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A Comprehensive Review of Backfill Materials and Their Effects on Ground Heat Exchanger Performance

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  • Hossein Javadi

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Mazandaran University of Science and Technology, Babol 47166-85635, Iran)

  • Seyed Soheil Mousavi Ajarostaghi

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Babol Noshirvani University of Technology, Babol 47148-71167, Iran)

  • Marc A. Rosen

    (Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON L1G 0C5, Canada)

  • Mohsen Pourfallah

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Mazandaran University of Science and Technology, Babol 47166-85635, Iran)

Abstract

Geothermal energy systems can help in achieving an environmentally friendly and more efficient energy utilization, as well as enhanced power generation and building heating/cooling, thereby making energy systems more sustainable. The role of the backfill material, which fills the space between a pipe and the surrounding soil, is important in the operation of ground heat exchangers. Among the review articles on parameters affecting ground heat exchanger performance published over the past eight years, only two discuss types of backfill materials, even though the importance of these materials is significant. However, no review has yet been published exclusively on the kinds of backfill materials used in ground heat exchangers. This article addresses this need by providing a comprehensive review of a variety of types of backfill materials and their effects on ground heat exchanger performance. For organizational purposes, the backfill materials are divided into two categories: conventional backfill materials (pure and mixed materials) and modern backfill materials (improved phase change materials). Both categories are described in detail. It is shown that bentonite has been used considerably as a conventional backfill material in ground heat exchangers, followed by silica sand and coarse/fine sand. Moreover, acid and shape-stabilized phase change materials have been applied mostly as modern backfill materials in ground heat exchangers. It is observed, generally, that conventional backfill materials are used more than modern backfill materials in ground heat exchangers. It should be noted that the data covered in this study are not from all the articles published in the last eight years, but rather from a subset based on specific criteria (i.e., English-language papers published in reputable journals). These articles were published by authors from numerous countries. The results may, as a consequence, have some corresponding limitations, but these are likely to be minor.

Suggested Citation

  • Hossein Javadi & Seyed Soheil Mousavi Ajarostaghi & Marc A. Rosen & Mohsen Pourfallah, 2018. "A Comprehensive Review of Backfill Materials and Their Effects on Ground Heat Exchanger Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-22, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:12:p:4486-:d:186289
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Hossein Javadi & Javier F. Urchueguia & Seyed Soheil Mousavi Ajarostaghi & Borja Badenes, 2021. "Impact of Employing Hybrid Nanofluids as Heat Carrier Fluid on the Thermal Performance of a Borehole Heat Exchanger," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-26, May.
    2. Hossein Javadi & Javier F. Urchueguia & Seyed Soheil Mousavi Ajarostaghi & Borja Badenes, 2020. "Numerical Study on the Thermal Performance of a Single U-Tube Borehole Heat Exchanger Using Nano-Enhanced Phase Change Materials," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-30, October.
    3. Ilayda Berktas & Ali Nejad Ghafar & Patrick Fontana & Ayten Caputcu & Yusuf Menceloglu & Burcu Saner Okan, 2020. "Synergistic Effect of Expanded Graphite-Silane Functionalized Silica as a Hybrid Additive in Improving the Thermal Conductivity of Cementitious Grouts with Controllable Water Uptake," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-15, July.
    4. Luka Boban & Dino Miše & Stjepan Herceg & Vladimir Soldo, 2021. "Application and Design Aspects of Ground Heat Exchangers," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-31, April.
    5. Javadi, Hossein & Mousavi Ajarostaghi, Seyed Soheil & Rosen, Marc A. & Pourfallah, Mohsen, 2019. "Performance of ground heat exchangers: A comprehensive review of recent advances," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 207-233.
    6. Fabio Minchio & Gabriele Cesari & Claudio Pastore & Marco Fossa, 2020. "Experimental Hydration Temperature Increase in Borehole Heat Exchangers during Thermal Response Tests for Geothermal Heat Pump Design," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-16, July.

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