Measuring systems for district heating and cooling networks

Heating and cooling account for a significant part of energy consumption worldwide. In many cases, the feed-in of thermal energy for heat supply and the use of coolants for heat dissipation in cooling networks are subject to fiscal billing. To be able to operate district heating and cooling networks as sustainably and efficiently as possible, KROHNE offers custody transfer solutions for cold and heat metering from a single source, tailored to international standards or country-specific legal requirements.

Process instrumentation for district heating networks in accordance with international standards

For energy measurements in district heating transport lines that are subject to custody transfer requirements of international standards such as MID MI-004 or EN 1434 or OIML R75 for thermal energy measurement, KROHNE supplies a package solution consisting of certified or conformity-assessed components for flow and temperature measurement with corresponding energy calculation. For the highest accuracy class 1, applications the OPTISONIC 3400 District Heating ultrasonic flowmeter provides the necessary long-term stable, drift-free measurement of the conditioned and often non-conductive water. Together with paired temperature sensors and the ERW 700 flow computer, this results in a powerful and highly accurate heat meter system.

The measuring solutions can also be supplemented with robust, compact pressure transmitters such as the OPTIBAR PM 3050 to further optimise and increase the efficiency of heating networks. These enable load-flexible, consumption-dependent pump control in order to minimise the system's energy requirements and operating costs.

Cost-effective energy measurement in cooling and heating networks

If energy measurement in district heating networks is not subject to the international custody transfer requirements, then more cost-effective solutions with the OPTISONIC 6300 clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeter can also be considered. In combination with paired temperature sensors and corresponding flow computers, the clamp-on flowmeters’ measuring accuracy meets the needs. They are so adaptable that existing heating and cooling applications can be retrofitted quickly and easily without the need to cut the pipes.

For cold water in district cooling networks and air conditioning systems of office buildings and industrial plants, high-performance OPTIFLUX 4300 or WATERFLUX 3300 electromagnetic meters are often used. They can also be conformity-assessed and approved in accordance with regulations of metrological bodies.

KROHNE can take on the entire project management for all heating and cooling applications, from consultation and design to the delivery and installation of the entire process instrumentation, including flow computers. As an essential part of this complete package for energy measurements, the scope can also include the corresponding services such as required calibrations and prescribed long-term maintenance services.