Comparative Thermal Performance Analysis of Coaxial Versus Conventional Pipes in District Heating Distribution Systems

Natalia Nuño-Villanueva, Ignacio Martín Nieto, Cristina Sáez Blázquez (), Enrique González-González, Miguel Ángel Maté-González, Víctor Pérez Fernández, Arturo Farfán Martín and Diego González-Aguilera
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Natalia Nuño-Villanueva: Department of Cartographic and Land Engineering, Higher Polytechnic School of Avila, University of Salamanca, 05003 Avila, Spain
Ignacio Martín Nieto: Department of Cartographic and Land Engineering, Higher Polytechnic School of Avila, University of Salamanca, 05003 Avila, Spain
Cristina Sáez Blázquez: Department of Cartographic and Land Engineering, Higher Polytechnic School of Avila, University of Salamanca, 05003 Avila, Spain
Enrique González-González: Department of Cartographic and Land Engineering, Higher Polytechnic School of Avila, University of Salamanca, 05003 Avila, Spain
Miguel Ángel Maté-González: Department of Cartographic and Land Engineering, Higher Polytechnic School of Avila, University of Salamanca, 05003 Avila, Spain
Víctor Pérez Fernández: Department of Cartographic and Land Engineering, Higher Polytechnic School of Avila, University of Salamanca, 05003 Avila, Spain
Arturo Farfán Martín: Department of Cartographic and Land Engineering, Higher Polytechnic School of Avila, University of Salamanca, 05003 Avila, Spain
Diego González-Aguilera: Department of Cartographic and Land Engineering, Higher Polytechnic School of Avila, University of Salamanca, 05003 Avila, Spain

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 22, 1-24

Abstract: District heating systems play a pivotal role in providing efficient and sustainable heating solutions for urban areas. In this sense, district heating systems that use geothermal resources have been gaining prominence in recent years, due to the non-intermittent nature of their application, among many other reasons. The present study investigates the thermal performance of novel coaxial pipes in comparison to conventional pipes within district heating distribution networks supplied by geothermal energy. Through experimental simulation and analysis, key thermal parameters such as heat transfer efficiency, thermal losses, and overall system effectiveness are evaluated through laboratory tests developed on a scale model. Experimental analysis concludes that, at a laboratory scale, heat energy efficiency can be improved by around 37% regarding the traditional geothermal distribution network. This improvement translates into a significant economic and environmental impact that has a direct influence on the viability of this type of system in different application scenarios. The results highlight the potential benefits of coaxial pipe designs in enhancing heat transfer efficiency and minimizing thermal losses, thus offering insights for optimizing geothermal district heating infrastructure for improved energy efficiency and sustainability. The novelty of this study lies in the innovative design and experimental validation of coaxial pipes, which demonstrate a 37% improvement in heat energy efficiency over conventional pipe designs in geothermal district heating systems, offering a breakthrough in optimizing heat transfer and minimizing thermal losses.

Keywords: district heating; geothermal energy; thermal efficiency; pipeline (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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