Numerical Simulation for the Subsurface Temperature Distribution Disturbed by Heat-Pump Operation

지열펌프 구동에 의한 지중 온도 분포 변화 모델링 연구

Public demand for the heat pump system as a next generation energy equipment is increasing for its eco-friendly and cost-effective advantage. Many researches have been concentrated on how to calculate and develop its own efficiency, while the possible effect of the heat pump operation on the whole subsurface temperature distribution is relatively less considered, During the current study, subsurface temperature disturbance caused by seasonal surface temperature cycle in Busan area and general W-tube heat pump operation is simulated in 3-dimensional heterogeneous medium. It shows that subsurface deeper than 10m from the surface remains nearly unchanged throughout the 4 seasons and groundwater convect ion in highly permeable layer near the surface acts like a main path of heat plume from heat pump system, This implies the significance of detail descript ion in shallow sedimentary layer or highly permeable layer which plays an important role on the regional flow advection and heat transfer. Also, the effect of groundwater convection increases when the arrangement of the 2 injection pipes and 2 extract ion well is maintained parallel to groundwater flow. Therefore, more careful and detail investigation is required before installation and operation of heat pump system that it may not cause any possible change of microbial ecosystem in the shallow subsurface environment or 'contamination of temperature' for groundwater use as well as the loss of efficiency of the equipment itself. This can also help to design the optimized grouting system for heat pump.