Innovative Solutions for Improving the Heat Exchange in Closed-Loop Shallow Geothermal Systems

Giovanni Floridia, Federica Blandini, Salvatore Iuculano, Giuseppe M. Belfiore and Marco Viccaro
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Giovanni Floridia: Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali–Sezione di Scienze della Terra, Università degli Studi di Catania, Corso Italia 57, 95125 Catania, Italy
Federica Blandini: Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali–Sezione di Scienze della Terra, Università degli Studi di Catania, Corso Italia 57, 95125 Catania, Italy
Salvatore Iuculano: Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali–Sezione di Scienze della Terra, Università degli Studi di Catania, Corso Italia 57, 95125 Catania, Italy
Giuseppe M. Belfiore: EarTherm S.R.L-Via Giorgio Arcoleo 4/B, 95030 Gravina di Catania, Italy
Marco Viccaro: Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali–Sezione di Scienze della Terra, Università degli Studi di Catania, Corso Italia 57, 95125 Catania, Italy

Energies, 2020, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-18

Abstract: Thermal conductivity, hydraulics properties and potential use in low-enthalpy geothermal applications of single and double U geothermal probes enhanced with carbon fibre are discussed in this work. Although the efficiency of a shallow geothermal installation is chiefly based on chemical and physical characteristics of rocks and hydrogeological aspects of the subsurface, the total heat extracted from the subsoil also depends on the intrinsic thermal characteristics of probes. New configurations and solutions aimed at enhancing the performance of components are therefore of considerable interest in this field of research. As a consequence of the economic and versatility advantages of the components, geothermal probes have been generally developed with materials like polyethylene, which presents, however, isolating behaviour that does not allow ideal heat exchange in ground source heat pump systems (GSHP). Innovative combinations of different materials are therefore necessary in order to improve thermal conductivity and to preserve the exceptional workability and commercial advantages of the finest elements available on the market. This work presents results coming from experimental tests involving standard polyethylene geothermal probes integrated with radial rings of polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fibre (PAN). Our evaluations are aimed at finding the best solutions for thermal exchange and adaptability with respect to traditional systems. Hydraulic and thermal performances and the response in a geo-exchange system have been verified. The new solutions appear to be highly suitable as geothermal exchangers in shallow geothermal systems and contribute to significantly reduce the total costs pertaining to the drilling operations.

Keywords: ground source energy systems; heat exchange; carbon fibre; geothermal probe (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: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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