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Thermo-Hydraulic Performance of U-Tube Borehole Heat Exchanger with Different Cross-Sections

Author

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  • Aizhao Zhou

    (School of Civil and Architecture Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212003, China)

  • Xianwen Huang

    (School of Civil and Architecture Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212003, China
    School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232000, China)

  • Wei Wang

    (School of Civil Engineering, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing 312000, China)

  • Pengming Jiang

    (School of Civil and Architecture Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212003, China)

  • Xinwei Li

    (School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232000, China)

Abstract

For reducing the initial GSHP investment, the heat transfer efficiency of the borehole heat exchange (BHE) system can be enhanced to reduce the number or depth of drilling. This paper proposes a novel and simple BHE design by changing the cross-sectional shape of the U-tube to increase the heat transfer efficiency of BHEs. Specifically, in this study, we (1) verified the reliability of the three-dimensional numerical model based on the thermal response test (TRT) and (2) compared the inlet and outlet temperatures of the different U-tubes at 48 h under the premise of constant leg distance and fluid area. Referent to the circular tube, the increases in the heat exchange efficiencies of the curved oval tube, flat oval tube, semicircle tube, and sector tube were 13.0%, 19.1%, 9.4%, and 14.8%, respectively. (3) The heat flux heterogeneity of the tubes on the inlet and outlet sides of the BHE, in decreasing order, is flat oval, semicircle, curved oval, sector, and circle shapes. (4) The temperature heterogeneity of the borehole wall in the BHE in decreasing order is circle, sector, curved oval, flat oval, and semicircle shapes. (5) Under the premise of maximum leg distance, referent to the heat resistance of the tube with a circle shape at 48 h, the heat exchange efficiency of the curved oval, flat oval, semicircle, and sector tubes increased 12.6%, 17.7%, 10.3%, and 7.8%, respectively. (6) We found that the adjustments of the leg distance and the tube shape affect the heat resistance by about 25% and 12%, respectively. (7) The flat-oval-shaped tube at the maximum leg distance was found to be the best tube design for BHEs.

Suggested Citation

  • Aizhao Zhou & Xianwen Huang & Wei Wang & Pengming Jiang & Xinwei Li, 2021. "Thermo-Hydraulic Performance of U-Tube Borehole Heat Exchanger with Different Cross-Sections," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-20, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:6:p:3255-:d:517742
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Luo, Jin & Zhang, Qi & Liang, Changming & Wang, Haiqi & Ma, Xinning, 2023. "An overview of the recent development of the Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) system in China," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 210(C), pages 269-279.
    2. Tangnur Amanzholov & Abzal Seitov & Abdurashid Aliuly & Yelnar Yerdesh & Mohanraj Murugesan & Olivier Botella & Michel Feidt & Hua Sheng Wang & Yerzhan Belyayev & Amankeldy Toleukhanov, 2022. "Thermal Response Measurement and Performance Evaluation of Borehole Heat Exchangers: A Case Study in Kazakhstan," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-31, November.
    3. Joanna Piotrowska-Woroniak, 2021. "Assessment of Ground Regeneration around Borehole Heat Exchangers between Heating Seasons in Cold Climates: A Case Study in Bialystok (NE, Poland)," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-32, August.
    4. Tomasz Sliwa & Tomasz Kowalski & Dominik Cekus & Aneta Sapińska-Śliwa, 2021. "Research on Fresh and Hardened Sealing Slurries with the Addition of Magnesium Regarding Thermal Conductivity for Energy Piles and Borehole Heat Exchangers," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-13, August.

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