Hydroelectric Power Generation Using Differential Pressure of District Heating Pipe in a Thermal Grid

Abstract

When the hot water for district heating (DH) is supplied through a thermal grid, a pressure differential control valve (PDCV) in a substation protects the users’ equipment from the high pressure water and helps to supply DH water to long distance. It also controls the constant temperature and adjusts the constant pressure in the thermal grid. However, cavitation occurs in PDCV due to the use of high pressure DH water. It causes frequent failures, many problems and energy losses. It makes a complaint to both the operator and the user. In order to solve these problems, we will introduce the hydroelectric power generation method to replace PDCV with hydraulic turbine, convert the unused differential pressure within a DH pipe into electricity.