DHW Design Flow Rates and Consumption Profiles in Educational , Office Buildings and Shopping Centres

The paper gives a thorough survey of the studies of different authors in the field of domestic hot water (DHW) consumption and consumption profiles. It presents an overview of the research done into DHW by the Tallinn University of Technology. Working out on the basis of investigations has been new empirical formulas for determining design flow rates for schools, kindergartens, office buildings and shopping centres. DHW consumption profiles of typical buildings are presented. Comparisons are given on the determination of DHW design flow rates by the standard EVS 835, the EN 806-3 and the recommended formulas. The latter makes it possible to considerably decrease the design flow rates which in turn enables to deminish the load of the equipment, to improve the quality of control and to decrease the diameters of the pipes of the district heating network and the losses of heat in them.


Introduction
In Eastern European countries, instantaneous DHW heat exchangers are widely used for water heating.In these systems, the correct designing of DHW equipment for DHW heating is very important.It is important for the temperature of DHW as well because of the cost of energy.It should be noted that in the case of DHW heating with instantaneous water heaters the risk of Legionella disease is much lower than with tank water heaters.
Extensive research into domestic hot water (DHW) consumption was done in the former Soviet Union in the 60s and the 70s of the past century and even earlier.The results of the research have been presented by Hludov [1] and Brodski [2].DHW consumption and the consumption profiles in the 60s and the 70s of the past century are presented in articles Borodkin et al. [3], Brodski [4], Kõiv [5].The articles showed that the DHW consumption was close to the standard figures given in the designing code.
Later DHW consumption and the consumption profiles have been treated of in many countries.
In Asia mention can be made of a year-round study of DHW consumption in Hong-Kong's quality hotels, and investigations of DHW consumption and the load consumed for heating water by Deng et al. [6].An article by Cheng deals with studies of DHW consumption in Taiwan's residential buildings and with energy saving possibilities in water heating [7].An interesting study of the impact of socio-demographic factors and efficient devices on water consumption has been done by Willis et al. in Australia [8,9].
An article by Carrington, Warrington and Yak treats of DHW consumption in New Zealand's households [10].
In Africa investigations of DHW consumption have been carried out in the Republic of South Africa, in Senegal and in Egypt.In Johannesburg a year-round study of DHW consumption was carried out in which the researchers Meyer and Tshimanhinda have displayed the hourly consumptions [11].Problems of DHW consumption are also dealt with in Rankin's and Roussau's article [12], in South Africa.In the articles, Meyer gives a survey of DHW consumption in South Africa also [13,14].Calmeyer and Delport have dealt with the subject of DHW consumption, including variations in consumption, in a students' hostel of Pretoria University [15].
In Senegal the influence of DHW parameters on the energy consumption in public buildings and plants are presented by Ndoye and Sarr [16].
In Egypt problems of heating DHW and saving energy have been investigated by Hegazy et al. [17].
In Brazil an investigation has been carried out by Prado and Gonçalves that deals with energy consumption for heating water in residential buildings [18].
In Hungary, Nemethi and Szantho have studied DHW consumption and the consumption profiles in more than 60 residential buildings [19,20].
In Poland heat consumption for DHW heating and consumption irregularity in hospitals have been investigated by Bujak and with decentralized DHW system in apartment buildings by Cholewa and Siuta-Olcha [21,22].
Hot water temperature, power consumption and the Legionella issue have been studied by Bøhm and Danig in Denmark [23].
Estimated heat energy requirements for domestic hot water production in a 2-stage district heating substation have been analyzed by Yliniemi et al. in Sweden [24].
One of the few doctoral theses has been written by Savičkas in Lithuania [25].The thesis comprises the DHW systems of apartment and public buildings, their functioning, the DHW consumption, variations in the consumption and the DHW temperature.
The year 1998 saw a thorough investigation of DHW consumption in English residential buildings [26].Its main aim was to gather data on DHW consumption in residential buildings and of the habits of their inhabitants.Investigated in the years 1991-1995 were more than 10,000 residential buildings.A restudy comprising 2600 residential buildings was carried out in 1998.
The aim of the study was to find out how DHW consumption varies from household to household and if there are any concrete types of households the DHW consumption of which is bigger than the average one.The study showed that the average DHW consumption by washing machines was 4 l/per person per day, by showers and hip baths 35 l/per person per day, and an additional 10 l/per person per day for hygiene and dishwashing in a sink.All in all DHW consumption was 49 l/per person per day.Concerning the different types of households the results of the study showed that in households with younger inhabitants more DHW is used than in those with elderly inhabitants (Figure 1).
The largest numbers of investigations in the field of DHW consumption have been made in the US.In 1995 ASHRAE issued new instructions for designing DHW systems in apartment buildings [27], its aim being the prevention of over dimensioning the systems.In reality the current DHW heating devices proved to be 30% -200% over dimensioned practically all over America, because very big reserve coefficients were used.The research of Fairey and Parker [28] gives a survey of the DHW systems used in United States.The investigation shows that depending on the consumption rate and the peculiarities of the DHW heating devices in single-family residences the consumption of energy necessary for heating water decreases 10% -35% if the water is heated by DHW instantaneous heat exchangers and not by tank heat exchangers.Vine, Diamond and Szydlowski investtigated DHW consumption in four low-income apartment buildings [29].A study by Hendron and Burch [30] gives a survey of DHW consumption and the consumption profiles in households.
A number of investigations in the field of DHW have been carried out in Canada.An article by Aquilar, White and Ryan [31] points out that the share of DHW heating makes up 22% of the energy consumption in Canadian households.
Several countries have drawn a lot of attention to the possible development of the pathogenic microorganism Legionella in DHW systems [32][33][34][35].The problem may turn out to be especially sharp in case the respective microorganisms exist in the initial water and the temperature of the water, for example, in the water heating devices remains on a relatively low level 25˚C -45˚C.
An extensive DHW consumption investigation was carried out in Estonian apartment buildings in the years 1999 -2011 (in 98 apartment buildings).
The extent of hot water consumption in different apartment buildings in the years 1999-2004 is presented in role in the decrease of water consumption has been played by renovation of DHW systems.Of prime importance in it have been the renovation of DHW circulation and also the use of water, water saving equipment (lever mixers, showers).
In the diagram presented in Figure 3 of special interest is the comparison of weekly average DHW consumption within 30 years.The results are presented in l/m 2 per day.
Comparing the average DHW consumption per 1 m 2 of heated area today and in the 70s, we can see that it has decreased 3.3 times.This fact also accounts for the relatively insignificant increase in variation in analogous residential buildings investigated.
Figure 4 shows DHW consumption l/m 2 per day in years 2005-2010 in Estonia.
Below is presented a formula for determining the heating load of DHW instantaneous heat exchangers if the temperature difference of hot and cold water is 50˚C.where n is the number of apartments.Figure 5 presents the loads of DHW instantaneous heat exchangers determined for apartment buildings by the proposed Formula (1), by the Estonian standard [42] EVS(D1) and by EN standard [43] against the background of the maximum values of the results of measuring.
Figure 5 shows that in larger apartment buildings the heating loads of the heat exchangers differ up to two times comparison of EVS standard and up to 2.7 times comparison of EN standard.
The analysis shows that in the conditions of the changed DHW consumption today the calculation methods valid untill now are not suitable and cause considerable overdimensioning of the equipment and the pipes and disorders in the functioning of the DHW control units.

