Global climate change mitigation requires the fossil fuel consumption substantially reduced. Space heating is an energy-consuming sector. Despite the fact that the thermal efficiency of current space heating systems has achieved a value higher than 85%, corresponding to lower than c.e./GJ, there is still a big potential for energy conservation. In order to realize the full potential, investigations of heating systems should appeal to reversibility/exergy analysis made on total energy concept basis. This paper starts with an introduction of the concept “reversible mode of heating,” leading the readers think of space heating in terms of reversibility. Right after, a systematic reversibility analysis on a “mine to home” basis is conducted to reveal the impact of any irreversibility of all subsystems or devices involved in the total energy system of heating on the fuel/monetary specific consumption of unit end-use heat. The paper points out that although combined heat and power (CHP) and electrically driven heat pump are both of “reversible mode,” the former is far more favorable in terms of energy conservation. The recently ascent decentralized energy system provides the best circumstances for CHP implementation. The demand-side improvement is a topic of most importance but frequently neglected. This study reveals that, if properly engineered, this improvement together with adopting a direct type of heat grid might lower the fuel specific consumption of end-use heat of CHP to a level as low as c.e./GJ.
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September 2008
Research Papers
A Theoretical Study on Decentralized Space Heating System
Zhi-Ping Song
Zhi-Ping Song
Beijing Key Laboratory of Energy Security and Clean Utilization, School of Energy Resources and Power Engineering,
e-mail: zpsong@public.bta.net.cn
North China Electric Power University
, Beijing, China 102206
Zhi-Ping Song, born in 1933, a Professor and Doctorial Supervisor of North China Electric Power University, Beijing, China. Areas of Expertise: 1. Gas-Steam Combined Cycle (1958–1962). 2. Engineering Thermodynamics (1961–present). 3. Design and Construction of Pilot Geothermal Power Plant (1971–1976). 4. Solar Energy (1975–1978). 5. Second Law Analysis and Exergo-economics (1978–1992). 6. Design and Construction of Multi-Stage Flash Desalination Unit (1982–present). 7. Thermodynamics of Nonequilibrium Processes (1982–present). 8. Specific Consumption Analysis (1992–present). 9. Advance Topics on Power Plant and Energy Systems (1995–present). 10. Combined Heat and Power (1995–present). 11. Thermodynamics of Material Damage (1995–1997). 12. Decentralized Energy System (2000–present).
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Zhi-Ping Song
Zhi-Ping Song, born in 1933, a Professor and Doctorial Supervisor of North China Electric Power University, Beijing, China. Areas of Expertise: 1. Gas-Steam Combined Cycle (1958–1962). 2. Engineering Thermodynamics (1961–present). 3. Design and Construction of Pilot Geothermal Power Plant (1971–1976). 4. Solar Energy (1975–1978). 5. Second Law Analysis and Exergo-economics (1978–1992). 6. Design and Construction of Multi-Stage Flash Desalination Unit (1982–present). 7. Thermodynamics of Nonequilibrium Processes (1982–present). 8. Specific Consumption Analysis (1992–present). 9. Advance Topics on Power Plant and Energy Systems (1995–present). 10. Combined Heat and Power (1995–present). 11. Thermodynamics of Material Damage (1995–1997). 12. Decentralized Energy System (2000–present).
Beijing Key Laboratory of Energy Security and Clean Utilization, School of Energy Resources and Power Engineering,
North China Electric Power University
, Beijing, China 102206e-mail: zpsong@public.bta.net.cn
J. Energy Resour. Technol. Sep 2008, 130(3): 032401 (9 pages)
Published Online: August 8, 2008
Article history
Received:
January 2, 2005
Revised:
April 5, 2008
Published:
August 8, 2008
Citation
Song, Z. (August 8, 2008). "A Theoretical Study on Decentralized Space Heating System." ASME. J. Energy Resour. Technol. September 2008; 130(3): 032401. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2955479
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