A compact workstation to teach the fundamentals of residential geothermal heat pumps
This system allows students to develop knowledge in heat transfer and air conditioning. The exercises are designed learn the skills required during installation, operation, and troubleshooting of geothermal heat pumps. Geothermal heat pumps are among the most energy efficient systems available today for heating and cooling residences. Like solar and wind energies, geothermal is among the renewable energy sources whose utilization increases each year, meaning that more qualified technicians need to be trained.
Topic coverage
- Explain the concept of geothermal energy, geothermal heat pumps, ground loops, and the refrigeration cycle
- Plot the refrigeration cycle on a pressure-enthalpy diagram using pressures and temperatures measured on the learning system
- Determine COP and energy efficiency ratio (EER) using measured temperature, humidity, voltage, and current values
- Learn how to characterize a geothermal heat pump system
- Analyze and compare two geothermal heat pump system projects using reports produced by software design tools
Request a Quote
Learning Objectives
• Geothermal heat pump trainer familiarization
• Geothermal energy
• The ground loop system
• The refrigeration cycle in geothermal heat pump
• Plotting geothermal refrigeration cycle into Pressure-Enthalpy (P-H) diagram
• System performances analysis
• Heat exchanger operation and characteristics
• Effect of varying flow in the ground system
• Effect of varying blower fan speed on system performance
• Desuperheater for domestic hot water (DHW) system
• Electric Heater for domestic hot water (DHW) system
• Psychrometrics
• Maintenance and troubleshooting exercises on system electrical circuit and components, required optional item RHS-GTT-2
