Segmented District Heating Distribution to Reduce Heat Transfer Losses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy distribution grids for heating and cooling in cities are inefficient, leading to increased environmental impact and high costs, with traditional district heating systems experiencing heat transfer losses and complexity in expansion.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for distributing energy to multiple buildings by exchanging heat at a central heat exchanger between district heat transfer fluid and local heat transfer fluid, reducing heat transfer losses and complexity, and allowing for efficient energy distribution in both heating and cooling modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional district heating grid is used to provide heating to multiple buildings, then heating coverage is improved, but heat transfer losses increase and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the district heating network into multiple local energy distribution systems, each serving a specific geographic area or building cluster. Each local system has its own heat exchanger and circulation, reducing the size of heat transfer loops and minimizing heat losses while maintaining extensive heating coverage through modular expansion
2Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional district heating grid is used to provide heating to multiple buildings, then heating coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The district heating system is segmented into multiple independent local energy distribution systems, each with standardized components. This modular approach reduces overall system complexity by breaking down a single complex network into simpler, manageable units that can be independently operated and maintained
Solution Approach 2:
Each local energy distribution system is designed with universal, standardized components and configurations that can be replicated across different locations. The heat exchangers, pumps, and control systems follow standard designs, reducing engineering complexity while allowing flexible expansion to cover multiple buildings
3Loss of energy
If heat transfer fluid temperature is reduced to minimize heat losses, then energy efficiency is improved, but insufficient heating capacity occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimizes the temperature parameters of heat transfer fluid by reducing circulation temperatures to minimize heat losses while maintaining adequate heating capacity through increased flow rates and improved heat exchanger efficiency. Local heat pumps further adjust temperatures as needed for specific building requirements
4Adaptability or versatility
If existing district heating grids are expanded to cover more areas, then heating coverage is improved, but expansion difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables easy expansion by dividing the district heating network into modular local energy distribution systems. New buildings or areas can be served by adding standalone local systems with standardized components, avoiding the need to extend complex existing networks and reducing expansion difficulty
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
The proposed system reduces heat transfer losses, lowers operational costs, and enhances energy efficiency, allowing for sustainable energy distribution solutions, especially in areas where existing district heating grids are weak or difficult to expand.
Implementation Method 1
exchanging, at a central heat exchanger, heat from an incoming flow of district heat transfer fluid of a district feed conduit in a district heating grid, the incoming flow of district heat transfer fluid having a first temperature in the range of 50-120°C, to an outgoing flow of local heat transfer fluid in a local feed conduit of a local energy distributing system
Implementation Method 2
extracting, at a local heating system in each of the plurality of buildings, each local heating system having an inlet connected to the local feed conduit, heat from the local heat transfer fluid flowing in the local feed conduit for providing hot tap water and comfort heating to the respective building
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for distributing energy to a plurality of buildings (40). The method comprising: exchanging, at a central heat exchanger (21), heat from an incoming flow of district heat transfer fluid of a district feed conduit (11) in a district heating grid (10), the incoming flow of district heat transfer fluid having a first temperature in the range of 50-120°C, to an outgoing flow of local heat transfer fluid in a local feed conduit (22) of a local energy distributing system (20), the outgoing flow of local heat transfer fluid having a temperature of 5-30°C; and extracting, at a local heating system (200) in each of the plurality of buildings (40), each local heating system (200) having an inlet (25) connected to the local feed conduit (22), heat from the local heat transfer fluid flowing in the local feed conduit (22) for providing hot tap water and/or comfort heating to the respective building (40).