Finite element modelling of heat transfer in ground source energy systems with heat exchanger pipes
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Ground source energy systems (GSES) utilise low enthalpy geothermal energy and have been recognised as an efficient means of providing low carbon space heating and cooling. This study focuses on GSES where the exchange of heat between the ground and the building is achieved by circulating a fluid through heat exchanger pipes. Although numerical analysis is a powerful tool for exploring the performance of such systems, simulating the highly advective flows inside the heat exchanger pipes can be problematic. This paper presents an efficient approach for modelling these systems using the finite element method (FEM). The pipes are discretised with line elements and the conductive-advective heat flux along them is solved using the Petrov-Galerkin FEM instead of the conventional Galerkin FEM. Following extensive numerical studies, a modelling approach for simulating heat exchanger pipes, which employs line elements and a special material with enhanced thermal properties, is developed. The modelling approach is then adopted in three-dimensional simulations of two thermal response tests, with an excellent match between the computed and measured temperatures being obtained.
Date Issued
2020-05
Date Acceptance
2019-10-16
Citation
International Journal of Geomechanics, 2020, 20 (5), pp.04020041-1-04020041-14
ISSN
1532-3641
Publisher
American Society of Civil Engineers
Start Page
04020041-1
End Page
04020041-14
Journal / Book Title
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume
20
Issue
5
Copyright Statement
© ASCE
Sponsor
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
Geotechnical Consulting Group
Identifier
https://ascelibrary.org/doi/10.1061/%28ASCE%29GM.1943-5622.0001658
Grant Number
1386304
CISM_P60087
Subjects
0905 Civil Engineering
0914 Resources Engineering and Extractive Metallurgy
General Mathematics
Publication Status
Published online
Date Publish Online
2020-03-16