is circulating) of the evaporator 24 by a refrigerant pump 36, and is cooled by evaporation latent heat, and chilled water is obtained.

Conventionally, other chilled-water air-conditioning system is also known. That is, hot water or steam generated by a heat pump is used in whole or part of the driving heat source of the absorption chiller. In this system, however, the heat of the heat pump is supplied into a reservoir and then used as the driving heat source in the absorption chiller, and in this process the efficiency is lowered by heat loss.

In another conventional system, hot water or steam generated in a solar thermal collector is used as the driving heat source of the absorption chiller. In this system, hot water or steam generated by a heat pump is used at the same time.

• Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2011-89722

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problem to be solved is that the solar heat, geotherm, or waste heat from co•generation system or other power plant is not utilized efficiently and effectively as the driving heat source of the absorption chiller.

Means to Solve the Problem

The present invention is intended to present a system of generating chilled-water for air-conditioning system of a small CO₂ emission amount, and is characterized by effective utilization of heat medium, hot water, steam, or high-temperature gas generated from solar heat, earth's heat, or waste heat or the like from co•generation system or other power plant as the driving heat source of a multiple-effect absorption chiller of triple effects or more.

The method of generating chilled water for air-conditioning of the present invention relates to a multiple-effect absorption chiller of triple effects or more including at least an absorber, an evaporator, a condenser, a solution heat exchanger, and n stages (n≧3) of regenerators, in which any one of heat medium, hot water, steam, and high-temperature gas generated by solar heat collected in a solar thermal collector, geotherm or waste heat from co•generation system or other power plant is used as the driving heat source of the multiple-effect absorption chiller.

In this method, any one of heat medium, hot water, steam, and high-temperature gas generated by solar heat collected in a solar thermal collector, geotherm or waste heat from co•generation system or other power plant is used directly, and can be used as the driving heat source of the multiple-effect absorption chiller. Being “used directly” is to use as the driving heat source of the multiple-effect absorption chiller without receiving heat medium, hot water, steam or high-temperature gas from a buffer tank (storage tank) or the like described later.

Also in this method, in order to compensate for the solar heat collected in a solar thermal collector, geotherm or waste heat from co•generation system or other power plant, the heat source of a back-up device may be also used as the driving heat source of the multiple-effect absorption chiller.

Further, in these methods, it is desired that the temperature of any one of heat medium, hot water, steam, and high-temperature gas generated by solar heat collected in a solar thermal collector, geotherm or waste heat from co•generation system or other power plant is 200° C. or more. To drive a multiple-effect absorption chiller of triple effects or more (for example, triple effects), heat of high temperature of 200° C. or more is needed. That is, if the temperature of heat medium, hot water, steam, and high-temperature gas generated by solar heat, geotherm or waste heat from co•generation system or other power plant is less than 200° C., it is not possible to drive the multiple-effect absorption chiller without help from other heat source.

In these methods, moreover, the solar thermal collector is preferred to be of condenser type. As mentioned above, to drive a multiple-effect absorption chiller, heat of high temperature of 200° C. or more, preferably 200° C. to 250° C., is needed. For example, by using a trough type condenser solar thermal collector, heat of high temperature of about 400° C. at maximum may be obtained, and it is easy to obtain heat of about 250° C.

In these methods, in order to control integrally depending on the chilled water load, alternatively, systems excluding the solar thermal collector, geothermal generating equipment, the waste heat generating devices such as co•generation system, or power plant may be packaged as one system (assembled or integrated).

In these methods, otherwise, a system may be composed by containing a solar thermal collector, and not containing geothermal generating equipment, waste heat generating devices such as co•generation system, or power plant, and one system may be packaged. Thus, the solar thermal collector may be included in the packaged system.

In these methods, it may be designed to monitor by remote observation. In this case, the chilled water load may be controlled by remote control.

Further, in these methods, depending on the chilled water load, it may be designed to control at least one of cooling tower control, cooling water circulation control, and chilled water circulation control.

