Thermo-economic analysis of borehole heat exchangers (BHE) grouted using drilling cuttings in a dolomite area

Luo J, Xue W, Hu T, Xiang W, Rohn J (2019)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2019

Journal

Applied Thermal Engineering Elsevier

Book Volume: 150

Pages Range: 305-315

DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2018.12.130

Abstract

One major barrier to the application of ground source heat pump (GSHP) systems is linked to the high installation costs of borehole heat exchanger (BHE). Therefore, it is of crucial importance to reduce the costs of BHEs by maintaining high thermal efficiency. In this paper, thermo-economic performance of BHEs grouted using drilling cuttings mixtures in a dolomite area is studied. Thermal conductivity for the drilling cuttings with bentonite and cement mixtures was measured and the mixture ratio was optimized. Four thermal response tests (TRTs) were implemented in the field to determine the borehole thermal properties. Results show that the BHEs grouted using drilling cuttings reach the same heat transfer efficiency than those BHEs grouted by silicate sand or concrete. Furthermore, a case study is made to evaluate the economic performance of 566 BHEs with different grouting alternatives of a GSHP system. Compared to the materials of concrete and bentonite-quartz mixtures, 14.87% and 17.16% of BHE installation costs can be saved using the dolomite drilling cuttings. Thus, drilling cuttings grouted BHEs have a high thermo-economic performance for GSHP systems application in dolomite areas.

Authors with CRIS profile

Joachim Rohn Professur für Angewandte Geologie und Modellierung von Umweltsystemen

Involved external institutions

China University of Geosciences / 中国地质大学 CN China (CN)

How to cite

APA:

Luo, J., Xue, W., Hu, T., Xiang, W., & Rohn, J. (2019). Thermo-economic analysis of borehole heat exchangers (BHE) grouted using drilling cuttings in a dolomite area. Applied Thermal Engineering, 150, 305-315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2018.12.130

MLA:

Luo, Jin, et al. "Thermo-economic analysis of borehole heat exchangers (BHE) grouted using drilling cuttings in a dolomite area." Applied Thermal Engineering 150 (2019): 305-315.

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