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A cross season antifreeze system utilizing tunnel lining GHEs and solar energy: Performance and effect mechanism at various environment parameters

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  • Yu, Zihao
  • Zhang, Guozhu
  • Cui, Hongzhi
  • Wang, Zhongtao
  • Cao, Ziming

Abstract

To mitigate tunnel freezing damage, a new cross-seasonal antifreeze technology utilizing tunnel lining ground heat exchangers and solar energy is proposed. This innovative technology stores heat in the surrounding rock before the onset of the cold season, which is then used to heat the tunnel during the winter. It offers advantages such as low energy consumption, easy maintenance, automatic operation, and effective frost protection. A three-dimensional numerical model of the system was developed to evaluate its feasibility and performance at various working conditions, determining the minimum energy storage days required to prevent freeze damage. The results indicate that the new technology can raise the temperature of the circulating water by at least 20.8 °C and increase the tunnel haunch temperature by at least 0.81 °C, maintaining temperatures above 0 °C. The minimum operating time decreases as the thermal conductivitise of the surrounding rock and primary lining increase, reducing by 84 % and 35.5 %, respectively. Conversely, the minimum energy storage days increases with higher thermal conductivities of the secondary rock and convective heat transfer coefficient of the tunnel inner wall, extending from 0 to 105 days and 30 days, respectively.

Suggested Citation

  • Yu, Zihao & Zhang, Guozhu & Cui, Hongzhi & Wang, Zhongtao & Cao, Ziming, 2025. "A cross season antifreeze system utilizing tunnel lining GHEs and solar energy: Performance and effect mechanism at various environment parameters," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 242(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:242:y:2025:i:c:s0960148125000904
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.122428
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Li, Chenglin & Zhang, Guozhu & Xiao, Suguang & Xie, Yongli & Liu, Xiaohua & Cao, Shiding, 2022. "Long-term operation of tunnel-lining ground heat exchangers in tropical zones: Energy, environmental, and economic performance evaluation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 196(C), pages 1429-1442.
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    1. Sheikhahmadi, Seyed Raef & Oliaei, Mohammad & Akbari Garakani, Amir & Kiani Fordoei, Mohammad Amir, 2025. "Thermo-hydraulic assessment of energy tunnels under various thermal, hydrogeological and operational conditions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 247(C).

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