Monitoring actual performance of ground source heat pump system using GPRS-based data transmission: A case analysis in Tangshan

The energy efficiency monitoring is an essential precondition for ground source heat pump system's controlling and energy saving operation. Based on the data monitoring applied in the school building, this work is focused on the parameters acquisition and operation analysis of the GSHP system in Tangshan. Results show the average COPs(coefficient of performance) are2.85 and 2.70 in summer and winter, respectively, and heat(cold) unbalance underground existed after whole year operation. The analysis of data also indicates that the direct borehole air-conditioning saved some power consumption obviously in the early stage of summer and energy saving of the GSHP system depended remarkably on its operation and management level. Besides the observation points of ground temperature are laid for a large-scale GSHP system, and the hydraulic balance of the pipes group needs to be concerned specially in safeguarding better reliability.

The Application of the Ground Source and Air-to-Water Heat Pumps in Cold Climate Areas

This article gives an overview of using the ground source heat pump (GSHP) and air-to-water heat pump (A&WHP) in cold climate areas for heating and for domestic hot water production of buildings. Computer simulation and analysis were carried out for a typical detached house, with 200 m2 of living area, the heat demand of 9 kW and the average heat demand for DHW production of 1 kW. In heating period the average Coefficient of Performance (COP) of the A&WHP is considerably lower than COP of the GSHP.

Application of Ground Source Heat Pump to a Supermarket in Portugal

The objective of the present paper is to describe a technical and economical visibility study of the application of ground source heat pumps （GSHP） in a supermarket in Portugal. The study was developed under the European project ＂Integration of Geothermal Energy Into Industrial Application - IGEIA＂, project number EIE 06/001, supported by the Intelligent Energy for Europe, IEE, of EACI, European Commission. In general for supermarkets installed in single buildings, the building envelope has higher rates of envelope areas per indoor air volume. In Portugal this fact produces high need of heating during the winter season and high cooling needs during the summer season. Inside the building there are strong internal heat loads produced by high densities of lights and equipments. However these internal loads are not distributed uniformly. There are some areas with high production of heat but there are others with production of cooling. Therefore the acclimatization of this kind of buildings is not so easy and the balance of heating and cooling needs is depending of different parameters which should be well evaluated. The energy consummation of the cold display cases and deep freezers in market area and storage is also very high. The different energy needs could be studied in an integrated way and could be partially satisfied by geothermal energy using ground source heat pumps. At the same time the boreholes could be used as an energy reservoir increasing the efficiency of whole system. Four different climatic zones in Portugal were selected, （north coast, interior north, south coast and interior south） using the same system. The results of the study show that the all energy needs can by partially satisfied by geothermal energy but they need to be integrated to increase the global efficiency. The paper shows that the geothermal energy can be an attractive application for the supermarkets in Portugal if the energy solution is studied in an integrated way and if it is also considered as a cost the emissions of CO2 avoid by the new system.

Evaluation of suitability area by ground source heat pump system in Baotou plain

According to the elements of hydrogeological conditions,lithology,stratigraphic thermal physical parameters,construction technology and economic rational elements,the evaluation system of ground source heat pump( GSHP) were established in Baotou plain. The factor weights were determined by using analytic hierarchy process,and the comprehensive element method was selected to evaluate the region suitability of GSHP system. The results show that the suitable area is 559. 63 km2 for utilizing GSHP in the studied area,accounting for 62. 58% of the total area; while the unsuitable area is 334. 60 km2,accounting for37.42%. The evaluating results can provide not only a scientific basis for development and utilization rationally of shallow geothermal heat in Baotou,but also offer an important reference to the other areas.

Possibilities of Reducing Energy Consumption by Optimization of Ground Source Heat Pump Systems in Babylon, Iraq

Iraq is located in the Middle East with an area that reaches 437,072 km2 and a population of about 36 million. This country is suffering from severe electricity shortage problems which are expected to increase with time. In this research, an attempt is made to minimize this problem by combining the borehole thermal energy storage (BTES) with a heat pump, the indoor temperature of a residential building or other facility may be increased or reduced beyond the temperature interval of the heat carrier fluid. Due to the relatively high ground temperature in Middle Eastern countries, the seasonal thermal energy storages (STES) and ground source heat pump (GSHP) systems have a remarkable potential, partly because the reduced thermal losses from the underground storage and the expected high COP (ratio of thermal energy gain to required driving energy (electricity)) of a heat pump, partly because of the potential for using STES directly for heating and cooling. In this research, groundwater conditions of Babylon city in Iraq were investigated to evaluate the possibility of using GSHP to reduce energy consumption. It is believed that such system will reduce consumed energy by about 60%.

