Real-Time District Heating Pipe Network Analysis from Demand Data

The patent introduces an intermediary calculation model that uses measured data from endpoints (heat source and consumers) along with pipe network topology and heat transfer coefficients to infer intermediate states. This mediator approach allows derivation of temperature and flow rate at unmeasured locations without installing additional sensors throughout the network, thus maintaining system simplicity while improving information completeness.

The patent segments the pipe network into discrete sections with defined topology relationships. By dividing the network into manageable segments and applying heat transfer calculations to each segment individually based on measured endpoint data, the system achieves real-time information on intermediate states without requiring a monolithic complex calculation system. Each segment can be processed independently using the same methodology.

The system uses the measured endpoint data itself to generate comprehensive information about the entire network state. By leveraging the existing measurements and combining them with pipe network topology and heat transfer models, the system makes the measurement data serve multiple purposes - not only indicating consumer receipt of heat but also revealing intermediate temperature and flow conditions, enabling both monitoring and optimization functions without additional sensors.