Method for the open-loop and closed-loop control of a heating system

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the open-loop and closed-loop control of a heating system in a building, wherein the heating system comprises at least one heating circuit having a flow and a return, wherein at least one controllable valve for controlling the volume flow is arranged in the flow and / or in the return, and wherein at least one sensor for detecting heating variables is associated with the heating system and / or the building, wherein the controllable valve and the sensor are coupled to an open-loop and closed-loop control device, wherein the open-loop and closed-loop control device combines a predicted flow and / or return temperature with determined heating variables and, based on this combination, generates control commands for the controllable valve and transmits the generated control commands to the controllable valve, wherein the control commands cause the controllable valve to change the volume flow in accordance with the predicted flow and / or return temperature and an expected output and heating curve of the building.

Description

[0001] Method for controlling and regulating a heating system

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The invention relates to a method for controlling and regulating a heating system in a building, wherein the heating system comprises at least one heating circuit with a flow and a return.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] The building sector plays a crucial role in energy consumption and the associated CO2 emissions. A key aspect here is the energy demand for heating and hot water production. Inefficiencies in this area often arise from a number of problems, such as oversized, defective, or poorly maintained boilers, pumps, and / or hot water tanks. In many cases, inadequate hydraulic balancing of the system or subsystem can also contribute to increased energy consumption. Incorrectly performed hydraulic balancing can also lead to uneven heating of rooms. Incorrect measures, such as changing the settings of the heating circuit pump and / or the flow temperature control of the heat generation, can result in increased noise and energy consumption.All of these factors not only contribute to energy waste, but can also shorten the lifespan of heating systems and lead to unnecessary additional costs.

[0006] Object of the invention The object of the invention is therefore to provide a method which at least partially eliminates the disadvantages mentioned above and enables a more energy-efficient operation of a heating system in a building.

[0007] Inventive solution

[0008] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method for controlling and regulating a heating system in a building according to the independent claim. Advantageous developments and refinements of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0009] Accordingly, a method is provided for controlling and regulating a heating system in a building, wherein the heating system comprises at least one heating circuit with a flow and a return, wherein at least one controllable valve for controlling the volume flow is arranged in the flow and / or return, and wherein at least one sensor for detecting heating variables is assigned to the heating system and / or the building, wherein the controllable valve and the sensor are coupled to a control and regulating device, wherein the control and regulating device a) receives heating variables detected by the sensor, b) determines environmental data related to the geographical position of the building, wherein the environmental data comprises historical, current and / or forecast environmental data, c) combines the received heating variables with the determined environmental data and, based on this combination, determines an expected performance and heating curve for the building,d) based on the expected performance and heating curve of the building and based on the environmental data determined at the geographical location of the building, a predicted flow and / or return temperature is determined, and e) the predicted flow and / or return temperature is combined with the received heating variables and, based on this combination, control commands are generated for the controllable valve and the generated control commands are transmitted to the controllable valve, whereby the control commands cause the controllable valve to change the volume flow according to the predicted flow and / or return temperature and the expected performance and heating curve of the building.

[0010] This advantageously allows adaptive and proactive intervention in the control of the heating circuit's flow rate, keeping the return temperature consistently low without compromising comfort. The consistently low return temperature ensures more efficient heat transfer to the room, resulting in lower energy consumption.

[0011] It may be advantageous if the environmental data is provided by an environmental data service, wherein determining the environmental data comprises querying the environmental data from the environmental data service.

[0012] In one embodiment of the invention, the predicted environmental data comprises a predicted outside temperature, wherein the predicted outside temperature comprises the outside temperature at a future point in time.

[0013] It can be advantageous to determine when and what amount of energy will be consumed in the heating circuit from a combination of historical heating variables with historical environmental data that are related to each other in time and geography, whereby the determined amount of energy is included in the calculation of the forecast flow and return temperatures.

[0014] It may also be advantageous to combine the received heating variables with the determined historical environmental data in order to determine the expected performance and heating curve of the building.

[0015] In one embodiment of the invention, the heating variables detected by the sensor can be validated based on context information assigned or assignable to the sensor, wherein invalid heating variables are discarded and wherein valid heating variables are used as heating variables in the above-mentioned steps c) and e).

