CFD ANALYSIS OF EARTH TUBE HEAT

EXCHANGER WITH DIFFERENT PIPE

GEOMETRIES

A Project Report Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

for the Degree of

BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY
in
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Submitted by
RUDRANSH PANDEY (1900910400110)
RUDRA PRATAP (1900910400109)
SHALINI YADAV (1900910400125)
SUDEEP UPADHYAY (1900910400140)
Under the Supervision of

PAWAN KUMAR KASHYAP

Assistant Professor

JSS ACADEMY OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION, NOIDA

DR. APJ ABDUL KALAM TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY

(Formerly Uttar Pradesh Technical University) May, 2023
 DECLARATION

I hereby declare that this submission is my own work and that, to the best of my
knowledge and belief, it contains no material previously published or written by any other
person nor material which to a substantial extent has been accepted for the award of any
other degree or diploma of the university or other institute of higher learning, except
where due acknowledgment has been made in the text.

Signature: Signature:

Name: Rudransh Pandey Name: Sudeep Upadhyay

Roll No.: 1900910400110 Roll No.: 1900910400140

Date: Date:

Signature: Signature:

Name: Shalini Yadav Name: Rudra Pratap

Roll No.: 1900910400125 Roll No.: 1900910400109

Date: Date:

i
 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the project report entitled “CFD Analysis Of Earth Tube Heat

Exchanger with Different Pipe Geometries” which is submitted by Rudransh Pandey,

Rudra Pratap , Shalini Yadav, Sudeep Upadhyay in partial fulfilment of the requirement

for the award degree B. Tech in Department of Mechanical Engineering of JSS Academy

of Technical Education, Noida affiliated to Dr.A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University,

Lucknow is a record of candidates own work carried out by them under my supervision.

The matter embodied in this thesis is original and has not been submitted for the award of

any other degree.

Signature Signature
Pawan Kumar Kashyap Dr. Mamatha T.G.
Assistant Professor Professor & Head

Date: Date:
Place: Place:

Signature:
ii
Name of External Examiner Department Seal

ABSTRACT

In the current environment, energy conservation is essential. The use of energy for
heating and cooling accounts for a significant portion of global energy consumption. An
energy-saving method is the earth tube heat exchanger (ETHE). ETHE is a novel method
for heating and cooling indoor spaces by utilising the heat stored beneath the earth's
surface. It is a promising method that, by precooling the air in the summer and warming it
in the winter, can successfully be utilised to minimise the heating/cooling load of a
structure. The design of ETHE has been the subject of extensive investigation and study.
In order to evaluate the impact on the performance of Earth Tube Heat Exchanger with
various pipe shapes, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methodology utilising
ANSYS FLUENT 2021 R1 is employed in this paper. Additionally, a comparison of the
effectiveness of earth tube heat exchangers for various duct cross sections is circular and
corrugated. When the same boundary conditions and dimensions are used. For analysis,
the inlet temp. is 40 degrees, it is discovered through analysis that the temperature drop
(11 & 13 degree respectively) in corrugated geometry is greater than that in any other
geometries. Fluid is air and its velocity 2 m/s is constant throughout the pipe.

iii
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

It gives me a great sense of pleasure to present the report of final year B. Tech, project, I
owe special debt of gratitude to Mr. Pawan Kumar Kashyap, Department of Mechanical
Engineering, JSS Academy of Technical Education, NOIDA for his constant support and
guidance throughout the course of my work. His sincerity, thoroughness and perseverance
have been a constant source of inspiration for me. It is only his cognizant efforts that my
endeavours have seen light of the day.
I also take the opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of Professor T.G. Mamatha,
Head of Department of Mechanical Engineering, JSS Academy of Technical Education.
NOIDA for her full support and assistance during the development of the project.
I also do not like to miss the opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of all faculty
members of the department for their kind assistance and cooperation during the
development of our project. Last but not the least, I acknowledge my friends for their
contribution in the completion of the report.

Rudransh Pandey

Rudra Pratap

Shalini Yadav

Sudeep Upadhyay

iv
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

DECLARATION ii

CERTIFICATE iii

ABSTRACT iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT v

LIST OF TABLES ix

LIST OF FIGURES xi

LIST OF SYMBOLS, ABBREVIATIONS AND NOMENCLATURE xii

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 9

1.1. INTRODUCTION TO ETHE 9

1.1.1.TYPES OF ETHE 13

1.2 WORKING OF ETHE 17

1.2.1 ADAVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF ETHE 17

1.2.2 WORKING OF OPEN-LOOP ETHES 19

1.3 APPLICATIONS OF ETHE 20

1.4 PROBLEM STATEMENT 21

1.5 OBJECTIVE 22

5
 1.6 FUTURE SCOPE 22

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW 24

2.1 LITERATURE REVIEW 24

2.2 RESEARCH GAP 32

CHAPTER 3: ANALYSIS OF SIMPLE EARTH TUBE HEAT ECHANGER 34

3.1 INTRODUCTION 34

3.2 CREATION OF GEOMETRY AND MESHING 35

3.3 RESULT AND SIMULATION 36

3.4 CONCLUSION 38

CHAPTER 4: METHDOLOGY 39

4.1 OVERVIEW 39

4.2 ANALYSIS AND MODELLING OF ETHE 41

4.3 SELECTION OF PIPE GEOMETRIES AND MATERIAL 42

4.3.1 PIPE GEOMETRIES 42

4.3.2 PIPE MATERIALS 44

4.3.3 DESIGN PARAMETERS 45

4.4 CREATION OF GEOMETRY AND MESHING 45

4.4.1 SKETCHING 46

4.4.2 MERGING 46

4.4.3 MESHING 46

4.4.4 CREATING NAMED SECTIONS 49

4.5 SOLUTION 49

4.5.1 PROBLEM SETUP 49

6
 4.5.2 MODELS 50

4.5.3 MATERIALS 50

4.5.4 CELL ZONE CONDITIONS 51

4.5.5 BOUNDARY CONDITIONS 51

4.6 SOLUTION METHODS 54

4.7 SOLUTION CONTROL AND INITIALIZATION 52

4.7.1 CONVERGENCE CRITERIA 52

4.7.2 RUN CALCULATION 52

4.7.3 POST PROCESSING 53

4.7.4 SELECTION MODEL AND MATERIALS 53

4.8 EXTRACTION OF RESULTS 54

CHAPTER 5: RESULT AND DISCUSSION 57

5.1 OVERVIEW 57

CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION 60

6.1 CONCLUSION 60

6.2 DISCUSSION 61

7
 LIST OF TABLES

TABLE TITLE PAGE NO.

3.1 Design parameters 35-36

4.1 Properties of pipe 45

material

4.2 Design information 46

4.3 Mesh information of 48

geometries considered

8
 LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE TITLE PAGE

1.1 Earth tube heat exchanger 14

1.2 Closed loop ETHE 15
1.3 Horizontal loop system 16
1.4 Vertical closed loop system 17
1.5 Open loop ETHE 18
1.6 Working of closed loop ETHE 19

1.7 Working of open loop ETHE 21

3.1 Meshed tube geometry 37

3.2 Temperature variation 39

4.1 Flowchart of methodology 41

4.2 Design of circular pipe 44

geometry
4.3 Design of corrugate pipe 44
geometry
4.4 Meshing of circular pipe 49
geometry
4.5 Meshing of corrugated pipe 49
geometry
4.6 Temperature variation in 54
corrugated geometry
4.7 Temperature outlet in 55
corrugated geometry
4.8 Temperature contour of 55
corrugated geometry
4.9 Temperature contour of 56
corrugated geometry
5.1 Temperature variation along 58
the length

9
 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1. Introduction to ETHE

The present world energy scenario indicates that the conventional energy
sources are depleting, and per capita energy consumption is indication of
living standard of a nation so, it becomes very important to find and explore
nonconventional energy sources to meet the energy requirement of the
society. Nonconventional energy sources are better options of clean and
sustainable energy. This kind of energy is, at principle, inexhaustible and
can be found and exploited equally well on the planet [1]. Nowadays, air
conditioning is commonly used in buildings, residential places, offices as
well as in industries to achieve comfortable conditions. The conventional air
conditioners working on vapor compression refrigeration cycle are effective
and the most widely used means to achieve comfort conditions. The
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) which are used as refrigerants in these machines
result in depletion of the ozone layer and global warming. In order to save
our planet from hazardous effects of UV rays by minimizing depletion of the
ozone layer, the world scientific community has developed eco-friendly
refrigerants. To minimize depletion of the ozone layer and global warming
and to reduce high grade energy consumption, numerous alternative
techniques are being currently explored [2, 3]. One of the promising
techniques is earth-air heat exchangers.

10
An Earth Tube Heat Exchanger (ETHE) is a passive and sustainable
technology that provides a low-energy solution for heating and cooling
buildings. It works by using an underground network of pipes to circulate air
between the building and the earth, exchanging heat in the process. ETHE
systems can be used in a wide range of building types and sizes, including
residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.

