Energy-saving control method of electric heat strips for fire-fighting pipes in cold-zone tunnels based on spatio-temporal network

Fire-fighting pipes in cold-area tunnels are prone to freezing, endangering driver and passenger safety. We propose an intelligent control method, based on spatio-temporal network theory, that uses electric heat tape to address this issue. A three-dimensional state-network model incorporating time, ambient temperature, and water temperature was developed. This model enables precise regulation of the water-temperature trajectory at discrete time intervals. Using known ambient-temperature data, the method predicts the upcoming start-stop control sequence for the electric heat tape. Simulation results show that, compared with a conventional continuous-heating strategy under the same ambient-temperature conditions, this approach achieves at least 38.19 % energy savings.