Abstract:
Horizontal ground-coupled heat exchanger for geothermal systems is proposed. The exchanger includes sub-surface formation of not expensive special structure heat conductive stratum around conduit loops. Analytical and finite element modeling allowed estimating the new structure efficiency. The proposed decision permits to increase by 2-3 times the transmitted heat power of the exchanger and correspondently to reduce the required pipe length and land area. The underground loop must be sized to meet the peak thermal power load. The proposed exchanger structure may fill simply this requirement, because at relatively short-term operation the efficiency of the proposed structure is even higher and reaches increasing by 2.5-4 times in dependence on climate zone.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention allow designers of geothermal heat exchange systems to closely tailor their system designs to the cooling and/or heating demands of the buildings for which their systems are being designed. Systems and methods are discussed herein for gathering information empirically about a ground heat exchanger's performance in a particular physical environment, which facilitates more accurate and efficient design of geothermal heat exchange systems. Such information can be gathered empirically from a design module connected to a ground heat exchanger in a physical environment. The design module can circulate liquid through the ground heat exchanger and conduct a variety of tests to determine characteristics of the ground heat exchanger and the physical environment.
Abstract:
A modular geothermal measurement system that provides for the pumping of a heat transfer fluid. The modular unit simplifies on-site installation time by reducing the number of distinct components to be installed and allows for the optional incorporating of additional heat sources or sinks, whereby the length of ground loop can be reduced, further reducing installation costs. The modular measurement system further allows for the growth of the system over time by adding modules, increasing the ground loop pumping power while providing energy transfer data specific to each thermal load. A controller having an energy control module provides energy control points. Such a system allows the beneficiary of a geothermal investment to be billed for their benefit, enabling the investor to capture the economic benefit of the investment.
Abstract:
An enthalpy-based ground heat exchanger (GHE) performance test instrumentation system for connection to a ground heat exchanger (GHE) installed in a deep Earth environment during performance testing operations. The enthalpy-based GHE performance test instrumentation system includes a fluid pumping module for pumping, at controlled rate, aqueous-based heat transfer fluid through a test ground loop in which a GHE installation is installed, for performance testing. The GHE installation includes inlet and outlet ports for connection to the enthalpy-based GHE performance test instrumentation system. A fluid heating module heats the aqueous-based heat transfer fluid while being pumped through the test ground loop including the GHE installation, so as to control the temperature of aqueous-based heat transfer fluid entering the GHE installation during performance test operations. The data logger/recorder logs and records data collected from temperature and pressure sensors installed at the inlet and outlet ports of the GHE installation, and indicating the temperature and pressure of aqueous-based heat transfer fluid entering and exiting from each GHE installation. A computer system runs an enthalpy-based GHE performance calculation program for processing data collected by the data logger/recorder, and calculating enthalpy-based performance measures for the GHE installation based on data collected by the data logger/recorder. A wireless radio frequency (RF) based transceiver is provided for wirelessly transmitting data from the computer system to a remote wireless RF transceiver station, for reception by the remote RF transceiver station and stored for subsequent processing and display.
Abstract:
A computer which functions by a performance prediction program for a ground source heat pump system of the present invention and a performance prediction system constructed thereby include a dimensionless distance calculating means, a first dimensionless time calculating means, a second dimensionless time calculating means, a boundary time acquiring means, an underground temperature change calculating means, and a tube surface temperature change calculating means. The performance prediction program and performance prediction system can be applied to the design of heat exchange system by obtaining predicted underground temperature data for the ground source heat pump system with high accuracy and predicting the performance for the ground source heat pump system based on the resulting underground temperature changes, etc., in view of the use of a plurality of buried tubes, underground temperature change patterns for buried tubes placed at different intervals, and the use of U-shaped tube heat exchangers.
Abstract:
A computer which functions by a performance prediction program for a ground source heat pump system of the present invention and a performance prediction system constructed thereby include a dimensionless distance calculating means, a first dimensionless time calculating means, a second dimensionless time calculating means, a boundary time acquiring means, an underground temperature change calculating means, and a tube surface temperature change calculating means. The performance prediction program and performance prediction system can be applied to the design of heat exchange system by obtaining predicted underground temperature data for the ground source heat pump system with high accuracy and predicting the performance for the ground source heat pump system based on the resulting underground temperature changes, etc., in view of the use of a plurality of buried tubes, underground temperature change patterns for buried tubes placed at different intervals, and the use of U-shaped tube heat exchangers.
Abstract:
System for determining the advective velocity of the thermal affected zone related to aquifer re-injection of water in geothermal systems, wherein the advective velocity is obtained through the analysis of data measured by temperature monitoring devices, wherein the temperature monitoring devices are positioned in a re-injection well and at a control point located downstream of the re-injection well, by cross-correlating said measured data. The cross-correlation determines the time shift of the signal relating to the temperature measured in the re-injection well with respect to the signal relating to the temperature measured at the control point. The temperature monitoring devices comprise means for acquiring temperature data, or probes, positioned within the re-injection well and within the control point located downstream of the re-injection zone.
Abstract:
Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren und Vorrichtungen zum Erfassen und Ermitteln einer Größe mindestens eines Betriebsparameters einer Erdwärmesonde. Die Erdwärmesonde ist in einem Bohrloch im Erdreich angeordnet, wobei die Erdwärmesonde mindestens ein Rohrbündel mit mehreren Rohren umfasst, über die Erdwärme aus tiefen Lagen des Erdreichs gewonnen wird. Über Signale mindestens eines Sensorelements wird eine Größe des mindestens einen Betriebsparameters für die Erdwärmesonde erfasst. Die Signale des mindestens einen Sensorelements werden anschließend mit Hilfe elektromagnetischer Wellen übertragen.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for testing a subterranean formation are herein disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method includes stimulating a substantially non-permeable medium within a subterranean formation to create a fractured reservoir. At least one stimulation parameter is measured during stimulation. A well drilled in the subterranean formation is shut-in. A fluid is produced from the subterranean well and at least one production parameter is measured during production. The stimulation and production parameters are used in a numerical reservoir fluid flow model to identify parameters of the fractured reservoir.