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The Design of Ground-Coupled Heat Pump Systems
Abstract
Ground-coupled heat pumps are being installed
in increasing numbers due to proven performance and
economy.
The overall thermal resistance between the
ground coupling fluid and a given type of
surrounding soil is affected by pipe material, wall
thickness, diameter and length, the spacing and
depth of burial, and the resistance of the flowing
fluid. An important variable affecting performance
is the thermal conductivity of the soil in which
the ground coupling device is buried.
The optimum ground-coupled system considers
initial investment and operating costs on a
discounted basis. The large number of variables
affecting both first cost and performance makes the
optimum difficult to determine. This paper
discusses design tradeoffs and significant factors
which determine performance.
Citation
Parker, J. D. (1985). The Design of Ground-Coupled Heat Pump Systems. Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu); Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu). Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /6732.