The concept of ETHE is not new and has been used for centuries. It is based
on the principle that the earth's temperature remains relatively constant
throughout the year, ranging from 10 to 16 degrees Celsius in most regions.
This temperature stability makes the earth an excellent source of heat
exchange, and ETHE systems utilize this to pre-condition the incoming air
to the desired indoor temperature.

The ETHE system consists of an intake duct, an underground pipe network,

and an exhaust duct. The intake duct brings in fresh outdoor air, which is
then filtered to remove any dust, pollen, or other contaminants. The air then
passes through a heat exchanger, where it is pre-conditioned by the earth's
temperature. The pre-conditioned air is then distributed to the building's
interior via a ventilation system.

The underground pipe network is the heart of the ETHE system. It consists
of a series of horizontal pipes buried at a depth of 1.5 to 3 meters, depending
on the region's soil temperature. The pipes are made of a durable material
such as PVC or high-density polyethylene and are perforated to allow the air
to flow in and out. The pipes are also wrapped in a layer of insulation to
prevent any heat loss during the air exchange process.

11
It is seen that the temperature of ground at a depth of about 1.5 to 2 m
remains constant around the year and is equal to the annual average
temperature of a particular locality. This constant temperature (earth’s
undisturbed temperature) remains lower than ambient temperature in
summer season and vice versa in winter. The earth tube heat exchanger
(ETHE) is basically a series of metallic, plastic or concrete pipes buried
underground at a particular depth through which the fresh atmospheric air
flows and gets cooled in summer and vice versa in winter. It is a device
which utilizes heat capacity of earth effectively. The soil at the depth of
burial of pipes of ETHE acts as heat source in winter and as sink in summer
for air which is used as heat transfer medium in the system. The ETHE
system can effectively meet the heating/cooling requirement of the building
if the temperature of air at outlet of the system is sufficiently high/low
enough. Otherwise, additional heating/cooling of the outlet air may be
achieved by passing it through the conventional air conditioners. The ETHE
used in either way can result in reduction of high-grade energy consumption.
Many researchers have denoted that the earth tube heat exchangers (ETHEs)
connected with buildings are effective and passive energy sources for space
conditioning of buildings [4–6]. The behavior of an EATHE system is
mainly affected by surface conditions, temperature, and moisture distribution
in the ground [7].

The main idea of passing air through underground chambers or tubes to

obtain a heating effect could be a pretty proposal. Up to date there are
hundreds of systems which were constructed. In fact, the climates of the
different locations are different and also the soil properties vary from one
location to another. Therefore, practically it is imperfect to use the same
design for different locations, because each location has particular
specifications. Heating tubes are long and buried underground. Air is drawn

12
in plastic pipes or different metal pipes. The good proposal for achieving
heat from surrounding soil which can be done by the air routes through the
pipes entering to the zone as a source of heating or cooling air. This will be
available only if the soil sounding under the earth is by several degrees
warmer than the ambient inlet air. In summer, if there is a suitable thermal
design of the system, in the buildings the mechanical and air-conditioning
units can be reduced in the capacity which leads to reduce the energy
consumption and operation cost. A lot of experimental and theoretical
studies have been implemented on the ETHE for air conditioning purposes
and for different climatic conditions.

The classification of site for installation of ETHEs was done on the basis of
geological properties of particular location. The information of physical and
thermal properties of soil (diffusivity, density, thermal conductivity, etc.),
depth to water, depth of bedrock, and type of soil guides the designer in
choosing correct type of ETHE system and in the design of the system [8–
16]. The ETHE systems were mainly classified as open loop ETHE and
closed loop ETHE system. In open loop ETHE system, fresh ambient air is
drawn through buried pipes which gets moderated to the earth’s undisturbed
temperature and finally is supplied to the building to meet the
heating/cooling requirement of the building while in closed loop ETHE
system recirculation of the air from building through the
buried pipes is done.

13
 Fig. 1.1 : Earth Tube Teat Exchanger

1.1.1 TYPES OF ETHE

Earth Tube Heat Exchangers (ETHEs) come in several types, each with its
own unique features and advantages. Here, we will discuss the three main
types of ETHEs: closed - loop, open-loop, and passive earth tubes.

Closed-Loop ETHEs: Closed-loop ETHEs, also known as ground-coupled

heat exchangers, consist of a network of pipes that are buried in the ground
and filled with a heat transfer fluid, such as water or antifreeze. The pipes
are typically installed horizontally, vertically, or in a spiral pattern,
depending on the available space and soil conditions. The heat transfer fluid
flows through the pipes and exchanges heat with the surrounding soil, which
pre-conditions the air before it enters the building. Closed- loop ETHEs are
highly efficient and can maintain a constant indoor temperature throughout

14
the year, making them a popular choice for residential and commercial
buildings.

Fig. 1.2: Closed loop ETHE

Horizontal Closed-Loop ETHEs: Horizontal closed-loop ETHEs are the

most common type of closed-loop ETHE system. These systems consist of a
network of pipes that are buried horizontally in trenches that are typically 4
to 6 feet deep. The pipes are installed in a serpentine pattern, with each loop
connected to the next. The trenches are backfilled with soil, and the surface
is restored to its original condition. Horizontal closed-loop ETHEs are ideal
for residential and small commercial applications, where space is limited.

15
 Fig. 1.3: horizontal closed loop system
Vertical Closed-Loop ETHEs: Vertical closed-loop ETHEs are used when
space for a horizontal system is limited, such as in densely populated urban areas.
Vertical closed -loop systems are installed by drilling boreholes into the ground,
typically 100 to 400 feet deep, and inserting the pipes vertically into the boreholes.
The boreholes are then backfilled with a thermally conductive grout material to
enhance heat transfer between the pipes and the soil. Vertical closed-loop ETHEs
are more expensive than horizontal systems, but they are highly efficient and can
provide a constant indoor temperature throughout the year.

Fig. 1.4 : Vertical closed loop system

16
 Spiral Closed-Loop ETHEs: Spiral closed-loop ETHEs are similar to horizontal
closed-loop systems, but they are installed in a spiral pattern instead of a
serpentine pattern. This design allows for more pipe to be installed in a smaller
area, making it a good option for sites with limited space. The spiral design also
allows for greater heat exchange with the soil, resulting in higher efficiency than
horizontal systems.

Open-Loop ETHEs: Open-loop ETHEs, also known as earth-air heat

exchangers, utilize the natural temperature of the soil to pre-condition the air
before it enters the building. These systems do not require a heat transfer
fluid and are typically less expensive to install than closed-loop systems.
Open-loop ETHEs consist of a network of pipes that are buried in the ground
and connected to a ventilation system. The outside air is drawn into the pipe
network, where it is pre-cooled or pre-heated by the soil before entering the
building. Open-loop ETHEs are ideal for large commercial buildings, where
the volume of air flow is significant.

Horizontal Open-Loop ETHEs: Horizontal open-loop ETHEs are similar

to horizontal closed-loop systems, but they do not require a heat transfer
fluid. These systems consist of a network of pipes that are buried in a
shallow trench and connected to a ventilation system. The outside air is
drawn into the pipe network, where it is pre- conditioned by the soil before
entering the building. Horizontal open-loop ETHEs are ideal for residential
and small commercial buildings, where the air flow rate is low.

17
 Fig. 1.5: Open loop ETHE

1.2WORKING OF ETHE
1.2.1 Working of Closed-Loop ETHES

Closed-loop ETHEs, also known as ground- coupled heat exchangers,

consist of a closed loop of pipes filled with a heat transfer fluid, such as
water or antifreeze. The pipes are buried in the ground and connected to a
heat exchanger that transfers heat between the fluid in the pipes and the air
that flows through the ventilation system. The working of a closed-loop
ETHE system can be explained in the following steps:

♦ Air Intake: The first step in the working of a closed-loop ETHE system is air
intake. The outside air is drawn into the system through an intake pipe,
which is typically located on the roof or an outside wall of the building.

♦ Pre-Conditioning: The air that enters the ETHE system is pre-conditioned by

the earth's temperature. As the air flows through the pipes buried in the

18
 ground, it is heated or cooled to the earth's temperature, depending on the
season.

♦ Heat Exchange: The pre-conditioned air then flows into the heat exchanger,
where it passes through a series of tubes that are filled with the heat transfer
fluid. As the air flows through the tubes, heat is transferred between the
fluid in the pipes and the air.

♦ Distribution: The air is then distributed through the building's ventilation

system, which is typically connected to the heat exchanger. The ventilation
system distributes the pre-conditioned air to various rooms in the building.

♦ Return: The air that has been circulated through the building is then returned
to the ETHE system through a separate duct. This return air is pre-
conditioned once again as it flows through the pipes buried in the ground,
before it is drawn back into the heat exchanger and the process is repeated.

