Ground-coupled Heat Pump System Research Articles

Enhancing life cycle assessment for reversible ground-coupled heat pump systems through dynamic analysis

Ground-coupled heat pump (GCHP) systems can provide comfortable indoor environments, but also inevitably contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and other impacts on human health, ecosystems, and resources. Life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology has been widely adopted to estimate the environmental impacts associated with GCHP systems, with operational electricity consumption being the largest contributor among most categories. Given the data-intensive nature of LCA, operational electricity consumption should be prioritised to refine the accuracy of LCA results. Previous studies, however, have relied on static COP (Coefficient of Performance) and annual average data to obtain the environmental impacts and have disregarded the effect of long-term performance degradation caused by building thermal load imbalances. In this paper, to bridge this research gap, a dynamic operational environmental impact assessment (DOEIA) method was proposed to improve the precision of LCA results by incorporating higher temporal resolution data of electricity mix and real-time performance modelling of the reversible GCHP system. Impacts of different temporal resolutions (i.e. monthly, trimestral, and annual) on the accuracy of LCA results was examined and the operational performance degradation resulting from imbalanced building heating and cooling loads was considered. Results demonstrate that while performance degradation effects are evenly distributed across impact categories, gaps due to temporal resolutions vary significantly between different categories. Subsequent analysis of spatial variations in the latter further emphasises the importance of accounting for higher temporal resolutions. Finally, life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) results for reversible GCHP systems in different locations were obtained with the support of DOEIA method and the results underscore the necessity of a cleaner energy mix. The proposed DOEIA method can be applied to other energy systems for comparative analyses. It is replicable in other countries and regions and therefore is expected to provide methodological guidance for future decision-makers.

A multi-parameter estimation of layered rock-soil thermal properties of borehole heat exchanger in a stratified subsurface

The high initial investment of borehole heat exchanger (BHE) prevents the popularization and application of ground-coupled heat pump system (GCHPs). As the premise of designing BHE, ground thermal properties are usually obtained using thermal response test (TRT), and parameter estimation method are applied based on homogeneous BHE model independent of geological stratification. In this paper, a multi-parameter estimation method using Bat algorithm (BA) is firstly proposed to obtain the layered rock-soil thermal properties based on the numerical layered BHE model, considering the characteristics of geological stratification. Then, a TRT experimental platform of three-layer BHE is developed to measure thermal responses of different stratified subsurface. Finally, the six thermal properties are obtained by the proposed multi-parameter estimation method based on BA, and their accuracy is validated using the experimental data in TRT. The five temperatures obtained from the numerical layered BHE model using the estimated results are compared with the corresponding experimental data, the results show that the maximum error of the inlet and outlet water temperatures of the BHE is respectively 3.32 % and 3.59 %, and it is 3.31 %, 2.38 % and 2.7 % for the coarse sand, fine sand and brown soil, respectively.

Artificial neural networks for predicting the performance of heat pumps with horizontal ground heat exchangers

A Ground Coupled Heat Pump (GCHP) is a highly energy efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system that utilises the ground as the heat source when heating and as the heat sink when cooling. This paper investigates GCHP systems with horizontal Ground Heat Exchangers (GHEs) in the rural industry, exemplifying the technology for poultry (chicken) sheds in Australia. This investigation aims to provide an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model that can be used for GCHP design at various locations with different climates. To this extent, a Transient System Simulation Tool (TRNSYS) model for a typical horizontal GHE applied in a rural farm was first verified. Using this model, over 700,000 hourly performance data items were obtained, covering over 80 different yearly loading patterns under three different climate conditions. The simulated performance data was then used to train the ANN. As a result, the trained ANN can predict the performance of GCHP systems with identical (multiple) GHEs even under climatic conditions (and locations) that have not been specifically trained for. Unlike other works, the newly introduced ANN model is accurate even with limited types of input data, with high accuracy (less than 5% error in most cases tested). This ANN model is 100 times computationally faster than TRNSYS simulations and 10,000 times faster than finite element models.

