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Method for achieving hydraulic balance in typical Chinese building heating systems by managing differential pressure and flow

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  • Building Systems and Components
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Abstract

Hydraulic unbalance is a common problem in Chinese district heating (DH) systems. Hydraulic unbalance has resulted in poor flow distribution among heating branches and overheating of apartments. Studies show that nearly 30% of the total heat supply is being wasted in Chinese DH systems due to a lack of pressure and flow control. This study investigated using pre-set radiator valves combined with differential pressure (DP) controllers to achieve hydraulic balance in building distribution systems, and consequently save energy and reduce the emissions. We considered a multi-storey building modelled in the IDA-ICE software, along with a self-developed mathematical hydraulic model to simulate its heat performance and hydraulic performance with various control scenarios. In contrast to the situation with no pressure or flow control, this solution achieves the required flow distribution and close-to-design room temperatures, as well as 16% heat savings, 74% pump electricity savings, and proper cooling of supply water. The energy consumption savings would therefore have positive environmental impacts, and be reflected in seasonal reductions of 2.1 kg/m2 CO2, 0.02 kg/m2 SO2, and 0.01 kg/m2 NO x for 3rd step energy efficiency buildings in Bei**g.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Civil Engineering Department, Technical University of Denmark, Brogvej Building 118, Kgs. Lyngby, 2800, Denmark

    Lipeng Zhang, Hongwei Li & Svend Svendsen

  2. Danfoss Automatic Controls Management (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. F20, Building A, No.2A Gong Ti Bei Lu, Chaoyang District, Bei**g, 100027, China

    Lipeng Zhang

  3. Building Energy Research Center, School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Bei**g, 100084, China

    Jianjun **a

  4. Danfoss A/S, Heating segment, Application Center, Nordborgvej 81, Nordborg, 6430, Denmark

    Jan Eric Thorsen & Oddgeir Gudmundsson

Authors
  1. Lipeng Zhang
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  2. Jianjun **a
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  3. Jan Eric Thorsen
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  4. Oddgeir Gudmundsson
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  5. Hongwei Li
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  6. Svend Svendsen
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Correspondence to Lipeng Zhang.

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Zhang, L., **a, J., Thorsen, J.E. et al. Method for achieving hydraulic balance in typical Chinese building heating systems by managing differential pressure and flow. Build. Simul. 10, 51–63 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12273-016-0307-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12273-016-0307-2

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