Network settings and fluid
Define the network type and default templates for plants, heating curve and pipe heat exchange, and choose the fluid and display colors
Overview
Every network has default settings that are used automatically in subsequent work steps: the network type as a preset package, as well as default templates for consumer and generator plants, heating curve and pipe heat exchange. In addition, the heat transfer fluid and the display colors of the network objects are defined on the Network tab.
How to open
- Menu Network > Set default network settings
- alternatively the Edit settings … button at Default settings: on the
Network tab, General & topology page
Both paths open the Network settings dialog for the active network.
Network settings dialog
General settings
| Field | Options | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Network type | Cold district heating network, LowEx heat network, Conventional district heating network | Preset package: the selection pre-populates the default network settings below with matching templates from the bundled database. All preset values can then be changed individually. |
Default network settings
All four fields are initially set to <not yet defined>, unless the network type has set a template, and are each selected from the database via Select…:
| Field | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Consumer plant: | Plant template (sub-network) that is assigned to automatically connected consumers, see Plant concept |
| Energy plant system: | Plant template for energy plants |
| Supply temperature of the energy plant: | Heating curve that specifies the supply temperature of the energy plant as a function of the outdoor temperature |
| Pipe heat exchange: | Default heat exchange model for all pipes of the network, see Heat exchange types |
The changes are applied with OK; the step can be undone as an undo action (Default network settings changed).
Choosing a fluid
The heat transfer fluid is defined on the Network tab, General & topology page, in the Fluid section. The display field shows the currently assigned fluid; without an assignment, the red note No fluid selected appears. The Choose fluid… button opens the database dialog in which a fluid is selected or newly created - see Fluids and other databases. The assignment applies to the entire network and is a prerequisite for pipe sizing and calculation.
Important in practice:
Assign the fluid early - without an assignment the field reports No fluid selected, and neither pipe sizing nor steady-state calculation can be started. The fluid choice is also physically relevant: density, heat capacity and viscosity feed directly into mass flux and pressure loss. For cold networks with antifreeze, a glycol mixture gives noticeably different pump pressures than pure water.
Colors of the network objects
In the Legend section of the same page, four color buttons define the display colors of the node types and pipes:
| Entry | Object |
|---|---|
| Energy plant | Source node |
| Mixer | Branch node (created automatically during topology editing) |
| Consumer | Transfer stations |
| Pipes | Pipe routes |
Clicking a color button opens the color picker; the new color is applied immediately in the scene. The colors are display settings of the program (stored separately per display theme), do not belong to the project data, and are therefore not subject to undo.