Local entropy generation optimization and thermodynamic irreversibility analysis of oval-shaped coaxial ground heat exchangers: A detailed numerical investigation

Optimizing the heat transfer and thermodynamic efficiency of Ground Heat Exchangers (GHE) is crucial for maximizing the energy efficiency of Ground-coupled Heat Pump (GCHP) systems utilized in building heating and cooling applications. This study pioneers an effective approach of both the first and second laws of thermodynamics of the newly oval-shaped coaxial GHEs (oval-CGHEs), assessing heat transfer, thermohydraulic performance, and local entropy generation rate to explore the optimum design and operational conditions for heat exchange maximization and entropy generation minimization. Utilizing a three-dimensional numerical model validated by experimental results, this study examines the trade-offs between heat transfer improvements and entropy generation rate intensification of the oval-CGHEs in comparison to the typical circular-shaped CGHE (circle-CGHE) further than exploring the effect of key operational and design parameters and performing sensitivity analysis. The results reveal that oval-CGHEs exhibit higher irreversibility as a penalty for their superior heat transfer capabilities compared to traditional circular-shaped CGHEs (circle-CGHE), which can be mitigated by optimizing the position of the inner tube. Moreover, the study underscores the criticality of maintaining a balance between enhanced heat transfer and the associated rise in irreversibility, particularly concerning the factors of mass flow rates and installation depths.

Influence of Geology, Hydrogeology, and Climate on Ground Source Heat Pump Distribution in Slovenia and Selected European Countries

Shallow geothermal energy (SGE) is a renewable energy that could contribute to the decarbonatization of the heating and cooling sector. SGE is predominantly harnessed through ground source heat pump (GSHP) systems. The choice of which type of GSHP system depends on various factors. Understanding these factors is crucial for optimizing the efficiency of GSHP systems and fostering their implementation. In this paper, we have analysed the spatial distribution of GSHPs in Slovenia. We identified 1073 groundwater and 1122 ground-coupled heat pump systems with a total heat pump capacity of almost 30 MW. We quantitatively assessed the influence of geological, hydrogeological, and climate conditions on their spatial distribution. Using the χ2 test and information value method, we identified hydrogeological conditions as the most influential factor for the GSHP systems’ spatial distribution. We also performed the spatial analysis of geological and hydrogeological data in 22 European countries, including Slovenia. We collected the reported numbers of installed GSHP units in 2020 and were able to distinguish the shares of groundwater and ground-coupled heat pump systems for 12 of these countries. The analysis showed that ground-coupled heat pumps predominate in most countries, even if the natural conditions are favourable for groundwater heat pumps.

Comparative analysis of ground thermal conductivity and thermal resistance of borehole heat exchanger in different geological layered sequence

Borehole heat exchanger usually passes through many geological layers of the different thermo-physical properties from one layer to another in practical project of ground-coupled heat pump system. Considering the effect of heterogeneity in geological structures on heat transfer of borehole heat exchanger, it is necessary for in-situ thermal response test analysis to investigate the effect of geological layered sequence on ground thermal conductivity and borehole thermal resistance. Firstly, based on the validated numerical layered borehole heat exchanger model and numerical homogenous borehole heat exchanger model, the simulated distributions of water temperatures in U-pipe and heat flux along the depth in thermal response test are respectively compared and analysed. Then, the effective thermal conductivity and effective borehole thermal resistance estimated by the infinite line source model are respectively obtained based on the simulated thermal response tests carried out in the borehole heat exchanger installed in the six types of geological layered structures. The borehole thermal resistances in the two numerical model were respectively calculated by integrating the local thermal resistance along the depth. Finally, the ground thermal conductivities and borehole thermal resistances are compared in six types of geological layered structures. The results show that the maximum relative error of 7 % between the effective thermal conductivity and the thickness-weighted thermal conductivity in the numerical layered borehole heat exchanger model is located in the sequence of S-L-C due to BOTTOM 60m-thickness clay with lowest thermal conductivity. The relative error between effective borehole thermal resistance and borehole thermal resistance in the numerical layered borehole heat exchanger model are 3.5 %∼7.9 % in the six types of layered geological structures, and the maximum relative error between the two borehole thermal resistances corresponding to the two numerical models is only 1.1 %, which proves that effect of geological layered sequence on the deviation is limited in the two numerical models.

