Thermo-hydraulic coupled simulation and analysis of a real large-scale complex district heating network in Tianjin

Numerical simulation of district heating network (DHN) is essential for analysis and operational optimization of the DHN. The complex topology and large scale of the DHN lead to difficulties in the thermo-hydraulic coupled simulation. In this paper, the thermo-hydraulic coupled simulation model of a real large-scale DHN with multiple heat sources in Tianjin is established, and the actual operation data of the DHN is monitored for model validation. Results show that the relative errors of the hydraulic and thermal simulation are within ±8% and ±5%, respectively. The operation condition and energy consumption of the DHN during the heating period are analyzed with the proposed model. As the heating load increases, the heat loss ratio (HLR) and the energy consumption and heating ratio (EHR) decrease. The average HLR of the DHN is 10.1% and the average EHR is 0.0086. •Thermo-hydraulic coupled modeling of a real large-scale district heating network.•Model validation with operation data of the district heating network.•Operation condition and energy consumption analysis of the network.