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In Europe, high energy consumption in the building environment has raised the need for developing low-temperature heating systems both in new buildings and in retrofitting buildings. This paper addressed many different topics related to energy saving in central heating systems with reduced supply temperature and radiant panel heating including floor heating, ceiling heating and wall heating. The paper investigated the performance of these different types of low-temperature heating system using numerical modelling, simulation tools and also site measurements. Thus, energy performance of radiator and radiant floor heating systems connected to a ground-coupled heat pump (GCHP) is compared, as obtained with experimental measurements in an office room. Furthermore, the thermal comfort of these systems is compared and a mathematical model for numerical modelling of thermal emission from radiant floors is developed and experimentally validated. Additionally, a comparative analysis of the energy, environmental and economic performances of floor, wall, ceiling and floor-ceiling heating using numerical simulation is performed. Finally, the energy efficiency of a heat pump in conjunction with a radiator or radiant floor heating system is calculated for different supply, return, and air design temperatures. This study showed that floor-ceiling heating works better than other low-temperature heating systems regarding providing better thermal comfort, lower energy consumption, lower CO emission and lower operating cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are three methods for analysing the flow and pressure distribution in looped water supply networks (the loop method, the node method, the pipe method), accounting for the chosen unknown hydraulic parameters. For all of these methods, the nonlinear system of equations can be solved using iterative procedures (Hardy-Cross, Newton-Raphson, linear theory). In the cases of the extension or the rehabilitation of distribution networks, the unknown parameters are the hydraulic heads at nodes, and the nodal method for network analysis is preferred. In this paper, a generalised classic model is developed for the nodal analysis of complex looped systems with non-standard network components and the solvability of new problems, along with the determination of the pressure state in the system. In addition, this paper exhibits a different approach to this problem by using the variational formulation method for the development of a new analysis model based on unconditioned optimisation techniques. This model has the advantage of using a specialised optimisation algorithm, which directly minimises an objective multivariable function without constraints, implemented in a computer program. The two proposed models are compared with the classic Hardy-Cross method, and the results indicated a good performance of these models. Finally, a study is performed regarding the implications of the long-term operation of the pipe network on energy consumption using these models. The new models can serve as guidelines to supplement existing procedures of network analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Calnistea catchment lies in the southern part of Romania in a region that has been confronted lately with serious water scarcity problems generated primarily by summer heat waves and long periods of drought. The high temperatures, excessive evapotranspiration and scant precipitation have a negative impact on water resources and especially on the river system, which is at the mercy of meteorological conditions, because all the streams in the area originate in the plain. Consequently, mean annual discharges are very low and more often than not, many rivers run dry. In order to avoid such an unwanted phenomenon people have built earth dams across the valleys thus creating chains of ponds, which are used to regulate the flow. Even so, however, most of the years the rivers look like mere threads of water oozing gently through their sediments. Under the circumstances, it is no wonder that irrigation systems are missing, which explains the low agricultural productivity. The most important asset of the region is the groundwater, as it represents the only source of drinking water for the population. Groundwaters are stored in superposed aquifers, most of them confined, generally having good hydrogeological properties. Water quality complies with the standards for drinking water and that is why groundwaters are used as such for domestic consumption. The problem is that in the past years, population increase has put more pressure on this resource and consequently water table sank. The growing depletion of groundwaters has brought about thirst, famine, poverty and despair, sad realities that local authorities are striving to control. Given this necessity the present study aims at making several proposals of what could be done on a short and middle term in order to increase the water supplies of the region and thus alleviate the people's suffering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]