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CFD-Based Sensitivity-Analysis and Performance Investigation of a Hydronic Road-Heating System

Author

Listed:
  • Arslan Ahmed

    (Institute of New Energy Systems, Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt, Esplanade 10, 85049 Ingolstadt, Germany)

  • Fosca Conti

    (Institute of New Energy Systems, Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt, Esplanade 10, 85049 Ingolstadt, Germany
    Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 1, 35141 Padova, Italy)

  • Michael Schießl-Widera

    (Technical Infrastructure Planning, I/P2-434 Audi AG, 85045 Ingolstadt, Germany)

  • Markus Goldbrunner

    (Institute of New Energy Systems, Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt, Esplanade 10, 85049 Ingolstadt, Germany)

Abstract

To minimize the impact of snowfall and ice formation on safety of transportation, salt is sprinkled on the asphalt every winter. However, the use of salt has economical as well as ecological disadvantages. To resolve these problems, road heating systems are used in the northern regions of Europe and America. Despite their widespread usage, considerable potential of the operational optimization is evident. The current systems are controlled under predefined weather conditions such as start of operation at 5 °C air temperature, even when snowfall is absent. Consequently, loss of energy input to heat the system is caused. To avoid unnecessary financial and energetic expense, this study presents CFD-based performance investigation as a basis for a novel predictive controller to increase the operational efficiency of hydronic road heating systems (HRS). The simulation model was developed based on a real operational HRS located in Ingolstadt and composed of bridges and ramps for a total surface of 1989 m 2 . Climate data of the years 2019–2020 from local weather stations were implemented in the simulation model for performance prediction on extreme climate conditions. This investigation identified that up to 70% of operational hours in terms of energy input can be saved by using a hypothetical predictive controller, thus making the HRS a more economically efficient and environmentally attractive alternate to conventional de-icing techniques.

Suggested Citation

  • Arslan Ahmed & Fosca Conti & Michael Schießl-Widera & Markus Goldbrunner, 2023. "CFD-Based Sensitivity-Analysis and Performance Investigation of a Hydronic Road-Heating System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-16, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:5:p:2173-:d:1078692
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Esther Asensio & Víctor J. Ferreira & Gonzalo Gil & Tatiana García-Armingol & Ana M. López-Sabirón & Germán Ferreira, 2017. "Accumulation of De-Icing Salt and Leaching in Spanish Soils Surrounding Roadways," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-19, December.
    2. Malek, Mustapha & Izem, Nouh & Mohamed, M. Shadi & Seaid, Mohammed & Wakrim, Mohamed, 2021. "Numerical solution of Rosseland model for transient thermal radiation in non-grey optically thick media using enriched basis functions," Mathematics and Computers in Simulation (MATCOM), Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 258-275.
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