Operation of Looped District Heating Networks

Abstract

The study presents a methodology for the optimal operation of district heating networks with a circular conduit system. The authors discuss this this topic in an absolutely general form. By a special statement and solution of Kirchhoff Laws, node equations and loop equations, the hydraulic end point of the circle is determined, including the supply ratio of the consumer located at the hydraulic end point. Two objective functions are stated by the authors; one of them for the minimum of flow work, and the other for the minimum of power supplied. It is demonstrated that the objective functions yield different results. Theoretically more economical operation is ensured by the flow pattern resulting from the minimization of the power supplied.