Research on ground heat exchanger of Ground Source Heat Pump technique

Ground Source Heat Pump technique and its operating principle are described in this paper. Ground heat exchanger is the key technique of ground source heat pump and its patterns are discussed. Software is helpful to design ground heat exchanger. A project of Chinese Ground Source Heat Pump is introduced and its market is more and more extensive.

Zoning operation of energy piles to alleviate the soil thermal imbalance of ground source heat pump systems

Energy piles have attracted increasing interest for application in ground source heat pumps,because it is environment-friendly,energy-efficient,and without additional drilling cost.However,when there is a large dif-ference between the heating and cooling loads,the system will suffer from a soil thermal imbalance which may further decline the system performance and even cause a system failure.A hybrid ground source heat pump sys-tem that integrates auxiliary equipment can solve the problem,however,it needs additional investment and a complicated control strategy.In this paper,the zoning operation of energy piles can effectively improve the tem-perature recovery ability of soil in the energy pile group and thus alleviate the soil thermal imbalance.Specifically,a heating-dominated residential building in Beijing is selected for a case study,with 144 energy piles arranged in a 12×12 layout.An analytical model of the spiral-coil energy pile group with seepage will be adopted,which can consider the groundwater flow,the geometry of spiral coils,and the thermal interaction among different energy piles,achieving high calculation accuracy and fast calculation speed.Based on this analytical energy pile model,a system model will be built to investigate the system performance influenced by different zoning operation strategies.Results show that intensive heat injection into the center of the pile group(Strategy 2 and Strategy 3)or heat extraction from the outer layer of the pile group(Strategy 4)can relieve the cold accumulation.Strategy 2 can relieve the outlet temperature decline from 5.54℃ to 4.46℃ and improve the heating COP from 3.297 to 3.423 compared to the conventional full operation strategy.Although the annual heat pump COP of Strategy 2 is a little lower than that of conventional full operation strategy,Strategy 2 has the shortest unmet heating or cooling time.Therefore,the proposed zoning operation strategy can achieve good system efficiency and excellent system reliability compared to the conventional strategy.

Prediction and parametric analysis of 3D borehole and total internal thermal resistance of single U-tube borehole heat exchanger for ground source heat pumps

The borehole and total internal thermal resistance are both significant parameters in evaluating the thermal performance of the ground source heat pump.This study aimed to obtain the accurate correlation of the 3D borehole and total internal thermal resistance(R_(b,3D)and R_(a,3D))and analyze the impacts of parameters on the R_(b,3D)and R_(a,3D).Firstly,eight parameters affecting the R_(b,3D)and R_(a,3D),including the borehole diameter,pipe diameter,pipe-pipe distance,borehole depth,soil thermal conductivity,grout thermal conductivity,pipe thermal conductivity,and fluid velocity inside the pipe,were considered and an L-54 design matrix was generated.Then,the 3D numerical model,coupling with the four-resistance model,was proposed to calculate R_(b,3D)and R_(a,3D)for each case.After that,the response surface methodology was employed to obtain and verify the correlation of R_(b,3D)and R_(a,3D),which were compared with the existing resistance calculation methods.Lastly,analysis of variance was carried out to reveal parameters that have statistically significant impacts on the R_(b,3D)and R_(a,3D).Results show that the rationality and accuracy of the correlation of R_(b,3D)and R_(a,3D)can be verified by the determination coefficient and P value of regression model,as well as the P value of lack-of-fit.The existing resistance calculation methods are more or less inaccurate and the discrepancies in some cases can be up to 86.74%and 111.35%for the borehole and total internal thermal resistance.The pipe and grout thermal conductivity,pipe and borehole diameter,and the pipe-pipe distance can be seen as the significant contributory factors to the variation of R_(b,3D)and R_(a,3D).

Application and development of ground source heat pump technology in China

Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) are one of the renewable energy technologies with features of high efficiency, energy saving, economic feasibility and environmental protection. In China, GSHPs have been widely used for building heating and cooling in recent years, and have shown great potential for future energy development. This paper summarizes the classification, development history, and use status of shallow GSHPs. Several typical engineering cases of GSHP technology are also specified and analyzed. Finally, promising development trends and some advanced technologies are illustrated.