The apparatus of generating chilled water for air-conditioning of the present invention relates to an apparatus of generating chilled water for air-conditioning including at least a multiple-effect absorption chiller having multiple effects including at least an absorber, an evaporator, a condenser, a solution heat exchanger, and n stages (n≧3) of regenerators, a cooling tower for supplying the cooling water from this multiple-effect absorption chiller, a cooling water pump for cooling the cooling water from the cooling tower of this multiple-effect absorption chiller, and a chilled water pump for circulating the chilled water in the multiple-effect absorption chiller, in which a high-temperature regenerator, and a solar thermal collector, geothermal generating equipment, waste heat generating device such as co•generation system, or power plant are connected by way of driving heat source supply tubes for supplying any one of heat medium, hot water, steam, and high-temperature gas generated by solar heat, geotherm, or waste heat from co•generation system or other power plant to the high-temperature regenerator as the driving heat source.

In this apparatus, the driving heat source supply tubes may be connected and provided with a buffer tank (storage tank) for storing any one of the heat medium, hot water, steam, or high-temperature gas heated by a heat source in a back-up device.

In these apparatuses, the solar thermal collector is preferred to be of condenser type.

In these apparatuses, moreover, control means for controlling the load by remote control depending on the chilled water load may be connected to the apparatus of generating chilled water for air-conditioning.

Also these apparatuses may be provided with at least one of cooling tower control means for controlling the fans of the cooling tower, cooling water circulation control means for controlling the circulation rate of the cooling water, and chilled water circulation control means for controlling the circulation rate of the chilled water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an apparatus of generating chilled water for air-conditioning of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of the apparatus of generating chilled water for air-conditioning shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing other example of an apparatus of generating chilled water for air-conditioning of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of an apparatus of generating chilled water for air-conditioning of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of detail of a solar thermal collector in the apparatus of generating chilled water for air-conditioning shown in FIG. 2 (for example) of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing other example of detail of the solar thermal collector in the apparatus of generating chilled water for air-conditioning shown in FIG. 2 (for example) of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing the performance (heat source input calorific value per output of 1 RT) of the apparatus of generating chilled water for air-conditioning shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing the performance (installation area of solar thermal collector) of the apparatus of generating chilled water for air-conditioning shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an apparatus of generating chilled water for air-conditioning of the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, some of the preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail below.

In the present invention, the object of presenting a system of generating chilled water for air-conditioning of a small CO₂ emission is realized by utilizing the heat medium, hot water, steam or high-temperature gas generated from solar heat, geotherm, waste heat of co•generation system, or other power plant, in the driving heat source of a multiple-effect absorption chiller of triple effects or more.

Embodiment 1

Hereinafter, some of the embodiments of the present invention are described in connection with the accompanying drawings, but it must be noted that the present invention is not limited by the following embodiments alone, but may be changed and modified appropriately. FIG. 1 shows an apparatus of generating chilled water for air-conditioning according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 50 is an absorber, numeral 52 is a regenerator, numeral 54 is a condenser, and numeral 56 is an evaporator, and the absorption chiller includes at least numerals 50, 52, 54, and 56. In FIG. 1, the absorption chiller is simplified in configuration, but the absorption chiller is a multiple-effect absorption chiller 58 of triple effects or more, including a middle-temperature regenerator and a high-temperature regenerator. Reference numeral 60 is a cooling tower, numeral 62 is a chilled water load of user, numeral 64 is a cooling water pump, and numeral 66 is a chilled water pump. The heat exchanger, pipes and pumps included in the absorption chiller 58 are not shown in the drawing.

Thus, in the absorption chiller 58 of the multiple-effect absorption chiller of triple effects or more, the regenerator 52 (high-temperature regenerator in the multiple-effect absorption chiller) and a solar thermal collector 68 are connected to each other by way of a driving heat source supply tube 70 for supplying the heat medium, hot water, steam or high-temperature gas generated by the solar heat into the regenerator 52 as the driving heat source. Herein, the heat medium is, for example, oil. The high-temperature gas is, for example, combustion waste gas from co•generation system or power plant.

In the apparatus having such configuration, the heat medium, hot water, steam or high-temperature gas generated by the solar heat can be directly used as the driving heat source of the absorption chiller 58. In other words, the heat medium, hot water, steam or high-temperature gas generated by the solar heat can be used as the driving heat source of the multiple-effect absorption chiller without resort to buffer tank (storage tank) or the like.

