Energy Saving through Automation of the Lightweight Floor Heating System

Abstract

The overview of the literature sources showed that over the last decade, the attention to the study of heat transfer processes with the automation and periodic use of underfloor heating systems has increased significantly. The aim of this study was to investigate the heat flux density from the surface of the lightweight floor heating system dependence on different parameters. These parameters are material of the finishing coating, average temperature difference between indoor air and heat carrier, heat carrier temperature and its flow rate, thickness of the thermal insulation layout under the lightweight floor heating system. The article shows results of both experimental and computational modelling studies of the lightweight floor heating system which was operated in different regimes and with different (ceramic tile and laminate) finishing coatings. A new experimental stand has been created in the thermophysical laboratory of the Institute of Engineering Thermophysics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine for the purposes of experimental studies. For the purposes of comparison of different operational regimes as well as the determination of the energy saving through automation of the operation regimes of the lightweight floor heating system, the CFD modelling was conducted. The results showed that such systems have significant potential for automation and heat supply purposes of different premises since they have low thermal inertia due to the absence of the concrete screed monolith. On the other hand, the research showed that use of quantitative regulation of the lightweight floor heating system, by reducing the flow of the heat carrier is more effective in this case than qualitative with change of heat carrier temperature.