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The Optimization of the Thermal Performances of an Earth to Air Heat Exchanger for an Air Conditioning System: A Numerical Study

Author

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  • Adriana Greco

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, P.le Tecchio 80, 80125 Napoli, Italy)

  • Claudia Masselli

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano (SA), Italy)

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to research the parameters that optimize the thermal performances of a horizontal single-duct Earth to Air Heat eXchanger (EAHX). In this analysis, the EAHX is intended to be installed in the city of Naples (Italy). The study is conducted by varying the most crucial parameters influencing the heat exchange between the air flowing in the duct and the ground. The effect of the geometrical characteristics of the duct (pipe length, diameter, burial depth), and the thermal and flow parameter of humid air (inlet temperature and velocity) has been studied in order to optimize the operation of this geothermal system. The results reveal that the thermal performance increases with length until the saturation distance is reached. Moreover, if the pipe is designed with smaller diameters and slower air flows, if other conditions remain equal, the outlet temperatures come closer to the ground temperature. The combination that optimizes the performance of the system, carried out by forcing the EAHX with the design conditions for cooling and heating, is: D = 0.1 m s −1 ; v = 1.5 m s −1 ; L = 50 m. This solution could also be extended to horizontal multi-tube EAHX systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Adriana Greco & Claudia Masselli, 2020. "The Optimization of the Thermal Performances of an Earth to Air Heat Exchanger for an Air Conditioning System: A Numerical Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-25, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:23:p:6414-:d:457112
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Diana D’Agostino & Francesco Esposito & Adriana Greco & Claudia Masselli & Francesco Minichiello, 2020. "The Energy Performances of a Ground-to-Air Heat Exchanger: A Comparison Among Köppen Climatic Areas," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-25, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Adriana Greco & Edison Gundabattini & Darius Gnanaraj Solomon & Raja Singh Rassiah & Claudia Masselli, 2022. "A Review on Geothermal Renewable Energy Systems for Eco-Friendly Air-Conditioning," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-17, July.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. Di Qi & Chuangyao Zhao & Shixiong Li & Ran Chen & Angui Li, 2021. "Numerical Assessment of Earth to Air Heat Exchanger with Variable Humidity Conditions in Greenhouses," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-18, March.
    5. Luca Cirillo & Adriana Greco & Claudia Masselli, 2023. "The Application of Barocaloric Solid-State Cooling in the Cold Food Chain for Carbon Footprint Reduction," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-17, September.
    6. Piotr Michalak, 2022. "Impact of Air Density Variation on a Simulated Earth-to-Air Heat Exchanger’s Performance," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-24, April.

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