Development of Operating Method of Multi-Geothermal Heat Pump Systems Using Variable Water Flow Rate Control and a COP Prediction Model Based on ANN

Ji-Hyun Shin,Young-Hum Cho,Yong-In Kim

doi:10.3390/en12203894

Abstract

As the global energy trend continues, the importance of energy savings and efficient use is being emphasized, and the installation and operation of geothermal heat pump systems is increasing. In many buildings, where an actual geothermal heat pump system has been installed, problems of efficiency deterioration occur frequently because of the inefficient operation after installation of the heat pump system. The purpose of this study was to develop and verify the operating method for energy saving and performance improvement of multiple geothermal systems. A coefficient of performance (COP) prediction model using an artificial neural network for real-time COP predictions was developed. The operating method of a multi-geothermal heat pump system using a variable water flow rate control method and COP prediction model was developed. The geothermal heat pump system operates sequentially depending on the water flow rate of the circulation pump. The COP prediction model enabled real-time performance prediction during system operation. The circulation water flow rate was reduced by up to 29% compared to the existing operating method. Approximately 23% of the energy was saved. The COP system, including the consumption power of the circulation pump, was improved.

Highlights

With the global increase in energy consumption, there is a continuing social interest in energy savings and efficient use in the building sector
The purpose of this study is to develop a coefficient of performance (COP) prediction model using artificial neural network (ANN) and to develop a multi-geothermal heat pump system using the variable flow rate control of a circulating pump
This study proposes the sequential operating method of the multi-geothermal heat pump system using variable water flow rate control and the COP prediction model

Summary

Introduction

With the global increase in energy consumption, there is a continuing social interest in energy savings and efficient use in the building sector. Among the new and renewable energies, the installation and utilization of geothermal heat pump systems are increasing. These systems can operate efficiently throughout the year because the ground temperature is warmer than the ground surface temperature in the winter and cooler in summer, and they have excellent cooling and heating performance. Because of the initial high installation cost of the entire system, a geothermal heat pump system needs to be designed properly to reduce the installation cost and maintain stable performance. It is essential to save energy, secure system performance, and reduce the operating cost through the efficient operation of geothermal heat pump systems

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Conclusion