Heat Transfer Performance of Underground U-Type Heat Exchanger: A CFD Model-Based Analysis

Abstract

In this study, a ground heat source cooling system is suggested as an alternative to a conventional air
conditioner with a compressor for cooling a base transceiver station (BTS). A fan coil unit, a circulating pump, and a vertical
underground heat exchanger make up this cooling system. Liquid water goes into the underground heat exchanger where it is
heated by absorbing the heat load from the BTS fan coil unit. Water in the heat exchanger beneath the ground transferred the
thermal energy to the soil there. The heat transfer coefficient between water and soil is necessary as an input while designing
the underground heat exchanger. A CFD model of an underground U-type heat exchanger has been built in this work. Mesh
and computational domain size effects