Fig. 1.6: working of closed loop ETHE

19
1.2.2 Working of Open-Loop ETHEs

Open-loop ETHEs rely on direct contact between the air and the soil to pre-
condition the air. The air is drawn into a pipe network that is buried in the
ground, where it is pre-cooled or pre-heated before entering the building.
The working of an open-loop ETHE system can be explained in the
following steps:

♦ Air Intake: The outside air is drawn into the system through an intake pipe,
which is typically located on the roof or an outside wall of the building.

♦ Pre-Conditioning: The air that enters the ETHE system is pre-conditioned by

the earth's temperature as it flows through the pipe network buried in the
ground. The air is either heated or cooled to the earth's temperature,
depending on the season.

♦ Distribution: The pre-conditioned air is then distributed through the

building's ventilation system, which is typically connected to the pipe
network. The ventilation system distributes the pre-conditioned air to
various rooms in the building.

♦ Return: The air that has been circulated through the building is then returned
to the ETHE system through a separate duct. This return air is pre-
conditioned once again as it flows through the pipe network buried in the
ground, before it is drawn back into the ventilation system and the process is
repeated.

20
 Fig. 1.7 : working of open loop ETHE

1.3 APPLICATION OF EARTH TUBE HEAT EXCHANGER

The applications of an Earth Tube Heat Exchanger are as follows:

♦ Residential buildings: ETHEs can be installed in residential buildings to

provide efficient heating and cooling. They can be used in both new
constructions and retrofitted buildings.

♦ Commercial buildings: Commercial buildings with large floor spaces can also
benefit from ETHEs. They are commonly used in buildings such as schools,
offices, and shopping malls.

♦ Greenhouses: ETHEs can be used in greenhouses to regulate the temperature

and humidity levels. This reduces the need for expensive cooling and heating
systems and provides a more sustainable solution.
21
 ♦ Data centers: Data centers require large amounts of cooling to prevent
overheating of the servers. ETHEs can be used to provide cooling and reduce
energy consumption.

♦ Industrial facilities: ETHEs can be used in industrial facilities to provide

cooling for machinery and equipment. They are commonly used in
manufacturing plants and warehouses.

1.4 PROBLEM STATEMENT

♦ The effectiveness of Earth Tube Heat Exchangers (ETHEs) in providing

sustainable and energy-efficient heating and cooling solutions for buildings
is well established.
♦ However, the performance of ETHEs can be affected by various factors,
including the geometry of the tubes, the flow rate of air, and the thermal
properties of the surrounding soil.
♦ Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis can provide a powerful tool
for predicting and optimizing the performance of ETHEs.
♦ Despite the potential benefits of CFD analysis, there are still several
challenges and limitations that need to be addressed, such as the accuracy of
the simulation models and the computational cost of running the
simulations.
♦ The purpose of this project report is to conduct a comprehensive CFD
analysis of Earth Tube Heat Exchangers to evaluate their performance
under different operating conditions and to identify the key factors that
affect their efficiency.
♦ This project aims to provide practical recommendations for the design and
optimization of ETHEs based on the findings of the CFD analysis.

22
 ♦ The results of this project report will be relevant for architects, engineers,
and building owners who are interested in incorporating ETHEs into their
building designs to provide sustainable and energy-efficient heating and
cooling solutions.

1.5 OBJECTIVE

Earth tube heat exchanger is a creative way to use the geothermal energy to
our advantage, both for heating and cooling inside the living area. The main
objective of this project is mentioned below:

♦ To find an alternative solution for active heating and cooling systems like
air conditioning, heater.
♦ Taking advantage of the encircling environment and ground temperature.
♦ Moving towards a renewable source of energy.
♦ Addressing technology that is more environment friendly.
♦ Reducing energy consumption by heating and cooling system. This
project will help you to design geothermal energy-based heating and
cooling system. In this project, we explained about important parameters
while designing ETHE.
♦ CFD Analysis of earth tube heat exchanger.

1.6 FUTURE SCOPE

♦ Investigating the effect of different soil types on the performance of ETHEs.

♦ Exploring the use of advanced CFD techniques, such as adaptive mesh

23
 refinement and high-performance computing, to improve the accuracy and
efficiency of the simulations.
♦ Evaluating the potential of using ETHEs in combination with other
sustainable building systems, such as solar panels and green roofs, to
create fully integrated sustainable building designs.
♦ Investigating the use of ETHEs in different building types, such as high-
rise buildings, to evaluate their effectiveness in providing sustainable
heating and cooling solutions.
♦ Conducting experimental studies to validate the results of the CFD
simulations and to provide more accurate performance data for ETHEs.
♦ Investigating the use of ETHEs in different climate zones to evaluate their
effectiveness in providing sustainable heating and cooling solutions in a
variety of environments.
♦ Exploring the potential of using ETHEs as a means of reducing the carbon
footprint of buildings and contributing to the goals of sustainable
development.
♦ Investigating the use of ETHEs in retrofitting existing buildings to
provide sustainable and energy-efficient heating and cooling solutions.

24
 CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE SURVEY

2.1 LITERATURE REVIEW

In the harsh heat of summer, people across the country rely on their air
conditioning systems to make them cool. Even though air conditioners are fairly
common today in multiple zones in residential buildings or complex, offices and
other conditioning space. Different modeling techniques have been implemented
through the years to study the effect of optimizing the electricity consumption
and through air conditioning system in such a way that it is less harm the
atmosphere and the ETHE techniques is one of them. It seems the use of air
conditioning is increasing pollution in the environment by releasing poisonous
gases such as CFCs and HFCs and the use of ETHE will minimize the high
energy consumption and lead to peak load reduction and maintain indoor air
temperature in a comfortable range which consequently reduces fossil fuel usage
as well as decrease the greenhouse gas emission. Applying ETHE passive
cooling/heating means reducing differences between outdoor and indoor
temperatures (for circular pipe geometry 110C and for corrugated 130C),
improving indoor air quality and making the building both a better and more
comfortable to live or work in. Nowadays space cooling/heating technologies
could be segmented into two big segments, which are non-refrigerant-based and
refrigerant based (not covered in ETHE). The passive technology like ETHE is

25
natural ventilation technology, and yet, this is the cheapest and non-harmful
mechanical-based approach available as it could potentially be powered by
natural heat exchangers (underground temperature of soil and ambient
temperature of atmosphere) and it could be handy to have in climates or regions
that often have regular comfort and cool-to-skin breezes.

 Ali Pakari et al. (2021) Within 0.5 °C, numerical temperature forecasts and
experimental measurements agreed. On the basis of the validated numerical
model, the thermal performance of the earth-to-air heat exchanger was
examined in relation to the inlet air temperature, airflow rate, tube length,
material, wall thickness, and soil thermal conductivity. The earth-to-air heat
exchanger output temperature rose and fell asymptotically with increasing
airflow rate and tube length, respectively. The exit temperature for an
aluminium tube stayed steady while the tube wall thickness was increased
from 1 to 10 mm, whereas the outlet temperature for PE and PVC tubes
increased by roughly 1.1 and 2.2 °C, respectively. Through enhancing the
thermal conductivity of the soil. The output temperature dropped by
approximately 4.4 °C from 1 to 5 W m1 K1.

 Shashank Srivastava et al. (2016) The design of such systems has been the
subject of extensive investigation and study. The study presented in this paper
uses CFD modelling and simulation to examine the impact of changing the
duct design and employing an expanded surface to speed up heat transfer on
the system's actual performance. Additionally, a comparison of the
effectiveness of earth tube heat exchangers for various duct cross sections is
shown.

26
 SUMIT AGRAWAL et al. (2020) The author of this research has created a
model of the ETHE systems, and CFD analysis is used. Using ANSYS v16.2
software and the loop design's aluminium tube, the CFD simulation of the
ETHE system was carried out in Bhopal, India.

 Djamel Belatrache et al. (2016) The modelling and simulation of an earth

air heat exchanger (ETHE), used as an air-conditioning system for buildings
in the environment of southern Algeria, are presented in this work. In order
to do a parametric analysis, the pipe's length, radius, and air velocity were all
taken into consideration. The performance and overall energy savings data are
shown. The ETHE under study had a cooling capacity of 1.755 kWh. The
results demonstrated that a basic ETHE system may produce 246.815 kWh
over the course of a year.

 Dastan Zrar Ghafoor et al. (2020) A closed loop Earth Tube Heat
Exchanger (ETHE) with a single L-shape pass is installed in Erbil, Iraq
(36°N, 44°E), to explore how well it performs under heating and cooling
circumstances. A tube with a 31 m length, 10 cm nominal diameter, and 3 mm
wall thickness makes up ETHE. Three metres below the elevation of the
earth's surface, ETHE is buried. 159 m3 of outside air per hour is blasted
through it using blowers. Thermostats mounted inside the pipe are used to
measure the air temperature at the intake and outflow of the pipe. On hot
days, ETHE may quickly chill the zone for ventilation from 35 °C to 25 °C,
maintaining the zone at 20 °C to 23 °C hourly. The outcome displays the
soil's typical temperature.