The apparatus having such configuration may be packaged (assembled or integrated) as one system except the solar thermal collector 68, so as to be controlled integrally. When the heat medium, hot water, steam or high-temperature gas generated by the solar heat is supplied into this system, it is possible to control automatically depending on the chilled water load of users. In this case, the solar thermal collector 68 may be also included in the packaged system.

In the apparatus having such configuration, depending on the chilled water load of users, it is possible to control at least any one of cooling tower control, cooling water circulation control, and chilled water circulation control. For example, a specific example of chilled water circulation control is described later.

In this case, it may be designed to control the load by remote control by remote-control monitoring. More specifically, depending on the load, the setting value of the chilled water outlet temperature as the chiller output is varied.

FIG. 2 shows a specific example of the apparatus of generating chilled water for air-conditioning shown in FIG. 1. As an example of the multiple effects, the absorption chiller is a triple-effect absorption chiller 58a, in which the steam generated by the solar heat collected in a solar thermal collector 68 is used as the driving heat source of the absorption chiller 58a. The solar thermal collector 68 is, for example, a condenser type solar thermal collector.

In the triple-effect absorption chiller 58a, although not shown in FIG. 2, the circulation cycle of the absorption solution is sequentially described below. First, a diluted absorption solution lowered in concentration by absorbing a large volume of refrigerant vapor in the absorber is sent from the absorber into a low-temperature heat exchanger by means of a low-temperature absorption solution pump, and is heated in this low-temperature heat exchanger, and then sent into a low-temperature regenerator.

A majority of the middle-concentration absorption solution regenerated at low temperature in the low-temperature regenerator is supplied from the low-temperature regenerator into a middle-temperature heat exchanger by a middle-temperature absorption solution pump, and is heated in this middle-temperature heat exchanger, and then supplied into a middle-temperature regenerator. The middle-concentration absorption solution is regenerated in the middle-temperature regenerator, and part of the absorbed refrigerant is released, and the concentration is further heighted, and a high-concentration absorption solution is obtained. The remainder of the middle-concentration absorption solution from the low-temperature regenerator is supplied by bypass into a concentrated absorption solution piping returning to the absorber by way of a first bypass pipe.

Part or whole of the concentrated absorption solution from the middle-temperature regenerator is supplied into a high-temperature heat exchanger by means of a high-temperature absorption solution pump, and is exchanged in heat with the concentration absorption solution from a high-temperature regenerator (reference numeral 72 in FIG. 2), and is heated, and then supplied into the high-temperature regenerator. The remainder (which may be zero) of the concentrated absorption solution from the middle-temperature regenerator joins the heating-side absorption solution piping from the high-temperature heat exchanger by way of a second bypass pipe.

The concentrated absorption solution heated and concentrated in the high-temperature regenerator is fed into the heating side of the high-temperature heat exchanger, and the concentrated absorption solution from the middle-temperature regenerator is heated, and is fed into the heating side of the middle-temperature heat exchanger. The remainder (which may be zero) of the concentrated absorption solution from the middle-temperature regenerator joins the heating-side absorption solution piping from the high-temperature heat exchanger by way of the second bypass pipe.

The refrigerant vapor from the high-temperature regenerator is fed into the middle-temperature regenerator by way of a refrigerant vapor pipe, and the absorption solution is heated and concentrated, and the refrigerant drain is fed into the low-temperature regenerator.

The refrigerant vapor from the middle-temperature regenerator is sent into the low-temperature regenerator, together with the refrigerant drain from the middle-temperature generator, by way of the refrigerant vapor pipe, and the absorption solution is heated and concentrated.

The refrigerant vapor from the low-temperature regenerator is sent into a condenser by way of the refrigerant vapor pipe. Incidentally, the triple effect absorption chiller may be further upgraded by adding another regenerator such as waste heat regenerator, and a multiple-effect absorption chiller of quadruple effects or more may be composed. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 74 is an existing chiller, numeral 76 is a steam condenser, and 78 is a makeup water tank.

