Heat transfer simulation, analysis and performance study of single U-tube borehole heat exchanger

This paper presents the analysis, simulation and performance study of heat transfer in a single U-tube borehole heat exchanger (BHE). Unsteady heat transfer method was used to analyze the heat transfer process of both inside and outside the borehole. Implicit numerical method applied on heat transfer equations obtained from energy balance (accompanied with thermal resistance model) was used to obtain the solution. The variation of mean fluid temperature, average borehole wall, grout and nearby ground temperature as well as borehole loading with borehole depth and time were investigated. Dynamic simulation was also performed to assess the influence of important parameters. The effect of two parameters, fluid mass flowrate and thermal conductivity of grout, on mean fluid temperature, borehole wall, grout and ground temperature as well as on borehole loading and borehole thermal effectiveness were investigated. The outcome of this study can substantially reduce the time devoted for research and to quickly determine the impact of various parameters on performance of vertical single U-tube borehole heat exchanger. Furthermore, the obtained result can be utilized as a reference for the design and optimization of heating and cooling system integrated with ground coupled heat pump system.