Performance assessment of earth pipe cooling system for low energy buildings in a subtropical climate. (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ahmed, S.F.; Khan, M.M.K.; Amanullah, M.T.O.; Rasul, M.G.; Hassan, N.M.S.
• Is Part Of: Energy conversion and management. Volume 106(2015)
• Page Start: 815
• Page End: 825
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Passive cooling -- Earth pipe cooling -- Energy savings -- Thermal comfort -- Subtropical climate; Direct energy conversion -- Periodicals; Energy storage -- Periodicals; Energy transfer -- Periodicals; Énergie -- Conversion directe -- Périodiques; Direct energy conversion; Periodicals; 621.3105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2015.10.030
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0196-8904

Abstract

Highlights: Earth pipe cooling performance was investigated in a subtropical climate in Australia. A thermal model was developed using Fluent to assess the cooling performance. A temperature reduction of around 2 °C was found for the earth pipe cooling system. Annual energy savings of maximum 866.54 kW (8.82%) was achieved for a 27.23 m 3 room. Abstract: Energy consumption in heating and cooling around the world has been a major contributor to global warming. Hence, many studies have been aimed at finding new techniques to save and control energy through energy efficient measures. Most of this energy is used in residential, agricultural and commercial buildings. It is therefore important to adopt energy efficiency measures in these buildings through new technologies and novel building designs. These new building designs can be developed by employing various passive cooling systems. Earth pipe cooling is one of these which can assist to save energy without using any customary mechanical units. This paper investigates the earth pipe cooling performance in a hot humid subtropical climate of Rockhampton, Australia. A thermal model is developed using ANSYS Fluent for measuring its performance. Impacts of air velocity, air temperature, relative humidity and soil temperature on room cooling performance are also assessed. A temperature reduction of around 2 °C was found for the system. This temperature reduction contributed to an energy saving of a maximum of 866.54 kW (8.82%) per year for a 27.23 m 3 room.