Heat transfer probe
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing geothermal probes are complex in structure and inefficient for both heat extraction and input, with turbulence elements only effective in one direction, limiting their flexibility and effectiveness in reverse operations.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchange probe design featuring an outer tube with an inner tube forming an annular gap, allowing for efficient heat exchange through two separate lines, one for heat extraction and one for heat input, without the need for additional turbulence elements, enabling flexible operation in various environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a turbulence element is added to improve heat exchange effectiveness, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchange probe is segmented into multiple functional lines (first line for forward flow, second line for return flow) with separate turbulence elements for each direction. This segmentation allows independent optimization of turbulence in each flow direction without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction by enabling high heat exchange efficiency while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design.
2Productivity
If a turbulence element is designed for one flow direction, then heat exchange effectiveness is improved for that direction, but effectiveness is reduced during flow reversal
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchange probe incorporates turbulence elements that are universally effective in both flow directions. By designing the turbulence elements to function effectively regardless of flow direction, the system achieves multi-functionality, allowing the same structure to maintain high heat exchange effectiveness whether operating in forward or reverse mode, thus resolving the contradiction between directional optimization and reverse operation capability.
3Productivity
If the inner tube cross-section is minimized to improve return flow, then forward heat exchange is improved, but structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The single tube is segmented into functionally independent first and second lines with separate turbulence elements. This segmentation allows the inner tube to maintain a practical cross-sectional area while still achieving effective heat exchange in both directions through the distributed turbulence elements, resolving the contradiction by eliminating the need for minimal cross-section designs while maintaining heat exchange effectiveness.
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 design allows for effective heat exchange in both directions with reduced losses, simplifying the structure and enabling efficient operation in both heat extraction and input modes, suitable for various environments including soil and other materials.
Implementation Method 1
heat is extracted from the hole in the ground, which is usually passed on to the heat exchangers (evaporators) of a geothermal heat pump
Implementation Method 2
heat exchange between the flow and return via the wall of the inner pipe
Implementation Method 3
heat input into the environment with high efficiency and operation with low losses due to heat transfer between the inlet (supply path) and return (return path)
Implementation Method 4
In order to convert the flow into a non-homogeneous flow, the geothermal probe has a turbulence element between the flow and return
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(d)
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a geothermal probe (1) for selectively extracting or supplying heat from or into an environment (2), a system (100) with at least one such geothermal probe (1), and a corresponding method (200) for operating the system (100) with geothermal probe (1), which comprises an outer pipe (11) with a first and second end (111, 112) and an inner pipe (12) arranged in the outer pipe (11) to form an annular gap (13) between the inner and outer pipes (11, 12), wherein the inner pipe (12) with its inner surface (12i) forms an inner first line (14) and comprises an additional second line (15) separately from the first line (14), wherein the first and second lines (14,15) are connected to the annular gap (13) at least in the region of the first end (111) and are designed for the supply of a heat exchange medium (3) through the first line (14) to the annular gap (13) and for the return of the heat exchange medium (3) through the annular gap (13) to the second end (112) when heat extraction from the environment (2) is desired, and for the supply of the heat exchange medium (3) through the annular gap (13) to the second line (14) and for the return of the heat exchange medium (3) to the second end (112) through the second line (15) when heat input into the environment (2) is desired.