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.
