<p>The sales of Ground Source Heat Pumps in Sweden and many other countries are having a rapid growth in the last decade. Today, there are approximately 360 000 systems installed in Sweden, with a growing rate of about 30 000 installations per year. The most common way to exchange heat with the bedrock in ground source heat pump applications is circulating a secondary fluid through a Borehole Heat Exchanger (BHE), a closed loop in a vertical borehole. The fluid transports the heat from the ground to a certain heating and/or cooling application. A fluid with one degree higher or lower temperature coming out from the borehole may represent a 2-3% change in the COP of a heat pump system. It is therefore of great relevance to design cost effective and easy to install borehole heat exchangers. U-pipe BHEs consisting of two equal cylindrical pipes connected together at the borehole bottom have dominated the market for several years in spite of their relatively poor thermal performance and, still, there exist many uncertainties about how to optimize them. Although more efficient BHEs have been discussed for many years, the introduction of new designs has been practically lacking. However, the interest for innovation within this field is increasing nowadays and more effective methods for injecting or extracting heat into/from the ground (better BHEs) with smaller temperature differences between the heat secondary fluid and the surrounding bedrock must be suggested for introduction into the market.</p><p>This report presents the analysis of several groundwater filled borehole heat exchangers, including standard and alternative U-pipe configurations (e.g. with spacers, grooves), as well as two coaxial designs. The study embraces measurements of borehole deviation, ground water flow, undisturbed ground temperature profile, secondary fluid and groundwater temperature variations in time, theoretical analyses with a FEM software, Distributed Thermal Response Test (DTRT), and pressure drop. Significant attention is devoted to distributed temperature measurements using optic fiber cables along the BHEs during heat extraction and heat injection from and to the ground.</p> / QC 20100517 / EFFSYS2 / Efficient Use of Energy Wells for Heat Pumps

Since the last United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2015 in Paris (the COP 21), world leaders acknowledged climate change. There is no need any more to justify the switch from fossil fuel-based to renewable energy sources. Nevertheless, this transition is far from being straightforward. Besides technologies that are not yet mature -- or at least not always financially viable in today's economy -- the power grid is currently not ready for a rapid and massive integration of renewable energy sources. A main challenge for the power grid is the inadequacy between electric production and consumption that will rise along with the integration of such sources. Indeed, due to their dependence on weather, renewable energy sources are intermittent and difficult to forecast with today's tools. As a commodity, electricity is a quite distinct good for which there must be perfect adequacy of production and consumption at all time and characterized by a very inelastic demand. High shares of renewable energy sources lead to high price volatility and a higher risk to jeopardize the security of supply. Additionally, the switch to renewable energy sources will lead to an electrification of loads and transportation, and thus the emergence of new higher-consumption loads such as electric vehicles and heat pumps. These new and higher-consumption loads, combined with the population growth, will cause over-rated power load increases with less predictable load patterns in the future.This work focuses on issues specific to the distribution power grid in the context of the current energy transition. Traditional low-voltage grids are perhaps the most passive circuits in power grids. Indeed, they are designed primarily using a fit and forget approach where power flows go from the distribution transformer to the consumers and no element has to be operated or regularly managed. In fact, low-voltage networks completely lack observability due to very low monitoring. The distribution grid will especially undergo drastic changes from this energy transition. Distributed sources and new high-consumption -- and uncoordinated -- loads result in new power flow patterns, as well as exacerbated evening peaks for which it is not designed. The consequences are power overloads and voltage imbalances that deteriorate grid components, such as a main asset like the medium-to-low voltage transformer. Additionally, the distribution grid is characterized by end-users that pay a price for electricity that does not reflect the grid situation -- that is, mostly constant over a year -- and allow little to no actions on their consumption.These issues have motivated authorities to propose a global approach to ensure security of electricity supply at short and medium-term. The latter requires, among others, the development of demand response programs that encourage users to take advantage of load flexibility. First, we propose adequate electricity pricing structures that will allow users to unlock the potential of such demand response programs; namely, dynamic pricings combined with a prosumer structure. Second, we propose a fast and robust two-level optimization, formulated as a mixed-integer linear program, that coordinates flexible loads. We focus on two types of loads; electric vehicles and heat pumps, in an environment with solar PV panels. The lower level aims at minimizing individual electricity bills while, at the second level, we optimize the power load curve, either to maximize self-consumption, or to smoothen the total power load of the transformer. We propose a parametric study on the trade-off between only minimizing the individual bills versus only optimizing power load curves, which have proven to be antagonist objectives. Additionally, we assess the impact of the rising share of flexible loads and renewable energy sources for scenarios from today until 2050. A macro-analysis of the results allows us to assess the benefits of load flexibility for every actor of the distribution grid, and depending on the choice of a pricing structure. Our optimization has proved to prevent evening peaks, which increases the lifetime of the distribution transformer by up to 200%, while individual earnings up to 25% can be made using adequate pricings. Consequently, the optimization significantly increases the power demand elasticity and increases the overall welfare by 10%, allowing the high shares of renewable energy sources that are foreseen. / Doctorat en Sciences de l'ingénieur et technologie / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

