Division of Engineering Technology
Non-Toxic Antifreeze in Ground Source Heat Pump
This is a study of the use of potassium acetate as an antifreeze solution for use with ground source heat pump systems. The corrosion effects on commonly found materials in a ground source heat pump was studied. Potassium acetate is a non-toxic antifreeze fluid that has significant environmental benefits when compared to other available antifreeze solutions.
Sponsor: Electric Power Research Institute
PIs: James Bose
C. Eric Price (Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering)
RAs: Randy Perry, Don Adams, and Jack Bayles
Ground Coil Manual Development
A circular ground heat exchanger was analyzed to determine its thermal performance in a geothermal heat pump system. Experimental studies were performed on six different configurations. The new design is expected to cut the installed cost of a ground heat exchanger by 30 percent.
Sponsor: Electric Power Research Institute
PIs: James Bose and Marvin Smith
RAs: Fred Jones and Randy Perry
Geothermal Heat Pumps: Introductory Guide
A revision of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association "Closed-Loop/Ground Source Heat Pump Systems: Installation Guide" is to be made. New topics are to include slinky ground heat exchangers, new antifreeze solutions, and open and closed systems. More than 25,000 copies of the first edition were sold.
Sponsor: National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
PIs: James Bose and Marvin Smith
Jeff Spitler (Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering)
Geothermal Technical Development and Transfer
Two separate tasks are associated with this activity. The first task involved three national teleconferences. The first was to bring participants up-to-date in the latest developments in Geothermal Heat Pump (GHP) technology and applications. This teleconference consisted of presentations and case studies of GHP applications in the residential, commercial, institutional, and agricultural sectors, as well as news about the Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium and new products and techniques. The second teleconference focused on case studies of GHP applications in: hotels, motels, retirement homes, and health care facilities across the country. It was aimed at an audience of electric utilities, state regulators, architects/engineers, commercial builders and developers, and geothermal heat pump installers/drillers. A third teleconference showed video clips and case studies of applications and success stories in residential settings along with live panel discussions. It was aimed at an audience of dealer/contractors, installers, electric utility residential customer service representatives, realtors/developers, and others involved in heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system selection for single family residential buildings.
The second task is publishing "The Source" which is a newsletter produced by the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) for the geothermal heat pump industry. Some of the topics in these publications were: "Reduce Air Pockets With High-Pressure Water", "Cleveland School Gets Great Savings from GHP System", "Old Arco Arena Renewed with GHP System", "Slinky Pipe System Installation Procedure for GHP Systems", "Championing Geothermal Heat Pumps at Naval Facilities", "Wildlife Animal Hospital Goes Geothermal to Conserve Resources", "Gauging Ponds for Loop Installations", and "Keeping The Cows Warm, The Milk Cold, and The Utility Bills Down." More newsletters are to be published in this task which will provide reports on a broad spectrum of activities in the industry.
Sponsor: U.S. Department of Energy
PIs: James Bose and Marvin Smith
RAs: Wendy Shriver, Cindy Kinder, and Helen Robertson
Heat Exchanger Tests
A circular ground heat exchanger was analyzed to determine its thermal performance in a geothermal heat pump system. Experimental studies were performed on six different configurations. The new design is expected to cut the installed cost of a ground heat exchanger by 30 percent.
Sponsor: National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
PIs: James Bose and Marvin Smith
Improvement of Geothermal Heat Pump Training Materials and Curriculum and Training Support
A resource manual was developed to provide training and support for architects and engineers to design geothermal heat pump systems. Information was included to assist with the design during the bid process and for the design-to-build phase. Features of the package are an overview of multiple systems, computer aided design using Torbett Engineering Inc., (TEI) templates, building loads, loop field design, pipe designs, economic analysis, interior design of system, system installation, decision tree analysis for the design process, and other related aspects. Three sample projects are a part of the manual: a convenience store, a motel, and an elementary school.
Sponsor: Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium, Inc.
PIs: Marvin Smith and James Bose
Jeff Spitler (Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering)
Gary Stewart (College of Arts & Sciences)
RAs: Phil Albertson, Phil Schoen, Lou Torbett, Ladina Justus, Jennifer Diederich, Cindy Kinder, and Helen Robertson
Geothermal Technical Development and Transfer
This task involves field tests and evaluations of data in the process of evaluating methods, models, and techniques used to determine wellbore thermal conductivity. This applies to in-situ measurements for vertical or horizontal wellbores which are completed with a U-bend pipe grouted in the wellbore. These tests are for the purpose of providing independent measurements of thermal conductivity used to confirm models and techniques currently used in the industry.
Sponsor: U.S. Department of Energy
PIs: Marvin Smith and James Bose
RAs: Randolf Perry and Bill Holloway
Heat Exchanger Grouting
An investigation of the characteristics of grout applications to wellbores for geothermal heat pumps is being conducted. Techniques with bentonite and enhanced bentonite grouts in 3 1/2 to 6 inch boreholes have been developed at South Dakota State University and applied at OSU. Video tapes have been made of the procedures and more will be done in the next few months. Thermal conductivity and pumpability of the grouts were measured. A new grout manual will be the end product of these activities.
Sponsor: South Dakota State University, Electric Power Research Institute, and National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
PIs: Marvin Smith and James Bose
RA: Randolf Perry