Long-term environmental evaluation of horizontal type of GSHP system in the tropical climate: A case study of Saraburi, Thailand

High cooling demand in tropical regions like Thailand highlights the need for efficient air conditioning systems to mitigate environmental impacts. This study explores ground source heat pump (GSHP) technology as a potential solution to reduce global warming potential. Limited research exists on the...

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Main Authors: Sorranat Ratchawang, Srilert Chotpantarat, Sasimook Chokchai, Isao Takashima, Punya Charusiri
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-03-01
Series:Results in Engineering
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123024019054
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author Sorranat Ratchawang
Srilert Chotpantarat
Sasimook Chokchai
Isao Takashima
Punya Charusiri
author_facet Sorranat Ratchawang
Srilert Chotpantarat
Sasimook Chokchai
Isao Takashima
Punya Charusiri
author_sort Sorranat Ratchawang
collection DOAJ
description High cooling demand in tropical regions like Thailand highlights the need for efficient air conditioning systems to mitigate environmental impacts. This study explores ground source heat pump (GSHP) technology as a potential solution to reduce global warming potential. Limited research exists on the long-term performance of GSHPs in tropical climates, particularly regarding thermal imbalances from continuous cooling loads. This research addresses this gap by evaluating the environmental effects of horizontal GSHP systems in Saraburi, Thailand, through energy consumption analysis and life cycle assessment (LCA). The study compares a GSHP pilot with various horizontal heat exchanger lengths to a conventional air conditioner (AC). Two GSHP systems were tested: a standard GSHP (GSHP 1) and a modified system (GSHP 2) that replaces the AC fan unit with a plate heat exchanger. Results show that both GSHP systems achieved higher efficiency than the normal AC, with significant power savings. Over five years, fluid temperature fluctuations aligned with atmospheric conditions, without operational temperature rise. GSHP 2 demonstrated comparable performance to GSHP 1, despite lower production costs. LCA results indicated that GSHPs significantly reduce overall environmental impacts. This study provides insights into the long-term environmental benefits of GSHP systems in tropical settings, with findings applicable to similar regions.
format Article
id doaj-art-c8dd33be715b46c4a0a3bc2ba049fdfe
institution Kabale University
issn 2590-1230
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series Results in Engineering
spelling doaj-art-c8dd33be715b46c4a0a3bc2ba049fdfe2024-12-13T11:00:53ZengElsevierResults in Engineering2590-12302025-03-0125103662Long-term environmental evaluation of horizontal type of GSHP system in the tropical climate: A case study of Saraburi, ThailandSorranat Ratchawang0Srilert Chotpantarat1Sasimook Chokchai2Isao Takashima3Punya Charusiri4International Program in Hazardous Substance and Environmental Management, Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, ThailandDepartment of Geology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand; Corresponding author.Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, ThailandMining Museum, Akita University, 43 Tegatahebino, Akita-shi, Akita-ken, 010-0851, JapanDepartment of Geology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand; Department of Mineral Resources (DMR), King Rama IV Road, Rachathewi, Bangkok, 10400, ThailandHigh cooling demand in tropical regions like Thailand highlights the need for efficient air conditioning systems to mitigate environmental impacts. This study explores ground source heat pump (GSHP) technology as a potential solution to reduce global warming potential. Limited research exists on the long-term performance of GSHPs in tropical climates, particularly regarding thermal imbalances from continuous cooling loads. This research addresses this gap by evaluating the environmental effects of horizontal GSHP systems in Saraburi, Thailand, through energy consumption analysis and life cycle assessment (LCA). The study compares a GSHP pilot with various horizontal heat exchanger lengths to a conventional air conditioner (AC). Two GSHP systems were tested: a standard GSHP (GSHP 1) and a modified system (GSHP 2) that replaces the AC fan unit with a plate heat exchanger. Results show that both GSHP systems achieved higher efficiency than the normal AC, with significant power savings. Over five years, fluid temperature fluctuations aligned with atmospheric conditions, without operational temperature rise. GSHP 2 demonstrated comparable performance to GSHP 1, despite lower production costs. LCA results indicated that GSHPs significantly reduce overall environmental impacts. This study provides insights into the long-term environmental benefits of GSHP systems in tropical settings, with findings applicable to similar regions.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123024019054Horizontal heat exchangerGround Source Heat Pump (GSHP)Life Cycle AssessmentThailandTropical climate
spellingShingle Sorranat Ratchawang
Srilert Chotpantarat
Sasimook Chokchai
Isao Takashima
Punya Charusiri
Long-term environmental evaluation of horizontal type of GSHP system in the tropical climate: A case study of Saraburi, Thailand
Results in Engineering
Horizontal heat exchanger
Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP)
Life Cycle Assessment
Thailand
Tropical climate
title Long-term environmental evaluation of horizontal type of GSHP system in the tropical climate: A case study of Saraburi, Thailand
title_full Long-term environmental evaluation of horizontal type of GSHP system in the tropical climate: A case study of Saraburi, Thailand
title_fullStr Long-term environmental evaluation of horizontal type of GSHP system in the tropical climate: A case study of Saraburi, Thailand
title_full_unstemmed Long-term environmental evaluation of horizontal type of GSHP system in the tropical climate: A case study of Saraburi, Thailand
title_short Long-term environmental evaluation of horizontal type of GSHP system in the tropical climate: A case study of Saraburi, Thailand
title_sort long term environmental evaluation of horizontal type of gshp system in the tropical climate a case study of saraburi thailand
topic Horizontal heat exchanger
Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP)
Life Cycle Assessment
Thailand
Tropical climate
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123024019054
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