An investigation of binary fluid heat and mass transfer in ammonia-water absorption was conducted. Experiments were conducted on a horizontal-tube falling-film absorber consisting of four columns of six 9.5 mm (3/8 in) nominal OD, 0.292 m (11.5 in) long tubes, installed in an absorption heat pump. Measurements were recorded at both system and local levels within the absorber for a wide range of operating conditions (nominally, desorber solution outlet concentrations of 5 - 40% for three nominal absorber pressures of 150, 345 and 500 kPa, for solution flow rates of 0.019 - 0.034 kg/s.). Local measurements were supplemented by high-speed, high-resolution visualization of the flow over the tube banks. Using the measurements and observations from videos, heat and mass transfer rates, heat and vapor mass transfer coefficients for each test condition were determined at the component and local levels. For the range of experiments conducted, the overall film heat transfer coefficient varied from 923 to 2857 W/m²-K while the vapor and liquid mass transfer coefficients varied from 0.0026 to 0.25 m/s and from 5.51×10^-6 to 3.31×10^-5 m/s, respectively. Local measurements and insights from the video frames were used to obtain the contributions of falling-film and droplet modes to the total absorption rates. The local heat transfer coefficients varied from 78 to 6116 W/m²-K, while the local vapor and liquid mass transfer coefficients varied from -0.04 to 2.8 m/s and from -3.59×10^-5 (indicating local desorption in some cases) to 8.96×10^-5 m/s, respectively. The heat transfer coefficient was found to increase with solution Reynolds number, while the mass transfer coefficient was found to be primarily determined by the vapor and solution properties. Based on the observed trends, correlations were developed to predict heat and mass transfer coefficients valid for the range of experimental conditions tested. These correlations can be used to design horizontal tube falling-film absorbers for ammonia-water absorption systems.

