Analytical investigation on the optimal tube length of Earth-to-Air Heat Exchanger (EAHE)

IF 3.5 2区工程技术 Q3 ENERGY & FUELS

Geothermics Pub Date : 2025-01-10 DOI:10.1016/j.geothermics.2025.103250

Ali Alikhani, Mehdi Maerefat, Seyed Mohammad Jafar Sobhani

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Abstract

The Earth-to-Air Heat Exchanger (EAHE) is a promising passive technology that utilizes the earth's thermal energy for cooling/heating applications in buildings. The tube length is one of the crucial parameters affecting the EAHE system's thermal performance. Using this type of heat exchanger with an optimal tube length can help save materials, reduce operational costs, installation expenses, and required space. Selecting the optimal tube length is a major challenge for designers. In the present paper, a novel analytical study has been conducted to determine the optimal tube length of EAHE based on the Coefficient Of Performance (COP). The results of the optimal tube length in transient conditions reveal that it is affected by operation time. It is found that after 6 days of operation, thermal saturation in the soil around the tube takes place, and the ultimate optimal length is achieved which is about 37.9 % longer than the initial optimal length. Ignoring the ultimate soil thermal saturation may cause a false reduction in the estimated optimal tube length by about 57.9 % and an overestimation of the thermal performance of EAHE.

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来源期刊

Geothermics 工程技术-地球科学综合

CiteScore

7.70

自引率

15.40%

发文量

237

审稿时长

4.5 months

期刊介绍： Geothermics is an international journal devoted to the research and development of geothermal energy. The International Board of Editors of Geothermics, which comprises specialists in the various aspects of geothermal resources, exploration and development, guarantees the balanced, comprehensive view of scientific and technological developments in this promising energy field. It promulgates the state of the art and science of geothermal energy, its exploration and exploitation through a regular exchange of information from all parts of the world. The journal publishes articles dealing with the theory, exploration techniques and all aspects of the utilization of geothermal resources. Geothermics serves as the scientific house, or exchange medium, through which the growing community of geothermal specialists can provide and receive information.