Method and apparatus for installing geothermal heat exchanger
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of geothermal heat exchangers typically requires delaying construction operations and risks debris entering the tubes, as they need to be installed after excavation to avoid interference and debris obstruction, which complicates the process.
Innovation Solution
A method involving boring a borehole, inserting and securing a geothermal heat exchanger, temporarily sealing it below the subgrade depth, cutting above the seals, and removing the above-seal portions to allow for simultaneous excavation and connection to HVAC systems, using a specialized pipe cutting tool for precise cutting within the borehole.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the geothermal heat exchanger is installed after excavation completion, then debris obstruction risk is avoided, but construction operations must be delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is installed in the borehole before excavation of the surrounding site begins. This preliminary installation allows the exchanger to be in place while construction operations continue around it, eliminating the need to wait until excavation completion before installing the heat exchanger.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger is divided into segments: the below-seal portion remains in the borehole for heat exchange operations, while the above-seal portions are removed. This segmentation allows the functional portion to stay installed for heat exchange while the exposed portions are removed to eliminate construction interference.
2Productivity
If the heat exchanger is installed before excavation, then construction delay is avoided, but debris may enter the tubes and obstruct fluid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The above-seal portions of the heat exchanger are removed from the borehole after installation and sealing. This extraction eliminates the portions that would interfere with construction operations and be exposed to debris, while the sealed below-seal portions remain protected within the borehole.
Solution Approach 2:
Seals are installed in the borehole to create a barrier between the heat exchanger and the excavation environment. These seals prevent debris from entering the heat exchanger tubes while allowing construction operations to proceed in the surrounding area.
3Ease of manufacture
If the heat exchanger remains in the borehole during excavation, then installation simplicity is maintained, but it interferes with construction operations
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is segmented into below-seal portions that remain in the borehole and above-seal portions that are removed. This segmentation allows the functional portions to stay installed for heat exchange while the exposed portions are removed to eliminate construction interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The above-seal portions of the heat exchanger are extracted from the borehole after the seals are installed. This removal eliminates the interference with construction operations while the sealed below-seal portions remain in place for their heat exchange function.
Data Source
AI summary
A borehole is bored to a borehole target depth in a site and a geothermal heat exchanger is inserted into and then secured in the borehole at the desired depth. Once the heat exchanger has been secured in the borehole, the heat exchanger has a closed distal end and an open proximal end and has at least one fluid path between the closed distal end and the open proximal end, with installation fluid disposed in the fluid path(s). After securing the heat exchanger in the borehole and before excavation of a portion of the site immediately surrounding the borehole, the heat exchanger is temporarily sealed by installing, through the open proximal end, at least one respective internal seal in each fluid path. For each fluid path, the internal seal(s) will be disposed below a respective notional subgrade depth and excavation of the site immediately surrounding the borehole can proceed.