Experimental Analysis of Earth Air Heat Exchanger (EAHE) Systems in Different Laying Arrangements

Abstract

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. The nonconventional energy sources are better option of clean and sustainable energy. This kind of energy is, at principle, inexhaustible and can be found and exploited equally well on the planet. The increased need for thermal comfort, the rising cost of energy consumption and environmental issues have made alternative and hybrid techniques and methods very attractive. Earth tubes, also called earth- air heat exchangers (EAHX) offer the possibility of reducing use of nonrenewable energy in ventilation and air conditioning systems and provide good indoor air quality for the conditioned environments. The following conclusion is made on the basis of experimental investigation done on Earth Air Heat Exchanger: The average Temperature rise from inlet to outlet is from 3 to 7°C in both series and parallel arrangements,Nusselt Number in parallel connection for different Reynolds Number is higher than the Nusselt number in series connection,Nusselt number in parallel connection varies from (19 to 24 ) and ( 18 to 22 ) in series connection, COP of the parallel connection is higher than the COP of series for the Reynolds number greater than 30000.