Virtual Heat Metering for Central Thermal Energy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat metering systems for central heating installations, particularly those with riser-type supply systems, are economically inefficient and inaccurate due to the need for multiple sensors and invasive installations, and indirect methods fail to account for varying thermal energy usage and losses.
Innovation Solution
A virtual heat-meter system that estimates thermal energy exchange by measuring main flow rate, temperature, and pressure at key points in the supply circuit, eliminating the need for individual heat metering devices and using a thermal and fluid dynamic model to calculate energy consumption for each accommodation unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If direct heat metering systems are installed at each heating unit in riser-type supply systems, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the measurement function by installing sensors only at the main supply points (delivery and return) rather than at each individual heating unit. The thermal energy for each accommodation unit is then calculated by segmenting the flow rate and temperature measurements according to the specific supply circuit configuration and heating unit characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary calculation model that mediates between the limited sensor measurements at main supply points and the required individual heating unit energy measurements. The model uses thermal and fluid dynamic calculations to derive the energy consumption of each heating unit based on the measured main supply parameters and the specific characteristics of each heating unit.
2Measurement precision
If flow rate sensors are installed at each heating unit, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of manufacture and installation deteriorate due to space constraints and turbulence requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the flow rate measurement function from the individual heating units and consolidates it at the main supply points. By measuring the total flow rate at the main supply and return lines, the system eliminates the need for flow rate sensors at each heating unit, thereby removing the installation space and turbulence requirement constraints.
3Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors and flow rate sensors are installed at each heating unit, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of energy increases due to the energy consumption of the sensors and electronic systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the measurement functions by consolidating temperature and flow rate measurements at the main supply points rather than distributing them to each heating unit. This consolidation reduces the total number of sensors and electronic systems required, thereby reducing the overall energy consumption of the measurement system while maintaining the ability to accurately measure thermal energy at each heating unit through calculated derivation.
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 the number of sensors and devices required, enhances measurement accuracy, and allows for precise estimation of thermal energy consumption, even in complex or transient conditions, while simplifying installation and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a flow rate sensor arranged for measuring a flow rate of the heat carrier fluid flowing in the supply circuit
Implementation Method 2
two temperature sensors arranged for measuring temperatures of the heat carrier fluid in the supply circuit
Implementation Method 3
a first and a second pressure sensor arranged for measuring pressures of the heat carrier fluid in the supply circuit
Implementation Method 4
a thermal and fluid dynamic model for calculating, in response to the measured main signals, thermal energy exchange between the central thermal installation and the user complex
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
What is described is a virtual heat metering system (10), comprising: a plurality of sensors (12, 14, 16, 18, 20), adapted to be associated with a supply circuit of a central thermal installation (I) and arranged for supplying main signals (Qman., Tman., Trit., Pman., Prit., s) indicative of physical quantities representing the operation of the supply circuit (C) in a predetermined period of time (?tTOT); a control apparatus (22), comprising: - a memory module (23) arranged for storing a thermal and fluid dynamic model (M) defined initially and representing the central thermal installation (I), identified on the basis of physical quantities representing the operation of the supply circuit (C) and the heat exchanger devices (H1,1,..., H1,n1; H2,1,..., H2,n2;...; Hm,1,..., Hm,nm), detected in specified conditions of operation and stimulation of the installation (I); and data representing the variation of said main signals (Qman., Tman., Trit., Pman., Prit., s) in the period of time (?TOT); and - a processing unit (24), arranged for receiving at its input the data representing the variation of the main signals (Qman., Tman., Trit., Pman., Prit., s) in the period of time (?tTOT), and configured to process these data according to the thermal and fluid dynamic model (M) and to supply at its output the data (Ê1,1,..., Ê1,n1:Ê2,1,..., Ê2,n2;...;Êm,1,..., Êm,nm) which represent the estimate of the thermal energy (E1,1,..., E1,n1:E2,1,..., E2,n2;...;Em,1,..., Em,nm) individually exchanged between each heat exchanger device (H1,1,..., H1,n1:H2,1,..., H2,n2;...;Hm,1,..., Hm,nm) and the corresponding thermal user (U1,..., Um).