Tempering Air with Tunnels: Full-Scale Tests and Design Dimensions

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to determine the effectiveness of subsurface ground tubes or tunnels that passively precondition air for efficient home heating. the designs for ground tubes were based on data collected empirically from a full-scale test and from a theoretical study. the investigation was conducted during a 10-day period of below-freezing temperatures. Air was circulated through an underground tunnel at a constant airflow rate, and rock and air temperatures were observed every four hours at instrumented stations along the tunnel from the portal intake to the exhaust outlet. From this empirical base, suitable designs were developed for ground tubes or tunnels to temper winter air for home heating. It was determined that a heat pump unit could be incorporated as an energy transfer device between the below-ground warmed air and the home heating system.

Department(s)

Mining Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Heat Pump Systems; Heat Transfer - Analysis; Temperature Measurement; Tunnels and Tunneling

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

2096-2754; 2467-9674

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 1984 Elsevier, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 1984

This document is currently not available here.

Share

 
COinS