Geothermal HVAC

1. Introduction 1.1. Background Heat ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) is very vital in each and every building. The best way in which this can be realized is by using geothermal heat pumps. The theory was first put forward in 1993 [2]. These types of pumps take the advantage of relatively stable and moderate temperature conditions that usually occur within the first 300meters of the surface to heat buildings in the winter and at the same time to cool them up in summer. Geothermal energy is a renewable type of energy and it is simply formed through the heating of the earth and also through the radiation by the minerals present inside the earth.HVAC is a very serious problem in that most people use electricity to do this and some also use heat exchangers. Several recent studies [3, 4, 10, and 11] have suggested that definitely the use of electricity is very expensive and also unpredictable in the sense that there is always power shortages and rationing. In this particular research proposal, geothermal energy will be used to ensure that HVAC in the buildings is realized. Air conditioning as well as heating is the increasing problems around the world and everybody agrees that geothermal heat pumps can help to palliate this situation. For an example, see [10] aamong the energy sources suitable to modify HVAC is the geothermal energy is one of the most promising options, due to the coupling of the disperse nature and availability of heat from the ground and water. For an example, see [5]. Thiss project as it has been described will help save a lot of monies in paying electricity bills and also in installing the existing HVAC system the extra money that would have been used in paying these bills will be rechanneled to improving the welfare of the family. 1.2. Problem statement Many people experience high cost and maintenance of HVAC system and also even if they have one, there is low efficiency and performance power. Several recent studies [3, 4, 10, and 11] have suggested that temperatures in many regions always fall to as low as negative figures and at the same time especially during summer, they rise. This affects people in that the mentioned conditions should be dealt with in order to survive. Another problem, which prompted me to do this research, is that the cost of electricity to deal with warming and cooling problems and by employing this technology of modifying HVAC using geothermal energy can help solve this problem. 1.3. Aims and objectives of the project proposal The main object here is to improve HVAC by incorporating geothermal heat pump. The cost and maintenance of air conditioning system should also be decreased or put to a minimal range. Many recent studies [3, 4, 10, and 11] have suggested that the project will also aim at empowering the people to construct and maintain there own air conditioning system by the use of geothermal energy system. In order to realize these objectives, the existing design of HVAC should be reviewed as well as a vision of the new design should be drawn. The way in which the new model will be maintained is also a factor to be considered.
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The secondary objective of the project is ensuring that through this proposal, the costs of living of the people are greatly reduced. Moreover, to have regular HVAC throughout the year without any default, this will be realized since geothermal energy, which is a renewable source, will be used to provide HVAC system. Research instruments Research instruments include questionnaires, interviews and computers. The following instruments were adopted since they are reliable and accurate i.e. they give adequate information. Computers were used to record the data obtained for future reference, further analysis and interpretation of data. Questionnaires and interviews were conducted to get the public ideas and concerns about the upcoming project and to incorporate their views in the design of the project. 1.4. Design Maintenance System design maintenance will involve updating and upgrading the design in future to meet the arising user needs. This is achieved by upgrading the functionality of the design system, which checks if it works under the defined constraints. Some recent studies [3, 4, 10, and 11] have suggested that there should also be regular checks on parts to ensure and achieve efficiency of the design system. Themaintenance will be easy since most parts of this system are removable. Hence they can be separated and get maintained separately. The system has got pipes, which are laid underground, and because of rust, they will be checked and maintained regular to avoid damage. The pump exerts pressure to the liquid used, which in this case is water; therefore, it is in order to check whether there are leakages in the pipes. The antifreezer that is being added to water should be maintained in order to prevent bursting of pipes due to high pressure since solid ice occupies more space than water. 1.5. How the existing electrical resistanceCentral Air Conditioning works? Central air conditioning units are usually fitted with afurnace, which uses oil or gas in order to provide heat at the set of arrangement. Several recent studies [3, 4, 10, and 11] have suggested that there exists also central HVAC that combine two functions of cooling as well as heating. The main different I encountered with the existing HVAC system is that it uses too much electricity and without electric power, it cannot work.Many studies [3, 4, 10, and 11] have suggested that the heat pumps here can only be used in moderate temperatures. The heat pumps using electricity consumes much power and are not as efficient as required. The existing heat pumps generally have an outdoorunit that is called the condenser and another component known as an evaporator is placed indoor. This combination is known as the split system.Recent studies [3, 4, 9, and 12] have suggested that the main work of the heat pump is to transport heat between the two units. Forinstance, during warm summer seasons, the pumps transport heat from the indoors to the outdoor unit and this leaves inside the room cool and air is circulated in the room by the use of a fan. In this system, there must be a refrigerator, which does the cooling, and heating work. The compressor unit, which is located at the outdoor, changes the gaseous refrigerant into a gas that has got high temperature and high pressure. When the gas flows in the coil placed outside

