Horizontal ground coupled heat pump: Thermal-economic modeling and optimization

• Published in: Energy conversion and management Vol. 51; no. 12; pp. 2600 - 2612
• Main Authors: Sanaye, Sepehr, Niroomand, Behzad
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Costs; Design parameters; Devices using thermal energy; Economic data; Energy; Energy economics; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; General, economic and professional studies; Ground coupled heat pump; Grounds; Heat pumps; Heating; Horizontal; Horizontal ground loop; Mathematical models; Methodology. Modelling; Natural energy; Optimization; Thermal-economic modeling; Thermal-economic modeling; Horizontal ground loop; Ground coupled heat pump; Optimization
• ISSN: 0196-8904; 1879-2227
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2010.05.026

The modeling and optimizing processes of a Ground Coupled Heat Pump (GCHP) with closed Horizontal Ground Heat eXchanger (HGHX) are presented in this paper. After thermal modeling of GCHP including HGHX, the optimum design parameters of the system were estimated by minimizing a defined objective function (total of investment and operation costs) subject to a list of constraints. This procedure was performed applying Genetic Algorithm technique. For given heating/cooling loads and various climatic conditions, the optimum values of saturated temperature/pressure of condenser and evaporator as well as inlet and outlet temperatures of the water source in cooling and heating modes were predicted. Then, for our case study, the design parameters as well as the configuration of HGHX were obtained. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis of change in the total annual cost of the system and optimum design parameters with the climatic conditions, cooling/heating capacity, and soil type were discussed.