Thermal Efficiency Optimization of a Ground Source Heat Pump System by Assistant Preheating/Precooling: A Case Study on a Heating-Load Dominated Building

Operation strategies of Ground Source Heat Pump System(GSHPS) such as continuous or intermittent approaches have been extensively studied. In this work, a novel strategy was proposed to maximize the energy efficiency of GSHPS. In this approach, the buildings was first air-conditioned by the preheating/precooling mode and the rest thermal load was covered by the heat pump(HP) mode. The system performance can then be optimized by considering the combination of these two operating modes. A case study was made to examine the thermal performance of a GSHPS installed in Nuremberg, Germany. Thermal performance of the HP and the preheating/precooling operating modes was examined. The system was optimized by deploying the assistant preheating/precooling approach and over one-year period monitoring showed that the seasonal Coefficient of Performance(COP) of the GSHPS was 4.12 in winter and 5.01 in summer. These COP values are higher than that of the conventional GSHPS. Thus, this proposed strategy could be an efficient way to improve the thermal performance of GSHPS.

Arrangement Strategy of Ground Heat Exchanger with Groundwater

The orientation strategy of side pipe and the heat transfer performance of six ground heat exchangers(GHEs) were optimized by numerical simulation,with soil being treated as a porous medium.An experiment on the heat transfer of four GHEs was carried out in 2010.Results indicate that the velocity field is disturbed by GHEs.The optimal orientation strategy of side pipe is that the upward pipe is located upstream and the downward pipe downstream.The space between GHEs should be appropriately adjusted,depending on the direction and flow velocity.Groups of GHEs should be installed perpendicular to the mainstream in a single row,but if the acreage does not meet the requirements,GHEs should be installed in staggered multiple rows.Fewer GHEs parallel to the mainstream strengthen the heat transfer.Moreover,numerical results agree well with the test data,with the maximum relative error being less than 7.7%.

Numerical Simulation of Heat Transfer Characteristics of Horizontal Ground Heat Exchanger in Frozen Soil Layer

A simplified numerical model of heat transfer characteristics of horizontal ground heat exchanger (GHE) in the frozen soil layer is presented and the steady-state distribution of temperature field is simulated. Numerical results show that the frozen depth mainly depends on the soil′s moisture content and ambient temperature. The heat transfer loss of horizontal GHE tends to grow with the increase of the soil′s moisture content and the decrease of ambient temperature. Backfilled materials with optimal thermal conductivity can reduce the thermal loss effectively in the frozen soil. The applicability of the Chinese national standard “Technical Code for Ground Source Heat Pump (GB 50366-2005)” is verified. For a ground source heat pump project, the feasible layout of horizontal GHE should be determined based on the integration of the soil′s structure, backfilled materials, weather data, and economic analysis.

Thermal Analysis of the Ground Properties with a Single Borehole Heat Exchanger

The effect of ground properties with heat conduction between soil and ground loop heat exchangers(GLHEs)has been analyzed.A finite line source model proposed by Cui,Yang,and Fang is used.Far field radius is defined.The analyses for a 1.5m borehole line source in three kinds of soil conditions:damp and breeze(D.B.),damp and heavy(D.H.),and saturated and heavy(S.H.)are carried out.The results of the comparisons show that in the condition of continuous operation,the variation of the far field radius is related to soil thermal conductivity.The rate of heat transfer will decrease after long time operation.And then soil condition will not influence the far field radius obviously.

Development of Instantaneous Hot Water Dispenser Based on Water Source Heat Pump

Natural energy use is important to reduce the energy consumption of buildings. However, further reducing energy consumption with traditional systems is difficult. Therefore, we proposed a MMHP （multi-source and multi-use heat pump） to achieve higher efficiency than traditional systems. The MMHP system connects multiple heat sources such as solar heat, the ground, and air and multiple heat uses such as cooling, heating, and a hot water dispenser with a water loop. Each type of heat use side can utilize heat efficiently. However, there is a distinct lack of highly efficient hot water dispensers available. Therefore, we developed the IHWD WS （instantaneous hot water dispenser based on a water source） heat pump. In this study, we developed a prototype of the IHWD WS heat pump. The coefficient of performance of the IHWD WS heat pump was 5.2-8.5 throughout a year. When it is improved, COP （coefficient of performance） is expected to be 9.3-9.9.