However, not limited to the triple effect cycle of reverse flow mentioned above, parallel flow or series flow may be employed, and not limited to steam type, other types may be also usable.

The solar thermal collector 68 and the high-temperature regenerator 72 in the absorption chiller 58a are connected to each other by way of a driving heat source supply pipe 70 for supplying the steam generated from the solar heat into the high-temperature regenerator 72 as the driving heat source. The steam used as the driving heat source of the absorption chiller 58a is circulated to the solar thermal collector 68 as condensate. Reference numeral 80 is a drain separator, and numeral 82 is a drain pot.

As an example of controlling depending on the load of users, as shown in FIG. 2, the chilled water circulation can be controlled. That is, it is designed to control a chilled water circulation regulating valve having a function of bypass valve for passing part of chilled water from the absorption chiller 58a directly to the chilled water user 62, for example, to control a three-way chilled water flow regulating valve 96. Reference numeral 98 is a chilled water supply pipe, numeral 100 is a chilled water return pipe, numeral 102 is a chilled water bypass pipe, numeral 104 is a chilled water pump, numeral 106 is a temperature sensor, and numeral 108 is a controller. For example, when the load of chilled water user 62 is large, the chilled water volume flowing in the chilled water bypass pipe 102 is decreased so as to send more chilled water into the load of chilled water user 62, and to the contrary, when the load of chilled water user 62 is small, the chilled water volume flowing in the chilled water bypass pipe 102 is increased. These controls are intended to control, by connecting the temperature sensor 106 and the controller 108, so as to decrease the bypass volume when the detected temperature is higher, and to increase the bypass volume when the detected temperature is lower.

As the condenser type solar thermal collector 68, for example, a trough type (parabola trough type) condenser solar thermal collector may be used. As mentioned above, to drive a multiple-effect absorption chiller of triple effects or more, a heat of high temperature of 200° C. is needed, and by using a trough type condenser absorption chiller, a heat of high temperature of about 200 to 250° C. can be obtained easily. Incidentally, as the condenser type solar thermal collector 68, a tower type, a dish type, and others may be used as desired.

FIG. 5 shows an example of trough type condenser absorption chiller. A condenser type solar thermal collector 68a has a reflector 84 having a curved surface, and functions to concentrate solar heat on a pipe type absorber tube 86 installed at the side of the reflector 84, and obtain a solar heat of about 400° C., and heat a heat medium (such as water) flowing in the absorber tube 86 to about 200 to 250° C.

FIG. 6 shows another example of trough type condenser absorption chiller. A condenser type solar thermal collector 68b includes a primary reflector 84a and a secondary reflector 88 to reflect the solar radiation twice, and concentrates the solar radiation on the absorber tube 86 efficiently, and heats the heat medium flowing in the absorber tube 86. In the apparatus shown in FIG. 2, the configuration of FIG. 6 is used, but the configuration of FIG. 5 may be also used.

Next, the performance of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is explained in comparison with that of a conventional apparatus. The apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is a steam type triple-effect system, and the conventional apparatus to be compared with a steam type double-effect system. The solar thermal collectors to be compared are commonly the trough type solar thermal collector (heat collecting capacity of 0.5 kW/m2) as shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 shows a heat source input calorific value per output of 1 RT (refrigerating ton) of each system during cooling rated operation, specifically showing an input heat from the solar thermal collector in the case of a sufficient sunshine. As known from FIG. 7, the heat source input calorific value per output of 1 RT (the input heat from the solar thermal collector) is saved by about 30% in the apparatus (A) shown in FIG. 2 as compared with the conventional apparatus (B).

FIG. 8 compares the installation area of the solar thermal collector in each system, assuming the heat collection capacity of the solar thermal collector to be 0.5 kW/m2. As known from FIG. 8, the apparatus (A) shown in FIG. 2 can save the installation area of the solar thermal collector by about 30%, as compared with the conventional apparatus (B).

