Direct Utilization of Low-Enthalpy Geothermal Energy for

Space Heating and Cooling inside Building

Andhika Priotomo Rahardjo and Irpan Friyadi

Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia

Kampus UI, Depok, West Java 16424, Indonesia (+62 21 7867222)

ABSTRACT
Almost 60% of the world’s electricity is consumed in residential and commercial buildings.
At the national level, energy use in buildings typically accounts for 20-40% of individual
country total final energy use, with the world average being around 30%. In many developing
and industrialized country, escalation of energy demand can be solved by using locally
available and sustainable low-enthalpy geothermal resources. Certain geological locations
provide low enthalpy resources that are best adapted for direct utilization. These are the so-
called plate boundaries which take the form of spreading zones or rift zones. These zones will
remain the main areas of interest until the time when Hot Sedimentary Aquifer (HSA)
technology might allow geothermal production virtually everywhere in the world.
Consequently, the countries that are positioned within these zones may become more
independent from fossil fuel import because of the possibility of using indigenous energy.
Direct-use of geothermal energy is the most versatile and common forms of utilizing
geothermal energy. The total installed capacity, reported through the end of 2014 for
geothermal direct utilization worldwide is 70,329 Mega Watt, a 45.0% increase over World
Geothermal Congress (WGC) 2010, growing at an annual compound rate of 7.7%. The
installed capacity now totals 7,556 Mega Watt and the annual energy use is 88,222 Tera Joule
per year. In comparison, 88% of the total installed capacity and 89% of the annual energy use
is in district heating (28 countries). While, the installed capacity of space cooling is 360
Mega Watt and the annual energy use is 2,600 Tera Joule per year. Space heating can be
provided by means of pumped wells, heat pump, or through the use of down-hole heat
exchangers. A space heater is intended to heat a space directly, unlike a central heating
furnace or boiler which distributes heat to the house through a system of ducts or pipes.
Geothermal absorption refrigeration units make use of the boiling temperature of a liquid
depends on pressure; heat is transferred from the environment when a liquid boils, and the
result is space cooling.

Keyword: Direct Utilization, Low-Enthalpy Geothermal, Space Heating, Space Cooling,

Refrigeration.

1. INTRODUCTION
In many countries, climate change has received more attention by policy makers than
any other environmental problem. The emission of CO 2, which is the principal greenhouse
gas in the atmosphere, sulfur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) are the common gases
that produce from fossil fuel based energy. For contribution of global warming and climate
change mitigation, national authorities have to consider the impacts of fossil fuel
consumption within their national territories.
 Geothermal energy is a clean energy resource, which could significantly contribute to
reduction of greenhouse and other gas emissions by replacing fossils fuel for energy.
Geothermal resources can provide a stable supply of energy, in contrast to many alternative
renewable resources, such as hydroelectric power.
The geothermal resources of earth are huge. The part of geothermal energy stored at a
depth of 3 kilometer is estimated to be 43,000,000 EJ corresponds to 1,194,444,444 TWh
(Bijornsson et al. 1998). The potential of low enthalpy geothermal resources (<150oC) are
widespread and occur at shallow depth than the high enthalpy geothermal resources
(>150oC). But, these potentials receive little attention not only in most of the developing
country, but also in several industrialized countries.
Low enthalpy geothermal resources can be used for direct utilization. There are many
direct utilization of low enthalpy geothermal, for example are heat pumps, space heating,
green house heating, aquaculture pond heating, agriculture drying, industrial uses, bathing,
swimming, space cooling, snow melting, etc. For space heating and cooling, we can use
geothermal heat pump system and vertical loop to gather heat from low enthalpy geothermal
reservoir. Direct utilization of geothermal energy in homes and commercial operations is
much less expensive and producing less gas emission than using fossil fuel.

