Numerical simulation of vertical ground heat exchangers: Intermittent operation in unsaturated soil conditions

The effect of varying the thermal properties of inhomogeneous unsaturated soil on the intermittent operation of a vertical ground heat exchanger (GHE) was simulated by a conjugate heat transfer simulation using a transient conductive heat transfer model. A three-phase soil model was used to introduce soil properties that vary with depth. The performance during the first few hours was significantly different from that of an analytical infinite line source model that assumes steady-state borehole conditions, although relatively good agreement was obtained thereafter. Unsaturated soil conditions afforded a 40% lower mean heat exchange rate than saturated conditions. This demonstrates the importance of considering unsaturated conditions in the design and performance evaluation of GHEs.

► The effect of depth varying thermal properties on the vertical GHE was simulated.
► An intermittent operation of GHE was modeled using transient FEM.
► A three-phase soil model was used to introduce soil properties that vary with depth.
► Unsaturated soil cases afforded a 40% lower performance than saturated conditions.
► This demonstrates the importance of considering unsaturated conditions in the design of GHEs.