Optimise components

After determining the design flow rates and sizing pipes accordingly, the “Optimize components”-button can be pressed. The Hysopt software is able to calculate the necessary pump heads and valve properties in order to achieve balanced hydraulic systems.

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The software will consider the design results (flow rate, temperature regime, pipe sizing) and the design parameters (pipe characteristic, minimal valve authority, target proportional band, ...) in order to select control valve KVS values, then the necessary pump head is calculated and finally the software tries to balance the system on the available balance and lockshield valves.

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As a result of optimization, a number of base circuits parameters have been changed. Control valves will get a KVS value, pumps get a pump head, and balance valves get a KV value. Additionally the design pressure drop throughout the system is visualized on the pipe segments, as well as the actual flow rates given the hydraulic balance that was achieved.

Locking parameters

In modelling existing systems the user might want to lock certain design parameters. For instance, when locking balance valve KV value, the balance valve will serve as a fixed hydraulic resistance. All the parameters that are changed during optimization are typically lockable.

To lock a parameter value, simply click on the padlock icon left of the parameter field. Locking a parameter will impact the optimization, the next time it is run.

In the following example we have locked the pump head for the rightmost pump on a value that is too high.

 As a result, the balance valve will need to produce a higher pressure drop to compensate as to limit the flow rate throughout the loop and achieve hydraulic balance.