CFD analysis of the earth air pipe heat exchanger with helical geometry for optimum space utilisation

ABSTRACT

The helical geometry of the air pipe is used in present study, under transient conditions to improve the cooling effect and performance of the Earth Air Pipe Heat Exchanger (EAPHE). The helical layout design of the air pipe decreases the area required for installation by up to 70%. The performance of the EAPHE system deteriorates because of the thermal saturation of nearby sub-soil. Aluminium water pipe is installed at the centre of the helical pipe for the thermal saturation of sub-soil. Heat is absorbed by the nearby soil through a water tube that acts as a thermal reservoir as water has the highest specific heat. FLUENT 19.0 is used for the development and simulation of the CFD model. The results show that after 24 h the system maintains a constant heat transfer rate and gives constant air outlet temperature.

KEYWORDS:

• EAPHE
• heat transfer
• air temperature
• COP
• thermal saturation
• thermal reservoir

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author's.