Das Lernsystem Thermopr@ctice stellt eine internetgestützte Lernumgebung für das Berechnen von Übungsaufgaben mit dem Computer-Algebrasystem Mathcad dar. Die veränderte Arbeitsweise des Lernenden besteht darin, das herkömmliche Arbeitsblatt durch den Mathcad-Arbeitsbildschirm zu ersetzen und die Aufgabenlösung unmittelbar auf diesem zu erledigen. Dem Lernenden werden die Übungsaufgaben – hier im Fach Technische Thermodynamik – in individuellen Varianten und mit individuellen Zahlenwerten im Mathcad-Format über Internet bereitgestellt. Die Lösung erfolgt in betreuten Übungen oder am heimischen PC. Für die Lösung benötigte Stoffwerte können der Stoffwertsammlung im Internet entnommen bzw. mit Programmbibliotheken, die an Mathcad angeschlossen sind, berechnet werden. Ergänzend wird eine Formelsammlung angeboten, aus der wichtige Formeln auf den Arbeitsbildschirm gezogen werden können. Nach der Berechnung jeder Teilaufgabe sendet der Lernende das Ergebnis an Thermopr@ctice. Im Fehlerfall werden Zwischenergebnisse angefordert. Realisiert wird die Lernumgebung über PHP-Skripte in Verbindung mit einer MySQL-Datenbank. Durch das Lernsystem werden die Studierenden an moderne Arbeitsweisen unter Nutzung eines Computer-Algebrasystems und fachbezogener Programmbibliotheken herangeführt. Da das System zum Selbststudium konzipiert ist, eignet es sich auch für die Weiterbildung und das Fernstudium. Es kann auf alle Lehrfächer übertragen werden, in denen die Aneignung oder Festigung von Wissen über das Berechnen von Übungsaufgaben erfolgt. Thermopr@ctice wurde im Rahmen des Verbundprojektes „Bildungsportal Sachsen“ des Sächsischen Staatsministeriums für Wissenschaft und Kunst entwickelt. Neue Technologien in der Energietechnik, insbesondere Verfahren mit CO2-Abscheidung, bedingen veränderte Arbeitsfluide. Neben reinen Stoffen kommen zunehmend fluide Stoffgemische zum Einsatz, deren thermodynamische Eigenschaften berechnet werden müssen. Dies betrifft feuchte Verbrennungsgasgemische einschließlich CO2/H2O-Gemische sowie feuchte Luft, auch bei hohen Drücken. Daneben sind die Eigenschaften von gasförmigen, flüssigen und festem Kohlendioxid und Mischungen mit verbliebenen Gasen zu berechnen. Auf Grund der Nutzung von Abwärme sind Absorptionskältemaschinen mit Ammoniak-Wasser-Gemischen und Wasser- Lithiumbromid-Gemischen nach wie vor von Interesse. Die Eigenschaften von Ammoniak/Wasser- Gemischen werden auch für die Berechnung des Kalina-Prozesses benötigt. Zur Konzipierung von ORC-Prozessen müssen die Eigenschaften von Silikonölen und Kohlenwasserstoffen berechenbar sein. Für die Optimierung von fortschrittlichen Dampfkraftwerken sind extrem schnelle Algorithmen für die Berechnung der thermodynamischen Eigenschaften von Wasser und Wasserdampf Voraussetzung. Die weltweit an Bedeutung gewinnende Meerwasserentsalzung bedingt eine immer genauere Modellierung der Verfahren, wofür die Eigenschaften von Meerwasser berechenbar sein müssen. Für die Berechnung solcher Prozesse wurden benutzerfreundliche Programmbibliotheken zur Ermittlung der thermodynamischen Zustandsgrößen einschl. Umkehrfunktionen und Transporteigenschaften der Arbeitsfluide erarbeitet. Zur komfortablen Nutzung der Stoffwert-Bibliotheken steht das Add-On FluidMAT für Mathcad® zur Verfügung. Versionen für Studierende der wichtigsten Programme sind verfügbar.

Concern with global climate change has led to the interest in the use of natural refrigerants, such as carbon dioxide, as replacements in heat pump systems. When operating in a transcritical cycle, carbon dioxide heat pumps are well suited for use in high temperature water heating heat pumps. In this work, four systems are analyzed: with and without the use of a suction line heat exchanger, and two water heating schemes. These two schemes involve the heating of water to its desired temperature at a low water flow rate in a single pass through the heat pump, and the heating of water at a high water flow rate, but requiring multiple passes. The performance and resulting heat exchanger size of these four systems is analyzed through the development of an overall system model. This system model uses component-level models that were developed based upon heat exchanger geometry and subsequently validated through experimental testing on a test facility developed for this purpose.

