CORSO DI LAUREA SPECIALISTICA IN

INGEGNERIA MECCANICA
NUMERICAL DESIGN OF THERMAL SYSTEMS

Academic Year 2014-2015

PRACTICE 1

DESIGN OF A DISTRICT HEATING NETWORK

PART 1: System description and preliminary calculations

The goal of this work is the design of a district heating network (DHN). In this practice the
maximum thermal demand for the various users (buildings) connected to the district heating
network is assigned, therefore the network design can be performed as the first step. Then the
calculation of the mass flow rates in the branches and pressure at the nodes can be carried out.
Finally, the temperature at each node can be evaluated.

Figures 1a and 1b show a schematic of the district heating network. The supply network is
presented in Fig. 1a and the return network in Fig. 1b. The numeration corresponds to the various
nodes, i.e. the users or junctions between three or more pipes. Node 0 is the thermal plant. Same
node enumeration is used for the supply network and the return network. The total pumping power
is provided by a pump installed along branch 0-1 of the supply network. No pumps are installed
along the return network. The length of each branch is shown in Table 2.

Figure 1a: Schematic of the supply network.

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 NUMERICAL DESIGN OF THERMAL SYSTEMS - PRACTICE

Figure 1b: Schematic of the return network.

Table 2. Length of the various branches Table 3. Maximum thermal demand of the
buildings
Max
User demand
(MW)
Branch Lenght (m) Branch Lenght (m) 7 5.5
0-1 660 4-16 240 12 9.4-A
1-2 260 10-15 330 13 7.5
2-10 360 1-15 380 14 9.2-B
2-3 500 3-17 400 16 12.3+2*A
3-4 100 17-14 720
18 3.6
4-5 380 1-18 20
5-6 400 2-19 20 19 11.2+B
6-7 140 10-20 20 20 6.4+B
6-8 300 3-21 20 21 0.9
8-9 180 4-22 20 22 15.5-B
9-10 60 5-23 50
23 10.4+2*A
9-11 180 6-24 50
11-12 160 15-25 50
24 9.1-B
11-13 120 8-26 70 25 2.4+B
5-17 180 26 9.6-A

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Table 3 shows the maximum thermal demand of the 14 users. Values change for each group of
students, as the function of the parameters A and B which are different for each group of students.

The following fluid dynamic resistance coefficients are considered:

1) local resistance of the T junctions (each pipe) =2;
2) local resistance of 90° curves =0.9;
3) local resistance of the 45° curves =0.3;
4) friction factor in pipes f = 0.014

Design is first conducted by considering the tree shaped network, without the dashed branches. A
maximum velocity of 1.5 m/s is assumed for water in pipes with diameter smaller than 450 mm and
2.5 m/s in larger diameters. In addition, the following commercial diameters of pre-insulated pipes
are considered (internal diameters): 50 mm, 75 mm, 100 mm, 125 mm, 250 mm, 300 mm, 350 mm,
400 mm, 450 mm, 500 mm, 600 mm, 800 mm.
A nominal supply temperature of 120 °C is assumed (water is kept in pressurized conditions p>2.5
bar in order to prevent from evaporation), while the return temperature is 65 °C.

PART 2: Required calculations

The following data should be obtained:

2.1. Diameter of the pipes.

2.2. Mass flow rate in each branch and pressure in each node for both the supply and return
networks so that the maximum demand of the users is satisfied, while complying with the various
constraints: minimum pressure drop available at the users equal to 2 bar; minimum pressure at the
thermal plant (node 0 on the return network) equal to 2.5 bar. This last constraint should be ensured
by selecting a proper pressure rise of the pump installed along the supply line (Fig. 1a).

2.3. Temperature at the nodes for the supply network and then for the return network.
Assume pipes as insulated with 5 mm of polyurethane (=0.03 W/mK) and the ground temperature
equal to 15 °C.

PART 3: Optional calculations (the following calculations are not mandatory)

Consider the new layout of the supply network depicted in Fig 2. Now a second pump (in red) is
installed. In Fig. 2 the pump is depicted along branch 2-10 just for illustrative purposes (i.e. the
pump could be installed along any other branch of the supply network). The return network is
unchanged (Fig. 1b). Repeat the calculations required in 2.2 given the new supply network layout.
In particular considerer the following steps:

3.1. Identify an appropriate branch along which the pump (in red) should be installed.

3.2. Ensure that the same constraints listed in 2.2 are fulfilled. Now a proper pressure rise for
both pumps should be selected.

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 NUMERICAL DESIGN OF THERMAL SYSTEMS - PRACTICE

Figure 2: Schematic of the supply network with two pumps.

PART 4: Assignments

Main Assignments for PRACTICE 1

Each Group of students should deliver the following documents/files

1. The MATLAB script(s) that perform the computations required for Practice 1

2. A report (MAX 8 pages) that lists the results required in PART 2 of this practice and
describes the MATLAB script(s).

3. The contribution statement table (filled and signed) for Practice 1.

A draft version of the documents/files should be sent to adriano.sciacovelli@polito.it before

December 6th for revision. A feedback will be givem to the groups about 1 week later.

The final version of documents/files should be sent to adriano.sciacovelli@polito.it at least

one week before the final exam.

Remark 1: A student can take the final exam only if his/her Group has delivered the
documents/files indicated in PART 4.

Remark 2: The groups that perform the optional calculations (PART 3) should report the
results for PART 3 in two additional pages. That is, the complete report should have up to
MAX 10 pages. The MATLAB script(s) that perform calculations for PART 3 is also
requested.

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