2002 Volume 24 Issue 2 Pages 191-205
In this paper, optimum well completions and configurations of heat exchange wells in Ground-Coupled Heat Pump (GCHP) systems were studied under the existence of groundwater flow using numerical simulation models. For the performance prediction of an individual well, a 2-D radial model was developed and validated with analytical solutions and field test results. Case studies were made using the 2-D radial model to optimize the grouting material for heat exchange wells. The case studies showed the advantage of grouting with permeable material under high groundwater flow velocity. A 2-D Cartesian model was developed for the performance prediction of groups of heat exchange wells. In the optimization of well configurations, Genetic Algorithms were applied for maximizing the heat exchange rate in a fixed land space. The optimization calculations showed that regular well spacing could be modified to enhance the heat exchange rate under the existence of groundwater flow.
