A CFD ANALYSIS FOR EVALUATING THERMAL PERFORMANCE OF EARTH AIR TUNNEL HEAT EXCHANGER

Abstract

This study investigates the use of an Earth-to-Air Tunnel Heat Exchanger (EATHE) for lowering indoor building temperatures. EATHE is a subterranean heat exchanger that uses free cooling and heating to transfer heat from the ground. A computational fluid dynamics model was created using ANSYS to examine the system's thermal efficiency and cooling capability. The model, which includes a 20-meter PVC pipe, provides cooling within the range of 10.5K to 13K for flow velocities of 3–5 ms-1 . The EATHE system's performance is largely unaffected by the underground pipe configuration, but the use of fin and fin block significantly impacts its performance. The EATHE approach exhibits significant potential for reducing the temperature within the building, with an energy payback period ranging from 5 to 9 years, subject to regional variations. Regarding the overall outcomes, it can be stated that utilizing EATHE can be a significant stride towards conserving the natural energy supply.