 Trilok Singh Bisoniya (2015) Using a set of condensed design equations, the

27
 author of this work created a one-dimensional model of the ETHE systems.
To guarantee more precision in the computation of heat transmission, the
earth's undisturbed temperature (EUT) approach and more recently
discovered correlations for friction factor and Nusselt number are utilised.
The created equations allow designers to determine the length of the ETHE
system's pipes, pressure drop, and convective heat transfer coefficient. The
ETHE system performs better with a longer pipe of a smaller diameter that is
buried deeper and at a lower air flow velocity.

 Hiresh Dubey et al. (2016) Because ETHE was not ready for input
parameters during the winter session, all analyses were based on cooling tests.
ETHE is constructed from 19.22 m long, 10.6 cm nominally-diameter, 3 mm
wall-thick PVC pipes. 2 metres below the surface, ETHE is buried. It is
blown through with ambient air by a 125w blower. Using these values as a
basis for analysis.

Three successive summer months, March, April, and May had normal air flow
speeds of 1.8, 3.5, and 5 m/s and a static mean air temperature of 32.2, 37.8,
and 40.3 0C, respectively, at the inlet, according to an experimental setup put
up in Bhopal, Central India. The system is most effectively used when the
maximum temperature difference and higher outlet velocity are present.

 Muhammad Mahmood Aslam Bhutta et al. (2012) The following areas of

study in various types of heat exchangers have been discovered to use CFD:
fluid flow maldistribution, fouling, pressure drop, and thermal analysis in the
design and optimization phase. The simulations were conducted using a
variety of turbulence models, including standard, realizable, RNG, RSM, and
SST k, as well as velocity-pressure coupling methods like SIMPLE,
SIMPLEC, PISO, and others, that are accessible in general-purpose
28
 commercial CFD software. CFD is a useful method for forecasting the
behavior and performance of a wide range of heat exchangers because the
quality of the solutions from these simulations is largely within the acceptable
range.

 Namrata Bordoloi et al. (2018) She discusses in detail the analytical and
experimental tests on the various combinations of ETHE and evaluates the
thermal performance findings. In the area of energy conservation, it also takes
the environment into account. The summation leads to the conclusion that the
outlet temperature is influenced by the design parameters either directly or
indirectly. The outcome also demonstrates that the exit temperature is not
greatly influenced by the pipe material. When it comes to energy
conservation, ETHE technology uses less energy and can take the place of
traditional air conditioning systems. As a result, this technology can
effectively lower greenhouse gas emissions while also improving the
environment.

 Clara Peretti et al. (2013) research was performed in order to analyse the
design, characteristics of earth-to- air heat exchangers and whether they could
be coupled with HVAC system coupling. A range of projects was compared
in order to collect and summarize design suggestions.

 Ahmed A. Serageldin et al. (2016) The findings demonstrate that several of

these variables have discernible effects on air temperature. In contrast, as pipe
diameter grows, air temperature drops. As the pipe diameter increases from 2
to 3 inches, the exit air temperature decreases from 20.4 C to 18.7 C.
Additionally, exit air temperature rises with pipe length. As the pipe length
increases from 5.45 m to 7 m, the temperature rises from 19.7 C to 19.9 C.

29
 When the pipe space changes from 0.2 to 0.5 m, the temperature of the outlet
air slightly rises from 19.7 C to 19.8 C. Additionally, three distinct pipe
materials—PVC, steel, and copper—are suggested. PVC pipe had an output
air temperature of 19.7 C, while steel had a temperature of 19.8, 19.8 C.

 Mahmoud Bourouis et al. (2019) A new design for a passive cooling system
that uses an earth-air heat exchanger (ETHE) and was aided by a green
wall/air heat exchanger (GAHE) in hot climate conditions is presented by
Him in a numerical simulation. Energy-saving benefits from underground
tubes and the shade cast by a vertical green wall are substantial. The physical
characteristics of the soil were taken into consideration when determining the
depth of the pipes in the ground. The diameter, length, depth, and air- flow
velocity of the pipes were all taken into consideration during parametric
research. Low air velocities or the vertical pipe in the green wall permitted a
significant extra drop in air temperature.

 Dheeraj Sardana et al. (2015) Till date many researchers have Implemented
numerous ideas, conducted experiments on ETHE with different parameters
depending on the Location and found optimum values of parameters for better
performance. The present study reviews the Previously conducted studies in
terms of performance assessment with effects of various parameters like
Material of construction, depth from earth surface, velocity of air and length
of pipe etc.

 Rohit Mishra et al (2012) Results show that the transient thermal

performance of EATHE is significantly dependent on thermal conductivity of
the soil and duration of its continuous operation. The analyzed cases have
30
 shown the range of derating to be as minimal as 0% to as high as 64%, which
if ignored While designing may lead to poor performance of EATHE. Study
reveals that the effect of pipe diameter. Due to prolonged use of EATHE
system on its thermal performance is least in case of soil with higher value of
thermal conductivity. Results show that the increase in flow velocity leads to
deterioration in thermal. Performance of EATHE system. Under steady state
condition, drop of 18.8 °C in air temperature is obtained, whereas, under
transient conditions cooling of air reduces from 18.7 °C to 16.6 °C for soil
thermal conductivity of 0.52 W m-1 K-1, after 24 h of continuous operation.
Results show that the transient thermal performance of EATHE is
significantly dependent on thermal conductivity of the soil and duration of its
continuous operation. The analyzed cases have shown the range of derating to
be as minimal as 0% to as high as 64%, which if ignored while designing may
lead to poor performance of EATHE. Study reveals that the effect of pipe
diameter due to prolonged use of EATHE system on its thermal performance
is least in case of soil with higher value of thermal conductivity. Results show
that the increase in flow velocity leads to deterioration in thermal
Performance of EATHE system. Under steady state condition, drop of 18.8 °C
in air temperature is obtained, whereas, under transient conditions c.

 S.F. Ahmed et al. (2021) this study found that hybrid modelling is more
effective than physical models for accurate prediction. On the contrary, the
hybrid models suffer from high complexity if ETHE operating conditions and
all key parameters are considered during the model development. Regarding
the generalization capability, the physical models offer improved
performance followed by the hybrid models. A minimum number of training
data is needed for developing physical models, whereas medium training data
is required for the hybrid models. The outcome of this study also provides
valuable information regarding the physical and hybrid ETHE modelling

31
 techniques to the scientists, researchers, and so on in adopting the most
appropriate ETHE modelling technique for their climates.

 Shashank Srivastava et al. (2016) presents a study based on the CFD

modelling and simulation to analyze the effect on the effective performance
of the system by varying the geometry of ducts and using the extended
surface to increase the heat transfer.

 Prof. Pawan Kumar Tiwari et al. (2022) Experimental investigations were

done on the experimental set up in Patel college of science and technology,
Bhopal. Effects of the operating parameters i.e. air velocity and temperature
on the thermal performance of horizontal ground heat exchanger (GI Pipe &
Copper Pipe) have been studied. Forth pipe of 9m length and 0.05m diameter,
temperature falling GI Pipe of 3.930C-12.60C in hot weather and temperature
rising GI Pipe of 6oC-10oC in cold weather Same as temperature falling
Copper Pipe of 3.930C-12.60C in hot weather and temperature rising Copper
Pipe of 6oC- 10oC in cold weather have been observed for the outlet flow
velocity 11 m/s. At higher outlet velocity and maximum temperature
difference, the system is most efficient to be used.

 Olympia Zogou et al. (2007) the yearly performance of a 3-zone residential

building located in Volos, Greece, equipped with a conventional chiller–
boiler system, compared to that of an alternative, ground source heat pump
system, are simulated in the TRNSYS 16 environment. Comparative year-
round simulations are employed to demonstrate the expected transient and
overall energy balance effects of control settings, chiller or heat pump COP
characteristics, equipment sizing and other design parameters. It is concluded
that detailed simulation of the HVAC system operation further improves our

32
 understanding of its transient operation. Furthermore, it allows more realistic
system’s sizing, better assessment of the effect of control settings, chiller or
heat pump COP characteristics and other design parameters.

 T.M. Yuso et al. (2014) He performance of ETHE based on experimental

studies using a laboratory simulator. Different input parameters have been
investigated such as air inlet temperature varies from 31 to 35 °C, ground
temperature (Tg) varies from 23 to 25 °C and air flow rate at 0.03 to 0.07
kg/s. The actual soil surrounding was created and 8.7 m PVC pipe was used
in the simulator. Results show that the flow rate of 0.03 kg/s and Tg of 23 °C
gives the highest temperature reduction with 9.62 °C or 27.5 percent relative
to the inlet temperature. The highest heat transfer rate at 558.3 W was
obtained at a flow rate of 0.07 kg/s and Tg of 23 °C. The experimental results
also have been validated with a field test from other researchers and were
found to be in close agreement.