the room, it looses heat and becomes cold. Consequently, therefrigerant condenses into high temperature and also high pressure liquid. This liquid flows through the tubes made of copper through to the evaporator coil that is located inside the room and attached to the furnace. During this time, the liquid that is in the refrigerant is allowed to expand making it posses low temperature and pressure. This cool air now absorbs the hot air that circulates inside the rooms leaving cool air to be re-circulated.Several recent studies [3, 4, 10, and 11] have suggested that the heat pumps also dehumidify the air making it fresh. This is explained by the fact that the warm air carried by the inside evaporator cannot carry moisture at high temperatures before the temperatures dropped. The extra moisture, which condenses at the outside of the coil, is being carried away by drain. The same process works during the winter but now in a reverseway. Theheat is extracted from the outside air. Then it transport that heat to the inside room and it is transferred from the evaporator coil to the air which circulates in the room.Several recent studies [3, 4, 10, and 11] have suggested that the existing heat pumps are installed together with aback up furnace that takes care of the heating requirements. This is so especially when more heat is needed than can be provided by the heat pump. 1.6. Proposed designsworking principle and operation Geothermal heat pumps are also known as ground source heat pumps or rather geoexchange are systems which make uses of ground or surface water to the cooling and heating effect. For an example, see [9]. Proposed project will explain the ground water system since there exist aalongside surface water heat pumps. Geothermal heat pump technologies can perform two functions of both heating and cooling. These two functions are very important in the newly constructed houses in the modern world. For an example, see [6] even though incorporating these two technologies in the building will require an extra cost; they have higher efficiency than the existing electrical resistance HVAC.The lithosphere part of the earth, the rocks and the ground water exist at a temperature of 5-30degrees Celsius.At the depths that are shallow, most of the geothermal pumps are located. This can be approximately 60meters below the earths surface. The ground temperature is almost constant between 10-16 degrees Celsius therefore the project entails extracting this heat and using it to warm buildings during the colder months of the year. For an example, see [12]. That is when the temperature of the air is considered to be lower than that of the ground. Similarly during warm months, air can be extracted from the buildings and drawn back to the ground only to be used again during cold months. The composition of the geothermal heat pumps consist of a heat exchanger which is a loop of pipes which are buried underground and at the same time connected to pumps. Several recent studies [3, 4, 10, and 11] have suggested that the work of the heat exchangers is to transfer heat energy between the ground and the air at the surface. This is done by using a fluid that circulates through the pipes. I chose to use water because it is readily available and cheap.

During the warm months, heat from warm air is transported to the heat exchangers into the fluid and when it moves to the pipe, the heat is transferred to the rocks, the soil as well as the ground water. For an example, see [1].The geothermal heat pumps make the summer seasons cooler since it collects heat from the rooms and transfer it to the ground. The process does not rely on the fluctuation of the outdoor temperature since the temperature of the underground is always constant. The pump is reversed during the colder months. This time round, the heat, which was taken back to the ground, is being brought back to the surface. For an example, see [11]. This possible since the heat found in the underground water, soil and rocks is transferred to the fluid, which in this case is water. The water is then transferred to the geothermal heat pumps that pump it through the pipes to inside the rooms. It now warms up the air inside the rooms. The process is simple as it appears because it entails only fetching warm air from the earths surface to warm up the rooms.

Proposed design Source:www.wbdg.org/resources/geothermalheatpumps.php

Geothermal heating and cooling units installed in the basement of a new home are tied to a complex array of underground coils to keep indoor temperatures comfortable. Source:energy.gov/.../choosing-and-installing-geothermal-heat-pumps 1.7. Testing procedure The following are tests that will be carried out on the final model of the project to ensure that it functions well. First and foremost, all the piping should be tight to prevent leakage of water. Secondly, the water will be mixed with antifreezer in order to avoid freezing during colder months. Also, the whole system should be constructed where ground the temperature of the underground is much higher than that of the surface. Finally, the system should be tested both during cold and warm months. For an example, see [7].

References (1) Banks, T and Davi, L. An Introduction to Thermo geology: Ground Source Heating and Cooling. Wiley-Blackwell, 2009, pp 231-234. (2) Bearg, G. and David W,Indoor Air Quality and HVAC Systems. New York: Lewis Publishers, 1993, pp.450-459. (3) Egg, J. Geothermal HVAC: Heating and Cooling. United States of America: McGraw-Hill Companies, 2011, pp.121-123. (4) Egg, J. and Clark, B, Geothermal HVAC: green heating and cooling. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2011, pp 444-446. (5) Chiasson, A.,Yavuzturk, C. and Talbert, W. J. Design of School Building HVAC Retrofit with Hybrid Geothermal Heat-Pump System. Journal of Architectural Engineering, Vol. 10 Issue 3, p103-111.Jan 2004. (6) Nichols, L., Giroud, P. and Julien, C., Geothermal for Community Center. ASHRAE Journal, Vol. 51 Issue 12, p48-50.2009. (7) Hanova, J; Dowlatabadi, H. "Strategic GHG reduction through the use of ground source heat pump technology". Environmental Research Letters (UK: IOP Publishing) 2: pp. 044001 8pp.2007. (8) Escombe, A and, Gilman, R, Natural ventilation for the prevention of airborne contagion (9) Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Goodheart-Wilcox Publisher; 18th edition. August 2003. (10) Swenson, S.and Don, G, HVAC: heating, ventilating, and air conditioning. Homewood, Illinois: American Technical Publisher, 1995, pp.127-130. (11) Lensenbigler, J. Choosing a Geothermal as an HVAC System. College Planning & Management. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2002, pp.456-459. (12) Nichols L., Giroud P. and Julien C., Geothermal Systems: Sustainable, EfficientEnergy Sources. Homewood, Illinois: American Technical Publisher, 2009, pp.124-130. (13) Tiwari, G. &Ghosal, M. Renewable Energy Resources: Basic Principles and Applications. Alpha Science. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2005, pp.445-450.