Circulation simulation
Fundamentals of circulation simulation
In recent years, thermal control valves have increasingly been used for the hydraulic balancing of circulation systems in drinking water installations. It has become apparent in the past that, for this valve technology, conventional methods of pipe network calculation do not sufficiently ensure or verify temperature control within the pipe network. The reason for this lies in the dynamics of such pipe networks. If, for example, the pump characteristic curve does not exactly match the desired operating point (which is common in practice), the operating point does not shift along the pipe network characteristic curve, as is the case with static valve technology; rather, the entire characteristic curve of the network, the volume flows and the Kv values of the control valves change.
As conventional pipe network calculations only model a static/theoretical scenario, new methods are required for such networks to verify that the network is functioning correctly.
In response to this, Dendrit, in collaboration with Münster University of Applied Sciences, has developed a circulation simulation which builds on existing pipe network calculations and is capable of modelling the actual operating conditions as accurately as possible.
As this simulation takes into account more than just the design range of the valves, it is also possible to carry out simulations for scenarios such as disinfection, thereby ensuring that the temperatures required for this are achieved throughout the entire network.
Further information can be found on our YouTube channel.
