The paper presents the results of observations of a brine-to-water a solar-assisted ground-source heat pump (SAGSHP) system located in building “INNO–EKO–TECH Innovative Research and Didactic Center for Alternative Energy Sources, Energy Efficient Construction and Environmental Protection” in the Bialystok University of Technology, north-east Poland. As the heat source of the system are three vertical ground heat exchanger (VGHE), length 70, 85 and 100 m. Independently, there are three control probes to monitor the temperature in the vicinity of VGHEs. The experimental results indicate that soil temperature raises from 0.2°C for 5 m distance, up to 0.5°C for 5 m distance.

The paper presents the ground temperature analysis, heat flows and energy transferred from the soil massif by the vertical ground heat exchangers (VGHE). Three cases – with one, two and three vertical heat exchangers were compared. Their influences on the soil massif temperature in the heat exchangers area were shown. The mass flow and the temperature at the inlet and outlet side of the heat pump were measured in each circuit. Additional, the electricity consumption by the heat pump and energy supply to buffer vessel were measured. Finally, the Coefficient of Performance (COP) as a function of length of VGHE is shown for selected interval time.

A thermal model was used to compare an actual and a computational heat losses in an existing the semi-buried anaerobic digester (AD) during the winter season in Northeast Poland. This work is an attempt to answer the question whether the cause of the temperature decrease of the manure AD is underestimated the heat exchanger or its low efficiency. The answer to this question is important for manager to take appropriate action. Understanding the heat loss of biogas digester is important to use these technologies to produce the biogas on assumed level in cold environmentlike winter in Northeast Poland. From anaerobic digester point of view, the maintaining of optimal fermentation temperature is crucial. In the current study 2-D axisymmetric steady heat transfer model was carried out to calculate heat loss of AD for a real biogas plant located in north-eastern Poland and compared with actual state.

The performance of a solar-assisted ground-source heat pump (SAGSHP)system is discussed. The results of observations of ground-temperature profiles in a compressor heat pump installation for the central heating of selected rooms of a school building have been presented.

No abstract