System and method for operating ground-source heat pumps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ground-source heat pump systems are limited in thermal power generation due to the size of the borefield, which restricts energy efficiency and capacity, while also posing risks of ground temperature changes and potential freezing.
Innovation Solution
The system employs an oversized ground-source heat pump in conjunction with a thermal management system that monitors and controls the fluid inlet temperature, allowing the heat pump to operate at full capacity while maintaining the temperature within safe thresholds, thus enhancing thermal power generation without damaging the ground.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the ground-source heat pump is dimensioned proportionately to the borefield size, then the ground temperature remains stable over time, but the thermal power generation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the thermal power output of the ground-source heat pump based on real-time borefield temperature monitoring. The control system varies the thermal power according to temperature conditions, allowing the system to operate at full capacity when temperatures are favorable and reduce capacity when temperatures approach thresholds, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining temperature stability and maximizing thermal power generation.
2Productivity
If the ground-source heat pump operates at full capacity, then thermal power generation is maximized, but the ground temperature may fall outside the temperature range causing potential freezing
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback control by monitoring borefield temperature and adjusting thermal power output accordingly. Temperature sensors provide real-time data to the control system, which automatically modulates the heat pump capacity to maintain temperatures within the safe operating range, preventing ground freezing while maximizing thermal power generation within safety constraints.
3Productivity
If the borefield size is increased to generate more thermal power, then thermal power generation improves, but the system complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operational parameters of the ground-source heat pump, specifically the thermal power output, to optimize performance with the existing borefield size. By adjusting operational parameters rather than physical dimensions, the system achieves higher thermal power generation from the same borefield area, avoiding the complexity and cost of expanding the borefield infrastructure.
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 approach enables the generation of more thermal power from a smaller borefield or the same borefield, improving energy efficiency and reducing operational costs, while preventing ground freezing and maintaining compliance with temperature thresholds.
Implementation Method 1
Ground-source or geothermal heat pump systems offer energy-efficient heating and cooling solutions by leveraging the relatively stable temperature of the Earth's subsurface
Implementation Method 2
thermal communication of the ground-source heat pump with a borefield
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 2-3
AI summary
A method of operating a ground-source heat pump (502) includes generating a thermal power based on a thermal communication of the ground-source heat pump (502) with a borefield (508), the thermal power at least partly covering a thermal load of a facility. The method includes receiving a temperature associated with the borefield (508) and controlling the thermal power based on the temperature. The method further includes maintaining the temperature within a temperature range based on controlling the thermal power, wherein the ground-source heat pump (502) is configured to cause the temperature to fall outside of the temperature range at a full capacity of the thermal power.