On the theoretical axial resistance of district heating joints

Abstract

District heating networks consist of different pipe segments, straight pipes, pipe bends and T-branches, which are connected on site. A large number of connections must therefore be made in order to create a branched district heating network. In this paper the state of art in pipeline engineering is reviewed and analyzed for the determination of the theoretical axial resistance of district heating joints, since an anchor effect of the joints was expected. Based on the findings a calculation method for the expected resistance is proposed and in a parameter study the deviations to a straight pipe are shown for typical joint applications.