Ground heat storage with a double layer heat exchanger

A one-dimensional model of ground heat storage is used to simulate complex heat and moisture processes in the vicinity of double-and single-layer ground heat exchangers. Simulated results indicate that a ground heat pump with the double-layer heat exchanger has certain advantages over the single-layer system in terms of a higher seasonal performance factor, smaller ground area, and reduced ecological risk in the soil subsurface region. Solar energy injection into the ground improves the seasonal performance factor both in the single and in the double layer heat exchanger system. Latent heat released by the freezing of soil moisture is an important component in the total amount of heat extracted from the ground when a phase change takes place.     

埋地换热器理论模型与周围土壤温度数值模拟

提出内热源型埋地换热器理论模型，建立换热器周围土壤热湿传递物理数学模型。内热源模型综合考虑热湿迁移、土壤物性等各方面因素，将埋设于土壤中的换热器处理为等效内热源。采用专业多孔介质计算软件Autough2对模型进行模拟计算。着重模拟计算不同土壤物性、不同换热器运行方式对单根U型垂直埋管换热器周围土壤温度场影响的模拟计算与分析。     

Simple and accurate model for the ground heat exchanger of a passive house

This paper develops previous research on passive house (PH) space heating. A simple and accurate ground heat exchanger model is developed. It is based on a numerical transient bi-dimensional approach that allows to computing the ground temperature at the surface and at various depths. The new model was integrated into the existing theoretical approach and implemented within the computer code used to simulate the heating system operation in Pirmasens PH (Rhineland Palatinate, Germany). The heating and cooling potential of the system under real climatic conditions was investigated. The energy delivered by the ground heat exchanger depends significantly on different design parameters like pipe's depth, diameter and material.     

Predicting the fluid temperature at the exit of the vertical ground heat exchangers

The energy analysis of ground source heat pump systems is based on the instantaneous fluid temperature at the ground heat exchanger outlet. This temperature defines the ground source heat pump coefficient of performance (COP) and hence the electricity consumption required in order to fulfill the energy demands of the building. The aim of this work is to present a model able to predict the fluid temperature at the ground heat exchanger outlet, taking into account the heat transfer phenomena in the soil and the temporal variation of the thermal load of the ground heat exchanger. The model developed was verified using experimental data, expanding over a three years period, of a vertical ground heat exchanger. It is proved that the model is able to satisfactorily predict the recorded temperature values throughout the verification period. The differences between measured and estimated outlet water temperatures impose a deviation between the estimated and the actually recorded electricity consumption of less than 4%.     

Modeling of horizontal geoexchange systems for building heating and permafrost stabilization

We present a new analytical model based on the finite line source that extends the steady state results for parallel horizontal pipes to the transient case and for any desired horizontal pipe layout. The analytical model is validated, when there is no freezing/thawing, by a 3D finite element numerical model. When the phase change is accounted for in the numerical model, the analytical model still provides good approximation to the ground temperature during the heating season and the heat extracted by the ground heat exchanger. However, summer ground temperature and thaw depth are overestimated by the analytical model. A case study for a typical building in Kuujjuaq (northern Canada) area is analyzed. The ground heat exchanger layout follows a spiral pattern characterized by three parameters: length L, depth D, and spacing S. The influence of each parameter on the amount of heat extracted from the ground and on the ground temperature at a control point is assessed. The results show that increasing depth D favors keeping the ground frozen at this depth and increases the amount of heat that may be extracted. Conversely, increasing S and/or L is beneficial for the amount of heat extracted, but it enhances the risk of thawing around the pipes. The model and case study provides useful ground heat exchanger design guidelines in cold regions for the double purpose of ground freezing and heat extraction.     

地源热泵间歇制热运行的试验研究

地下埋管内的水温主要与埋管换热器的长度、地下土壤温度、土壤的热物性及系统运行模式等因素有关.系统最佳运行模式对于地下温度场的恢复、系统运行优化以及减少埋管换热器的造价都有重要意义.文章通过人为控制机组的运行模式,探求连续运行及间歇运行模式下埋管换热器内水温变化规律,以期找到地下换热系统运行优化的最佳手段.     

