Irena Gabrielaitiene
Energy Technology Institute, Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania
Bengt Sunden
Lund University
Rimantas Kacianauskas
Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Department of Strength of Materials, Saulëtekio al. 11, LT-10223 Vilnius, Lithuania
B. Bohm
Technische Universität Darmstadt, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Center of Smart Interfaces, Inst. Reactive Flows and Diagnostics, Petersenstr. 32, 64287Darmstadt
The main objective of this paper is to develop a proven model which allows the study of the non-stationary effects in district heating systems, which arc associated with time lag between heat generation and the final consumption of the heal. A finite element model was developed which incorporates one-dimensional fluid elements together with thermal elements sets. This enables a description of the fluid flow and the heat transfer considering the actual condition of the pipeline's layout. The validation of the finite element model has been carried out with previous documented results (i.e., the node and the element methods) as well as with transient temperature measurements.