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Ground heat transfer effects on the thermal performance of earth-contact structures

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  • Rees, S. W.
  • Adjali, M. H.
  • Zhou, Z.
  • Davies, M.
  • Thomas, H. R.

Abstract

A review of ground heat transfer effects on the thermal performance of earth contact structures is presented. The fundamental heat transfer processes relevant to the problem are described along with methods of determining thermal properties of soils. An overview of the many analytical, semi-analytical and numerical methods available to solve the heat transfer problem is also provided, followed by a brief summary of design guides. The review also considers the influence of changes in ground water content on the heat transfer properties of soils. A description of the processes that give rise to changes in ground water conditions is provided. The bulk thermal conductivity of a soil is shown to be strongly related to its water content. An overview of methods of analysing changes in soil moisture content is then presented. Methods of estimating the relevant hydraulic properties of soils are also considered. The final part of the review provides a brief outline of the theoretical approach required to analyse coupled heat and moisture migration in soils. Notwithstanding the fact that there are many practical design tools available, it appears that further work is necessary to clarify the circumstances in which more sophisticated analysis is warranted. Recent studies indicate that geometric simplification can lead to quite significant errors in heat loss calculation. Full three-dimensional treatment appears to be necessary in some cases. Thermal properties of soils vary according to the properties and proportions of the constituent phases (air/water/solid). Soil moisture content variations occur naturally or as a result of anthropogenic activity. The influence of such variations on the thermal conductivity of the ground is significant. The review outlines some simplified methods of accommodating this feature of the ground heat transfer problem. However, this aspect of the problem appears to need further consideration.

Suggested Citation

  • Rees, S. W. & Adjali, M. H. & Zhou, Z. & Davies, M. & Thomas, H. R., 2000. "Ground heat transfer effects on the thermal performance of earth-contact structures," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 4(3), pages 213-265, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:4:y:2000:i:3:p:213-265
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    5. Ocłoń, Paweł & Cisek, Piotr & Taler, Dawid & Pilarczyk, Marcin & Szwarc, Tomasz, 2015. "Optimizing of the underground power cable bedding using momentum-type particle swarm optimization method," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 92(P2), pages 230-239.
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    8. de Moel, Monique & Bach, Peter M. & Bouazza, Abdelmalek & Singh, Rao M. & Sun, JingLiang O., 2010. "Technological advances and applications of geothermal energy pile foundations and their feasibility in Australia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 14(9), pages 2683-2696, December.
    9. Cunha, R.P. & Bourne-Webb, P.J., 2022. "A critical review on the current knowledge of geothermal energy piles to sustainably climatize buildings," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
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    12. Shin, Jiyoun & Kim, Kyung-Ho & Lee, Kang-Kun & Kim, Hyoung-Soo, 2010. "Assessing temperature of riverbank filtrate water for geothermal energy utilization," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(6), pages 2430-2439.
    13. Bryś, Krystyna & Bryś, Tadeusz & Sayegh, Marderos Ara & Ojrzyńska, Hanna, 2020. "Characteristics of heat fluxes in subsurface shallow depth soil layer as a renewable thermal source for ground coupled heat pumps," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 1846-1866.
    14. Sterpi, D. & Tomaselli, G. & Angelotti, A., 2020. "Energy performance of ground heat exchangers embedded in diaphragm walls: Field observations and optimization by numerical modelling," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(P2), pages 2748-2760.
    15. Park, Hyunku & Lee, Seung-Rae & Yoon, Seok & Choi, Jung-Chan, 2013. "Evaluation of thermal response and performance of PHC energy pile: Field experiments and numerical simulation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 12-24.
    16. Wang, Deqi & Lu, Lin & Zhang, Wenke & Cui, Ping, 2015. "Numerical and analytical analysis of groundwater influence on the pile geothermal heat exchanger with cast-in spiral coils," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 705-714.
    17. Diana Enescu & Pietro Colella & Angela Russo & Radu Florin Porumb & George Calin Seritan, 2021. "Concepts and Methods to Assess the Dynamic Thermal Rating of Underground Power Cables," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-23, May.
    18. Sani, Abubakar Kawuwa & Singh, Rao Martand & Amis, Tony & Cavarretta, Ignazio, 2019. "A review on the performance of geothermal energy pile foundation, its design process and applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 54-78.
    19. Go, Gyu-Hyun & Lee, Seung-Rae & Yoon, Seok & Kang, Han-byul, 2014. "Design of spiral coil PHC energy pile considering effective borehole thermal resistance and groundwater advection effects," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 165-178.

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