Web-Based Geothermal Heat Pump Design for Hybrid System Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current geothermal heat pump design and simulation software is inadequate, lacking user-friendly web-based accessibility, real-time data integration, and detailed building parameter settings, leading to inefficient and costly design processes for commercial applications.
Innovation Solution
A web-based geothermal heat pump design program that allows for detailed building energy analysis, simulating hourly energy consumption and demand, incorporating real-time geographical and weather data, and enabling hybrid system designs with supplemental heat rejecters like cooling towers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional geothermal heat pump design software is used, then design capabilities are provided, but the software lacks user-friendly web-based accessibility and real-time data integration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional desktop-based software with a web-based application that runs in cloud computing environments. This substitution enables accessibility through standard web browsers without requiring installation of complex software, while the cloud infrastructure provides real-time data integration capabilities through internet connectivity and centralized data repositories.
Solution Approach 2:
The web-based platform integrates multiple functions including design simulation, real-time data acquisition from weather and geographical sources, collaborative workspaces, and reporting capabilities into a single accessible system. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate software tools while maintaining comprehensive design capabilities.
2Measurement precision
If detailed building parameter settings are implemented, then design accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the building design into multiple zones with independent parameter settings for each zone. This segmentation allows detailed parameter specification for accuracy while organizing complexity into manageable units. Each zone can have its own thermal characteristics, occupancy patterns, and operational schedules, enabling precise modeling without overwhelming system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic parameter adjustment capabilities where building parameters can be modified in real-time based on operational conditions, weather data, and performance feedback. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to changing conditions without requiring complete redesign, maintaining accuracy while managing complexity through flexible configuration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If hybrid system designs with supplemental heat rejecters are simulated, then system versatility is improved, but design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements hybrid system capabilities that allow designers to selectively add supplemental heat rejecters such as cooling towers only when needed based on performance requirements. The system can operate in pure geothermal mode or hybrid mode, providing versatility without requiring all components to be present in every design. This partial implementation approach maintains simplicity for basic applications while enabling complexity only when necessary for performance optimization.
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 program provides accurate, efficient, and cost-effective geothermal heat pump system designs by simulating hourly operating schedules and interactions, reducing borehole field sizes and long-term installation costs while avoiding thermal degradation.
Implementation Method 1
GHPs employ a heat exchanger in contact with the ground or groundwater to extract or dissipate heat
Implementation Method 2
A geothermal heat pump or ground source heat pump (GHP) is a central heating and/or cooling system that transfers heat to or from the ground
Data Source
AI summary
An in-ground geothermal heat pump (GHP) closed loop design program is disclosed for designing, analyzing, and simulating a detailed model and analysis of a building's in-ground geothermal heat pump system, including borehole length, number of boreholes, heat pump capacity, grid layout, total electric operating costs, efficiency ratios, and hybrid designs, among others. In one aspect of the disclosure described herein, the GHP design program can reliably and efficiently predict the fluctuations of the GHP equipment performance in very small increments which enable the determination of energy consumption and demand information on a specific and unique hourly schedule basis for the building design, including incorporating thermal load data for each individual zone of the building. More specifically, the small increment method here can be used to eliminate overly broad approximations by evaluating GHP performance that is specific to building dynamics, constants, and variables for all of the building individual zones and the building's hourly operating schedule, thereby providing an efficient, reliable, simple, and effective geothermal heat pump design and simulation model.