Transient heat transfer simulation, sensitivity analysis, and design optimization of shallow ground heat exchangers with hollow-finned structures for enhanced performance of ground-coupled heat pumps

Ground-Coupled Heat Pumps (GCHPs) are regarded as an effective technology for building energy development and residential hot water production. The essential challenges to encompass these systems in urbanized areas are the highly drilling and initial costs of GCHPs. To overcome this challenge, researchers and industries are seeking innovative solutions by focusing on optimizing the structure of ground heat exchangers (GHXs), which act as the essential component for efficient geothermal energy extraction in GCHPs. Hence, this paper introduces a comprehensive comparative numerical investigation of an innovative U-tube GHX with a hollow-finned structure for augmenting the performance of the GCHPs. This design remarkably enhances the thermal performances, reduces the thermal resistance, therefore minimizes borehole depth, reduces drilling costs, boosts GCHP's financial viability, and bolsters geothermal energy utilization. Therefore, a series of three-dimensional analyses of transient heat extraction is executed and validated using a practical field experiment performed by the authors' research group to investigate the thermal behavior of the hollow-finned U-tube GHX at different fin configurations and compare its efficacy to typical circular U-tube GHX. More so, a parametric study and sensitivity analysis are also performed to identify the influence of critical operational and design factors on the heat extraction of the proposed hollow-finned U-tube GHX compared to the typical circular GHX. The influences of groundwater flow on the transient heat extraction were also examined. Additionally, a dimensionless shape factor is introduced to assess the implications of the U-tube geometry with hollow-finned on the thermal performance of the GHXs. Furthermore, design optimization was also conducted by examining different branched-shaped hollow-fin's U-tube GHX configurations. The findings indicate that the mean heat transfer rate of hollow-finned U-tube GHX can be increased by 44.58 % compared to the conventional circular U-tube GHX. Correspondingly, the total thermal resistance of hollow-finned U-tubes GHX was reduced by 47.71 %. It also identified that the Y-shaped hollow-finned U-tube GHX was the optimal design among the investigated configurations of branched-shaped hollow-finned U-tube GHXs, demonstrating an increase of 52.64 % compared to the conventional circular U-tube GHX. Moreover, it is revealed that a lower shape factor enhances the heat transfer rate significantly. Furthermore, the optimal mass flow rate and desired number of hollow-finned were estimated as 0.80 kg/s and six fins, respectively. Conclusively, this investigation concludes that the hollow-finned U-tube GHX can greatly enhance the heat extraction rates and reduce borehole thermal resistance, which can increase the efficiency of GCHP systems.

A novel Ground Source heat exchanger in an underground metro tunnel

Using Ground Coupled Heat Pump (GCHP) systems in urban areas can be particularly difficult due to space or legislative constraints, other than excessive costs due to drilling. To overcome these problems, the authors proposed to use Artificial Ground Freezing (AGF) probes, used for tunnel excavation, as Ground Heat Exchangers (GHE). It is a widespread practice to seal the probes in the tunnel after the completion. The conversion of existing AGF probes into GHE for GCHP allows us to avoid additional drilling costs, and other space or legislative constraints associated with the use of GCHP systems in urban areas. Such systems could be developed to use underground urban transportation tunnels for heating and cooling in smart cities. These systems were tested after the construction of two tunnels, as part of the GeoGRID project, in Piazza Municipio, Naples, Italy. The data obtained from the experimental setup have been analysed and used for validation of a finite element model developed by the authors to simulate heat transfer between the probes and the surrounding ground. A simplified pipe flow model was introduced, in combination with a 3D model of the ground, to reduce the complexity and computational effort to solve the discretized equations. The simulation results have been compared with experimental data, showing a good agreement, and observing differences in the range of 2 – 5 %. The model can therefore be used as a predictive tool for the development of this type of innovative heat exchanger.

