Building, Civil & Environmental Engineering

BLDG 371/4 - Building Service Systems

Experiment #1
Hot Water Heating System
Dr. M. Zaheeruddin
(Due in two weeks)
Introduction
In this experiment, measurements will be performed on a 24 kW hot water heating (HWH) system.
The HWH system consists of:
1) a space heating circuit and
2) a domestic hot water (DHW) circuit.
The space heating circuit can be operated in two modes:
1) as a two-pipe reversed return system and
2) as a two-pipe direct return system.
Objectives
The following tests will be conducted:
(1) a heat balance on the HWH system with both space heating and DWH circuits ON,
(2) measurement of pressure loss in the piping and comparing it with friction loss estimated by
using equivalent length method,
(3) time response of the DHW temperature for a 5C rise in setpoint,
(4) test to demonstrate the self-balancing characteristic of the reversed-return system as opposed
to direct-return system.
Exercise
Note: the system will be already ON when you arrive. This will save time since the system takes
about an hour to come to steady state from cold start.
(1) Set the domestic hot water setpoint to 40C and the space heating circuit in reversed-return
mode.
(2) Adjust the mass flow rate of DHW (dumped into the drain) at about 0.7 GPM as measured by
flow meter1.
(3) Let the system come to steady state. The steady state condition is reached when the temperatures
measured at several locations in the system remain constant or nearly so. The location of
temperature sensors and the corresponding channel numbers for taking readings are indicated on
page3.
(4) with the system under steady state record the following data:

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1st set of readings:

(a) Kwh difference from boiler meter for certain time span, eg. 10 mins
(b) Mass flow rate of DHW from flow meter 1
(c) Mass flow rate of hot water in DHW coil from flow meter 2
(d) Mass flow rate of hot water to baseboards from flow meter 3
(e) Pressure difference in the space heating circuit
(f) Temperature readings in C from channel 101, 102, 105-117
2nd set of readings:
(a) Increase the DHW setpoint temperature from 40C to 45C
(b) Record the DHW temperature every 60 second until steady state is achieved.
3rd set of readings:
(a) Set the space heating circuit in direct-return mode (top and middle pipes make up the
direct-return system, top and bottom pipes simulate the reversed-return system.)
(b) Let the system come to steady state. Note the temperature differentials across radiators 1
and 4.
4th set of readings:
(a) for space heating circuit, select one critical path, record type of the fittings and count the
number of different fittings.

Calculations and report

(1) Do a heat balance on the system from the first set of readings. The power input to the boiler
should be equal to the heat flow in space heating and DHW circuits. If the heat balance in not exact
that means there are some unaccounted losses or system is not in steady state.
Comment on the sources of these losses and any experimental errors.
(2) Assume a friction rate (between 0.9-2.5 psi/100ft) and estimate the friction loss in piping using
equivalent length approach. The length of piping is about 100 ft and pipe size =1/2
How does the estimated friction loss compare with the measured friction loss (first set of
readings)?
Type of fitting
Coupling
Elbow 90
Tee-branch
Tee-run

Equivalent length (ft)

2.0
9.4
10.4
2.4

(3) Draw the time response of the DHW temperature (second set of readings)
(a) How long does it take for the DHW temperature to come to steady state?
(b) Comment how you think the DHW temperature might change when the DHW consumption is
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variable as in a real simulation?

(4) By comparing the T across the radiators 1 and 4 (first and third set of readings) explain if the
reversed return system is more effective than the direct return system.
(5) As an introduction to your lab report, draw a block diagram of the system showing the major
components and the location of the sensors.

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Channel

Temperature

101

city water tem

102

water temperature at tank outlet

103

104

105

water temperature after 3-way valve

106

water temperature at DHW coil inlet

107

water temperature before 3-way valve (DHW coil outlet)

108

total supply water temperature to baseboards

109

total return water temperature from baseboards

110

water temperature at baseboard 1 inlet

111

water temperature at baseboard 1 outlet

112

water temperature at baseboard 2 inlet

113

water temperature at baseboard 2 outlet

114

water temperature at baseboard 3 inlet

115

water temperature at baseboard 3 outlet

116

water temperature at baseboard 4 inlet

117

water temperature at baseboard 4 outlet

Flow meter 1: Mass flow rate of city water

Flow meter 2: Mass flow rate of hot water to the DHW coil
Flow meter 3: Mass flow rate of hot water to the radiators.

Questions
1. The hot water heating system installed in the laboratory is intended to simulate real systems
used in buildings. What are the main limitations of the system compared to real systems?
2. A number of sensors are used in the experiment for measurements. Discuss their accuracy
and associated limitations in evaluating the performance of hot water heating systems.
3. Within what range the boiler water temperature and pressure were fluctuating in the system?
Comment if the observed fluctuations compare with the real building systems.

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