土壤源热泵的研究与开发

土壤源热泵是利用地下土壤能源资源来进行供暖空调的一种高效、节能、环保型空调技术，近年来得到了快速的发展；文章介绍了它的国内外研究状况，分析了土壤的传热特性、土壤的温度分布状况及埋地盘管的传热特性，建立了埋地盘管的传热数学模型，指出了土壤源热泵研究与发展中的关键性问题，最后展望了其应用前景。     

A two-region simulation model of vertical U-tube ground heat exchanger and its experimental verification

Heat transfer around vertical ground heat exchanger (GHE) is a common problem for the design and simulation of ground coupled heat pump (GCHP). In this paper, an updated two-region vertical U-tube GHE analytical model, which is fit for system dynamic simulation of GCHP, is proposed and developed. It divides the heat transfer region of GHE into two parts at the boundary of borehole wall, and the two regions are coupled by the temperature of borehole wall. Both steady and transient heat transfer method are used to analyze the heat transfer process inside and outside borehole, respectively. The transient borehole wall temperature is calculated for the soil region outside borehole by use of a variable heat flux cylindrical source model. As for the region inside borehole, considering the variation of fluid temperature along the borehole length and the heat interference between two adjacent legs of U-tube, a quasi-three dimensional steady-state heat transfer analytical model for the borehole is developed based on the element energy conservation. The implement process of the model used in the dynamic simulation of GCHPs is illuminated in detail and the application calculation example for it is also presented. The experimental validation on the model is performed in a solar-geothermal multifunctional heat pump experiment system with two vertical boreholes and each with a 30 m vertical 1 1/4 in nominal diameter HDPE single U-tube GHE, the results indicate that the calculated fluid outlet temperatures of GHE by the model are agreed well with the corresponding test data and the guess relative error is less than 6%.     

Heat and mass transfer model of a ground heat exchanger: validation and sensitivity analysis

Validation of ground heat exchanger (GHE) model is presented using the experimental data obtained for both single and double pipe horizontal GHE. Sensitivity analysis of the GHE model shows the influence of the variation in the soil thermal conductivity, specific heat and density on the thermal performance of a GHE. Finally, the thermal performance of a GHE is analysed using both heat and mass transfer models, and conduction only model, as well as the influence of the initial soil moisture content on the thermal performance of a GHE. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Improved underground heat exchanger by using no-dig method for space heating and cooling

This paper describes experiments and analyses on an improved underground heat exchanger by using a no-dig method for the purpose of the cost reduction of a space heating and cooling system using underground thermal energy. First, the improved underground heat exchanger was installed on the campus of Hokkaido University, and it was shown that a ground source heat pump system utilizing the heat exchanger was sufficient for space heating and cooling. Second, evaluation program of the heat exchanger was developed, and the program was verified to give good predictions by comparing with experimental results. As a result of system simulations, an energy reduction for a system installation relative to a conventional vertical earth heat exchanger reached 78%. The primary energy reduction rate including the system installation and operation relative to a typical air source heat pump was 29%.     

不同管间距的垂直U型地埋管换热实验研究

对不同管间距的垂直U型地埋管进行了夏季工况连续实验,比对单U地埋管换热器不同管间距下的单位井深换热量、管群内土壤温度变化和系统运行情况,结果表明,管间距越大,单U换热器和土壤之间换热效果越好,管群内的热干扰越弱;管间距过小,系统内换热器的换热情况将恶化,导致不能长期稳定运行。     

