Optimal water treatment leads to better operation and lower CO2 footprint of district heating plant
Modern district heating typically represents a huge capital investment, which can lose unnecessary value if the water treatment on the system is not working optimally. The efficiency of water treatment has an impact on the current operation of the plant, but at the same time the stakeholders of the plant have to deal with the impact of water treatment on the economy many years into the future.
The use of water as a transport medium for the distribution of district heating means that the quality of the water treatment has a direct impact on the operational performance of district heating. This may be through efficient use of fuel, water losses and maintenance. The focus on sustainable energy sources in recent years has given rise to the construction of solar collector systems, where glycol use places different demands on water treatment.
CHP and district heating plants are today an important part of Denmark's infrastructure; security of supply and environmental impact are two key areas for district heating producers. Water treatment that safeguards district heating supply against corrosion, fouling and sludge formation ensures both security of supply and reduces the environmental impact by optimising water and energy consumption, thus ensuring production with the lowest possible carbon footprint.