Figure 1. Comparison of worldwide direct-use geothermal energy in TJ/year from 1995,

2000, 2005, 2010 and 2015.
(Source: www.pangea.stanford.edu/ERE/db/WGC, accessed at 19th May 2015)

Geothermal energy potentials and total energy for direct use in different regional can be seen
in this table below:
 Table 1. Regional geothermal energy potential
(Source: Chandrasekharam. Low-Enthalpy Geothermal Resources for Power Generation.
2008)
Gawell et al. 1999 Bijornsson et al. Stefansson. 1998
1998
Advanced
technology potential Useful accessible
data resource base
Known Geothermal Direct Use Low-enthalpy direct
Potential use
Region TWh/year EJ EJ/year
North America 200 75555 >120
Latin America 354 100969 >240
Europe 97 105035 >370
Asia and Pacific 337 170007 >430
Africa 101 146936 >240
World 1089 598529 >1400

Figure 2. Counties with reported data on direct use of geothermal resources and other
countries where geothermal springs indicate geothermal activities.
(Source: Lund et al. 2005)
2.1 LOW ENTHALPY GEOTHERMAL
Geothermal energy is heat that is stored in the rock and fluid contained in the Earth’s
crust (Geothermal Resources Council, 2011). The heat is generated by the natural decay over
millions of years of radiogenic elements, including uranium, thorium and potassium
(Geoscience Australia and Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics,
2010). This heat is constantly moving from the Earth’s core to the surface and can therefore
provide a sustainable energy source. Low temperature geothermal resources (with
temperatures typically below 150⁰C (Geothermal Resources Council, 2011) can be used
directly (without conversion to electrical energy) for the purpose of heating or cooling.
Heating applications can include: agricultural purposes (for example, greenhouse heating),
industrial purposes (for example, evaporation drying, sterilization and chemical extraction),
water desalination, bathing, aquaculture, and space heating (KPMG, 2010).
Geothermal resources are classified based on their reservoir temperatures alone (e.g.
Muffler & Cataldi, 1978; Hochstein, 1990; Benderitter & Cormy, 1990; Haenel et al., 1988)
or with reference to their specific exergy index to reflect their ability to do thermodynamic
work (Lee, 2001). In this paper, the classic approach related to the geothermal temperature is
considered. According to Haenel et al. (1988), a low‐enthalpy resource corresponds to
reservoir temperature of less than 150°C. High‐enthalpy resources are present if the
temperature exceeds 150 °C (Chandrasekharam & Bundschuh, 2008).
Until recently, geothermal exploitation was limited to conventional systems – in areas
with high temperatures and where the fluid will transfer to the surface without additional lift
(International Energy Agency, 2011). New technologies now permit the exploitation of
deeper and cooler resources as found in hot sedimentary aquifers and enhanced geothermal
systems (KPMG, 2010). These technologies have significantly expanded the global
geothermal resource potential.
Most of the low enthalpy geothermal systems are cyclic systems with rain water as the
main carrier of heat from the deeper parts of the earth to the surface. Depending on the local
geological and thermal regimes, the systems could be steam-dominated or liquid-dominated
systems. To viable for exploitation, these systems should be accessible at reasonable depths
with sufficient geothermal fluids to sustain long productivity. Low enthalpy geothermal
resources occur also as geopressured systems in large sedimentary basins that have not been
exploited for commercial exploitation.
 Figure 3. Geothermal gradient data and corresponding depths, where geothermal resources
with a suitable temperature for direct utilization of 80oC can be expected.
(Source: International Heat Flow Commission. 2010)

