• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.23-29
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• 2017

This study was conducted to evaluate performance of geothermal heat exchanger (GHE) in the combined well and open-closed loops geothermal (CWG) systems. The CWG systems were designed to combine open loop geothermal heat pumps and closed loop geothermal heat pumps for high energy efficiency. GHE of the CWG systems could be installed at pumping wells for agricultural usage. To get optimal heat exchange capacity of GHE of the CWG systems, 4 GHEs with various materials and apertures were tested at laboratory scale. Polyethylene (PE) and stainless steel (STS) were selected as GHE materials. The maximum heat exchange capacity of GHEs were estimated to be in the range of 33.0~104 kcal/min. The heat exchange capacity of STS GHEs was 2.4~3.2 times higher than that of PE GHE. The optimal cross section area of GHE and flow rate of circulating water of GHE were estimated to be $2,500mm^2$ and 113 L/min, respectively. For more complicated GHE of the CWG systems, it is necessary to evaluate GHEs at various scales.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.293-304
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• 2017

This study was performed in order to hydrogeological analysis of aquifer, which is a necessary part for evaluating the efficiency of the combined well and open-closed loops geothermal (CWG) systems. CWG systems have been proposed for the effective utilization of geothermal energy by combining open loop geothermal systems and closed loop geothermal systems. Small aperture CWG systems and large aperture CWG systems were installed at a green house land with water curtain facilities in Chungju City. Aquifer tests include pumping tests and step-drawdown tests were conducted to analyse hydrogeological characteristics of aquifer in the study area. The transmissivity was estimated in the range of $13.49{\sim}58.99cm^2/sec$, and the storativity was estimated in the range of $1.13{\times}10^{-5}{\sim}5.20{\times}10^{-3}$. The geochemical analysis showed $Ca^{2+}$ ion and ${HCO_3}^-$ ion were dominant in groundwater. The Langelier Saturation Index and the Ryznar Stability Index showed low scaling potential of groundwater. In the analysis of vertical water temperature change, the geothermal gradient was estimated as $2.1^{\circ}C/100m$, which indicated the aquifer was enough for geothermal systems. In conclusion, groundwater is rich, can stably use geothermal heat, and it is less likely to cause deterioration of thermal energy efficiency by precipitation of carbonate minerals in study area. Therefore, the study area is suitable for installation of the combined geothermal system.