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<p>Ground source heat pump (GSHP) systems equipped with horizontal ground heat exchanger (HGHE) are increasingly adopted as energy-efficient alternatives to conventional air-conditioning systems. In tropical regions, however, limited land availability can constrain HGHE thermal performance, necessitating optimized configurations to enhance heat transfer per unit land area. This study evaluates the effects of single and double-layer HGHE configurations on the operational performance and environmental sustainability of GSHP systems under tropical conditions in Thailand. An experimental field study was conducted at the Saraburi campus of Chulalongkorn University, where an air source heat pump (ASHP), a conventional GSHP, and a modified GSHP with an optimized HGHE layout were continuously monitored. Cooling performance, electricity consumption, and coefficient of performance (COP) were measured, and a life cycle assessment (LCA) was performed to quantify environmental impacts. The results show that the conventional GSHP reduced electricity consumption by approximately 40% compared with the ASHP, while the modified GSHP achieved a 49% reduction. The double-layer HGHE configuration further improved heat exchange efficiency, resulting in a 39% decrease in energy consumption and a 50% increase in COP relative to the single-layer configuration. LCA results indicate that the modified GSHP with a single-layer HGHE exhibited the lowest global warming potential, reducing emissions by up to 71% per unit of delivered cooling energy. Overall, these findings demonstrate that optimizing HGHE geometry and installation depth can significantly enhance GSHP performance and Global Warming potential (GWP) reduction under tropical conditions, providing practical guidance for sustainable cooling in land-constrained regions.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p> <p>Based on the graphical snapshot, the critical engineering challenge of thermal performance degradation is established in conventional Horizontal Ground Heat Exchangers (HGHEs) within land-limited, high-density tropical environments, referencing the experimental conditions in Thailand. The core visual element directly contrasts the physical layout and installation footprint of the two competing systems: the standard, wide-area single-layer HGHE configuration and the novel, land-efficient double-layer HGHE configuration. Importantly, the abstract features a comprehensive comparative analysis of operational performance across three distinct air conditioning systems: a baseline conventional Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP), a standard GSHP utilizing the single-layer HGHE, and the modified GSHP using the optimized double-layer HGHE. This performance comparison is quantitatively presented via a key graph illustrating the Coefficient of Performance (COP) trends for all three systems over time, clearly demonstrating the superior energy efficiency achieved by the double-layer configuration. The main finding, that the double-layer HGHE significantly enhances thermal performance, resulting in an optimized COP and validated sustainability benefits verified through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), is clearly emphasized. This visual serves as a powerful initial engagement tool, communicating a major scientific contribution: a practical, land-area efficient, and environmentally sound geothermal cooling solution specifically engineered for the unique demands of warm, high-density climates.</p>

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Experimental Comparison of Single and Double-Layer Horizontal Ground Heat Exchanger for Ground Source Heat Pump System under Tropical Conditions

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月31日

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  • Walunton Monta,
  • Sorranat Ratchawang,
  • Srilert Chotpantarat

摘要

Ground source heat pump (GSHP) systems equipped with horizontal ground heat exchanger (HGHE) are increasingly adopted as energy-efficient alternatives to conventional air-conditioning systems. In tropical regions, however, limited land availability can constrain HGHE thermal performance, necessitating optimized configurations to enhance heat transfer per unit land area. This study evaluates the effects of single and double-layer HGHE configurations on the operational performance and environmental sustainability of GSHP systems under tropical conditions in Thailand. An experimental field study was conducted at the Saraburi campus of Chulalongkorn University, where an air source heat pump (ASHP), a conventional GSHP, and a modified GSHP with an optimized HGHE layout were continuously monitored. Cooling performance, electricity consumption, and coefficient of performance (COP) were measured, and a life cycle assessment (LCA) was performed to quantify environmental impacts. The results show that the conventional GSHP reduced electricity consumption by approximately 40% compared with the ASHP, while the modified GSHP achieved a 49% reduction. The double-layer HGHE configuration further improved heat exchange efficiency, resulting in a 39% decrease in energy consumption and a 50% increase in COP relative to the single-layer configuration. LCA results indicate that the modified GSHP with a single-layer HGHE exhibited the lowest global warming potential, reducing emissions by up to 71% per unit of delivered cooling energy. Overall, these findings demonstrate that optimizing HGHE geometry and installation depth can significantly enhance GSHP performance and Global Warming potential (GWP) reduction under tropical conditions, providing practical guidance for sustainable cooling in land-constrained regions.

Graphical Abstract

Based on the graphical snapshot, the critical engineering challenge of thermal performance degradation is established in conventional Horizontal Ground Heat Exchangers (HGHEs) within land-limited, high-density tropical environments, referencing the experimental conditions in Thailand. The core visual element directly contrasts the physical layout and installation footprint of the two competing systems: the standard, wide-area single-layer HGHE configuration and the novel, land-efficient double-layer HGHE configuration. Importantly, the abstract features a comprehensive comparative analysis of operational performance across three distinct air conditioning systems: a baseline conventional Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP), a standard GSHP utilizing the single-layer HGHE, and the modified GSHP using the optimized double-layer HGHE. This performance comparison is quantitatively presented via a key graph illustrating the Coefficient of Performance (COP) trends for all three systems over time, clearly demonstrating the superior energy efficiency achieved by the double-layer configuration. The main finding, that the double-layer HGHE significantly enhances thermal performance, resulting in an optimized COP and validated sustainability benefits verified through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), is clearly emphasized. This visual serves as a powerful initial engagement tool, communicating a major scientific contribution: a practical, land-area efficient, and environmentally sound geothermal cooling solution specifically engineered for the unique demands of warm, high-density climates.