Methodology for analyzing operation data for optimum district heating (DH) system design: Ten-year data of Omsk, Russia

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to provide an operation-based methodology for optimum district heating (DH) system design. The novelty is (1) analyzing long-term profiles of supply temperature, (2) considering actual DH operational data (3) considering both environmental and technical trends, (4) addressing the problems of detecting operational issues and proposing new design solutions. From the methodological point of view, the assessment methodology, that was originally defined in the statistical terms and which is able to quantify the number of temperature sojourns and quality of system management, have been implemented in the tool. Based on the temperature profiles and charts based on a statistical analysis, the flows and all supply and return temperatures may be forecasted for each actual temperature. The method indicates whether DH plant temperature control is appropriate or not; are any improvements required. The method is also able to show adjustments at the substation valves (secondary side). That means that we can analyze other DH systems and even show are they ready for transition to the 4GDH. To sum up, the main advantage of the developed method is the multiple focus on showing and proofing are any improvements of the network and control logic required.