Method
Investigation of the DHW maximum consumption has been carried out in 20 educational buildings, in 16 kindergartens and in 16 office buildings in Tallinn.
For studying the DHW maximum consumption impulse water meters were used.For recording the data they were connected with data loggers.Data processing was made by software PDL-Win.The DHW consumption in the building with a precision of 1 l was recorded during a week.
The hourly variability in DHW consumption is indicated with the ratio of the given hourly consumption to average hourly consumption of a week k h , which is calculated by the correlation: where is the given hourly consumption; ,week h G For example, DHW consumption and variability of consumption are studied in Greece and Japan [44,45].

DHW Maximum Consumption and Recommendations for Determining the Design Flow Rates for Schools, Kindergartens, Office Buildings and Shopping Centres
In Estonia, it was customary to determine DHW design flow rates for schools, kindergartens and office buildings proceeding from the sum of the standard flow rates (EVS method).It must be pointed out, however, that in a number of types of buildings (e.g.schools and office buildings) the use of a large number of DHW devices (first of all mixers) is very small, practically nonexistent.Such a situation leads to a considerable overdimensioning of DHW heating devices and to unsatisfactory control of DHW temperature.

Schools
The design flow rates recorded in schools and those determined by the standard EVS 825:2003 [42], European standard EN 806-3 [43] and design flow rates calculation by Formula (3) are presented in Table 2.
A new empirical formula is recommended for determining the design flow rates (3) on the basis of which the water heating devices are selected for schools and highschools without swimming pools 1 2 0.00352 0.00075 0.0009 where q is design flow rate l/s; N 1 is the number of showers, N 2 is the number of students, N 3 is number of water outlet devises.
In Table 2 it can be seen that the design flow rates determined by calculation Formula (3) are approximately up The big difference in DHW actual consumption and the same by standards due to the fact that standards are based on decades ago the situation.Thus, according to standards obtained the probability consumption does not meet the current situation.
Figure 6 shows the comparison of design flow rates determined for schools by the empiric formula, the standard EVS 835 and recorded values.It can be seen that in about 50% of schools the design flow rates determined by the empiric Formula (3) the flow rates are considerably smaller, in about 30% of the schools they are somewhat smaller and in 20% of the schools they are equal or somewhat bigger comparing with standard EVS 835.
At a same time the association with the actual design flow rates is better as the calculation depended on the number of water outlet devices only slightly, the majority of which are used marginally.
Variation graph of DHW consumption is presented in Figure 7.As can be seen in ordinary school there is no DHW consumption at weekend.Maximum consumption on weekdays takes place at lunchtime.

