Numerical simulation of heat extraction by a coaxial ground heat exchanger under freezing conditions

Abstract

A new finite-difference model of heat transfer inside a shallow coaxial ground heat exchanger and in the surrounding layered soil is presented, taking into account the freezing of ground moisture. Three modes of heat exchanger operation are numerically simulated: stationary mode, transient mode and controlled mode. In the stationary mode, estimates of the sensitivity of the heat carrier fluid outlet temperature to changes in the heat exchanger parameters are calculated. In all modes, close attention is paid to demonstrating the difference in the results at a negative temperature of the fluid, calculated with and without taking into account the freezing of ground moisture. It is shown that this difference, caused by the zero-curtain effect, can range from 10% in the stationary mode to 35% in the control mode.