Horizontal Air-Ground Heat Exchanger Performance and Humidity Simulation by Computational Fluid Dynamic Analysis

Abstract

Improving energy efficiency in buildings and promoting renewables are key objectives of European energy policies. Several technological measures are being developed to enhance the energy performance of buildings. Among these, geothermal systems present a huge potential to reduce energy consumption for mechanical ventilation and cooling, but their behavior depending on varying parameters, boundary and climatic conditions is not fully established. In this paper a horizontal air-ground heat exchanger (HAGHE) system is studied by the development of a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. Summer and winter conditions representative of the Mediterranean climate are analyzed to evaluate operation and thermal performance differences. A particular focus is given to humidity variations as this parameter has a major impact on indoor air quality and comfort. Results show the benefits that HAGHE systems can provide in reducing energy consumption in all seasons, in summer when free-cooling can be implemented avoiding post air treatment using heat pumps.

Performance analysis of heat accumulation of solar thermal generator units by computer numerical simulation

“…For the stable operation of the steam turbine, it is necessary to rely on the heat accumulator to release energy in time to compensate for fluctuations in the value of the solar heat absorber. Therefore, by controlling the opening of the regulating valve, the automatic accumulator pressure regulating system at the outlet of the heat accumulator can largely release the energy in a timely manner, which can stabilize the steam pressure before the turbine inlet to a certain degree [13].…”

Heat Transfer in a Drilling Fluid with Geothermal Applications

“…Geothermal energy is the thermal energy generated and stored in the Earth which can be extracted and used [3]. Similar to other natural energy resources, such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and waves, geothermal energy is also considered as a renewable or semi-renewable source of energy [4,5]. This is one of the advantages of geothermal energy compared with fossil fuels; another advantage is that it is environmentally more friendly [6][7][8].…”

Operation of a Tube GAHE in Northeastern Poland in Spring and Summer—A Comparison of Real-World Data with Mathematically Modeled Data

“…Baglivo et al [17] aimed to determine the optimal number of tubes in a horizontal GAHE by analyzing air temperature, air flow rate, pipe depth, and soil thermal conductivity in TRNSYS 17 software. GAHEs can be integrated with solar chimneys for passive cooling of buildings [18].The operation, design, and optimization of GAHEs are often analyzed with the use of numerical simulations [19][20][21]. Kumar et al [22] relied on a genetic algorithm to optimize the design of a GAHE.…”

“…The operation, design, and optimization of GAHEs are often analyzed with the use of numerical simulations [19][20][21]. Kumar et al [22] relied on a genetic algorithm to optimize the design of a GAHE.…”