Numerical Study about Improving the Proficiency of an Earth Air Heat Exchanger System (EAHE) Employing Ground Cover Material

Abstract

This research presents an investigation into the performance of Earth Air Heat Exchanger (EAHE) in Malaysian climate. The passive cooling technology, where the ground is used as a heat sink to produce cooler air, it is an emerging of area of interest in Malaysia. This system is an important concept of sustainable design for Green House which enhance energy saving and reducing of Green House Gases emission. The aim of this study is to find the best ground cover in improving the (EAHE) proficiency through thermal model using computer simulation. The pipe which was used in thermal model have same parameters of real case which were 3-inch diameter and the material of pipe was PVC, the velocity of flow air was 1 m/s, the pipe was buried in 4m depth and had 50m length. The performance of the EAHE was simulated using loam, clay, sand, silty clay, sandy clay loam as back fill material. It was found that sandy soil is the best ground cover material.