Heat transfer of a horizontal spiral heat exchanger under groundwater advection

Groundwater flows at approximately 1–3 m under the ground surface in a given region. If groundwater flow is present, the performance of a horizontal ground heat exchanger (HGHE), buried in a shallow trench, is enhanced. Nevertheless, owing to the general depth at which groundwater is present, research regarding the heat transfer of a ground heat exchanger (GHE) under conditions with groundwater flow has mainly focused on vertical GHE systems. To the authors’ knowledge, no such studies have addressed HGHEs. From a system design perspective, a prediction tool is needed to consider the groundwater flow, optimize the size of the horizontal heat exchanger, minimize the initial cost and maximize the operational efficiency. Therefore, in this study, a moving ring source model was established and solved analytically to describe the temperature response of a spiral heat exchanger with groundwater flow. In addition, experiments were carried out to study the soil temperature variation during the operation of a spiral heater with different water velocities. The validity of the proposed model was proven by the good agreement between the experimental and calculated results. The average virtual tube surface temperature variations of single ring sources in two different configurations are discussed. Furthermore, the average virtual tube surface temperatures of multiple ring sources extending from single arrangements were computed and approximation algorithms were introduced to reduce the calculation time. The approximation approach has been proven to run thousands of times faster than the initial method, and the calculation results are in 97% agreement with those of the initial method. In summary, this study provides a useful tool for the design of spiral heat exchangers.     

土壤高温储热热湿迁移过程的初步研究

初步建立了土壤高温储热热湿迁移过程的数学模型,并进行了数值求解.结果表明,土壤热湿迁移过程中的湿度场稳定时间明显滞后于温度场,且与土壤类型和水力传导特性等有关.对于水力传导性较差的土壤,在高温储热初期,靠近热源的地方容易产生湿份聚集,使得湿度曲线出现一个短期峰值.与低温储热相比,土壤高温储热时湿度迁移对温度场的影响较大,温度场呈整体降低趋势,降低幅度顺序为:砂土>壤土>粘土.在该文模拟条件下,粘土的热湿迁移过程对于初始湿度的变化不敏感,而砂土的热湿迁移过程则依赖于初始湿度,且影响程度随着初始湿度的增加而增大.     

土壤源热泵竖直埋管换热器钻孔外传热模型综述

介绍了土壤源热泵竖直埋管换热器钻孔外的传统的无限长线热源模型,无限长圆柱模型,有限长线热源模型以及改进后的热湿传递的线热源模型,变热流的线热源模型,土壤分层的线热源模型。分析了各种模型之间的联系、区别以及优缺点。提出了完善土壤源热泵竖直埋管换热器钻孔外传热模型需进一步研究的内容。     

Study on hybrid ground-coupled heat pump system for air-conditioning in hot-weather areas like Hong Kong

The ground-coupled heat pump (GCHP) system is becoming attractive for air-conditioning in some moderate-weather regions due to its high energy efficiency and reliable operation capability. However, when the technology is used in buildings where there is only cooling load in hot-weather areas like Hong Kong, the heat rejected into the ground by the GCHP systems will accumulate around the ground heat exchangers (GHE). This heat accumulation will result in degradation of system performance and increment of system operating costs. This problem can be resolved by using the hybrid ground-coupled heat pump (HGCHP) system, which uses supplemental heat rejecters to reject the accumulated heat. This paper presents a practical hourly simulation model of the HGCHP system by modeling the heat transfer process of the system’s main components. The computer program based on this hourly simulation model can be used to calculate the hour-by-hour operation data of the HGCHP system. As a case study, both a HGCHP system and a traditional GCHP system are designed for a hypothetic private residential building located in Hong Kong, and the economic comparisons are conducted between these two types of systems. The simulation results show that the HGCHP system can effectively solve the heat accumulation problem and reduce both the initial costs and operating costs of the air-conditioning system in the building.     