Embodiment 2

FIG. 3 shows an apparatus of generating chilled water for air-conditioning according to the second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment relates to an absorption chiller, that is, the multiple-effect absorption chiller 58 of triple effects or more, in which a regenerator 52 (a high-temperature regenerator in a multiple-effect absorption chiller) and a co•generation system 90 which is a waste heat generating device are connected to each other by way of a driving heat source supply pipe 70 for supplying heat medium, hot water, steam or high-temperature gas generated by the waste heat from the co•generation system 90 into the regenerator 52 as the driving heat source.

The co•generation system 90 is, for example, a gas turbine engine system, a gas engine system, a diesel engine system, a fuel cell system, or the like.

In the apparatus having such configuration, the heat medium, hot water, steam or high-temperature gas generated by the waste heat from the co•generation system 90 can be directly used as the driving heat source of the absorption chiller 58.

A similar configuration may be constituted in the case of a geothermal generating plant, or when the waste heat generating device is a power plant. Other components and actions are same as in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, too, by using together with the solar thermal collector, the heat medium, hot water, steam or high-temperature gas generated by the solar heat collected by the solar thermal collector, and the waste heat from the co•generation system 90 can be both used as the driving heat source of the absorption chiller 58. Besides, the solar heat, the earth's heat, and the waste heat from the co•generation system or power plant can be appropriately combined and used.

Embodiment 3

FIG. 4 shows an apparatus of generating chilled water for air-conditioning according to the third embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment relates to an absorption chiller, that is, the multiple-effect absorption chiller 58 of triple effects or more, in which a regenerator 52 (a high-temperature regenerator in a multiple-effect absorption chiller) and a solar thermal collector 68 are connected to each other by way of a driving heat source supply pipe 70 for supplying heat medium, hot water, steam or high-temperature gas generated by the solar heat collected by the solar thermal collector 68 into the regenerator 52 as the driving heat source, and in addition it also includes a buffer tank (storage tank) 94 for storing heat medium, hot water, steam, or high-temperature gas heated by a backup device, for example, a backup boiler 92, connected to the driving heat source supply pipe 70. In this embodiment, therefore, the heat medium, hot water, steam or high-temperature gas generated by the solar heat collected by the solar thermal collector 68 is once stored in the buffer tank 94, and is then used as the driving heat source of the absorption chiller 58.

In this embodiment, when the sunshine is unstable and the solar heat is not sufficient, to compensate for the solar heat collected in the solar thermal collector 68, as a backup, the heat of the backup boiler 92 is used as the driving heat source of the absorption chiller 58. The backup device is not limited to the backup boiler 92, and other heat source than boiler heat may be also used. As the energy of the backup device, for example, gas, oil, steam, or other heat source can be used.

In the apparatus having such configuration, in addition to the heat medium, hot water, steam, or high-temperature gas generated by the solar heat, the heat source of the backup device can be also used as the driving heat source of the absorption chiller 58.

Other components and actions are same as in the first embodiment. Incidentally, in this embodiment, instead of the solar thermal collector 68, the co•generation system 90 of the second embodiment may be installed. As a result, if the waste heat of the co•generation system is unstable, this waste heat can be compensated by the heat source of the backup device. Still more, instead of the solar thermal collector 68, the geothermal generating system or waste heat generating device such as a power plant may be installed. Further, in the embodiment, the solar thermal collector, the geothermal generating system, the waste heat generating device such as co•generation system, the power plant may be appropriately combined and used.

The heat medium, hot water, steam, or high-temperature gas generated from the solar heat, the earth's heat, or the waste heat from the co•generation system or the power plant may be used as the driving heat source of the multiple-effect absorption chiller of triple effects or more, so that a system of generating chilled water for air-conditioning small in the emission of CO₂ may be realized.

The method or apparatus of generating chilled water for air-conditioning of the invention is capable of reducing the CO₂ emission by utilizing the heat medium, hot water, steam or high-temperature gas generated from the heat of solar, geotherm, the waste heat of co•generation system or power plant as the driving heat source of a multiple-effect absorber chiller of triple effects or more.

When utilizing directly the heat medium, hot water, steam or high-temperature gas generated from the heat of solar, geotherm, the waste heat of co•generation system or power plant, heat loss can be prevented, and the efficiency can be enhanced.

When the heat source of the backup device is used together, it is possible to compensate for unstable solar heat, earth's heat, or waste heat from co•generation system or power plant.