Optimizing vertical ground heat exchanger modelling through GPU-accelerated computation strategies

Enhancing Vertical Ground Heat Exchanger (VGHE) modelling for efficient Vertical Ground-Coupled Heat Pump (VGCHP) systems, renowned for their eco-friendly operation, has garnered significant attention. Optimally designing and sustaining the long-term efficiency of VGCHP systems necessitates rigorous, protracted VGHE modelling, a process fraught with computational intensity. To surmount this challenge, this contribution introduces an accelerated VGHE modelling paradigm grounded in Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) processing. This entails employing the Finite Line Source (FLS) model based on Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). To ameliorate computational demands, the processing capabilities of both Central Processing Units (CPUs) and GPUs are harnessed, leveraging CPU- and GPU-based FFT and inverse FFT (IFFT). Hybrid and non-hybrid processing modes are explored, differentiating between CPU- and GPU-based FFT in non-hybrid scenarios, while hybrid approaches combine both for distinct simulation periods. By scrutinizing two processing systems with varying specifications, diverse CPU- and GPU-based FFT combinations are assessed. Findings unequivocally underscore the superiority of CPU-based FFT for initial years, succeeded by GPU-based FFT for ensuing years, in terms of computational efficiency. The efficacy of the hybrid computation approach is demonstrated through a reduction of total computational time in 20-year VGCHP operation simulations by up to 33.5 % compared to conventional CPU-based FFT methods.

Modeling and investigation of the performance of a solar-assisted ground-coupled CO2 heat pump for space and water heating

The rise in the popularity of heat pumps should be accompanied by the increase in the utilization of environmentally-safe working fluids. To push for wider uptake of hybrid heat pump systems that use natural working fluids, information about their performance and operating characteristics should be made available. This study models a CO2 solar-assisted ground-coupled heat pump (SAGCHP) system and investigates its performance for space and water heating. Sensitivity analysis, parametric study, and long-term performance simulation were implemented, with the system’s seasonal performance factor (SPF), levelized cost of heating (LCOH), and ground temperature change (GTC) considered as performance indicators. It was seen that ensuring a good combination of design and operating specifications can result in an SPF (∼3.5) and LCOH (0.184 USD/kWh) that are comparable with those of SAGCHP systems that use conventional working fluids. The heat pump’s high-side pressure and output temperature exhibited notable effects on all the performance indicators. Below the optimal operating pressure, a 5% increase in the heat pump’s high-side pressure brought about a ∼7–10% improvement to the SPF, a ∼3–5% reduction to the LCOH, and a ∼6–10% increase to the GTC. Reducing the output temperature by 5% increased the SPF by ∼7–8%, decreased the LCOH by ∼3%, and increased the GTC by ∼6%. Parametric studies identified the presence of optimal heat pump discharge pressure and heat source circulation rate that should be used for operations. Long-term simulation shows that managing the GTC ensures the longevity of the system. Rather than oversizing the borehole heat exchangers (BHEs), it is more practical to reduce ground temperature decline by increasing the BHE spacing or by adding solar collectors.

Comprehensive performance of pv/t-gchps under heating conditions

In HSCW (Hot Summer and Cold Winter) climate zone of China, the building heat load is usually less than the cooling load which caused the problem of thermal accumulation of underground soil to damaged the COP of the heat pump system. PV/T-GCHPs (Photovoltaic/photothermal - Ground-coupled heat pump system) is a system that realizes the complementary utilization of geothermal energy and solar energy to solve the problem. The experimental platform of the system was designed and built, and the effect of the temperature of the outlet water from the ground buried pipes on the photoelectric efficiency of the PV panel was analyzed through experiments and simulations under the heating conditions of the PV/T-GCHPs system, and the heating performance coefficients of PV/T-GCHPs and GCHPs were compared. The results show that the PV plate temperature reaches the lowest when the heat pump load is 75% and the circulating water flow is 0.28 kg/s, when the outlet temperature of buried pipe is 8℃. The maximum photoelectric efficiency increased by 6.4% under above conditions, the average heating performance coefficient of PV/T-GCHPs is increased by 2.2% compared with GCHPs. The daily average comprehensive efficiency is 63.32%, the maximum comprehensive efficiency of the system is 74.67%. The maximum heat collection efficiency of PV/T collector is 48.33%. This paper hopes to provide a theoretical basis for the promotion of PV/T-GCHPs in HSCW climate zone of China.