[0016] In one embodiment of the invention, the received heating variables, the determined environmental data and the predicted flow and return temperatures can each be stored as an event in an event streaming platform.

[0017] When saving a new event, steps a) to e) or parts of them can be executed again automatically.

[0018] In one embodiment of the invention, in step d), the predicted flow and / or return temperature is determined based on the expected performance and heating curve of the building and based on the predicted environmental data at the geographical position of the building.

[0019] Short description of the characters

[0020] Details and features, particularly advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention, will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the drawing. It shows:

[0021] Fig. 1 shows the components required for the implementation of a method according to the invention;

[0022] Fig. 2 is a flow chart of the method according to the invention; and

[0023] Fig. 3 shows a temperature curve of a flow temperature together with a return temperature without a hydraulic balancing according to the invention and with a return temperature with a hydraulic balancing according to the invention.

[0024] Detailed description of the invention The present invention is based on carrying out the hydraulic balancing of a heating system adaptively and thereby compensating the existing imbalance in the system with little material expenditure.

[0025] From a physical perspective, water follows the path of least resistance. If this principle is observed when planning a heating system or water supply, all system components will be supplied with the required flow rates at the right time by adjusting the flow resistances accordingly. To achieve this, hydraulic balancing is or should be performed.

[0026] Hydraulic balancing is the process of adjusting the volume flows in the individual subsystems to the target volume flows calculated in the planning, in such a way that the appropriate amount of water (and thus also the appropriate amount of energy) is made available at any time and at any location.

[0027] Flowing water in a pipe system experiences resistance due to friction losses on the pipe wall and fittings in the pipe installation, resulting in a pressure loss. The farther a consumer is from the heat source / pump, the greater the resistance from the existing pipe network. Because water always takes the path of least resistance, in an unbalanced system, the most distant consumers are insufficiently supplied with heating water.

[0028] In an unregulated state, i.e. without hydraulic balancing, the water is distributed according to the hydraulic principle. The most water flows through the heating pipes with the shortest pipe length (and correspondingly the lowest resistance), while the least water flows through the heating pipe with the longest pipe length. The consumers in the hydraulically favorably located risers are oversupplied, i.e. the differential pressure across the consumers is so high that the water flows very quickly through the heat exchangers and does not have sufficient time to effectively transfer heat to the ambient air. Consequently, the return temperature in the hydraulically favorably located branch is very high (temperature difference between flow and return less than 10 Kelvin, or even less than 5 Kelvin). In addition, the high differential pressure and the associated high flow velocities can cause loud flow noises at the radiator valves.The hydraulically unfavorable heating circuits are undersupplied due to pressure loss in the pipes, as the required amount of water cannot be provided as needed. As a result, the target flow rate is not achieved, and the individual consumers do not deliver the required performance.

[0029] An incorrect approach to solving this problem would be to increase the circulation pump's power (or to regulate a corresponding pump in the supply line). While it may be possible to adequately supply the hydraulically least favorable heat transfer surfaces, the problems in hydraulically favorable heat transfer surfaces worsen, and the pump's power consumption (and thus energy costs) increase. Controlling or regulating the pump also has the disadvantage that the control of the heating system, at least with regard to the pump, depends on the pump used. Depending on the manufacturer and age of the pump, different approaches may need to be pursued.

[0030] Raising the flow temperature would have a similar effect: Here, too, the hydraulically least favorable heat transfer surfaces can be better supplied, but the oversupply of the hydraulically most favorable heat transfer surfaces also increases. In both cases, although it is ensured that even the least favorable heat transfer surfaces (e.g., radiators) are adequately supplied with thermal energy, heating costs and energy consumption rise significantly. Another disadvantage is that intervention in the control system of the heat generators (e.g., boilers) would be necessary, which would lead to a multitude of individual solutions.

[0031] By means of hydraulic balancing, however, the resistances in the heating circuits are adjusted using valves that limit the volume flow.

[0032] With adaptive hydraulic balancing, as provided by the invention, a setpoint of a continuously acting control device is automatically determined based on measured variables and continuously or repeatedly adjusted. Future changes in operating conditions in the hydraulic system are responded to adaptively and proactively, thus preventing the specified setpoint from being exceeded during design and partial load conditions.

