Thermal Performance of Earth-Air Heat Exchanger Systems for Cooling Applications in Residential Buildings

Fadi A. Ghaith, Habib Ur Razzaq

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper addresses the thermal performance of integrating Earth Air Heat Exchanger (EAHE) systems with the conventional air conditioning systems in residential buildings in UAE. The proposed system was designed and simulated using a transient analysis tool TRNSYS. The system components were optimized by evaluating the effect of varying several design parameters on the performance of the system. It was found that the optimized design of the earth tubes could potentially reduce the temperature of the ambient air from 46 °C to around 29 °C, when the earth tubes were buried at 4 meters depth below the ground surface. This pre-cooled fresh (atmospheric) air from earth tubes was then mixed with the return air in the mixing chamber of conventional air cooling systems before supply to the building. In order to assess the system feasibility, the proposed system was modelled and implemented on a realistic case study represented by a four-floor residential building located in Dubai. This building comprised a total roof area of 400 m2 and an annual cooling load requirement of 366 kW. The results showed good potential of savings in terms of lowering the Annual Energy Consumption (AEC) and the consequent reduction in CO2 emissions.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationASME 2018 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition
PublisherAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers
Volume6A
ISBN (Electronic)9780791852071
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018
EventASME 2018 International mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition - Pittsburgh, United States
Duration: 9 Nov 201815 Nov 2018
https://www.asme.org/events/imece2018?_ga=2.146089844.1568395005.1547549605-166698433.1384751672

Conference

ConferenceASME 2018 International mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition
Abbreviated titleIMECE 2018
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityPittsburgh
Period9/11/1815/11/18
Internet address

Keywords

  • Earth Air Heat Exchanger
  • annual Energy consumption

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