An overview of the recent development of the Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) system in China

This paper summarizes the development of the Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) system in China during the period from 1989 to 2021. A statistical analysis shows the Ground-Coupled Heat Pump (GCHP) system is the major type of GSHP, accounting for 95.09% of the collected 2754 systems. The most likely building types of GSHP are residential and commercial buildings. The development of GSHP can be divided into three stages including the initial stage, the accelerating stage and the steady growing stage. The analysis of distribution density displays the GSHP is majorly located at the Yangtze River Area (YRA) and North China Plain (NCP) area. This matches very well with the potential density of GSHP estimated by considering air pollution, the thermal load of buildings, people density and GDP. Technical measures aiming at the reduction of the costs and the improvement of thermal efficiency of GSHP are the dominated internal factors, policy incentives and energy price are considered the major external factors determining the development of GSHP system.

Testing and analysis of corrected specific frictional resistance in the ground heat exchanger with water as heat-transfer fluid

As the scale of a ground-coupled heat pump system increases, the proportion of energy consumed by the conveying system increases. It is crucial to obtain an accurate specific frictional resistance in the ground heat exchanger (GHE) to facilitate a more accurate design; this has the potential to reduce the energy consumption on the source side and improve the efficiency of the ground-coupled heat pump system. This study investigates the relationship between velocity, temperature, and pressure drop in a double U-shaped GHE with water as the heat-transfer fluid to obtain the corrected specific frictional resistance (CSFR). The test results showed that the ratio of standard specific frictional resistance (SSFR) to measured specific frictional resistance (MSFR) was greater than 1.2. The MSFR was used to fit and validate the CSFR formula, so as to determine the relationship between the CSFR and the four variables, which were density, dynamic viscosity, velocity, and inner diameter. The design based on the CSFR improved the system coefficient of performance by 7.61% compared to the SSFR design option. Therefore, use of the CSFR formula to calculate the pressure drop in the GHE groups facilitates more accurate and refined design of ground-coupled heat pump systems.

Modeling and techno-economic comparison of two types of coaxial with double U-tube ground heat exchangers

Among different types of ground heat exchangers (GHEs), multi-external chamber coaxial GHE is recently a promising design due to its geometrical characteristics of concentric tube-in-tube configuration and maximal heat exchange performance. Nevertheless, the characterization and commercialization of multi-external chamber coaxial GHEs need a deep understanding of the effect of different opt-geometrical and operational parameters on their thermo-economic performance. Therefore, accurate numerical modeling of the transient heat transfer proficiencies and the techno-economic feasibility of the multi-external chamber coaxial GHE and coaxial GHE compared to conventional double U-tube GHE is crucial to promise an optimal design of ground-coupled heat pump systems. This study introduces a comprehensive systematic and techno-economic analysis of the transient heat transfer characteristics of coaxial and multi-external-chamber coaxial GHEs compared to conventional double U-tube GHE. A three-dimensional numerical model was adopted and validated by field experiments. Moreover, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to investigate the impacts of several key operating and design parameters on heat transfer performance under heating and cooling modes conditions. Furthermore, various case studies, along with a comprehensive analysis of multi-objective optimization for minimization of the GHE number and energy consumption, were also carried out. In addition, a techno-economic analysis was also carried out using the total annual cost method to assess the economic viability of the proposed GHE designs. The results reveal that, compared to double U-tube GHE, coaxial GHE has the best thermal performance with maximum and average heat transfer rates of 127.54% and 17.67%, while the multi-external-chamber coaxial GHE is estimated to be 62.38% and 11.72%, respectively. Also, the corresponding total thermal resistance of coaxial GHE is the lowest by 14.86%, and for multi-external-chamber coaxial, it is 10.30%; also coaxial GHE has the lowest pressure drop by 76.45%, followed by multi-external-chamber coaxial GHE with 57.18%. In the case studies, replacing double U-tube GHE with coaxial or multi-external-chamber coaxial GHEs, the GHE number can be decreased by 13.3% for both the designs, or the energy consumption of the water pump by 33.91% and 30.97%, and the energy consumption of the entire system by 17.21% and 10.54%, respectively. The techno-economic analysis results indicate that replacing double U-tube GHE with coaxial GHE is the most feasible alternative, which can decrease the total annual cost by 13.58%, followed by multi-external-chamber coaxial GHE by 6.77%. Further discussion for the deep applications was performed, which concluded the optimal GHE design. The findings of this paper can be used as a guide for future research on GHEs for potential applications of ground-coupled heat pump systems.