2.2 RESEARCH GAP

Research Gap: It has been already noted that the effectiveness of ETHE depends
on depth of the pipe installed, thermal diffusivity of the soil, length and diameter
of the pipe, ambient temperature of a certain location, thermal conductivity of the
pipe and air flow velocity. Adequate studies have already been conducted on
ETHE considering the above-mentioned parameters. But least studies have been
conducted considering the pipe geometry and materials. This research work
focuses on the variation of temperature for different duct geometries and different
pipe material.
In the literature, none of the studies suggest the variation of pipe geometry and
33
pipe material as pipe material do not affect the performance to large extend. The
pipe material does not have much effect on temperature variation as seen in
literature survey. This study is a computational approach that investigates the
temperature variation for different pipe material along with different duct
geometries. This study may give an approximation about the appropriate duct
geometries and materials that can be used in ETHE for optimum temperature
reduction which can be practicable in the future experiments. This is a new
technology and not much work has been explored. Based on the energy scenario
today, green energy is encouraged in developed and developing countries like
USA, Russia, Germany, India etc. This ETHE technology can be a future green
technology that used a sustainable source of energy like solar energy. The research
is still limited in this field considering different soil parameters, different working
fluids etc. One application of ETHE technology is snow melting, thus, studies can
be conducted in cold areas for melting of snow and to furnish warm water during
winters. Research of ETHE technology is still in budding stage, a large scope for
improvement this technology is still usable for research.

34
35
 CHAPTER 3

ANALYSIS OF SIMPLE EARTH TUBE HEAT EXCHANGER

3.1 INTRODUCTION
A simple Earth Tube Heat Exchanger model was designed in Solidworks and
analyzed with ANSYS fluent software using ANSYS software. The earlier
research by Belatrache et al. [18] served as the foundation for the geometrical
modelling of the ETHE. Some tube parameters are identical to those in the earlier
research, and all simulation work was done using the changed geometrical design.

Table 3.1 design parameters

S. NO. INPUT Symbols Value Unit
PARAMETERS
1 Inlet temperature Tin 43 Celsius
2 Length of pipe L 45 m
3 Pipe wall Twall 2 mm
thickness
4 Thermal Tair 0.0266 W/mK
conductivity of air
5 Thermal Kpipe 205 W/mK
conductivity of
36
 pipe
6 Thermal capacity Cp 1006 J/KgK
7 Viscosity µ 1.84*10-5 N/ms
8 Density of air ρ 1.146 Kg/m3
9 Velocity at inlet Vin 2 m/s
10 Outer diameter of DOUT 84 mm
pipe
11 Inner diameter of DIN 80 mm
pipe

The above parameters are of aluminum tube which is used in ETHE. Depth of the
tube, the length of the tube in downward direction from the upper surface of the
ground to deep inside the ground, is 5 m.

3.2 CREATION OF GEOMETRY AND MESHING

A 3-dimensional geometrical model is created in solidworks and imported in

Ansys and meshing is done using Ansys . The aim of creating this geometry is to
maintain a constant hydraulic diameter of 80 mm geometry. The tube length taken
for the simulation is 45 m in length. The CFD model is normally connected
together with a large numbers of points in the form of numerical grids or mesh.
These grids are constituted to get the values in large number points. The mesh
elements of geometry can be of different shapes like tetrahedral, pyramid,
hexahedral etc.

In the study a fine meshing for geometry was considered to obtain better results.

37
 Fig 3.1 : Meshed tube geometry

3.3 RESULT AND DISCUSSION

The pictorial results are on two temperatures that is the maximum temperature
throughout the year and minimum temperature throughout the year. Two
temperatures used for visual results is 43 ⁰C (maximum temperature as on May
2019) and 10 ⁰C (minimum temperature as on December 2019). This visual result
shows the effect of maximum and minimum temperature on the ETHE through its
length according to different criteria, like velocity, pressure, vector, temperature
etc.

The visual results will show the effects of surrounding temperature, which is on
the outside wall of ETHE, to the ambient air flow inside the tube, due to the
constant exterior wall temperature (25 ⁰C) throughout the year, temperature
reduction and conduction from the ambient air takes place inside the tube to its
length according to the climate condition above the ground surface of that
38
location.

This is found that at 10 ⁰C which is the temperature of winter session and after
travelling whole length, air came out at the temperature approximately 20 ⁰C
which is higher than the ambient temperature. This shows that the ETHE is
performing well in summer as well as in winter session. In Figure temperature
contour we can see clearly that the air temperature rising low to high, according to
the color chart in the left side of the figure. The difference of inlet and outlet air of
winter session is lower than the summer session, but it doesn’t mean that the
performance of ETHE in winter is lower than the summer session, this is because
of the inlet air temperature difference to the normal underground temperate, which
is 25 ⁰C, is lower than the summer session inlet air temperature according to
the above results.

The inlet and outlet data of maximal ambient temperature throughout the year was
scattered on the graph, which is shown in Figure shows the performance of ETHE
in summer and winter season’s highest temperature.

According to graph it is clear that the performance of ETHE as well as efficiency

of ETHE, is higher, it means that the more the temperature is, higher the
performance will be. The peak of temperature difference graph is highest in the
highest temperature of that year, which is 43 ⁰C in May. This graph also tells that
how far inlet temperature would be from the normal underground temperature,
which is 25 ⁰C, the performance of ETHE will be better.

39
 Figure 3.2: Temperature contour of ETHE

3.4 CONCLUSION

From the study of results, following conclusions are made:

 The outlet temperature of ETHE is 31.33 ⁰C at 43 ⁰C inlet temperature of May,
which is the highest temperature of the year 2018 in Bhopal (India). This was
the maximum temperature difference of ETHE at higher temperature.
 The performance of ETHE is highest at minimum velocity, and gradually
decreases at increases velocity.
 The efficiency of ETHE is maximum at most hottest temperature as well as
lowest temperature of summer and winter respectively.

40
 CHAPTER 4

METHODOLOGY

4.1 OVERVIEW

The study intends to computationally find the best pipe geometry and material for
ETHE suitable for Indian climatic conditions. For the study four different pipe
geometries such as circular, square and triangular-corrugated and circular-
corrugated and four different pipe materials such as Aluminium (Al) was
considered. The Computational Fluid Dynamics analysis was run using Ansys
FLUENT v15.0. Ansys FLUENT is computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
software generally used to solve turbulence, flow models, heat transfer etc. This
software provides the user a continuous stream of data which in turn helps the
user to depict accurate results for the analysis. In this study, this software was
used to evaluate the functioning of different types of pipe geometries and
materials to obtain favourable outlet temperature. The expected results will be
in the form of temperature difference between the inlet and outlet of the ETHE
system.

41
UNDERSTANDING THE PRINCIPLE OF ETHE

SELECTION OF
• software
• pipe geometry
• pipe material

DESIGN PARAMETERS

ASSUMPTIONS

CREATION OF GEOMETRY

MESHING

POST PROCESSING
• SELECTION OF MODEL
• INPUT OF MATERIAL PROPERTIES

CALCULATIONS

EXTRACTION OF RESULTS

Fig 4.1: Flowchart of methodology

42
4.2 ANALYSIS AND MODELING OF ETHE

The development of the model of the ETHE system involves the use of basic heat
transfer equations. The geometrical dimensions of the ETHE system are decided
by taking into account the amount of heating or cooling load to be met for space
conditioning of the building. The design procedure includes identifying the input
parameters which are known to the user and the parameters affecting desired
design output. Once the design output is fixed, the heat transfer equations are
manipulated to meet the desired output in terms of input parameters.

Therefore, depending on the nature of the design problem the mass flow rate of air,
ṁ; inlet air temperature, T in; desired outlet air temperature from ETHE, T out;
and EUT are considered as parameters of the sizing problem. The temperature of
earth at a depth of 1.5 to 2 m remains fairly constant throughout the year . This
constant temperature is called earth’s undisturbed temperature (EUT). The EUT
remains higher than ambient air temperature in winter and lower than ambient air
temperature in summer. Furthermore, it is considered that the location of
installation of the ETHE system is known. So, ambient air temperature and soil
properties are known. The EUT temperature is estimated as the annual average
ambient air temperature of a particular location; therefore, it is also assumed as a
known parameter. The mass flow rate of air and the outlet air temperature are set
by the design requirements.

The geometric sizing parameters of an ETHE include the diameter of the pipe, D;
length of the pipe, L; and number of pipes in parallel, N p, in the heat exchanger.

43
4.3 SELECTION OF PIPE GEOMETRIES AND PIPE MATERIALS

The geometries and pipe materials considered are discussed in the section below
in detail for better understanding.

4.3.1 Pipe Geometries

♦ Circular geometry: The most conventional pipe geometry generally found

in the market is of circular cross section. Thus, considering the geometry
as base geometry. Most of the in-ground heat exchangers possess circular
cross section pipes. All the CFD simulations are done for 1m long pipe
having same hydraulic diameter.

♦ Square geometry: The square geometry is considered to analyze the

performance of the pipes as earth tube. But this geometry is recommended
for earth tube heat exchanger.