[0033] Adaptive methods are known from the prior art. Unlike the present invention, however, these do not operate predictively, but rather only react when operating conditions change, such as a change in room temperature. The central control variable in such prior art methods is usually the room temperature, as is the case with the method known from EP 3 614 055 B1. A control system detects at which water flows the desired room temperature is reached and makes the appropriate adjustments. Accordingly, the adjustment always lags behind, resulting in unnecessary energy consumption.

[0034] The method according to the invention uses sensors and actuators that automatically adjust control valves in the pipeline network to ensure the flow rate meets demand. Control is carried out by a control algorithm implemented in a central control unit.

[0035] Fig. 1 shows the components required for the implementation of a method according to the invention.

[0036] The heating system in a building comprises at least one heating circuit with a flow line V and a return line R, wherein at least one controllable valve 10 for controlling the volume flow in the heating circuit is arranged in the flow line V and / or in the return line R. In the embodiment shown here, the controllable valve 20 is arranged in the return line R. The heating system and / or the building is assigned at least one sensor 20 for detecting heating variables (according to the embodiment shown here, the return temperature in the return line R is detected by the sensor 20). The controllable valve 10 and the sensor 20 are coupled to a control and regulating device 30. The control and regulating device 30 can further be coupled to an environmental data service 40.The environmental data service 40 can, for example, be an internet-based service that provides historical, current, and / or forecast environmental data (e.g., temperature, wind speed, etc.) that can be queried by the control and regulation device 30. The environmental data is preferably queried based on the geographical location of the building.

[0037] Fig. 2 shows a flow chart of the method according to the invention, with which the method according to the invention is described in more detail.

[0038] In a first step S1, the control and regulating device 30 receives heating variables detected by the sensor 20. In the embodiment shown here, the heating variable is the return temperature in the return line R.

[0039] The recorded heating variables can be validated based on context information assigned to the sensor or assignable to it. Based on the context information assigned to the sensor, it can be determined whether the heating variable provided by the sensor is valid or not. For example, if the measured return temperature lies outside a certain temperature range, this value can be classified as invalid and discarded. Invalid sensor values ​​are thus disregarded in the further process.

[0040] Assigning context information to a sensor has the advantage that the sensor itself only needs to provide a measured value and a sensor identifier. Based on the sensor identifier, it can be determined, for example, which sensor or type of sensor is involved. The assignment of the sensor identifier to the context information can be done, for example, in a so-called master data management system. Each sensor is assigned a unique identifier, and each identifier is assigned context information; context information can also be assigned to multiple sensor identifiers. Only by assigning a sensor identifier to context information is it determined which sensor is involved and how the sensor values ​​provided by the sensor are to be interpreted. This allows any sensor to be integrated into the system, increasing flexibility. Example: Sensor 20 provides the measured value "30."The sensor is assigned the unique identifier "AF234CD." In the master data management system, the identifier "AF234CD" is assigned the context information that this is a temperature sensor that provides the measured temperature in the unit "°C." The measured value "30" is therefore the temperature value "30°C." If the context information also contains the information that this is a return temperature, a decision can be made as to whether the measured return temperature is valid. In the following, it is assumed that the heating variable recorded by sensor 20 is valid.

[0041] In step S2, the control and regulating device 30 determines environmental data related to the geographical location of the building. The environmental data may include historical, current, and / or forecast environmental data, for example, historical, current, and / or forecast temperature values ​​at the geographical location of the building.

[0042] In step S3, the control and regulation device 30 combines the received heating variables (e.g., the return temperature) with the determined environmental data. Based on this combination, an expected performance and heating curve for the building is then determined. Specifically, an expected performance and heating curve for the building is determined from the combination of the historical environmental data with the received heating variables.

[0043] Based on the expected performance and heating curve of the building, a predicted return temperature is determined in step S4, taking into account the forecast environmental data (e.g., the expected outside temperature in the coming hour). Alternatively or additionally, a predicted supply temperature can also be determined in this way.

