Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
669045 International Journal of Thermal Sciences 2011 8 Pages PDF
Abstract

Available analytical models for the thermal analysis of ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) either neglect groundwater flow or axial effects. In the present study a new analytical approach which considers both effects is developed. Comparison with existing analytical solutions based on the finite and infinite line source theory is carried out. This study shows that in general the heat transfer at the borehole heat exchanger (BHE) is affected by groundwater flow and axial effects. The latter is even more important for long simulation times and short borehole lengths. At the borehole wall the influence of the axial effect is restricted to Peclet numbers lower than 10, assuming the BHE length as characteristic length. Moreover, the influence of groundwater flow is negligible for Peclet numbers lower than 1.2. As a result for Peclet numbers between 1.2 and 10 the combined effect of groundwater flow and axial effects has to be accounted for when evaluating the temperature response of a BHE at the borehole wall and thus the use of the moving finite line source model is required.

► New analytical approach to simulate heat transfer at borehole heat exchangers. ► Heat transfer is affected by groundwater flow and axial effects. ► At the borehole wall the influence of the axial effect is restricted to Pe < 10. ► The influence of groundwater flow is negligible for Pe < 1.2.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Chemical Engineering Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes
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