Geoenergetics Lab

heating and cooling installation

The first heating and cooling installation of the Laboratory was connected in 2010 and has been working for the auditorium in building A4 since then. The old central ventilation system has been replaced by a new one, which allows for the recovery of heat (and cold) energy from the ventilation system. The installation works with a system of borehole heat exchangers of various designs. Heat and cold are collected from the Laboratory of Geoenergetics - from the rock mass through storage tanks acting as energy storages.

mobile TRT equipment

The equipment for the thermal response test (TRT) of the rock mass consists of flow and temperature sensors, a circulating pump, an electric heater, automation, and a computer with specialized software. This set allows to determine the effective thermal conductivity in the borehole heat exchanger and its thermal resistance. Knowing these parameters, it is possible to design the number and placement of boreholes with heat exchanger pipes for a specific heating power and/or required temperature of the building. Additionally, thanks to TRT, it is possible to forecast further exploitation of heat from the rock mass.

heat pumps

The measuring station is used to conduct analyses on the use of the rock mass as a source of heat and cold. The condenser and evaporator of the heat pump are connected to a storage tank that connects to the borehole heat exchangers. As a result, heat can be recovered from the rock mass when the exchangers operate in heating mode. The evaporator recovers the heat, which is then used to heat the medium in the tank. The tank is connected to the auditorium ventilation system, which enables space heating. When operating in cooling mode, borehole heat exchangers can interact with a heat accumulator where heat is directed from the heat pump condensers. The regeneration of cooling resources occurs when the air conditioning of the auditorium in building A4 is used.

borehole heat exchangers

Borehole heat exchangers of various designs can be used to analyze the heat transfer efficiency and the effect of the type/design of the heat exchangers on the process performance. Moreover, it is possible to analyze the influence of operating parameters (heat carrier flux density, temperature, type of heat carrier) on the heat exchange process. The coaxial heat exchanger can operate in two opposite flow directions of the heat carrier. The inner column is removable. In order to analyze these types of exchangers, a laboratory model was also constructed.

heating power measuring station

The heating power measuring apparatus is used to determine how the flow of heat carrier and the type of medium affect the heat flow parameters. The equipment is based on a set of electric heaters used in the prototype of the TRT installation and a volumetric flow meter.

NIMO-T logger for detailed temperature profiling in boreholes

NIMO-T logger for detailed temperature profiling in boreholes

mini weather station

The field meteorological station includes devices for measuring wind speed and direction, as well as the intensity of solar radiation. These measurements are used to analyze the energy efficiency of solar collectors of various designs located in the field part of the Laboratory. Wind measurements are used to determine the boundary conditions and calibrate the BoHEx numerical simulator, which allows modeling the operation of various types of borehole heat exchangers.

system of heat resources regeneration in the rock mass using solar energy

The Laboratory of Geoenergetics has five solar collectors that are used to regenerate heat resources in the rock mass. Each collector has a different design and is mounted in a different mode (stationary and mobile - solar track). Each collector is equipped with an individual circulating pump with a smooth regulation of the heat carrier flow.

snow removal system using geothermal heat

Which has also the mode of obtaining heat to regenerate its resources in the rock mass The parking lot and yard belonging to the Laboratory are located at the front of the building. Under the surface of the paving stone, there is a system of pipes used to heat the surface. They can be supplied indirectly by heat pumps or directly from borehole heat exchangers. The system proved to be efficient for melting snow using the heat of the rock mass, which was confirmed in practice and through observations carried out with the use of thermal imaging cameras.

equipment for water level monitoring in the wells

A pressure gauge mounted on a relay line which allows the device to be lowered into the well. The line is equipped with capillaries that transmit the atmospheric pressure values to the submerged pressure sensor. The main task of this device is to locate the water level in the well during the pumping test.

solids moisture meter

in progress

high-end thermal imaging camera

in progress

contactless thermometer

in progress

air/glycol heater for the regeneration of heat resources in the rock mass from the atmospheric air

in progress

TT-TCP device for measuring thermal conductivity

The lambdameter is mainly used for analyzing sealing slurries used in borehole heat exchangers. Researched parameters include: the influence of additives, setting time and humidity on the thermal conductivity of the filling/sealing of the borehole.

non invasive ultrasonic flow meter

in progress

FOX50 instrument for measuring thermal conductivity

Lambdameter is used to analyze sealing slurries used in borehole heat exchangers (highest possible thermal conductivity) and in geothermal boreholes (lowest possible thermal conductivity). Enables testing at varying temperatures of the sample.

FOX50 instrument for measuring thermal conductivity

Lambdameter is used to analyze sealing slurries used in borehole heat exchangers (highest possible thermal conductivity) and in geothermal boreholes (lowest possible thermal conductivity). Enables testing at varying temperatures of the sample.

A laboratory model of a heat exchanger

The Laboratory is equipped with a model for analyzing the energy efficiency of coaxial heat exchangers. This model allows for conducting tests related to the heat recovery from the rock mass, the process is simulated with the use of electric heaters. Tested parameters are the amount of energy returned depending on the variable insulation parameters of the internal exchanger column. Tests are carried out for various volumes of the heat carrier with the use of temperature and flow sensors.