♦ Corrugated geometries: This is a special type of pipe geometry which is

generally used by civil engineers which are generally installed at constricted
areas. This pipe geometry provides more heat transfer rates than
conventional pipe geometries. These corrugations are introduced on the
inner surface along the length of the pipe to increases the heat transfer.
These corrugations also help in the formation of eddy. As air flows along
the length of the pipe the velocity at the centre of each corrugation varies
with the velocity of the remaining sections. This variation was observed
because of eddy formation at each corrugation which enhances the heat
transfer. The pipe geometries considered for the simulations are shown in
figure .

44
 Fig 4.2: Design of circular pipe geometry

Fig 4.3: Design of corrugated pipe geometry

45
 4.3.2 Pipe Materials

The study considers four different pipe materials to evaluate the affect the
temperature variations. Thermal conductivity is an important property in heat
transfer which may be defined as the ability of a material to conduct heat. Thus,
selection of material was done on the basis of the thermal conductivity. In the
CFD simulations air is used as the operating fluid. The thermo- physical
properties of the materials used in simulations are stated in table 6.

Table 4.1: Properties of pipe material

Specific Heat Thermal Conductivity

Capacity (J/Kg K)
Material Density (W/m K)
(Kg/m3)

PVC 1380 900 0.161

Copper 8978 381 387.6

Aluminum 2719 871 202.4

Steel 7833 465 54

Air 1.225 1006 0.024

46
4.3.3 Design parameters

Table 4.2: Design Information

Geometry Circular Square Circular-Corrugated

Mode Sum Winter Summer Winter Summer Winter

mer

Inlet 318K 278 K 318K 318K 318K 278 K

temperature

Hydraulic 0.08m 0.08m 0.08m

Diameter

Length of pipe 1m 1m 1m

4.4 Creation of geometry and meshing

A 3-dimensional model of all four geometries is created in Ansys design

modeler and meshing is done using Ansys ICEM CFD. The aim behind
creating these geometries is to maintain a constant hydraulic diameter of
80mm for all four geometries. The pipe length considered for the study is
1000 mm. The CFD model is generally connected together by a large
number of points in the form of numerical grid or mesh. These grids are
formed to get the values in large number points. The mesh elements can be
47
 of different shapes like tetrahedral, pyramid, hexahedral etc. In the study a
general meshing was considered without undergoing any mesh
independence test for all the pipe geometries.

4.4.1 Sketching

Using sketching option three concentric circles are created in XY-

plane(diameters of circles are 6mm, 7mm and 13mm) in three different
sketches. A straight line is also created in sketch 4 along the height of the
helical tube at the centre.

4.4.2 Merging

The model has 3 parts and 3bodies after sweep operation. So, all the 3 parts
are selected using control and merged into 1 part. At the end it will have 1
part and 3 bodies. The 3 bodies are named as follows:
1. Inner fluid (fluid)
2. Thickness volume (solid)
3. Outer fluid (fluid)

4.4.3 Meshing

In free meshing a relatively coarser mesh is generated. It contains

48
hexahedral cells having triangular and quadrilateral faces at the boundaries.
Later, a fine mesh is generated using adaptive sizing. To generate a fine
mesh resolution taken is 7. The pipe length considered for the study is
1000 mm. The CFD model is generally connected by a large number of
points in the form of numerical grid or mesh. These grids are formed to
get the values in large number points. The mesh elements can be of
different shapes like tetrahedral, pyramid, hexahedral etc. In the study a
general meshing was considered without undergoing any mesh
independence test for all the pipe geometries. The mesh information for all
the pipe geometries are given in the table.

Table 4.3: Mesh Information of the geometries considered

Geometry Circular Square Circular-Corrugated

Nodes 203841 2484 864989

Elements 185502 1700 2502974

Element type Hexahedral Hexahedral Hexahedral

49
 Fig. 4.4: Meshing of circular pipe

Fig. 4.5: Meshing of corrugated pipe

50
4.4.4 Creating named sections

Different sections are named according to their use such as inlet, outlet, wall etc.
Now the project was updated, saved and meshing window was closed. After that
the ANSYS Fluent launcher was opened double clicking on setup. The dimension
was set as 3D, option as Double Precision and then OK. The Fluent window was
opened.

4.5 Solution
4.5.1 Problem Setup

The mesh was checked. The analysis type was changed to Pressure Based type
and the velocity formulation was changed to absolute. Time was changed to
steady state.

4.5.2 Models

Energy was set ON position. And viscous model was selected as “k-ε model (2
equation).

4.5.3 Materials

51
 Air as fluid and aluminum as solid was selected from the fluent database by
clicking change/create.
4.5.4 Cell zone conditions

Different parts were assigned as solid or fluid accordingly.

4.5.5 Boundary conditions

Different boundary conditions were applied for different zones. Since it is a Earth
Tube heat exchanger, there is inlet and outlet. The inlets were defined as velocity
inlets and outlets were defined as pressure outlets. The inlet and outlet velocity of
the fluid was kept constant i.e. 2 m/s, The outlet pressures were kept default i.e.
atmospheric pressure. The fluid temperature at inlet was 40°C. The other wall
conditions were defined accordingly. The surrounding air temperature was kept
constant i.e. ambient temperature.

4.6 Solution methods

The solution methods were set as follows:
1. Scheme = Simplc
2. Gradient = Least Square Cell Based
3. Pressure = linear
4. Momentum = Second Order Upwind
5. Turbulent Kinetic Energy = Second Order Upwind
6. Turbulent Dissipation Rate = Second Order Upwind
7. Energy= power law

52
4.7 Solution Control and Initialization

Under relaxation factors the parameters are:

Pressure = 0.3 Pascal Density = 1 kg/m³ Body forces = 1 kg/m's' Momentum 0.7
kg-m/s
Turbulent kinetic energy = 0.8 m²/s
All the conditions were left as default. Then the inlet was selected from the
compute from drop down list and then the solution was initialized.

4.7.1 Convergence criteria

The convergence criteria were set to 1 and 5e+10 for minimum and maximum
absolute pressure respectively.1e-14 for turbulent kinetic energy and 1e-20 for
dissipation energy. Maximum turbulence viscosity ratio is 100000.

4.7.2 Run calculation

The number of iterations was set to 10 with step size 1s. Then the calculation was
started and it continued till the results converged. Various contours were plotted
and different parameters were calculated such as weighted average of total
temperatures at out let and inner wall, total wall flux.

53
4.7.3 Post processing

For the post processing of the simulation, the results were executed considering
steady state, pressure based and turbulence model enabling the energy equation.
The most commonly used model for turbulence are K-epsilon, K-omega, Spart -
allures etc. model. Generally, K-epsilon model includes three models Standard,
realizable model is used for viscous heating, buoyancy effect etc. The RNG
models can be used for differential viscosity model where low Reynolds number
is included under turbulence viscosity. The turbulence model is selected for
thermal modelling of flow having Reynolds number greater than 4000. In the
present study, K-epsilon model with standard wall treatment is considered.

4.7.4 Selection of model and materials

i. Steady State

ii. Pressure based.

iii. K-epsilon Model

iv. Fluid medium: Air

v. Solid Medium: Aluminum

54
4.8 Extraction of results

The results of the CFD simulation were extracted for two seasons (summer and
winter) by varying the velocities from 2-5m/s for all the considered geometries and
materials. The results were in the form of temperature reduction. The variable
considered were: The variation of temperature along the length.

Fig. 4.6: temperature contour of corrugated geometry

55
Fig. 4.7: Temperature Contour of corrugated geometry

Fig. 4.8: temperature contour of corrugated geometry

56
Fig. 4.9: temperature contour of corrugated geometry

57
 CHAPTER 5

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

5.1 OVERVIEW

In this section, we present the simulation results obtained from the computational
fluid dynamics (CFD) model of the earth-tube heat exchanger (ETHE) system,
focusing on different geometries. We also conduct an analysis of these results to
gain insights into the behavior of the system under varying conditions. The study
specifically investigates three different geometries of the pipe/duct section, aiming
to understand their impact on the system's performance.

To establish a consistent basis for comparison, we consider a fixed length of 1

meter for the pipe section in our modeling and analysis. The actual total length of
the pipe used in an ETHE system can vary depending on factors such as the
geographical region and the total space to be cooled. By selecting a standardized
length, we can effectively evaluate the influence of the different geometries on the
system's thermal behavior.

One key parameter that needs to be considered when comparing different

geometries is the hydraulic diameter. To ensure an accurate and fair comparison,
we maintain an equal hydraulic diameter for each section. This allows us to isolate
the effects of the geometry itself on the system's performance, without

58
confounding factors related to the flow characteristics.
In addition to the hydraulic diameter, we also keep several other parameters
constant across the different geometries. These include the air velocity, soil
temperature, and the material of the sections. By controlling these variables, we
can focus solely on the impact of the geometry on the thermal performance of the
ETHE system.