A comprehensive study on the performance of vertical ground-coupled heat pumps

Vertical Ground-Coupled Heat Pump (VGCHP) systems are a green and sustainable alternative to conventional heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems. However, their main drawback is the high initial installation cost of the Vertical Ground Heat Exchanger (VGHE), which has hindered their widespread adoption. Improving the performance of VGCHP to reduce their installation and operating costs requires a comprehensive study that scrutinizes the long-term effects of various involving parameters on the performance of the system. This contribution presents a comprehensive study investigating various influential factors, including climate type, refrigerant type, borehole depth, and type of compressor and circulating pump, on the VGCHP system performance. For this aim, a detailed model of the VGCHP is developed that includes detailed heat pump modeling, fast and accurate VGHE analytical modeling, and recommended constraints of the ASHRAE standard. The developed heat pump model is compatible with both pure and refrigerant mixtures. The five-year operation of 180 cases is simulated. Based on five-year simulation results and sensitivity analysis, 90 cases are selected, and their 20-year operation is investigated. The results demonstrated that the heat pump type is the most influential parameter on the Coefficient of Performance (COP), and the climate type is the most influential parameter on the maximum thermal load provided to the building per VGHE unit length. Moreover, optimum design parameters are determined based on short- and long-term simulation results. Furthermore, the response surface method is implemented to develop predictive equations for COP and maximum thermal load as a function of influential factors.

Effect of seepage condition in geological stratification on thermal response test analysis of borehole heat exchanger

Determination of ground thermal properties is the prerequisites for the design of ground-coupled heat pump systems (GCHPs), and it is crucial for evaluating the thermal performance of borehole heat exchangers (BHEs). These parameters are usually obtained by in-situ thermal response test (TRT) based on infinite line source model (ILSM). Though the effect of the groundwater flow on the estimation of ground thermal parameters is considered in homogenous ILSM, the estimated deviation can be enlarged as seepage condition varies based on the BHE model in practical geological stratification. Based on the developed numerical layered seepage BHE model (NLSBM), this paper evaluates the effects of seepage location and seepage velocity on estimated accuracy of borehole thermal resistance and ground thermal conductivity. Relative error (RE) between effective thermal conductivity λeff and the thickness-weighted thermal conductivity λTW will be up to 30.5% with the increase of the thickness of the seepage layer. The relative error between λeff and λTW increases from 5.3% to 93.5% when seepage velocity changes from 1 × 10−6 m/s to 1 × 10−4 m/s. The minimum RE between borehole thermal resistance Rb,NLSBM and effective borehole thermal resistance Rb,eff is still up to 37% when seepage locates in the 5th layer. With the increase of the seepage velocity, the RE between Rb,eff and Rb,NLSBM is enlarged, and the minimum RE is up to 29.4% corresponding to the lowest seepage velocity of 1 × 10−4 m/s. The change of seepage velocity or seepage location has little effect on Rb,NLSBM, and the highest RE is only 0.2%.

Application of the Heat Penetration Distance in the Design of the Hole Spacing of Ground-Coupled Heat Pumps

Due to issues such as heat accumulation, the site area, and project investment, the reasonable determination of the hole spacing for heat exchangers has become one of the key design points of the ground-coupled heat pump system. Based on the definition of heat penetration in heat transfer and the research method of the inverse problem, a direct algorithm of the heat penetration distance in the aquifer was proposed using the analytical solution to the mathematical model for one-dimensional heat convection–conduction problems. Taking a vertical ground-coupled heat pump project in Hefei, Anhui Province, China, as an example, a three-dimensional hydro-thermal coupling numerical simulation model was established, and the influence radius during the refrigeration and heating periods under the action of a single borehole heat exchanger was determined. Comparing the heat penetration distance with the influence radius, the results show that the relative errors of the results obtained by the two methods are less than 10%, which verifies the rationality and effectiveness of the calculated penetration distance in the aquifer. At the end of the cooling or heating period, the heat penetration distance in the aquifer is calculated to be 7.59 m. Therefore, the proposed method is straightforward and efficient, which can provide a convenient approach to determining the reasonable hole spacing of the heat pump system.

