Mittel conducts tests for moisture-free cooling pipes

Swedish energy technology company, Mittel Fjärrvärme, has announced carrying out a study on the construction of moisture-free district cooling pipes, together with the Swedish District Heating Association, Umeå Energi, and Pipeguard, in Umeå in northern Sweden. The results show that it is possible to use the same cost-effective and proven alarm technology which is a standard feature in insulated pipes for district heating even in district cooling, by dehumidifying the air in the muffs before insulating them, the company said, and added that the method can prevent future leaks in pipes.

According to Mittel, the new method tested is based on the process of dehumidifying the air in the muffs before insulating them. The district cooling pipe case joints are dried and dehumidified before foaming and, subsequently, jointed with welding sleeves using the patented Mittel TSC method, it explained.

Highlighting the fact that the problem of moisture is much greater in district cooling than in district heating, the announcement revealed that this had led to companies not installing leak detection systems as moisture caused it severe damage. The problem can now be obviated by installing functioning alarm systems by making the joints completely moisture free by using standard equipment for dehumidification, Mittel reiterated. In effect, this means that energy companies can now use the same monitoring centrals for district cooling that are used for district heating.

Expressing elation at the possibilities the findings will lead to, Lars Gunnarsson, CTO, Mittel, said: “This is great news for heat plants and energy companies all over the world. Monitoring with alarm wires has been a huge success in district heating; now it can be used for district cooling, as well. We strongly recommend to always use welded muff joints for district cooling pipes. Leaking joints can have major consequences when you deal with cold pipes.”

In an aside, Mittel added that it develops and markets Stateview, a system for detecting leaks in district energy systems, which operates like a radar, sending electrical signals along pipes, providing heating stations a valuable tool for early detection of damaged pipes.