Kindergartens
The design flow rates recorded in kindergartens and those determined by the standard EVS 825:2003, and design flow rates calculated by Formula (4) are presented in Table 3.
In Table 3, we can see that the design flow rates determined by EVS 835: 2003 are bigger than the actual ones, which fact results in over dimensioning the DHW instantaneous heat exchangers and the control devices.
As the design flow rates determined by the EVS standard are up to 1.8 times bigger than the measured ones in kindergartens, a new empirical formula is presented for determining them in selecting water heating devices (4) where q-design flow rate l/s; N 1 is the number of showers, N 2 is the number of children, N 3 is number of water outlet devises.
Table 3 shows that the design flow rates determined by Formula (4) are up to 1.7 times smaller than the ones determined by the EVS standard.
Variability graph of DHW consumption in kindergarten is presented in Figure 8. Maximum consumption in kindergartens can take place in the morning, at lunch time as well as in the afternoon.On most days the top maximum consumption occurs at lunchtime.4.

Office Buildings
A new empirical Formula (5) for determining the design flow rates in dimensioning the water heating devices was recommended 1 2 0.0082 0.0019 0.0032 where q-design flow rate l/s; N 1 -number of showers; N 2 -number of people; N 3 -number of water outlet devises.
Table 4 shows that the use of EVS 835: 2003 leads to a most considerable over dimensioning of the DHW instantaneous heat exchangers and the control devices.In Table 4, it can be seen that the design flow rates of office buildings determined by the Euro standard are not suitable for Estonia, because the results obtained are more than 10 times bigger than the measured consumption in office buildings.The reason is that the probability consumption does not meet the current situation.
Table 4 shows that the design flow rates in office buildings determined by the standard EVS 835 are about 4 and even more times bigger than the maximum flow rates measured.The results obtained by determining the flow rates by the Euro standard are even up to 15 times bigger than the maximum flow rates measured.For that reason a new empiric formula has been worked out for determining the design flow rates for office and public buildings (5).
Table 4 shows that the design flow rates determined by Formula (5) are up to 2 times smaller than those determined by the standard EVS and up to 8 times smaller than the design flow rates determined by the Euro standard.
Figure 9 presents a comparison of the design flow rates determined for office buildings by the empiric Formula (5), the standard EVS 835 and recorded values.We can see that design flow rates determined by the Formula (5) are more close to recorded values.
The weekly variability graph of DHW consumption in the office building is presented in Figure 10.The graph given in Figure 10 is typical of smaller office buildings that have no sauna.Characteristic of such office buildings is the DHW consumption only on workdays with the top consumption only at lunchtime.

Shopping Centers
Table 5 gives a comparison of the recorded maximum flow rates, design flow rates determined by the standard EVS 835 and the Formula ( 6) and the values that affect the water consumption.
Table 5 shows that the DHW design flow rates determined for trade centers by the standard EVS 835 are at least 3 times bigger than the actual maximum consumption.Such a situation made it necessary to work out a new calculation formula for determining the DHW design flow rates for trade centers.
One of the reasons for the great difference between the actual DHW maximum consumption and the design flow rates determined by the standard EVS is the fact that the preparation of semi-fabricated food on the spot has been finished.
Below we present a recommendable calculation Formula (6) 1 2 0.00185 0.0000022 0.0033 Where q is design flow rate l/s; N 1 is number of showers; N 2 is number of visitors; N 3 is number of water outlets.

Conclusions
With drastically decreased DHW consumption rising a need for new calculation formulas for determining the DHW design flow rates for instantaneous heat exchangers, the new calculation methodology of dimensioning  instantaneous heat exchangers for DHW systems is of particular importance.In the papers of several investigators, it has also been pointed out that for heating DHW it would be suitable to use instantaneous heat exchangers instead of tank type water heaters.This would at the same time decrease the risk of Legionella disease.
The DHW design flow rates determined for office buildings and shopping centers by the recommended empiric formulas are about two times lower than those determined by the still used method EVS 835.

Figure 1 .
Figure 1.Average DHW consumption depending on the number of inhabitants in the households.

Figure 2 .Figure 2 .
Figure 2. Dynamics of average hot water consumption in the buildings analyzed.

Figure 3 .
Figure 3. Average DHW consumption per weekdays and per week in the years 1974-2004.

Figure 5 .
Figure 5. DHW design heating load depending on the number of apartments by the EVS (D1) standard, the EN standard and the proposed formula together with the points calculated on the basis of the results of measuring.average ,week h G is the average hourly DHW consumption of the week.For example, DHW consumption and variability of consumption are studied in Greece and Japan[44,45].

Figure 6 .
Figure 6.Comparison of the design flow rates determined for schools by the empiric Formula (3), the standard EVS 835 and recorded values.

Figure 7 .Figure 8 .
Figure 7. Weekly variability graph of DHW consumption in the educational building.

Figure 9 .
Figure 9.Comparison of the design flow rates determined for office buildings by the empiric formula (5), the standard EVS 835 and recorded values.

Figure 10 .
Figure 10.Weekly variability graph of DHW consumption in office building.

Table 4
presents the design flow rates recorded in office buildings and those determined by EVS 835: 2003,