2.1.1 HOT SEDIMENTARY AQUIFERS

Hot sedimentary aquifers (HSA) are found in parts of the world where there are deep
(usually saline) aquifer systems with higher than average geothermal gradients, and where
there is a thermal blanket, such as shale’s or coals, overlying the HSA. In addition, the
aquifer needs permeability, via faults of fractures, so that the hot water can be produced via
deep well. The temperature of the water in a HSA is typically up to 100 oC. The advantage
that HSA systems had over volcanic geothermal system is that they are more widespread.
Hot sedimentary aquifer systems are similar to conventional geothermal systems.
They contain naturally occurring reservoirs of hot water or steam. To use these reservoirs it is
necessary to drill both a production and injection well. The key difference between hot
sedimentary aquifers and conventional systems is that hot sedimentary aquifers involve
drilling into hot sedimentary basins with temperatures typically lower than conventional
systems. Furthermore, they occur at greater depths than conventional systems. HSA systems
are typically developed in naturally occurring porous sandstones containing water that is
heated by either crustal heat flow or proximate hot rocks.
 Figure 4. Diagram showing the three different geothermal energy types, volcanic
hydrothermal, hot sedimentary aquifer, and enhanced geothermal or hot rocks.
(Source: Australian Geothermal Energy Association. 2005)

Geothermal HSA modeling is a two component model, whereby both groundwater

fluid flows is first described, and then heat flow is detailed. The mathematical equations
describing both physical processes are very similar, consisting of flux relationships like
Darcy‘s law and diffusive partial differential equations. Boundary conditions used in the two
disciplines are analogous. Model data requirements are doubled for geothermal exploration,
in that aquifer properties relating to both fluid and heat transport must be described.
There are important differences between the geothermal and groundwater modeling
efforts, however. Heat is transported by both the aquifer fluid and the rock matrix, and heat is
created by the surrounding rocks themselves. The scale of modeling is usually different, as
groundwater focuses on near-surface fresh resources, while geothermal often targets deep
basin-scale supplies. Two dimensional vertically averaged modeling common in shallow
groundwater aquifers is replaced by a focus on changes in depth with geothermal regimes.
Likewise, heat flow modeling usually considers boundary influences at depth rather than
surficial fluxes like groundwater recharge. Thermal aquifer properties are rarely measured,
and mistaken data is a serious problem. Additional differences relate to the range of
conditions considered. In geothermal exploration, the constitutive properties are dependent
upon temperature and pressure, so typical simplifying assumptions like hydraulic
conductivity must be expanded to include matrix permeability and explicit descriptions of
water viscosity and density. Finally, natural convection caused by the coupling of fluid and
heat flow can show fluid and heat in complicated multi-dimensional ways.
2.2 HEAT PUMP
Basically, heat pump is nothing more than a refrigerator that can be reversed. The
other refrigeration device (AC, refrigerator, freezer) moves heat from a space where it isn’t
wanted and discharged that heat somewhere else. The only difference between a geothermal
heat pump and ordinary refrigerator is that heat pump are reversible and can provide either
heating or cooling to almost any space. Example, if geothermal heat pump is used for
cooling/heating spaces such as building, it is also used to heat swimming pool or for shower.
If the geothermal heat pumps are used in four season country, it’s very use full. For
example, if in warm weather the heat pumps act as refrigerator. It removes heat from the
room being cooled building and deposits that unwanted heat to the earth. In cool weather the
heat pump as a its reversed, withdraws the heat from heat and transfer the heat to the room.
The geothermal heat pump is usually packaged in a single cabinet, which includes the
compressor, loop to refrigerant heat exchanger and controls. Systems that distribute heat
using ducted air also contain the air handler, duct fan, filter, refrigerant to air heat exchanger,
and condensate removal system for air conditioning. For home installation, usually heat
pumps are installed in a basement, attic or event closet.

Figure 5. Geothermal heat pumps

(Source : www.welldrilingschool.com, accessed at May 21st, 2015)

The illustrated below show how the geothermal heat pumps works in order to space
heating and cooling:
 Figure 6. How a geothermal heat pump works.
(Source : www.welldrilingschool.com, accessed at May 21st, 2015)