Further, the multiple-effect absorption chiller of triple effects or more is higher in efficiency as compared with single-effect or double-effect absorption chiller, and the required heat is smaller as the driving heat source, and the installation area of the solar thermal collector can be much saved (the solar thermal collector is formed in a compact design).

Having described preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of generating chilled water for air-conditioning relating to a multiple-effect absorption chiller comprising at least an absorber, an evaporator, a condenser, a solution heat exchanger, and n stages (n≧3) of regenerators, wherein any one of heat medium, hot water, steam, and high-temperature gas generated by solar heat collected in a solar thermal collector, geotherm or waste heat from co•generation system or other power plant is used as the driving heat source of the multiple-effect absorption chiller.

2. The method of generating chilled water for air-conditioning according to claim 1, wherein any one of heat medium, hot water, steam, and high-temperature gas generated by solar heat collected in a solar thermal collector, geotherm or waste heat from co•generation system or other power plant is used directly, and is used as the driving heat source of the multiple-effect absorption chiller.

3. The method of generating chilled water for air-conditioning according to claim 1, wherein in order to compensate for the solar heat collected in a solar thermal collector, geotherm or waste heat from co•generation system or other power plant, the heat source of a back-up device is also used as the driving heat source of the multiple-effect absorption chiller.

4. The method of generating chilled water for air-conditioning according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of any one of heat medium, hot water, steam, and high-temperature gas generated by solar heat collected in a solar thermal collector, geotherm or waste heat from co•generation system or other power plant is 200° C. or more.

5. The method of generating chilled water for air-conditioning according to claim 1, wherein the solar thermal collector is of condenser type.

6. The method of generating chilled water for air-conditioning according to claim 1, wherein in order to control integrally depending on the chilled water users, systems excluding the solar thermal collector, geothermal generating equipment, the waste heat generating devices such as co•generation system, or power plant are packaged as one system.

7. The method of generating chilled water for air-conditioning according to claim 1, wherein a system is composed by containing a solar thermal collector, and not containing geothermal generating equipment, waste heat generating devices such as co•generation system, or power plant, and one system may be packaged.

8. The method of generating chilled water for air-conditioning according to claim 1, wherein it is designed to monitor by remote observation.

9. The method of generating chilled water for air-conditioning according to claim 8, wherein it is designed to control by remote control.

10. The method of generating chilled water for air-conditioning according to claim 1, wherein depending on the chilled water load, it is designed to control at least one of cooling tower control, cooling water circulation control, and chilled water circulation control.

11. An apparatus of generating chilled water for air-conditioning comprising at least a multiple-effect absorption chiller including at least an absorber, an evaporator, a condenser, a solution heat exchanger, and n stages (n≧3) of regenerators, a cooling tower for cooling the cooling water from this multiple-effect absorption chiller, a cooling water pump for supplying the cooling water from the cooling tower of this multiple-effect absorption chiller, and a chilled water pump for circulating the chilled water in the multiple-effect absorption chiller, wherein a high-temperature regenerator, and a solar thermal collector, geothermal generating equipment, waste heat generating device such as co•generation system, or power plant are connected by way of driving heat source supply tubes for supplying any one of heat medium, hot water, steam, and high-temperature gas generated by solar heat, geotherm, or waste heat from co•generation system or other power plant to the high-temperature regenerator as the driving heat source.

12. The apparatus of generating chilled water for air-conditioning according to claim 11, wherein the driving heat supply tubes are connected and provided with a buffer tank for storing any one of the heat medium, hot water, steam, or high-temperature gas heated by a heat source in a back-up device.

13. The apparatus of generating chilled water for air-conditioning according to claim 11, wherein the solar thermal collector is of condenser type.

14. The apparatus of generating chilled water for air-conditioning according to claim 11, further comprising control means for controlling the load by remote control depending on the chilled water load.

15. The apparatus of generating chilled water for air-conditioning according to claim 11, further comprising any one of cooling tower control means for controlling the fan of the cooling tower, cooling water circulation control means for controlling the circulation amount of the cooling water, and chilled water circulation control means for controlling the circulation amount of the chilled water.