Geothermal Borehole Heat Exchange for Water-Free Condenser Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal energy systems, particularly in large-scale refrigeration systems, face inefficiencies due to high energy costs and water usage, with evaporative cooling towers being costly and environmentally impactful, while other methods consume more electrical energy, making them less viable in the current energy and water cost landscape.
Innovation Solution
A closed loop geothermal energy system with borehole heat exchangers and an intermediate heat pump is used to manage thermal energy, allowing for efficient heat rejection and recovery, with alternating bank operation to optimize thermal energy demands and reduce energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If evaporative cooling towers are used for heat rejection, then cooling efficiency is improved, but water consumption and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate heat pump as a mediator between the refrigeration system and the geothermal boreholes. This heat pump transfers thermal energy to the ground, enabling efficient heat rejection without direct water consumption. The intermediate device decouples the cooling function from water-intensive evaporative cooling while maintaining thermal efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical evaporative cooling tower system with a geothermal heat rejection system using boreholes and a heat pump. This substitution eliminates the need for large volumes of water while achieving comparable or superior cooling efficiency through direct thermal coupling with the ground.
2Loss of energy
If conventional heat rejection methods are used, then heat dissipation is achieved, but electrical energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal parameter of the heat rejection system by utilizing the ground's stable temperature profile at different depths. By injecting cooler fluid into deeper boreholes where the ground temperature is lower, the system achieves more efficient heat dissipation with reduced electrical energy requirements for the heat pump and compressors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements alternating operation of multiple borehole banks, switching between active heat rejection and thermal recovery phases. This periodic action allows the system to optimize electrical energy consumption by utilizing stored thermal energy in the ground during recovery phases, reducing the continuous electrical load required for heat rejection.
3Reliability
If constant thermometric control is implemented, then operational efficiency is maintained, but operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The geothermal system provides self-regulating thermometric control by utilizing the ground's natural thermal properties. The stable ground temperature acts as a self-adjusting heat sink, reducing the need for active thermometric control systems and associated energy consumption while maintaining reliable operational efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system achieves significant energy savings, up to 50%, by stabilizing the condenser water temperature and optimizing thermal energy use, while minimizing water consumption and environmental impact, making it a high-efficiency, low-carbon solution for heating and cooling demands.
Implementation Method 1
a closed loop geothermal energy system comprising a plurality of borehole heat exchangers containing a working fluid
Implementation Method 2
an intermediate heat pump thermally connected between the first thermal system and the geothermal energy system
Implementation Method 3
at least one condenser which, in use, has a cooling demand
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal energy system includes a first thermal energy system, a closed loop geothermal energy system, an intermediate heat pump thermally coupling the first thermal energy system with the geothermal energy system, and a second thermal energy system thermally connected to the geothermal energy system. The first and second thermal energy systems have opposite net thermal energy demands from the geothermal system. The geothermal energy system has first and second groups of borehole heat exchangers and each borehole heat exchanger contains a working fluid. Each borehole heat exchanger includes an elongated tube having a closed bottom end and first and second adjacent elongated conduits interconnected at the bottom end. Each group of borehole heat exchanger is selectively and alternatively connectable to the intermediate heat pump. The first thermal energy system may be a refrigeration system having condensers and the closed loop geothermal energy system may provide cooling of the condensers.