Hydraulic calculation of the heating system
Modern heating systems often operate in non-stationary hydraulic and thermal modes, which requires a particularly careful approach to their design. The key points for an efficient heating system are:
- supply of heat carriers in a volume sufficient to ensure the thermal balance in the premises, taking into account the ambient temperature;
- minimization of operating costs for overcoming the resistance of the heating network;
- reducing the cost of creating a heating system, which depends on the selected diameters of hydraulic pipes;
- reliability, stability and quietness.
To ensure the listed requirements for the operation of the heating system, a hydraulic calculation is performed - one of the most important stages in the design of a heating network. In the course of its implementation, the following tasks are solved:
- Determination of the diameter of pipelines in all sections of the heating network, taking into account the speed of movement of the coolant. First of all, hydraulic pipe must ensure the minimum movement of the coolant within 0.2-0.3 m /with. This speed is sufficient to remove air bubbles that can form plugs. In this case, the selected diameter of pipes and fittings should not lead to the appearance of noise in the system.
- Calculation of hydraulic pressure loss. The hydraulic resistance of the heating system is determined as the sum of the pressure losses in the individual sections that make up the main circulation ring. When calculating these indicators, the dimensions of hydraulic pipes, the coefficient of resistance and hydraulic friction, the density of the coolant, etc. are taken into account.
- Hydraulic balancing of all system elements using control valves. This is necessary to distribute the coolant in the system in accordance with the thermal loads of the circulating rings. Balancing valves of manual or automatic regulation are used for linking.
- Determination of the heating agent flow rate. This indicator is calculated based on the previously determined pressure losses in the sections of the system, and directly depends on it.
The indicators obtained as a result of the calculations performed serve as the basis for determining capital investment, identifying the characteristics of the required equipment, its quantity and optimal placement points. Competent calculation and correct installation is a guarantee of a long-term service of the heating system at home.
