Energy-efficient Thermal Insulation Material for District Heating Pipelines

In recent years, Mongolia has experienced a shortage of district heating sources and networks, primarily due to intensive construction, including apartment buildings. With urbanization and economic growth, new buildings are being built at a rapid pace, requiring connections to the district heating (DH) system. Recent data shows that the annual growth rate of heat consumption has increased by approximately 3 to 5 percent compared to previous periods. As a result, one of the key tasks for our energy sector is to implement a cost-saving policy to reduce heat losses in the distribution network. Additionally, around 30 percent of Ulaanbaatar's heating networks are outdated and cannot be swiftly replaced due to economic and time constraints. This paper focuses on experimental studies of heat losses within district heating (DH) systems' pipe networks. In these heat networks, various thermal insulating materials are used. Over time, the insulation around the pipelines deteriorates, and due to wear and environmental factors, it fails to meet technical requirements, leading to a significant increase in heat loss beyond calculated values. Effectively implementing energy efficiency in a district heating system requires a comprehensive understanding of the energy performance of the pipe networks, which can be achieved through energy audit techniques. Using a drone equipped with a thermal camera, we assessed pipeline heat loss and damage in real-time and dynamic conditions. Additionally, we compared different pipeline insulation materials and conducted feasibility studies on utilizing high-density pre-insulated polyurethane foam insulation boards. Our proposal indicates that the heat loss from the insulation panels will be 1.7 times lower than the reference value, resulting in a 30% energy saving, as confirmed by both technical and economic calculations.