Modeling of foundation heat exchangers—Comparison of numerical and analytical approaches

Model for Ground Temperature Estimations and Its Impact on Horizontal Ground Heat Exchanger Design

“…The HGHX simulation tool is developed based upon the foundation heat exchanger (FHX) simulation tool (Xing et al 2012). The FHX simulation tool uses analytical method modeling FHX pipes buried in a semi-infinite soil domain and are connected to indoor heat pumps for building heating and cooling purposes.…”

“…With other inputs such as FHX configuration and properties, soil properties, heat pump performance parameters, etc., the simulation tool calculates the FHX pipe lengths required for the house. The simulation tool has been validated against one year hourly time step experimental data collected by Oak Ridge National Lab at a house in Oak Ridge, Tennessee (Xing et al 2012). …”

Foundation Heat Exchanger Final Report: Demonstration, Measured Performance, and Validated Model and Design Tool

“…Analytical solutions (Xing 2010) form the technical basis for the FHX design tool. Using the design tool, sizing the FHX for a residential application can be accomplished in approximately 5 minutes (Xing, Spitler, and Cullin 2012).…”

“…After validation with one year of experimental data collected at House 1, the numerical model described in Section 3.2 was used to benchmark the FHX design tool (Xing, Spitler, and Cullin 2010;Xing, Spitler, and Cullin 2012). Comparisons involved running both the numerical and analytical (i.e., the design tool) models over a two year period, and comparing second year results (differences from simulating for a third year were negligible).…”

Foundation Heat Exchanger Final Report: Demonstration, Measured Performance, and Validated Model and Design Tool

“…After validation with one year of experimental data collected at House 1, the numerical model described in Section 3.2 was used to benchmark the FHX design tool Xing, Spitler, and Cullin 2012). Comparisons involved running both the numerical and analytical (i.e., the design tool) models over a two year period, and comparing second year results (differences from simulating for a third year were negligible).…”