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Performant and Simple Numerical Modeling of District Heating Pipes with Heat Accumulation

Author

Listed:
  • Libor Kudela

    (Energy Institute, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Brno University of Technology—VUT Brno, Technicka 2896/2, 61669 Brno, Czech Republic)

  • Radomir Chylek

    (Energy Institute, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Brno University of Technology—VUT Brno, Technicka 2896/2, 61669 Brno, Czech Republic)

  • Jiri Pospisil

    (Energy Institute, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Brno University of Technology—VUT Brno, Technicka 2896/2, 61669 Brno, Czech Republic)

Abstract

This paper compares approaches for accurate numerical modeling of transients in the pipe element of district heating systems. The distribution grid itself affects the heat flow dynamics of a district heating network, which subsequently governs the heat delays and entire efficiency of the distribution. For an efficient control of the network, a control system must be able to predict how “temperature waves” move through the network. This prediction must be sufficiently accurate for real-time computations of operational parameters. Future control systems may also benefit from the accumulation capabilities of pipes. In this article, the key physical phenomena affecting the transients in pipes were identified, and an efficient numerical model of aboveground district heating pipe with heat accumulation was developed. The model used analytical methods for the evaluation of source terms. Physics of heat transfer in the pipe shells was captured by one-dimensional finite element method that is based on the steady-state solution. Simple advection scheme was used for discretization of the fluid region. Method of lines and time integration was used for marching. The complexity of simulated physical phenomena was highly flexible and allowed to trade accuracy for computational time. In comparison with the very finely discretized model, highly comparable transients were obtained even for the thick accumulation wall.

Suggested Citation

  • Libor Kudela & Radomir Chylek & Jiri Pospisil, 2019. "Performant and Simple Numerical Modeling of District Heating Pipes with Heat Accumulation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-23, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:4:p:633-:d:206528
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wang, Hai & Meng, Hua, 2018. "Improved thermal transient modeling with new 3-order numerical solution for a district heating network with consideration of the pipe wall's thermal inertia," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 171-183.
    2. Lund, Henrik & Werner, Sven & Wiltshire, Robin & Svendsen, Svend & Thorsen, Jan Eric & Hvelplund, Frede & Mathiesen, Brian Vad, 2014. "4th Generation District Heating (4GDH)," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 1-11.
    3. Duquette, Jean & Rowe, Andrew & Wild, Peter, 2016. "Thermal performance of a steady state physical pipe model for simulating district heating grids with variable flow," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 383-393.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Dorota Anna Krawczyk & Tomasz Janusz Teleszewski, 2019. "Optimization of Geometric Parameters of Thermal Insulation of Pre-Insulated Double Pipes," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-11, March.
    2. Annelies Vandermeulen & Ina De Jaeger & Tijs Van Oevelen & Dirk Saelens & Lieve Helsen, 2020. "Analysis of Building Parameter Uncertainty in District Heating for Optimal Control of Network Flexibility," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-25, November.
    3. Libor Kudela & Radomír Chýlek & Jiří Pospíšil, 2020. "Efficient Integration of Machine Learning into District Heating Predictive Models," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-12, December.
    4. Tomasz Janusz Teleszewski & Dorota Anna Krawczyk & Antonio Rodero, 2019. "Reduction of Heat Losses Using Quadruple Heating Pre-Insulated Networks: A Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-12, December.
    5. Krzysztof Bartecki, 2021. "An Approximate Transfer Function Model for a Double-Pipe Counter-Flow Heat Exchanger," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-17, July.
    6. Dorota Anna Krawczyk & Tomasz Janusz Teleszewski, 2019. "Reduction of Heat Losses in a Pre-Insulated Network Located in Central Poland by Lowering the Operating Temperature of the Water and the Use of Egg-shaped Thermal Insulation: A Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-12, June.
    7. Pawel Znaczko & Emilian Szczepanski & Kazimierz Kaminski & Norbert Chamier-Gliszczynski & Jacek Kukulski, 2021. "Experimental Diagnosis of the Heat Pipe Solar Collector Malfunction. A Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-19, May.

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