A study of hydraulic characteristic for borehole heat exchangers

Abstract

Thermal Response Test (TRT) is a standard test performed in borehole heat exchangers (BHE), which provides thorough understanding of thermal parameters of surrounding rock mass. Following work consists of calculations for hydraulic power and pressure losses along the BHE’s length. Analysis was carried out in eight BHE’s with different diameters, lengths and heat carriers in various areas throughout Poland. In accordance with TRT results, potential power exchanged between BHE and rock mass was determined. In order to find relations between pressure losses and volumetric flow rate, hydraulic tests in average static temperature of rock mass and during heating period were investigated. Proportions between hydraulic power and total power exchange with rock mass are also presented in following research.