Prevention of icing with ground source heat pipe: A theoretical analysis for Turkey's climatic conditions

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore preventing icing by using the ground as a heat source at the appropriate region. The heat energy that can be transferred from ground to surface with an elbow heat pipe was analyzed. This study's variables are heat pipe diameter (10 to 50mm), evaporator and condenser lengths (1 to 5m), ground temperature (3 to 7°C), air temperature (−2 to −10°C) and wind velocity (3 to 10m/s). It is calculated that the heat that can be transferred from ground changes in direct proportion to ground temperature, heat pipe diameter, and evaporator and condenser lengths. The protection area where the heat pipe can prevent icing depends on the heat transferred from the ground. When the heat pipe diameter is 25mm, air temperature is −8°C, ground temperature is 6°C, wind velocity is 6m/s and if the evaporator and condenser lengths are 1m then the protection area is 2.7m2, if they are 5m then the protection area is 14.2m2. The heat transfer from the ground surface to ambient increases with the increase of wind velocity and also with the decrease of air temperature. This increase of heat transfer decreases the protection area. In conclusion, the ground can be used to prevent icing as an energy source for heat pipes in Turkey's climatic conditions.