[0044] According to the invention, the predicted return temperature depends on the predicted environmental data, such as the expected outside temperature in the coming hour. The return temperature in the coming hour can thus be adjusted depending on the outside temperature in the coming hour. According to the invention, the return temperature adjustment is "predictive" by taking into account the outside temperature at a specific time t+1. By considering future environmental influences (such as the outside temperature) in the inherently slow control process, the process is stabilized. This leads to greater comfort. The primary energy required for control is also reduced.

[0045] It can be advantageous to determine when and what amount of energy will be consumed in the heating circuit from a combination of historical heating variables with historical environmental data that are related to each other in time and geographically, whereby the determined amount of energy is included in the determination of the forecast flow and return temperatures.

[0046] In a step S5, the predicted flow and / or return temperature is combined with the received heating variables. Based on this combination, control commands are generated for the controllable valve 10, and the generated control commands are transmitted to the controllable valve 10. The control commands cause the controllable valve to change the volume flow according to the predicted flow and / or return temperature. As explained above, an embodiment of the invention is shown here in which the controllable valve 10 is arranged in the return R, so that the valve 10 adjusts the volume flow in the heating circuit such that a predetermined, i.e., predicted, return temperature is established.

[0047] If, for example, the forecast outside temperature at time t+1 is below the current outside temperature (at time t), the volume flow can be throttled at time t using valve 10 in the return line R.

[0048] The adaptive hydraulic balancing according to the invention allows the return temperature to be kept consistently low over time, thereby ensuring improved energy efficiency in heat generation. Fig. 3 shows a temperature profile of a flow temperature VT together with a return temperature RO without a hydraulic balancing according to the invention and with a return temperature RM with a hydraulic balancing according to the invention. In one embodiment of the invention, the received heating variables, the determined environmental data, and the predicted flow and / or return temperature can each be stored as an event in an event streaming platform. Microservices coupled to the event streaming platform (which can be provided, for example, as software components in a cloud infrastructure) carry out the aforementioned steps.The microservices as a whole can form the control and regulation system mentioned above.

Claims

Claims 1. A method for controlling and regulating a heating system in a building, wherein the heating system comprises at least one heating circuit with a flow and a return, wherein at least one controllable valve for controlling the volume flow is arranged in the flow and / or the return, and wherein at least one sensor for detecting heating variables is assigned to the heating system and / or the building, wherein the controllable valve and the sensor are coupled to a control and regulating device, wherein the control and regulating device a) receives heating variables detected by the sensor, b) determines environmental data related to the geographical position of the building, wherein the environmental data comprises historical, current and / or forecast environmental data, c) combines the received heating variables with the determined environmental data and, based on this combination, determines an expected performance and heating curve for the building,d) based on the expected performance and heating curve of the building and based on the environmental data determined at the geographical location of the building, a predicted flow and / or return temperature is determined, and e) the predicted flow and / or return temperature is combined with the received heating variables and, based on this combination, control commands are generated for the controllable valve and the generated control commands are transmitted to the controllable valve, whereby the control commands cause the controllable valve to change the volume flow according to the predicted flow and / or return temperature and the expected performance and heating curve of the building.

2. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the environmental data is provided by an environmental data service and wherein determining the environmental data comprises querying the environmental data from the environmental data service.

3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the predicted environmental data comprises a predicted outside temperature, wherein the predicted outside temperature comprises the outside temperature at a future time.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein from a combination of historical heating variables with historical environmental data which are related to one another in time and geographically, it is determined when which amount of energy will be consumed in the heating circuit, wherein the determined amount of energy is included in the determination of the forecast flow and / or return temperature as well as the expected performance and heating curve of the building.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the received heating variables are combined with the determined historical environmental data to determine the expected performance and heating curve of the building.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heating variables detected by the sensor are validated based on context information assigned or assignable to the sensor, wherein invalid heating variables are discarded and wherein valid heating variables are used as heating variables in steps c) and e).

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the received heating variables, the determined environmental data and the predicted flow and / or return temperature are each stored as an event in an event streaming platform.

8. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein upon saving a new event, steps a) to e) or parts thereof are automatically executed again.

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in step d), the predicted flow and / or return temperature is determined based on the expected performance and heating curve of the building and based on the predicted environmental data at the geographical location of the building.

Images