Factors Influencing the Thermal Efficiency of Horizontal Ground Heat Exchangers

Di Sipio E, Bertermann D (2017)


Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2017

Journal

Book Volume: 10

Pages Range: 1897

Journal Issue: 11

URI: http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/10/11/1897

DOI: 10.3390/en10111897

Open Access Link: http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/10/11/1897

Abstract

The performance of very shallow geothermal systems (VSGs), interesting the first 2 m of depth from ground level, is strongly correlated to the kind of sediment locally available. These systems are attractive due to their low installation costs, less legal constraints, easy maintenance and possibility for technical improvements. The Improving Thermal Efficiency of horizontal ground heat exchangers Project (ITER) aims to understand how to enhance the heat transfer of the sediments surrounding the pipes and to depict the VSGs behavior in extreme thermal situations. In this regard, five helices were installed horizontally surrounded by five different backfilling materials under the same climatic conditions and tested under different operation modes. The field test monitoring concerned: (a) monthly measurement of thermal conductivity and moisture content on surface; (b) continuous recording of air and ground temperature (inside and outside each helix); (c) continuous climatological and ground volumetric water content (VWC) data acquisition. The interactions between soils, VSGs, environment and climate are presented here, focusing on the differences and similarities between the behavior of the helix and surrounding material, especially when the heat pump is running in heating mode for a very long time, forcing the ground temperature to drop below 0 °C.

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How to cite

APA:

Di Sipio, E., & Bertermann, D. (2017). Factors Influencing the Thermal Efficiency of Horizontal Ground Heat Exchangers. Energies, 10(11), 1897. https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/en10111897

MLA:

Di Sipio, Eloisa, and David Bertermann. "Factors Influencing the Thermal Efficiency of Horizontal Ground Heat Exchangers." Energies 10.11 (2017): 1897.

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