Geothermal Probe Circuit With Swirling Flow for Higher Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional geothermal probes have limited temperature gradients, making it inefficient to heat living spaces, and drilling depth is restricted in some regions, necessitating a solution to enhance heat transfer efficiency without increasing borehole length or depth.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a means for swirling the heat transfer fluid, such as turbulence vanes, within the geothermal probes to induce turbulent flow, which increases the temperature gradient and reduces the required borehole length, combined with a series circuit configuration to maximize dwell time and heat transfer efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional geothermal probes are used with standard heat transfer fluid flow, then the system structure remains simple, but the temperature gradient between incoming and outgoing heat transfer fluid is limited, reducing heating efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
Turbulence vanes are installed inside the probe before the heat transfer fluid enters, pre-configuring the flow path to induce turbulence. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures that as soon as the fluid flows through, turbulent conditions are established, enhancing heat transfer efficiency without requiring complex external control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the flow regime parameter from laminar to turbulent by introducing turbulence vanes. This parameter change in the fluid flow state significantly enhances the temperature gradient between incoming and outgoing heat transfer fluid, improving heating efficiency while maintaining a relatively simple probe structure
2Productivity
If borehole depth is increased to improve heat transfer efficiency, then more heat can be extracted, but drilling depth is restricted in some regions and installation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the flow regime parameter from laminar to turbulent by introducing turbulence vanes. This parameter change in the fluid flow state significantly enhances the temperature gradient between incoming and outgoing heat transfer fluid, improving heating efficiency while maintaining a relatively simple probe structure
Solution Approach 2:
The turbulence vanes create periodic disturbances in the heat transfer fluid flow, generating repeated turbulent eddies and mixing zones as the fluid passes through the probe. This periodic turbulent action continuously renews the thermal boundary layer, significantly enhancing heat transfer efficiency over the entire borehole length without requiring increased depth
3Temperature
If heat transfer fluid flows through the geothermal probe, then heat exchange with the ground occurs, but the dwell time in the probe is limited, restricting the maximum temperature difference achievable
Solution Approach 1:
The turbulence vanes create periodic disturbances in the heat transfer fluid flow, generating repeated turbulent eddies and mixing zones as the fluid passes through the probe. This periodic turbulent action continuously renews the thermal boundary layer, significantly enhancing heat transfer efficiency over the entire borehole length without requiring increased depth
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic turbulence into the otherwise steady laminar flow. The turbulence vanes create a dynamically changing flow pattern with fluctuating velocity vectors and pressure distributions, which enhances the convective heat transfer coefficient and allows for greater temperature differences to be achieved within the same dwell time
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 swirling mechanism enhances the temperature difference between incoming and outgoing heat transfer fluid, reducing the necessary borehole length and improving efficiency, while the series circuit design prolongs heat transfer dwell time, effectively increasing the usable heat output from geothermal probes.
Implementation Method 1
the means for swirling the heat transfer liquid causes a turbulent flow to form at least partially in the annular region
Implementation Method 2
heat transfer takes place between the heat transfer fluid and the ground. The heat transfer essentially takes place by convection
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The earth probe system (1) has an influx pipe, which has an influx pipe inner surface looking to the influx pipe, and an influx pipe outer surface that facing to soil (25). An exhaust pipe is provided, which has an exhaust pipe inner surface looking to the exhaust pipe. A unit is provided for the turbulence of a heat transmission liquid in a heat transmission area.