Analysis and Tools to Spur Increased Deployment of "Waste Heat" Rejection/Recycling Hybrid Geothermal Heat Pump Systems in Hot, Arid or Semiarid Climates Like TexasCX(s) Applied: A9Date: 03/09/2010Location(s): Austin, TexasOffice(s): Energy Efficiency ...
Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance
March 9, 2010
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CX(s) Applied: A9
Date: 03/09/2010
Location(s): Austin, Texas
Office(s): Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Golden Field Office
The University of Texas at Austin is proposing a project that will create "waste heat" rejection/recycling strategies for Geothermal Heat Pump (GHP) systems that are technically and economically viable for various building applications and ground resource designs in heavily cooling-dominated climates like those found in the southwestern and western United States. At least three supplementary heat rejection system alternatives will be examined: (1) evaporative fluid/air coolers or pre-conditioners, which liberates thermal energy from the working fluid before it enters the ground loop/resource: (2) desuperheaters, which recycle some of the waste heat to preheat hot water; and (3) two-phase thermosyphons, which are passive refrigeration devices that transfer heat against gravity.