渗流对地下埋管换热器传热管间距的影响

为确定地下水渗流对土壤蓄冷与土壤耦合热泵集成系统中竖直地下管群换热器管间距的影响,本文基于热渗耦合作用下的数学模型,采用整体求解方法模拟了冬、夏季工况下管内流体、地下埋管换热器及周围土壤的温度场,分析了地下水渗流对其传热过程的影响。结果表明在冬夏工况下管间距宜不同,地下水运动对温度场的影响明显,而且地下水流速越高影响越大。     

The relative importance of moisture transfer,soil freezing and snow cover on ground temperature predictions

Predicting ground temperature is an important part of the analysis of geothermal resources assessment and use. Thus, we develop and validate one-dimensional numerical model for heat and mass transfer in partially frozen soils. The model is implemented in HVACSIM Plus and used to simulate the thermal regime of soil profile. In addition to modeling heat conduction, model variations also includes moisture transfer, snow accumulation and melting, and soil freezing and thawing. The results are compared against experimental measurements of ground temperature for three locations in Montana, USA. The differences between simulated depth temperature with and without snow cover and freezing and thawing of soil reveal that ground temperatures are predominantly influenced by these two factors. Considering moisture transfer slightly improves temperature predictions, although it increases computational time by one order of magnitude. To balance computational efficiency with prediction accuracy, we propose an equivalent moisture content of 40–60% saturation in predicting ground temperature.     

An investigation of the heat pump performance and ground temperature of a piled foundation heat exchanger system for a residential building

Novel methods are sought to provide greater efficiency of the installation of ground heat exchangers for GSHPs (ground source heat pumps) in domestic buildings. An economically viable option is to utilise concrete foundation piles as ground heat exchangers. The objective of this study is to investigate the operation of utilising a piled foundation structure as a ground heat exchanger. A test plot of 72 m² (ground floor area) was produced with 21 × 10 m deep concrete piles, with a single U tube pipe in each. Ground heat was extracted by a heat pump with the heat loading being varied in line with the date and the average air temperature. Over the 2007/2008 heating season this study had investigated the temperature changes in the foundation piles and the surrounding ground in addition to the heat pump operational performance. The temperature changes observed in the region of the test plot were compared with variations naturally experienced in the ground due to the seasonal climatic influence. The SPF (seasonal performance factor) of the heat pump was 3.62 and the ground temperature at a distance of 5 m from the test plot was seen to be undisturbed by the heat extraction and followed the predicted seasonal variation.     

Feasibility study on novel hybrid ground coupled heat pump system with nocturnal cooling radiator for cooling load dominated buildings

When the ground coupled heat pump (GCHP) system is utilized for air conditioning in cooling load dominated buildings, the heat rejected into ground will accumulate around the ground heat exchangers (GHE) and results in system performance degradation. A novel hybrid ground coupled heat pump (HGCHP) system with nocturnal cooling radiator (NCR) works as supplemental heat rejecter is proposed in this paper to resolve this problem. The practical analytical model of NCR and novel HGCHP system are established. The computer program based on established model is developed to simulate the system operation performance. The novel HGCHP system is designed and simulated for a sample building located in Hong Kong, and a simple life cycle cost comparisons are carried out between this system and conventional GCHP system. The results indicate that it is feasible to use NCR serves as supplemental heat rejecter of the novel HGCHP system for cooling load dominated buildings even those located in humid subtropical climate areas. This novel HGCHP system provides a new valuable choice for air conditioning in cooling load dominated buildings, and it is especially suitable for buildings with limited surface land areas.     

夏季间歇运行工况下相变温度对相变回填地埋管换热器传热性能的影响

为探究相变温度对相变材料回填地埋管换热器传热性能的影响,建立管内流体换热、回填区域相变换热及土壤换热的三维耦合传热数值模型,利用焓-多孔介质模型对相变区域相变问题进行处理,研究夏季间歇运行工况下不同相变温度回填材料对埋管换热器传热性能的影响。结果表明:添加PCM,可有效提高换热量,短期内缓解埋管周围热积聚,利用相变温度18℃的PCM回填,单位井深换热量至少比普通材料回填提高49.54%;在间歇运行初期,换热量随相变温度的升高逐渐减小,低相变温度的PCM可明显改善埋管换热量,但随着时间的进行,较高相变温度PCM回填对换热器换热量的改善效果优于前期低相变温度。此外,在运行期间,不同相变温度的PCM表现出不同的熔化、凝固特性,当PCM的熔化、凝固过程交替进行时,可减缓土壤温度在运行期间内波动幅度。