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Comparison of Single- and Multipipe Earth-to-Air Heat Exchangers in Terms of Energy Gains and Electricity Consumption: A Case Study for the Temperate Climate of Central Europe

Author

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  • Łukasz Amanowicz

    (Institute of Environmental Engineering and Building Installations, Poznan University of Technology, Pl. M. Skłodowskiej-Curie 5, 60-965 Poznan, Poland)

  • Janusz Wojtkowiak

    (Institute of Environmental Engineering and Building Installations, Poznan University of Technology, Pl. M. Skłodowskiej-Curie 5, 60-965 Poznan, Poland)

Abstract

Earth-to-air heat exchangers (EAHEs) can be used in the ventilation systems of various types of buildings. Multipipe structures can be found in large-volume buildings, yet scientific analysis of such systems is rare. Annual energy gains and electricity consumption for equivalent single-pipe and multipipe systems are typically not available. This paper bridges this gap, presenting the results of experimental studies on pressure losses in three-, five- and seven-pipe EAHEs and analysis for the annual energy gains and electric energy consumption as compared to a single-pipe exchanger. The results showed that the multipipe EAHE can be successfully replaced by a single-pipe structure with the same thermal performance and similar pressure losses if a tube with the appropriate diameter is used. However, multipipe heat exchangers can also use pipes of larger diameter (manifolds and/or branches), which improves their energy efficiency and may then make them more advantageous than single-pipe structures. From this reason, ultimately, the final selection of exchanger geometry should take into account economic and environmental issues and also user preferences and their importance in the hierarchy.

Suggested Citation

  • Łukasz Amanowicz & Janusz Wojtkowiak, 2021. "Comparison of Single- and Multipipe Earth-to-Air Heat Exchangers in Terms of Energy Gains and Electricity Consumption: A Case Study for the Temperate Climate of Central Europe," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-28, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:24:p:8217-:d:696791
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. John Kaiser Calautit & Hassam Nasarullah Chaudhry, 2022. "Sustainable Buildings: Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-5, November.
    2. Christopher S. Brown & Nigel J. Cassidy & Stuart S. Egan & Dan Griffiths, 2022. "Thermal and Economic Analysis of Heat Exchangers as Part of a Geothermal District Heating Scheme in the Cheshire Basin, UK," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-17, March.
    3. Piotr Michalak, 2022. "Hourly Simulation of an Earth-to-Air Heat Exchanger in a Low-Energy Residential Building," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-23, March.
    4. H.Ali, Mohammed & Kurjak, Zoltan & Beke, Janos, 2023. "Investigation of earth air heat exchangers functioning in arid locations using Matlab/Simulink," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 209(C), pages 632-643.
    5. Katarzyna Ratajczak & Edward Szczechowiak & Aneta Pobudkowska, 2023. "Energy-Saving Scenarios of an Existing Swimming Pool with the Use of Simple In Situ Measurement," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-25, August.
    6. Krzysztof Grygierek & Joanna Ferdyn-Grygierek, 2022. "Design of Ventilation Systems in a Single-Family House in Terms of Heating Demand and Indoor Environment Quality," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-18, November.
    7. Edyta Dudkiewicz & Natalia Fidorów-Kaprawy & Paweł Szałański, 2022. "Environmental Benefits and Energy Savings from Gas Radiant Heaters’ Flue-Gas Heat Recovery," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-16, June.
    8. Łukasz Amanowicz & Katarzyna Ratajczak & Edyta Dudkiewicz, 2023. "Recent Advancements in Ventilation Systems Used to Decrease Energy Consumption in Buildings—Literature Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-39, February.

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