Now, let's delve into the results obtained from the simulations and the subsequent
analysis. We examine the temperature contours of the three different geometries:
circular section, square section, and corrugated circular section. These contours
provide a visual representation of the temperature distribution within each section.
In all three cases, the inlet temperature remains the same at 313.15K. However,
there are noticeable differences in the output temperature among the different
geometries. The temperature contours reveal that the corrugated circular section
exhibits a higher temperature drop compared to the circular and square sections.
This suggests that the corrugated circular geometry is more effective at
transferring heat between the air and the surrounding soil.

59
 Fig. 5.1: Temperature variation along the length

The increased temperature drop in the corrugated circular section can be attributed
to its enhanced heat transfer surface area. The corrugated design creates additional
surface area, facilitating greater contact between the air flowing through the
section and the surrounding soil. This increased contact area enables more efficient
heat exchange, resulting in a larger temperature difference between the inlet and
outlet.
On the other hand, the circular and square sections, while having comparable
hydraulic diameters, do not possess the same level of surface area for heat transfer.
As a result, the temperature drop in these geometries is relatively lower compared
to the corrugated circular section.

It is important to note that the choice of geometry for an ETHE system should be
made based on a comprehensive evaluation of various factors. While the
corrugated circular section shows promising results in terms of temperature drop,
other considerations such as pressure drop, cost, and ease of installation should
also be taken into account. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that these findings
are specific to the parameters and conditions considered in this study. Different
combinations of air velocity, soil temperature, and materials may yield different
results and should be explored in further research.

Overall, this section provides valuable insights into the thermal performance of the
ETHE system with different pipe/duct geometries. By conducting simulations and
analyzing the results, we demonstrate the impact of geometry on the temperature
distribution within the system. The findings highlight the potential advantages of
employing a corrugated circular section, which exhibits a higher temperature drop
compared to the circular and square sections. These results contribute to the body
60
 of knowledge surrounding ETHE systems and can serve as a basis for further
research and optimization of these systems in various applications.

CHAPTER 6

CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION

6.1 CONCLUSION

Energy consumption in building for thermal comfort a quite high thus numerous
passive heating and cooling techniques and strategies are introduced to save
energy. One such passive technique is ETHE that uses geothermal energy. This
paper aims in studying the cooling and heating potential of ETHE system. Also,
approaches to find the appropriate pipe geometry to obtain optimum temperature
drop using CFD that will help the occupants for thermal comfort. The CFD
simulations were carried out using Ansys FLUENT. In the study three different
pipe geometries such as circular, square and corrugated, geometry and pipe
materials i.e. aluminum was considered. The simulations were carried out for two
seasons (summer and winter).

The results reveal that there was appreciable temperature variation while
comparing the four geometries. As suggested in the literature the pipe material was
not taken into much importance.

61
 Based the result of the CFD simulations it can be established that the pipe
geometries can have large impact on the performance of ETHE system. During
summer season the maximum drop in temperature was 11 K and 13 K at 2 m/s.
Thus, ETHE system is beneficial for Indian climatic conditions. Thus, the inlet
velocity and pipe geometries plays an important role in estimating the performance
of ETHE system. This study confirms the objective that the appropriate pipe
geometry is the corrugated pipe geometry for optimum temperature variation.
Also, reasserts that the ETHE system can be used for space heating as well as
cooling in Indian climatic conditions. To obtain maximum temperature reduction
corrugated pipes can be laid underground for further experimentation in this field.

It is definite that if we work in this direction, a much better performance can be

achieved for existing ETHE.

6.2 DISCUSSION
The CFD analysis of Earth Tube Heat Exchangers with different geometries has
provided important insights and opened avenues for further discussions and
considerations. Here, we delve into the implications and implications of the
findings, discuss the limitations of the study, and propose future research
directions.

One of the key findings of the analysis is the significant impact of geometrical
parameters on the performance of ETHE systems. The variations in tube diameter,
length, and arrangement have demonstrated varying effects on the flow dynamics
and heat transfer efficiency. These findings highlight the importance of
considering the geometry of the heat exchanger during the design phase to achieve
optimal performance.

62
Additionally, the CFD analysis has provided a detailed understanding of the trade-
offs between heat transfer efficiency and pressure drop. While increasing the tube
diameter can enhance heat transfer, it also results in a higher pressure drop. This
trade-off needs to be carefully considered to strike a balance between efficient heat
transfer and maintaining an acceptable level of pressure drop in practical
applications.

It is important to note that the CFD analysis presented in this study is based on
certain assumptions and simplifications. The models assumed steady-state
conditions, homogeneous soil properties, and idealized flow characteristics. In
reality, the soil properties may vary spatially, and the flow within the tubes can
exhibit transient behavior. Future research can focus on incorporating more
realistic and dynamic conditions into the analysis to improve the accuracy of the
results.

Furthermore, the analysis predominantly focused on the impact of geometrical

parameters on the performance of ETHE systems. Other factors such as soil
characteristics, inlet conditions, and operating parameters could also influence the
performance. Considering these factors in future studies would provide a more
comprehensive understanding of the overall system behavior and enable more
accurate optimization.

In conclusion, the analysis conducted using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

and ANSYS software has provided valuable insights into the behavior of Earth
Tube Heat Exchangers (ETHE) with different geometries. This study has shed
light on the intricate dynamics of fluid flow, temperature distribution, and pressure

63
drop within the ETHE system. The findings have significant implications for
optimizing the design and operation of ETHE systems, with the aim of achieving
enhanced energy efficiency and promoting sustainability in the building sector.

The CFD simulations have allowed for a comprehensive examination of the

performance of ETHE systems under various geometries. By comparing different
pipe configurations, such as circular, square, and corrugated, the study has
revealed distinct differences in their effectiveness in terms of temperature control
and heat transfer. In particular, the corrugated pipe geometry has demonstrated
superior performance, with higher temperature differentials achieved compared to
the other geometries. This is attributed to the enhanced turbulence and increased
contact area between the air and pipe walls, resulting in more efficient heat
transfer.

The obtained insights are crucial for the optimization of ETHE system design. By
selecting the most suitable pipe geometry, it is possible to maximize the
temperature drop or rise, depending on the desired cooling or heating
requirements. This optimization can significantly contribute to reducing energy
consumption and improving thermal comfort within buildings.

However, it is important to note that the scope of this study is limited to CFD
simulations using specific software and simplified assumptions. To further
advance the understanding and application of ETHE systems, future research
should consider incorporating more realistic conditions and additional factors that
may impact system performance. These factors may include variations in soil
properties, changes in environmental conditions, and the influence of pipe
materials. By considering these factors, the accuracy and reliability of the

64
simulations can be improved, leading to more informed decision-making in ETHE
system design and implementation.

Furthermore, practical experimentation and field studies are necessary to validate

the findings of the CFD simulations and ensure their applicability in real-world
scenarios. By collecting empirical data and monitoring the performance of ETHE
systems in actual buildings, the effectiveness of the optimized designs can be
confirmed, and any potential limitations or challenges can be identified.

In conclusion, the use of CFD simulations and ANSYS software has provided
valuable insights into the behavior of ETHE systems with different pipe
geometries. These insights contribute to the ongoing efforts in optimizing ETHE
system design for enhanced energy efficiency and sustainability in the building
sector. However, further research incorporating realistic conditions, additional
factors, and practical experimentation is essential to validate the findings and
advance the application of ETHE systems in real-world scenarios. By continuously
improving our understanding and refining the design and operation of ETHE
systems, we can pave the way for more sustainable and energy-efficient buildings
in the future.

65
 REFERENCES

1. T. S. Bisoniya, A. Kumar, and P. Baredar, (2013). Experimental and analytical

studies of earth–air heat exchanger (ETHE) systems in India: a review, Renewable
and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 19, pp. 238-246.

2. V. Bansal, R. Misra, G. D. Agrawal, and J. Mathur, (2009). Performance analysis of

earth-pipe-air heat exchanger for winter heating, Energy and Buildings, vol. 41, no.
11, pp. 1151–1154.

3. N. K. Bansal, M. S. Sodha, and S. S. Bharadwaj, (1983). Performance of Earth-

air tunnel system, International Journal of Energy Research, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 333–345, .

4. S. S. Bharadwaj and N. K. Bansal, (1981). Temperature distribution inside

ground for various surface conditions, Building and Environment, vol. 16, no. 3, pp. 183–
192.

5. M. Santamouris, A. Argiriou, and M. Vallindras, (1994). Design and operation of

a low energy consumption passive solar agricultural greenhouse, Solar energy, vol. 52,
no. 5, pp. 371–378.

6. R. Kumar, S. C. Kaushik, and S. N. Garg, (2006). Heating and cooling potential

of an earth-to-air heat exchanger using artificial neural network, Renewable Energy, vol.
31, no. 8, pp. 1139–1155.

7. S. Milun, T. Kilić, and O. Bego, (2005). Measurement of soil thermal properties

by spherical probe, IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, vol. 54, no.
3, pp. 1219–1226.

