| Title |
Thermal Performance Analysis of the Horizontal Mat-Type Ground Heat Exchanger in Heating Season |
| Authors |
Sang Ha Leigh ; Tae Ha Leigh ; Hyu San Jang ; Chan Kyu Kim ; SeungH yo Beak ; Myoung Souk Yeo |
| DOI |
https://doi.org/10.6110/KJACR.2024.36.12.577 |
| Keywords |
모세유관; 수평형 지중열교환기; 매트형 지중열교환기; 열적 성능 Capillary Tube; Horizontal Ground Heat Exchanger; Mat-type Ground Heat Exchanger; TRNSYS; Thermal Performance |
| Abstract |
This study analyzed thermal performance of a horizontal mat-type ground heat exchanger (GHE) using capillary tubes through numerical simulations with TRNSYS 18. Although horizontal GHEs are cost-effective alternatives to vertical systems, they typically exhibit lower thermal performances and require more installation space. In consideration of these challenges, this research examined effects of installation depth and inlet fluid temperature on heat exchange efficiency. The TRNSYS 18 model validated against experimental data showed a high accuracy with relative errors between 2% and 5%. Simulations indicated that an increase in installation depth generally resulted in an improvement in heat exchange. However, this improvement stabilized beyond an optimal depth of approximately 7.5 m. In particular, an increase in depth from 1.5 to 4.5 m resulted in a 30% enhancement in heat exchange rate. The maximum performance was recorded at a depth of 7.5 m, with a slight decline of 1.63% to 3.33% observed at 10 m. It was found that higher inlet fluid temperatures reduced heat exchange efficiency due to a diminished temperature differential with the ground. This study concludes that a depth of approximately 4.5 m is needed to achieve a thermal exchange rate of 50 W/m², with 7.5 m providing optimal overall performance. |