Heat exchange mechanisms in energy tunnel systems

Abstract

Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) systems are known for their efficiency in space heating and cooling, using the ground as a source of energy. The ground energy can be accessed by the implementation of GSHP systems into subsurface structures such as transport tunnels. This technology comprises the embedment of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipes into the tunnel lining, converting it into tunnel ground heat exchangers (tunnel GHEs). There are studies available on the thermal interaction between the ground and the tunnel GHEs in the current literature. However, to properly evaluate the thermal performance of tunnel GHEs, the two-way thermal interaction between the tunnel GHEs and both the grou..