The new method for hydraulic calculations of a district heating (DH) network

How to estimate the exact value of pressure losses within a district heating (DH) network been in service for decades, which a pump at pumping station should compensate to achieve maximum benefits and the lowest costs relative to the scenario of the started process of transition to 4th generation district heating (4GDH)? Geographic Information System (GIS) software Zulu© was used to model a DH network and evaluate how specific location will affect hot water flow rates. Pressure, roughness and hydraulic resistance profiles were plotted using hydraulic optimisation software ZuluThermo© – GIS Zulu© add-in. While the new arrangement does not reduce pressure losses themselves, the corrected arrangement provides economic advantage due to lower operation costs and more stable hydraulic profiles. That means that end sections of DH network between the transmission line and consumers become more effective. By calculating pressure loss and temperature degradation the method also allows to detect an optimum location to connect a new consumer where the minimum modernisation is needed. Working with data-driven network models makes it possible to obtain a lot of positive effects at the same time including the main - the DH utility sells more heat and becomes more profitable as the losses are lower. •To ensure low-temperature energy supply, its consumption for pumping is assessed.•Steady-state calculation method is used to evaluate pressure and flow distribution.•To verify, portable ultrasonic flow rate meter&traditional pressure sensors are used.•Electricity consumption is decreased by 394.74 kW, the saving effect is up to 6%.•Effect is achieved by lowering losses, clarifying friction factor&relative roughness.