All theory is grey – but the practice at Solvis is green
With its solar heating systems which are "naturally" produced in a zero-emission factory in Brunswick, Germany, the company Solvis is a pioneer when it comes to the highly efficient use of renewable energies.
In line with the standard set by this exemplary factory, as part of expansion of the site the new drinking water system for the sanitation rooms with showers was designed with optimal energy use and hygiene in mind. The question asked was: How can 16 showers and 14 basins in the sanitation rooms be supplied in such a way that sufficient amounts of perfectly hygienic hot water are always available even at shift changeover without wasting energy?
Abstract theory versus hands-on experience
As regards hot water production, the answer was clear: The company's fresh water system SolvisVital combines energy efficiency with optimal drinking water hygiene. The solution for the pipe network, however, was less obvious. Following a first comparison of the empirical data with the textbook specifications clear overdimensioning seemed apparent. The planners thus decided to take matters into their own hands and perform an exact practice-oriented calculation. With the result that 52% of the piping volume could be reduced! The newly calculated result deviated greatly from the theoretical textbook with a sum curve of 146 l/min. to 387 l/min. for cold drinking water and 68 l/min. to 176 l/min. for hot drinking water.
Flow optimisation versus overdimensioning
Yet how can the energetically and hygienically optimised drinking water volume be transported to the very last extraction point without impairing convenience? The answer is with the flow-optimised plastic piping system Raxofix. This was the result of calculation of the installation using real Zeta values.
Conclusion: Green efficiency both in terms of energy savings and drinking water hygiene can be defined as a needs-oriented design based on specific practice values instead of purely theoretical planning.