There are three basic components in geothermal heat pump system,

 Heating/ cooling delivery system: traditional ductwork / piping system to deliver heat
throughout the building
 Heat pump: mechanical unit that moves heat from the working fluid then concentrates
it and transfers heat to the circulating air.
 Ground heat exchanger: underground piping systems that uses a working fluid to
absorb or reject heat from the ground.
In heat pump system, used a vapor compression cycle to transport heat from one
location to another. Usually heat pump uses ammonia-water or lithium bromide for
refrigerant. The temperature from hot sedimentary aquifer is about 80-120 oC and this
temperature is enough to evaporated the ammonia-water fluid. In heating mode, the cycle
starts as the cold liquid refrigerant within the heat pump passes through a heat exchanger
(evaporator) and absorbs heat from the fluid circulated through the well connection. The
refrigerant evaporates into a gas as heat is absorbed from the water from aquifer heat
exchanger (evaporator). The gaseous refrigerant then passes through a compressor where it is
pressurized, raising its temperature. The hot gas then circulates trough a refrigerant to air heat
exchanger where the heat is removed and sent through the air ducts. When the refrigerant
loses the heat, it changes back into a liquid. The liquid refrigerant cools as it passes through
an expansion valve and the process begins again.
In cooling mode, the cycle starts as a hot gases and passes through the heat exchanger.
In this heat exchanger, the temperature from the refrigerant may higher than water from the
aquifer. Because of that, the heat is transferred from the refrigerant into aquifer. The
refrigerant which lost their heat then passes through an expansion valve. From the
thermodynamics, we know that if a fluid is passes through a nozzle the temperature will
decrease. This refrigerant may be condensed to liquid cool and then through the evaporator.
This evaporator will be installed in indoor. After passes this evaporator, the refrigerant will
evaporate again into gas. But, the condition of the refrigerant is actually in equilibrium liquid
vapor. To make sure the refrigerant is in vapor condition, the refrigerant is also passes the
second evaporator and then go to compressor. In this compressor, the refrigerant will have a
pressure and its temperature will increase again and the process will begin again.
The system that descripted above is a system with a forced air/ductwork distribution
system, the most common geothermal application. If the geothermal heat pump is used to
heating a swimming pool or radiant floor heaters, the systems may have refrigerant to liquid
or liquid to liquid heat exchangers instead of refrigerant to air. Moreover, that system may
also be equipped with a device called a super heater that can heat household water, which
circulates into the regular water heater tank.
After knew the systems at the surface of the aquifer, the another question to answered
is how the heat from aquifer can be extract to generated the systems? Actually, there are
many designs of connecting the aquifer with the systems at the surface. But, if categorized we
have two systems for extract the heat from the geothermal systems there are close loop and
open loop. Many factors affect the design of the loop section of the earth connection of
geothermal system. The design factors to decide the loop for connecting the aquifer are :
 Geologic condition (the thermal and hydraulic characteristics of the underground);
 Technical parameters (length and type of ground heat exchanger, type and quality
of grouting);
 Other technical factors include the heating/cooling load, the type of space to be
heated/cooled, and the supply temperature from underground.
If we discussing about the advantage of each systems we know that is the advantage
of closed systems is the independence from aquifers and water chemistry. This is because if
we choose the closed systems, the circulated fluid is located inside the pipe which is flow
down into the aquifer/wells and sucked again to the surface systems. In other hand, the
advantage of open systems is the higher heat transfer capacity of the wells or aquifer
compared to a borehole.
In this paper, we describe that the source that will be used is hot sedimentary aquifer.
This source hasn’t a water just a hot dry rock which can produce heat. Sure, in this cased the
systems that suitable to the conditions is close loop. This is according to the condition of the
reservoir which hasn’t water which can be used for the process.
There is many type configuration of down hole heat exchanger, which are horizontal
closed loop, vertical closed loop and slinky coils closed loop. The horizontal closed loop is
usually the most cost effective when adequate yard space is available and trenches are easy to
dig. Using trenches, or backhoes digging trenches three to six feet below the ground, the lay a
series of parallel plastic pipes. The slinky coils closed loop is used for reduce the heat
exchanger per foot trench requirements but require more pipe per ton of capacity. This pipe is
coiled like a slinky, overlapped and laid in a trench.
 (a) (b)
Figure 7. (a) Horizontal Closed Loop (b) Slinky Coils Close Loop
(Source : www.welldrilingschool.com, accessed at May 21st, 2015)

