Geothermal energy transfer system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional geothermal energy transfer systems face inefficiencies due to temperature fluctuations in air sources and require large areas or expensive drilling for ground-based systems, and can be environmentally disruptive when using large bodies of water.
Innovation Solution
A modular energy transfer unit with a thermally and electrically conductive housing and heat exchanger core, buried in the ground or submerged in water, utilizing a buffer fluid and optimized pipe connections for efficient energy transfer, minimizing footprint and environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If ground-based heat exchange loops are buried in trenches between one or two meters below the surface, then the earth provides a substantially constant temperature energy source, but a relatively large area of several acres is required to provide the necessary surface area for energy transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from horizontal trench burial to vertical bore hole installation, changing the spatial dimension from two-dimensional surface area to one-dimensional depth penetration. This allows the heat exchange system to access deeper earth temperatures that are more stable and require less surface area.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the installation depth parameter from shallow trench (1-2 meters) to deep bore holes, accessing different thermal zones in the earth where temperature stability is improved and less surface area is required.
2Area of stationary object
If vertical heat transfer loops are used to reduce land area, then the necessary surface area is minimized, but expensive drilling is required to reach significant depths
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the heat exchange system into multiple separate vertical loops distributed across the property, allowing shallower drilling depths for each loop while achieving the required total heat exchange capacity, thereby reducing individual drilling costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines multiple smaller vertical heat exchange loops into a single integrated system that achieves the required heat transfer capacity without requiring any single bore hole to reach extreme depths, balancing land area efficiency with cost considerations.
3Productivity
If large bodies of water are used as the energy source, then heat transfer is efficient, but the installation disturbs environmentally sensitive areas and is unsightly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses the ground as an intermediary medium between the building and the water body, installing vertical heat exchange loops in the ground that transfer heat to or from the water without directly placing equipment in the water, thus maintaining efficiency while reducing environmental disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the heat exchange function from the water body itself and relocates it to vertical loops installed in the ground, separating the heat transfer mechanism from the environmentally sensitive water area while maintaining thermal 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
The solution enhances energy transfer efficiency and reduces installation costs by stabilizing temperature differentials and minimizing environmental disruption, while allowing for flexible installation in various locations.
Implementation Method 1
The pipe is buried in a trench between one or two meters below the normal surface. At that depth, the earth is at a substantially constant temperature and provides a energy source to either provide energy to or absorb energy from the heat transfer fluid.
Implementation Method 2
provide a heat exchange loop between the heat pump and such a source so that heat may be absorbed in to the loop to supply energy to the heat pump or may be rejected from the loop to remove energy from the heat pump
Data Source
AI summary
An energy transfer unit for a geothermal system includes an outer housing. A heat exchanger is located within the housing. An inlet pipe extends from the housing to the heat exchanger to convey heat transfer fluid to the heat exchanger and an outlet pipe extends from the housing to the heat exchanger to convey heat transfer fluid from the heat exchanger.