Energy Conservation of Domestic Hot Water Distribution Systems

conference paper

English

This paper is the result of complex research done on domestic hot water (DHW) distribution systems in existing apartment buildings in the Czech Republic. Even though the monitoring of technical, hygienical and economical aspects cannot be distinct, this paper is particularly aimed at finding a means of lowering operational costs of the monitored systems. The purpose of this paper is to determine requirements for the optimal thermal insulation thickness of DHW distribution pipes on the basis of a derived mathematical model that expresses the problem of heat transport through cylindrical surfaces and detailed diagnostics of the existing systems. Recorded in the work are examples of experimental monitoring results from a DHW system in an existing building, and numerical calculations for the energy conservation potential by several means of thermal insulating. It was discovered that the optimal thickness of thermal insulation for the given case, resulting from economic criteria, is beyond the current, realistic limit, which is why it is necessary to proceed from the determination of all the boundary conditions for its design. Another discovery is that the monitored systems have a distinct energy conservation potential, mainly due to insufficient thermal insulation.

The Czech republic, apartment buildings, domestic hot water distribution systems, experimental monitoring, mathematic model of heat transfer, heat losses of pipes, optimal thickness of heat insulation, energy conservation potential.

BÁRTA, L.

2001

17. 9. 2001

Univerzita v Mariboru

Maribor

B6-1

10