For hot sedimentary aquifers, the configuration of down hole heat exchanger can used
vertical closed loop. The advantage of this type of loops is no need a big yard space, when
surface rocks make digging impractical, or when you want to disrupt the landscape as little as
possible. Vertical holes are bored in the ground and single or multiple loops of pipe with a U-
bend at the bottom is/are inserted before the hole is backfilled. Each vertical pipe is then
connected to a horizontal underground pipe that carries fluid in a closed system to and from
the indoor exchange unit. This type of configuration has a weakness which is more expensive
to install, but require less piping than horizontal loops because the aquifer temperature is
more stable farther below the surface. An important factor for design this type configuration
is the spacing between boreholes. According to rule of thumb, the distance of boreholes
should be 15-20 feet apart to avoid having the thermal conductivity of boreholes conflicting
with each other. Vertical ground loops typically require 150-300 square feet of land area per
systems ton of heating/cooling capacity. The usual range of borehole diameters is four inches
for ¾ inch piping, five inches for 1 inch piping and six inches for 1 ¼ inch piping. The
diameter is controlled by the radius of the U-joint needed for the pipe diameter. This pipe is
made from HDPE materials.
 Figure 8. Vertical Close Loop
(Source : www.welldrilingschool.com, accessed at May 21st, 2015)

2.2.1 ADVANTAGES USING HEAT PUMP

 Energy efficiency
Heating efficiency is expressed ad a coefficient of performance (COP); the higher of
COP value show the more efficiency of systems. Heat pump systems for building may have a
COP 4,3 which means that for every unit of energy used to power the system, 3.4 units are
put back into the home/building as heat / cooling. If compares with other systems such as gas
furnace is 0.92. the cooling efficiency is measured as an energy efficiency ratio (EER); the
higher of EER show the more efficiency systems. COP and EER are dependent on a number
of factors. A heat pump can save up to 30-40% of the electricity typically used for heating or
cooling in homes. In mild and moderate climates, heat pumps can provide two to three times
more heating than the equivalent amount they consume in electricity.
 Environmental benefits
Because the efficiency of heat pumps systems, it uses a lot less energy to maintain
comfortable indoor temperature. According to EPA, geothermal heat pump can reduce energy
consumption up to 44% compared to air source heat pumps and up to 72% compared to
electric resistance heating with standard air-conditioning equipment.
 Cost effective
Geothermal heat pumps save money in operating and maintenance costs. While the
initial investment for purchase a heat pump for building is often higher than that comparable
gas-fired furnace and central air-conditioning system, it is more efficient, in terms saving
money every month. An average geothermal heat pump system costs about $7,500 (plus
installation and drilling cost). Comparable ASHP systems with air conditioning would cost
about $4,000, but the energy cost should easily equate to the extra cost of installing a
geothermal heat pump.
 Long durability
Because use fewer mechanical components and because those components are
sheltered from the elements, leaves, dirt and possible vandalism, geothermal heat pumps are
durable and highly reliable. The underground piping used in the system often has 25 to 50
year warranties and the geothermal heat pumps typically last 20 years or more.

3. CONCLUSION
Challenging with global warming problem, every countries need to find solution of using
renewable energy to reducing the use of power generation. Low enthalpy geothermal energy
such as HSA is a clean energy with almost zero emission, widespread around the world, and
can be used for direct utilization for space heating and cooling. To gather the geothermal
energy, vertical close loop is used so it can be transferred to the heat pump. The heat pump
general function is to moves heat from a space where it isn’t wanted and discharged that heat
somewhere else. There are three basic components in geothermal heat pump system, heating/
cooling delivery system heat pump, and ground heat exchanger. The advantages of using heat
pump are energy efficiency, cost effective, and long durability.

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