Dans le contexte actuel d'amélioration de l'efficacité énergétique des logements, il est nécessaire de repenser les installations de chauffage. Nous avons développé un générateur de chaleur et de rafraîchissement innovant (GCRI). Ce générateur repose sur l'utilisation de modules thermoélectriques assurant le rôle de pompe à chaleur au moyen d'une alimentation électrique. La présente thèse vise à améliorer l'efficacité énergétique du système complet incluant un émetteur basse température (coefficient de performance global). Ce travail repose sur différents modèles analytiques et numériques validés expérimentalement. Ces modèles ont permis de définir une configuration optimisée du système et de mettre en place une méthode de gestion optimale pour répondre à des besoins variables de puissance et de températures. Les échangeurs multifonctionels mis en jeu dans le système ont été dimensionnés et étudiés expérimentalement en vue de maximiser les performances du générateur. Après couplage au bâtiment, nous montrons une nette amélioration des performances du système par rapport à une configuration classique de pompe à chaleur thermoélectrique. / In the current context of improvement of the housing energy efficiency, new heating devices have to be foreseen. We have developed an innovative heating and cooling generator. This device is based on the use of thermoelectric modules working as a heat pump via a power supply. This thesis aims to improve the energy efficiency of the whole system including a low temperature heat floor (global coefficient of performance). This work is based on different analytical and numerical models validated experimentally. These models help to design an optimized device configuration and to develop an optimal management strategy in order to meet the variable power and temperature demands. Multifunctional heat sinks for the generator are designed and studied experimentally in order to maximize the system performances. By coupling the system to housing, a significant improvement of the device performances is shown compared to thermoelectric heat pumps with a classical configuration.

Heat pumps are a vital part of each building for their role in keeping the space conditioned for the occupant. This study focuses on developing a model for the ground-source heat pump at the Zero Energy lab at the University of North Texas, and finding the minimum data required for generating the model. The literature includes many models with different approaches to determine the performance of the heat pump. Each method has its pros and cons. In this research the equation-fit method was used to generate a model based on the data collected from the field. Two experiments were conducted for the cooling mode: the first one at the beginning of the season and the second one at the peak of the season to cover all the operation conditions. The same procedure was followed for the heating mode. The models generated based on the collected data were validated against the experiment data. The error of the models was within ±10%. The study showed that the error could be reduced by 20% to 42% when using the field data to generate the model instead of the manufacturer’s catalog data. Also it was found that the minimum period to generate the cooling mode model was two days and two hours from each experiment, while for the heating mode it was four days and two hours from each experiment.

The introductory part of this diploma work contains a basic thought for the application of the heat pumps cascade connection and further I describe its function and define the notion of an optimum middle temperature.Then the direct comparison of two heats pumps cascade connection with an one-stage heat pump is shown there in a concrete example. The main part of the work is aimed to the determination of the most suitable variant for the heating and for the preparation of a hot service water in a benchmark family house. The systems of heatings are provided in options of a low-temperature floor heating and hot-water radiators. Both types of the heat pumps supply the warm to every heating system. It results into four possibles alternatives of the building heating.Besides of the alternatives mentioned above, a new variant of optimalised cascade connection was arisen during this work elaboration . The first stage of this connection which supplies the warm to the floor heating is disconnected out of the heating season and the second stage provides only a hot service water warming. The results of this work showed us that just this variant of a cascade connection causes savings in energy in comparison with an one-stage heat pump. In the conclusion of this work there are discussed the reached results and indicated the possibilities of a practical exploitation.

This thesis deals with issues of heat pumps for air conditioning purposes. Mainly addresses itself with physical principles of heat pumps and with division of heat pumps according to natural resources, from which they draw heat energy. The next part of this thesis dedicates itself to experimental measurement of air conditioning unit, which in winter time operates on the principle of heat pump. The last part of this thesis is focused on design of two options of employment of heat pumps as sources of heat and coldness for a central air handling unit, which regulates incoming air for a dining room in a retirement home in Brno.

Diploma thesis is focused on renewable energy sources and its applications for heating of family house in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The project contains two design variants which are described in part B in detail. Alternatives are compared in conclusion and the most suitable one is chosen for given building. The part of experimental solution deals with measurement of solar intensity and air temperature in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in the Czech Republic. Obtained data are processed, compared and graphically represented. Experimental part also includes stationary state simulation of floor heating carried out in CalA software. Simulations were made in different variants.