UTES （Underground Thermal Energy Storage）---Applications and Market Development in Sweden

The market for shallow geothermal solutions has been continuously growing in Sweden and is recognized as a cost effective and environmental sound way for space heating. In later years, UTES （underground thermal energy storage） systems have become fTequently installed for combined heating and cooling of commercial and institutional buildings. After 20 years, operational experiences of these systems are proved to be energy efficient, technically safe and profitable. In this paper, the current statistics of UTES applications are given as well as market trends and technical development. The goal is to encourage designers and installers in other counties to use this promising technology.

Agriculture and Water Sources Protection Zones in the Czech Republic

The area of interest is located in the South Moravia Region at the confluence of the Jihlava, Oslava and Rokytn^i rivers. Ivan^ice spring area comprises a series of hydrologic boreholes, it is the main water source for water supply of Ivan^ice and Rosice towns and provides water for 30,000 inhabitants. The risk analysis was created on the basis of water quality monitoring, hydrogeological assessment and terrain exploration and a revision of protection zones was proposed. The spring area is situated in nitrate vulnerable zones and recently nitrate concentrations have been decreasing. Water quality evaluation results： high concentration of manganese and iron, sometimes higher concentration of ammonium and COD. This area is intensively used for agriculture and it is necessary to make a compromise solution during protection zones proposal, The regime in protection zones can not affect manganese and iron concentration （their origin is in the natural geological environment）. Therefore, water treatment plant is in operation and its modernization is proposed. Furthermore, the paper deals with spring area intensification construction of a new hydrologic borehole, and managed and unmanaged infiltration of surface water. The proposal of protection zones revision consists of reduction to a 2nd level protection zone.

Numerical and experimental evaluation on methods for parameter identification of thermal response tests

Several parameter identification methods of thermal response test were evaluated through numerical and experimental study.A three-dimensional finite-volume numerical model was established under the assumption that the soil thermal conductivity had been known in the simulation of thermal response test.The thermal response curve was firstly obtained through numerical calculation.Then,the accuracy of the numerical model was verified with measured data obtained through a thermal response test.Based on the numerical and experimental thermal response curves,the thermal conductivity of the soil was calculated by different parameter identification methods.The calculated results were compared with the assumed value and then the accuracy of these methods was evaluated.Furthermore,the effects of test time,variable data quality,borehole radius,initial ground temperature,and heat injection rate were analyzed.The results show that the method based on cylinder-source model has a low precision and the identified thermal conductivity decreases with an increase in borehole radius.For parameter estimation,the measuring accuracy of the initial temperature of the deep ground soil has greater effect on identified thermal conductivity.

Thermal Response Test by Improved Test Rig with Heating or Cooling Soil

An improved test rig providing both the heat and cold source was used to perform thermal response test （TRT）, and the line source model was used for data analysis. The principle of determining the temperature difference between the inlet and outlet of test well can keep the heating or cooling rate constant, along with a reduced size of test rig. Among the influencial factors of the line source model, the temperature difference was determined as the most important, which agreed with the test results. When the gravel was taken as the backfill material, the soil thermal conductivities of heating and cooling at the test place were 1.883 W/（m＆#183;K） and 1.754 W/（m＆#183;K）, respectively, and the deviation of TRT between heating and cooling soil was 6.8%. In the case of fine sand, the thermal conductivities of heating and cooling were 1.541 W/（m＆#183;K） and 1.486 W/（m＆#183;K）, respectively, and the corresponding deviation was 6%. It was also concluded that different velocities of water had less influence on TRT than the temperature difference.

Multi-variable Optimization of HVAC System Using a Genetic Algorithm

Geothermal is a fast-growing alternative heat source for HVAC systems, however, the initial cost of using a ground source HVAC system is higher compared to an air source system. Studies about system design and operation are necessary to reduce the initial cost and ensure that the ground source heat pump system has high efficiency, resulting in a lower total life-time cost. In this study, a multi-variable evolutionary computation algorithm is proposed for generating optimal parameters for a geothermal source HVAC system. The system was modeled and simulated using MATLAB. The design parameters were calculated by minimizing the energy consumption, Based on an experimental building, a case study was presented. Using this model, the optimal set points were calculated and used as a designed system. Energy consumption of this system was reduced by about 10% compared to the system operated with a fixed supply cold water temperature （7 ℃）.