Heat Distribution Network Control for Off-Peak Loss Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Heat distribution networks experience high losses during off-peak times due to continuous circulation of the heat transfer medium, even when heat demand is low, leading to inefficiencies and potential security of supply issues.
Innovation Solution
The network is designed to switch off the heating or cooling station during off-peak periods, with a heat carrier being conveyed from the return line to consumers in two stages: initially with a predefinable amount of heat, and subsequently with a smaller or zero heat input, minimizing unused heat in the flow line and optimizing heat supply through temperature and demand-based control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the heat distribution network operates continuously to supply heat to consumers, then the security of supply is maintained, but heat losses increase during off-peak times when heat demand is low
Solution Approach 1:
The heat distribution network switches between different operational modes (continuous operation during peak demand, temporary shutdown during off-peak periods) based on actual heat demand. This periodic action allows the system to minimize energy losses when consumers require minimal heat while maintaining security of supply when demand increases.
Solution Approach 2:
Accumulators at consumer locations store heat in advance during periods when the network is operational. This preliminary storage of thermal energy allows the network to be temporarily switched off without compromising security of supply, as stored heat bridges the period until the network resumes operation.
2Loss of energy
If the heat distribution network is switched off temporarily to reduce heat losses, then energy efficiency improves, but the security of supply is endangered when consumers need heat
Solution Approach 1:
Heat is stored in accumulators before the network shutdown, creating a thermal buffer that ensures consumers can meet their heat requirements even when the network is offline. This preliminary heat storage resolves the contradiction by preparing the system in advance for potential supply interruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the thermal inertia and stored heat in accumulators to automatically bridge the period when the network is switched off, without requiring active intervention. The stored heat naturally sustains consumers through the shutdown period, making the system self-sufficient during off-peak times.
3Reliability
If the heat distribution network is put back into operation quickly to meet consumer demand, then security of supply is maintained, but heat losses increase due to heating the entire pipeline length
Solution Approach 1:
Accumulators are pre-charged with heat before network shutdown, creating a thermal buffer that delays the need for network restart. This preliminary preparation reduces the frequency and urgency of restart operations, thereby minimizing the energy losses associated with heating long pipeline lengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat storage function is extracted from the central heating station and distributed to individual consumer locations through accumulators. This decentralization of thermal storage allows the network to operate independently at consumer sites, reducing the need for centralized pipeline heating and associated losses.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces heat losses and ensures efficient heat distribution by minimizing unused heat in the network, maintaining security of supply and enhancing overall efficiency by matching heat delivery with actual consumer demand.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid heat carrier circulates in the pipes, mostly water, which is heated in a heating station and transported to the consumers. Heat is extracted from the heat transfer medium in the consumers
Implementation Method 2
the heat transfer medium, which is transported to the consumer in the supply line and removed from there again via the return line... to supply heat to it in the case of a district heating network
Implementation Method 3
the heat transfer medium can undergo a phase change at the user's location in order in this way to supply or remove latent heat. For example, the heat carrier can be steam, which condenses at the consumer's site and in this way releases the heat of vaporization
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a heat distribution network (5) with at least one supply line (51) and at least one return line (52) and with at least one consumer (1) and at least one heating or cooling station (55), the consumer (1) having a device for Contains detection of a heat requirement, which is set up to report the heat requirement to the heating or cooling station (55), which is set up to, in a first method step, take a first predefinable quantity of a heat transfer medium from the return line (52) via the flow line ( 51) to the consumer (1), with a first amount of heat being supplied to or removed from the heat transfer medium and then, in a second method step, a second predeterminable amount of the heat transfer medium being conveyed from the return line (52) via the flow line (51) to the consumer (1 ) to promote, wherein the heat transfer medium, a second, lower amount of heat is supplied or removed. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for heat distribution within a heat distribution network.