The IUP Journal of Mechanical Engineering
Design of Earth Tube Heat Exchanger for Thermal Comfort in Residential Buildings

Article Details
Pub. Date : May, 2021
Product Name : The IUP Journal of Mechanical Engineering
Product Type : Article
Product Code : IJME20421
Author Name : V N Mane* and D V Ghewade
Availability : YES
Subject/Domain : Engineering
Download Format : PDF Format
No. of Pages : 12

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Abstract

Energy consumption of buildings for heating and cooling purpose has significantly increased during decades; and is a particular challenge in desert climates. The desert climate can be classified as hot and arid and such condition exists in number of areas throughout the world. In general, most people feel comfortable when the temperature is between 20 °C and 26 °C and relative humidity is within the range of 40 to 60%. These conditions are often achieved through the use of air conditioning. It can be achieved effectively by vapor compression machines, but due to the depletion of ozone layer and global warming using chlorofluorocarbons and the need to minimize high grade energy consumption, various passive techniques are introduced, one such method is earth tube heat exchanger. The paper empirically evaluates the earth tube heat exchanger with optimum design parameters.


Introduction

Air-conditioning system is widely employed for the comfort of occupant and industrial productions (Manojkumar et al., 2013). Air conditioning is a collective process that performs many functions simultaneously. It conditions air, transports it, and introduces it into the conditioned space. It provides heating and cooling from its central plant or roof top units. It also controls and maintains the temperature, humidity, air movement, air cleanliness, sound level and pressure discrepancy in a space within predetermined limits for the comfort and health of the occupants of the conditioned space or for the purpose of product processing. Air-conditioning system is the largest energy consumer and is the biggest challenge nowadays (Christophe et al., 2012). This problem can be overcome by the use of ground coupled heat exchanger in air-conditioning system. Basic refrigeration cycle is given in Figure 1. Energy consumption of buildings for heating and cooling purpose has significantly increased


Keywords

Earth tube heat exchanger, Ventilation, Heat transfer, Cooling load