Environmental and economic analysis of renewable heating and cooling technologies coupled with biomethane utilization: A case study in Chongqing

Renewable heating and cooling systems are regarded as appealing technologies to alleviate energy crises and environmental pollution. An integrated life cycle environmental and Comprehensive Life Cycle Cost (CLCC) method has been proposed and applied to assess the environmental and economic performance of five renewable heating and cooling technologies (RCHTs) for the first time, including Ground Coupled Heat Pump (GCHP), Hybrid Ground Coupled Heat Pump (HGCHP), River Source Heat Pump (RSHP), Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP), and Building Cooling Heating and Power fueled by Biomethane (BCHPB) systems. The results showed the BCHPB system exhibited optimum environmental performance in a commercial building, while the comprehensive environmental impact index of RSHP, HGCHP, GCHP, and ASHP systems were decreased by 24%, 21%, 14%, and 4% as compared to the baseline system. The RSHP system had the lowest comprehensive economic cost of 60.1 CNY/m2, followed by HGCHP (63.9 CNY/m2), ASHP (66.4 CNY/m2), BCHPB (80.0 CNY/m2) and GCHP systems (82.8 CNY/m2). When considering the economic costs and environmental impacts, the eco-efficiency of the RSHP system was increased by 36.7%, 65.5%, 88.4%, and 161.5% compared to HGCHP, ASHP, BCHP, and GCHP systems. In addition, biomethane prices and variable electricity mix significantly affect the environment and financial results.

Dynamic modelling of a dual-source heat pump system through a Simulink tool

In this paper, the performance of a reversible Dual-Source Heat Pump (DSHP) system, able to exploit renewable energy from, alternatively, air and ground sources, is evaluated by using Matlab-Simulink. The actual source exploited depends on a simple control strategy on the basis of the current external air temperature. Yearly dynamic simulations have been carried out by coupling the DSHP to a detached residential building located in Bologna, in which heating and cooling loads are strongly unbalanced, and coupled to a Borehole Heat Exchangers (BHEs) field. Different case studies have been analysed in which the length of the borefield has been modified. The obtained results show that an optimal switching temperature can be determined to maximise the Annual Performance Factor (APF) for a fixed BHE field length. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that DSHPs can be very useful in order to reduce the total required length of the borehole heat exchangers and, consequently, the associated costs, and to solve the problems linked to the ground temperature drift, which can be originated by the presence of an undersized borefield and/or by unbalanced building loads. As a consequence, DSHPs can be suggested for the retrofitting of traditional ground-coupled heat pump systems in presence of undersized BHEs.

Oscillatory thermal response test using heating cables: A novel method for in situ thermal property analysis

In situ subsurface thermal conductivity (λ) and thermal diffusivity (α) are critical parameters to design ground-coupled heat pump systems (GCHP). λ is conventionally determined from thermal response tests (TRT), whereas α is commonly selected from literature data or with laboratory analyses. Alternatively, both thermal properties can be assessed independently with an oscillatory thermal response test (O-TRT), which consists of heating the subsurface at an oscillatory rate and monitoring the resulting thermal perturbation. Due to their flexibility and relatively small radius, heating cables can be used to carry out tests in shallow unconsolidated deposits in the scope of horizontal GCHP design. The duration of the tests is short compared to vertical ground heat exchangers (fractions of a day) since the thermal resistance between the heating cable and the soil is negligible. The objective of this work was to develop an apparatus and an analytical approach to assess λ and α from an O-TRT carried out in shallow unconsolidated deposits. Nine different O-TRTs were performed in the lab for a dry standard material and five O-TRTs were performed in situ in a natural sandy deposit. After validation via numerical modelling, results show that the analytical approach using correction factors allowed the estimation of λ and α with an accuracy of < 2%. The study demonstrates that O-TRTs are a useful method to estimate both λ and α. Further testing in other reference materials and with different apparatus configurations is needed to enhance the experimental setup and extend O-TRTs towards new applications.