Ground Heat Exchanger Research Facility
Scope
Investigation of Solar-Assisted Ground Source Heat Pump Systems in Cold Climates. System currently utilizes computer controlled heating elements and ground loop u-tube heat exchangers to explore thermal energy storage characteristics of the ground in the Laramie, WY area.
Experimental Setup
Two 1/4 hp pumps circulate a 30% polypropylene glycol/water mixture through a heating manifold, containing four hot water heating elements totaling 19.3 kW, and four ground loop u-tubes, each 200 ft deep and 20 ft apart center to center. The ground u-tubes are individually isolable to allow anywhere from one to four borehole configurations on service. Each borehole contains two solid state temperature sensors, and the circulation loop above ground has four solid state temperature sensors and one positive displacement gear type flow meter. The heaters are controlled via computer, using a LabView control program, which also implements for data acquisition. All above ground equipment is contained in an 8' x 12' shed, constructed for that purpose.
Current Status
Set-up of the experimental facility and development of system control algorithms are ongoing.
Preliminary Findings
None.
