Ground-Source Heat Pumps with Horizontal Heat Exchangers for Space Cooling in the Hot Tropical Climate of Thailand

Arif Widiatmojo, Sasimook Chokchai, Isao Takashima, Yohei Uchida, Kasumi Yasukawa, Srilert Chotpantarat and Punya Charusiri
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Arif Widiatmojo: Renewable Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Japan 2-2-9 Machiikedai, Koriyama-shi, Fukushima-ken 963-0298, Japan
Sasimook Chokchai: Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University 254 Phayathai Rd, Patumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Isao Takashima: Mining Museum, Akita University, 43 Tegatahebino, Akita-shi, Akita-ken 010-0851, Japan
Yohei Uchida: Renewable Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Japan 2-2-9 Machiikedai, Koriyama-shi, Fukushima-ken 963-0298, Japan
Kasumi Yasukawa: Renewable Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Japan 2-2-9 Machiikedai, Koriyama-shi, Fukushima-ken 963-0298, Japan
Srilert Chotpantarat: Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University 254 Phayathai Rd, Patumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Punya Charusiri: Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University 254 Phayathai Rd, Patumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 7, 1-22

Abstract: The cooling of spaces in tropical regions, such as Southeast Asia, consumes a lot of energy. Additionally, rapid population and economic growth are resulting in an increasing demand for space cooling. The ground-source heat pump has been proven a reliable, cost-effective, safe, and environmentally-friendly alternative for cooling and heating spaces in various countries. In tropical countries, the presumption that the ground-source heat pump may not provide better thermal performance than the normal air-source heat pump arises because the difference between ground and atmospheric temperatures is essentially low. This paper reports the potential use of a ground-source heat pump with horizontal heat exchangers in a tropical country—Thailand. Daily operational data of two ground-source heat pumps and an air-source heat pump during a two-month operation are analyzed and compared. Life cycle cost analysis and CO 2 emission estimation are adopted to evaluate the economic value of ground-source heat pump investment and potential CO 2 reduction through the use of ground-source heat pumps, in comparison with the case for air-source heat pumps. It was found that the ground-source heat pumps consume 17.1% and 18.4% less electricity than the air-source heat pump during this period. Local production of heat pumps and heat exchangers, as well as rapid regional economic growth, can be positive factors for future ground-source heat pump application, not only in Thailand but also southeast Asian countries.

Keywords: ground source heat pump; tropical climate; horizontal heat exchanger (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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