EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMP SYSTEM FOR SPACE COOLING IN THAILAND

Abstract

Though, ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) has been widely used amongst many countries, this system still has a limitation in some places, particularly in the tropical zone because of its hotness of climate condition and subsurface temperature. Therefore, with an attempt to install GSHP system in the tropical zone, the central Thailand has been initiated in the mode of cooling system. Two sites of Chulalongkorn University were selected to study i.e.Bangkok and Saraburi in the different forms. At Bangkok site, the vertical loop was installed due to areal limitation by putting HDPE tubes into two 50-meter-deep boreholes for heat exchange from ground surface. As regards to comparing electricity consumption between GSHP and conventional air conditioning, it is found that the electricity consumption of GSHP air conditioner was reduced at least 30%, but the price of installation is still high. Furthermore, GSHP system at Saraburi site was installed in the form of horizontal loop by putting 300 meter-long HDPE tube into 1-2 m deep borehole from the ground surface. The comparison on the efficiency performance of both systems is underway. Most importantly, the GSHP system can be utilized in the area of tropical zone efficiently especially in Thailand.