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Improved Control of Radiator Heating Systems with Thermostatic Radiator Valves without Pre-Setting Function

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  • Theofanis Benakopoulos

    (Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek VITO NV, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
    EnergyVille, Thor Park 8310, 3600 Genk, Belgium
    Department of Civil Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Brovej, Building 118, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark)

  • Robbe Salenbien

    (Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek VITO NV, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
    EnergyVille, Thor Park 8310, 3600 Genk, Belgium)

  • Dirk Vanhoudt

    (Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek VITO NV, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
    EnergyVille, Thor Park 8310, 3600 Genk, Belgium)

  • Svend Svendsen

    (Department of Civil Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Brovej, Building 118, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark)

Abstract

Low-temperature district heating will play an important role in a future free of fossil fuels. This will only be able to be realized through the low-temperature operation of heating systems in existing buildings. Existing radiator systems can operate with low temperatures for most of the year because they are designed for extremely cold days, but errors have to be corrected and the control of the radiator systems needs to be improved. In this paper, we present a strategy to achieve low-temperature operation from the radiator system of a multi-family building in Denmark without a pre-setting function in the thermostatic radiator valves. The strategy is based on operating the system with a combination of a minimum supply temperature and small temperature differences over the radiators. The operation of the system is analyzed through a thermal-hydraulic model. A minimum supply temperature weather compensation curve was calculated and implemented in the central supply temperature control. Return temperature measurements in the substation, the risers, and several critical radiators were performed before and after the implementation of the strategy. The measurements confirm that a lower supply temperature results in a reduction of the return temperature. However, the system operator needs to be supported by a tool package to correctly maintain the system’s operation.

Suggested Citation

  • Theofanis Benakopoulos & Robbe Salenbien & Dirk Vanhoudt & Svend Svendsen, 2019. "Improved Control of Radiator Heating Systems with Thermostatic Radiator Valves without Pre-Setting Function," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-24, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:17:p:3215-:d:259612
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Benakopoulos, Theofanis & Tunzi, Michele & Salenbien, Robbe & Hansen, Kasper Klan & Svendsen, Svend, 2022. "Implementation of a strategy for low-temperature operation of radiator systems using data from existing digital heat cost allocators," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 251(C).
    2. Benakopoulos, Theofanis & Tunzi, Michele & Salenbien, Robbe & Svendsen, Svend, 2021. "Strategy for low-temperature operation of radiator systems using data from existing digital heat cost allocators," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 231(C).
    3. Beungyong Park & Seong Ryong Ryu & Chang Heon Cheong, 2020. "Thermal Comfort Analysis of Combined Radiation-Convection Floor Heating System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-15, March.
    4. De la Cruz-Loredo, Iván & Zinsmeister, Daniel & Licklederer, Thomas & Ugalde-Loo, Carlos E. & Morales, Daniel A. & Bastida, Héctor & Perić, Vedran S. & Saleem, Arslan, 2023. "Experimental validation of a hybrid 1-D multi-node model of a hot water thermal energy storage tank," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 332(C).
    5. Benakopoulos, Theofanis & Tunzi, Michele & Salenbien, Robbe & Vanhoudt, Dirk & Svendsen, Svend, 2021. "Low return temperature from domestic hot-water system based on instantaneous heat exchanger with chemical-based disinfection solution," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 215(PB).
    6. Sarran, Lucile & Smith, Kevin M. & Hviid, Christian A. & Rode, Carsten, 2022. "Grey-box modelling and virtual sensors enabling continuous commissioning of hydronic floor heating," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 261(PB).
    7. Tunzi, Michele & Benakopoulos, Theofanis & Yang, Qinjiang & Svendsen, Svend, 2023. "Demand side digitalisation: A methodology using heat cost allocators and energy meters to secure low-temperature operations in existing buildings connected to district heating networks," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 264(C).
    8. Østergaard, Dorte Skaarup & Tunzi, Michele & Svendsen, Svend, 2021. "What does a well-functioning heating system look like? Investigation of ten Danish buildings that utilize district heating efficiently," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    9. Antoine Reguis & Behrang Vand & John Currie, 2021. "Challenges for the Transition to Low-Temperature Heat in the UK: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-26, November.
    10. Theofanis Benakopoulos & William Vergo & Michele Tunzi & Robbe Salenbien & Svend Svendsen, 2021. "Overview of Solutions for the Low-Temperature Operation of Domestic Hot-Water Systems with a Circulation Loop," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-25, June.

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