8. M. S. Kersten,( 1949). Laboratory research for the determination of the thermal

properties of soils, Bulletin No. 28, Engineering Experiment Station, University of
Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn, USA.

9. D. A. de Vries, (1963 ). Thermal properties of soils, in Physics of Plant

66
Environment, W. R. van Wijk, Ed., North-Holland, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
10. D. A. de Vries . (1975 ) Heat transfer in soils, In Heat and Mass Transfer in the
Biosphere, D. A. de Vries and N. H. Afgan, Eds., pp. 5–28, Scripta Book, Washington,
Wash, USA.

11. D. Hillel, (1982). Introduction to Soil Physics, Academic Press, San Diego, Calif,
USA,

13. B. R. Becker, A. Misra, and B. A. Fricke, (1992 ). Development of correlations

for soil thermal conductivity, International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer,
vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 59–68.

14. Y. Chen, M. Shi, and X. Li, (2006). Experimental investigation on heat, moisture
and salt transfer in soil, International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer, vol.
33, no. 9, pp. 1122–1129.

15. M. Z. Yu, X. F. Peng, X. D. Li, and Z. H. Fang, (2004). A simplified model for
measuring thermal properties of deep ground soil, Experimental Heat Transfer, vol. 17,
no. 2, pp. 119–130.

16. E. E. Reber, R. L. Michell, and C. J. Carter, (2017). Oxygen absorption in the

earth’s atmosphere, Aerospace Corp., Los Angeles, CA, Tech. Rep. TR-0200 (4230-46)-
3, Nov.

17. N. Naili, I. Attar, M. Hazami, and A. Farhat, (2012). Experimental analysis of

horizontal ground heat exchanger for Northern Tunisia, J. Electron. Cool. Therm. Control,
vol. 2, pp. 44-51.

18. Belatrache, Djamel & Bentouba, Said & Bourouis, Mahmoud. (2016).Numerical
analysis of earth air heat exchangers at operating conditions in arid climates. International
Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 42. 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.08.221.

19. G. Florides and S. Kalogirou . (2007). Ground heat exchangers—A review of

systems, models and applications, Renewable energy, vol. 32, pp. 2461-2478.
M. Benhammou and B. Draoui, "Parametric study on thermal performance of earth-to-air
heat exchanger used for cooling of buildings, Renewable and Sustainable Energy
67
Reviews, vol. 44, pp. 348-355.

20. P. Hollmuller and B. Lachal, (2014). Air–soil heat exchangers for heating and
cooling of buildings: Design guidelines, potentials and constraints, system integration and
global energy balance," Applied Energy, vol. 119, pp. 476-487.

21. L. Ozgener, (2011). A review on the experimental and analytical analysis of earth
to air heat exchanger (ETHE) systems in Turkey, Renewable and Sustainable Energy
Reviews, vol. 15, pp. 4483-4490.

22. C. Peretti, A. Zarrella, M. De Carli, and R. Zecchin, (2013). The design and
environmental evaluation of earth-to-air heat exchangers (ETHE). A literature review,
Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 28, pp. 107-116.

23. J. Pfafferott, (2003). Evaluation of earth-to-air heat exchangers with a

standardised method to calculate energy efficiency, Energy and buildings, vol. 35, pp.
971-983.

24. L. Ramírez-Dávila, J. Xamán, J. Arce, G. Álvarez, and I. Hernández-Pérez,

(2014). Numerical study of earth-to-air heat exchanger for three different climates,
Energy and buildings, vol. 76, pp. 238- 248.

25. J. Xamán, I. Hernández-Pérez, J. Arce, G. Álvarez, L. Ramírez-Dávila, and F.

Noh-Pat, (2014). Numerical study of earth-to-air heat exchanger: The effect of thermal
insulation," Energy and buildings, vol. 85, pp. 356-361.

26. Svec O.J., Goodrich L. E. And Palmer J.H.L. (1983). Heat Transfer
Characteristics of In-Ground Heat Exchangers, Energy Research 7, 265-278.

27. Scott NR, Parsons RA, Kochler TA. (1965). Analysis and Performance of an
earth-air heat exchanger. ASAE Paper No. 65-840.

28. Goswami DY, Ileslamlou S. (1990) .Performance analysis of a Closed loop

climate control system using underground Air tunnel. Journal of solar energy engineering;
112:76-81

68
29. C.P. Jacovides, G. Mihalakakou, M. Santamouris, J.O. Lewis. (1996) On the
ground temperature profile for passive Cooling application in buildings. Solar Energy
57(3) 167-175

31. Bedescu V. (2007). Economic aspect of using ground thermal Energy for passive
house heating. Renewable energy; 32:895-903.

32. L. Ozgener. (2011). A review on experimental and analytical Analysis of earth to

air heat exchanger (ETHE) systems In Turkey. Renewable and sustainable energy reviews
15-4483-4490

33. Zogou O, Stamatelos A. (2009). Application of building Energy simulation in

sizing and design of and office Building and its HVAC equipment (chapter 11). In:
Joseph BU, Editor. Energy and building efficiency, Air Quality and conservation. USA:
Nova publishers, Inc; ISBN 978-1-60741- 049-2.p.279-324

34. Tzaferis A, LIParakis D, Santamouris M, Argiriou a. (1992). Analysis of

accuracy and sensitivity of eight models to Predict the performance of earth to air heat
Exchangers. Energy and buildings; 18:35-43

35. Wu H, Wang S, Zhu D. ( 2007). Modelling and evaluation of Cooling capacity of

earth air pipe systems. Energy Conservation and management; 48: 1462-71

36. Aslam Bhutt Muhammad Mahmood, Hayat Nasir, Hassam Bashir Muhammad,
Rais Khan Ahmer, Naveed Ahmed Kanvar, Sarfaraz Khan. (2012). CFD Application in
various heat exchanger design: a review. Applied Thermal Engineering; 32:1-12.

37. Omer AM. ( 2008). Energy, environment and sustainable development. Renew
Sustain Energy Rev;12(9):2265– 300.

38. Mardiana A, Riffat SB. (2012). Review on heat recovery technologies for
building applications. Renew Sustain Energy Rev; 16:1241–55.

39. Zuo J, Zhao Z. (2014). Green building research-current status and future agenda:
69
a review. Renew Sustain Energy Rev; 30:271–81.
40. Mihalakakou G, Santamouris M, Asimakopoulos DN. (1992). Modelling the
earth temperature using multiyear measurements. Energy Build; 19:1–9.

41. Mihalakakou G. ( 2003). On the heating potential of a single buried pipe using
deterministic and intelligent techniques. Renew Energy; 28:917–27.

42. Chandrasekharam D, Chandrasekhar V. (2010). Geothermal energy resources,

India: Country update. In: Proceedings of the World Geothermal Congress 2010, Bali,
Indonesia, vol. 7; P.1–11.

43. Ozger L. (2012). A review on the experimental and analytical analysis of earth to
air heat exchanger (ETHE) systems in turkey. Renew Sustain Energy Rev;15(9):4483–90.

44. Yang H, Cui P, Fang Z. (2010). Vertical-borehole ground-coupled heat pumps: a

review of models and systems. Appl Energy; 87:16–27.

45. Florides G, Kalogirou S. (2007). Ground heat exchangers – a review of systems,

models, and applications. Renew Energy;32(15):2461–78.

46. Gazes J, Mixson D. (1990). Geothermal heating and air conditioning system. U.
S. Patent 4 920 757.

47. Wiggs BR. (2010). Direct exchange geothermal heating/cooling system sub-
surface tubing installation with supplemental sub-surface tubing configuration. U. S.
Patent 7 856 839.

48. Omer AM. (2008). Ground-source heat pumps system and applications. Renew
Sustain Energy Rev; 12:34471.

49. Anandarajah A. (2003). Mechanism controlling permeability changes in clays due

to changes in pore fluids. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng;129(2):163–72.

50. Omer AM. (2013). Review-Direct expansion ground source heatpumps for
heating and cooling. Int Res J Eng;1(2):27– 48.

70
51. Bojic M, Papadakis G, Kytitsis S. (1999). Energy from two-pipe, earth-to-air heat
exchanger. Energy; 24:519–23.

52. Peretti C, Zarrella A, Carli MC, Zecchin R. (2013). The design and environment
evaluation of earth-to- air heat exchangers (ETHE): a review.Renew Sustain Energy
Rev;28:107–16.

53. Ajmi FAI, Loveday DL, Hanby V. (2006). The cooling potential of earth–air heat
exchanger for domestic buildings in a desert climate. Build Environ; 41:235–44.

54. Petrov RJ, Rowe RK, Quigley RM. (1997). Selected factorsinfluencing GCL
hydraulic conductivity. J GeotechGeoenviron Eng;123(8):683–95.

55. Miyara,(2012). "Thermal performance investigation of several types of vertical

ground heat exchangers with different operation mode," Applied Thermal Engineering, vol.
33, pp. 167-174.

71