Development of the Performance Prediction Equation for a Modular Ground Heat Exchanger

Although ground source heat pump (GSHP) systems are more efficient than conventional air source heat pump (ASHP) systems, their high initial investment cost makes it difficult to introduce them into small buildings. Therefore, the development of a method for reducing the installation costs of GSHPs...

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Main Authors: Jaemin Kim, Yujin Nam
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-11-01
Series:Energies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/22/6005
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author Jaemin Kim
Yujin Nam
author_facet Jaemin Kim
Yujin Nam
author_sort Jaemin Kim
collection DOAJ
description Although ground source heat pump (GSHP) systems are more efficient than conventional air source heat pump (ASHP) systems, their high initial investment cost makes it difficult to introduce them into small buildings. Therefore, the development of a method for reducing the installation costs of GSHPs for small buildings is essential. This study proposes a modular ground heat exchanger (GHX) for cost reduction and an improved workability of GSHPs. In addition, a numerical model was constructed for the analysis of the performance of the modular GHX. However, to easily introduce the new GHX at the building design stage, the development of a performance prediction method for the introduction of modular GHXs to small buildings is necessary. Therefore, the entering water temperature (EWT) equation was derived from the calculation methods in the heat transfer process, and the ground temperature model was developed in consideration of the operation condition. The numerical results showed that the average values of EWT and ground temperature were 8.11 °C and 8.00 °C, respectively under an average ambient temperature of 0.42 °C. In addition, the performance prediction model was compared with the numerical results. The results showed that the coefficient of variation of the root mean square error (RMSE) of the ground temperature and EWT model were 5.20% and 1.33%, respectively.
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spelling doaj.art-feb6f898282e40809c8c0a9bb5ba7eee2023-11-20T21:17:05ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732020-11-011322600510.3390/en13226005Development of the Performance Prediction Equation for a Modular Ground Heat ExchangerJaemin Kim0Yujin Nam1Department of Architectural Engineering, Pusan National University, 2 Busandaehak-ro 63, Geomjeong-gu, Busan 46241, KoreaDepartment of Architectural Engineering, Pusan National University, 2 Busandaehak-ro 63, Geomjeong-gu, Busan 46241, KoreaAlthough ground source heat pump (GSHP) systems are more efficient than conventional air source heat pump (ASHP) systems, their high initial investment cost makes it difficult to introduce them into small buildings. Therefore, the development of a method for reducing the installation costs of GSHPs for small buildings is essential. This study proposes a modular ground heat exchanger (GHX) for cost reduction and an improved workability of GSHPs. In addition, a numerical model was constructed for the analysis of the performance of the modular GHX. However, to easily introduce the new GHX at the building design stage, the development of a performance prediction method for the introduction of modular GHXs to small buildings is necessary. Therefore, the entering water temperature (EWT) equation was derived from the calculation methods in the heat transfer process, and the ground temperature model was developed in consideration of the operation condition. The numerical results showed that the average values of EWT and ground temperature were 8.11 °C and 8.00 °C, respectively under an average ambient temperature of 0.42 °C. In addition, the performance prediction model was compared with the numerical results. The results showed that the coefficient of variation of the root mean square error (RMSE) of the ground temperature and EWT model were 5.20% and 1.33%, respectively.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/22/6005numerical analysisground source heat pumpheat exchange rateground heat exchangermodular heat exchanger
spellingShingle Jaemin Kim
Yujin Nam
Development of the Performance Prediction Equation for a Modular Ground Heat Exchanger
Energies
numerical analysis
ground source heat pump
heat exchange rate
ground heat exchanger
modular heat exchanger
title Development of the Performance Prediction Equation for a Modular Ground Heat Exchanger
title_full Development of the Performance Prediction Equation for a Modular Ground Heat Exchanger
title_fullStr Development of the Performance Prediction Equation for a Modular Ground Heat Exchanger
title_full_unstemmed Development of the Performance Prediction Equation for a Modular Ground Heat Exchanger
title_short Development of the Performance Prediction Equation for a Modular Ground Heat Exchanger
title_sort development of the performance prediction equation for a modular ground heat exchanger
topic numerical analysis
ground source heat pump
heat exchange rate
ground heat exchanger
modular heat exchanger
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/22/6005
work_keys_str_mv AT jaeminkim developmentoftheperformancepredictionequationforamodulargroundheatexchanger
AT yujinnam developmentoftheperformancepredictionequationforamodulargroundheatexchanger