Abstract
The geothermal cooling system of six 16th century villas in Costozza (Vicenza, Italy) is analysed and modelled using computational fluid dynamics and referring to in-field monitoring data. The system passively cools the villas in summertime by means of underground ducts connected to the caves present in the nearby hills. It still perfectly works in Villa Aeolia, which is analysed here in more detail. The outcomes permit us to better understand the functioning conditions and to improve the conservation of the villas as a whole. Furthermore, the ancient cooling system can be used as a reference for how geothermal renewable resources can be used to improve indoor comfort and limit energy consumption in modern buildings in a temperate climate. A macroscopic analysis of the global airflow system as well as a detailed analysis of Villa Aeolia are developed. All results are validated with analytical methods, numerical methods, and with past experimental records. The system can provide fresh airflow rates that cool the walls of the room and maintain the temperature below 20 ° C even on hot summer days. An advantage is that the system works in a self-adaptive way, the airflow increases when the outdoor temperature increases. This self-adjustment allows us to compare the cooling system to a modern environmental control system.
Highlights
The growing need to reduce energy consumption in buildings has promoted interest in passive geothermal cooling and natural ventilation techniques to improve indoor comfort
The reviews of Ozgener [7], Sigh [8], Ascione [9], and Yusof [10] present studies conducted on Earth air heat exchangers (EAHEs) in Turkey, India, Italy, and Malaysia, respectively, giving some indication about performances, costs, and perspectives
We checked and used the values of the velocity computed in the ventidotto at 10 m upstream of the villas, since we needed the averaged air velocity in the ventidotto, not affected by the local aerodynamics effects of the villas
Summary
The growing need to reduce energy consumption in buildings has promoted interest in passive geothermal cooling and natural ventilation techniques to improve indoor comfort. Earth air heat exchangers (EAHEs) can capture heat from and/or dissipate heat to the ground, preheating the air in winter and cooling it in summer. Soltani [4] presents a comprehensive investigation of geothermal heating and cooling systems, with an overview of ground source heat pumps and ground heat exchangers. Several factors that can enhance the installation soundness and thermal performance of geothermal heating or cooling systems are discussed. Kaushal [5] gives a comprehensive review of experimental and analytical studies on geothermal heat exchangers. The reviews of Ozgener [7], Sigh [8], Ascione [9], and Yusof [10] present studies conducted on EAHEs (earth to air heat exchanger systems) in Turkey, India, Italy, and Malaysia, respectively, giving some indication about performances, costs, and perspectives
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