USE OF EARTH AIR TUNNEL HVAC SYSTEM IN MINIMIZING

INDOOR AIR POLLUTION

Rabindra Nath Bhattarai1, Shailendra Kumar Mishra2 and Pawan Basnyat3
1
Director, Center for Pollution Studies, Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
2
Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
3
Nepal Electricity Authority, Nepal

Abstract
An Earth Air Tunnel (EAT), constructed recently in the experimental Zero Energy House in the Institute of
Engineering of Tribhuvan University utilizes a unique concept of earth Air Tunnel for providing Heating
Ventilating and Air Conditioning requirements of spaces. The EAT system draws air, through an air intake at
the end of a 75 meter tunnel of diameter 0.5 meter, buried 4 meter below ground, with the help of an Air
Handling Unit. The air is then dehumidified and passed on to the spaces requiring HVAC through the
conventional system of ducts and diffusers and exhausts through solar chimney, assisted by wind operated
exhaust turbine located at the top of the chimney at the terrace level of the building. The profile of
temperature as a function of daily input of energy on the ground in the form of radiation and sensible heat is
analyzed through rigorous analytical method and compared with actual measurements which show
remarkable closeness to the analytically determined result. The study calculated the cost saving with
respect to conventional air conditioning system and found it to have very substantial saving to the tune of 70
percent. The study of the bacterial and fungal pollution of air at the intake and output point of the tunnel and
at the room showed considerable decrease of air-borne bacteria and fungi from the air intake to the air
delivery point of the tunnel. The microbial count further decreased at the supply grilles. The study clearly
shows that while on one hand the EAT system saves electricity thus saving on the emitted particulate, SOX,
and NOX at the thermal power house while on the other also has an effect of drastically reducing air borne
bacteria and fungi in indoor spaces.

Key words: Air Pollution, Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC), Bacteria

1. Overview of EAT System

1.1. Earth as Heat Storage

Earth behaves as a huge collector-cum-storage medium and can be used as daily or seasonal storage
medium. The ground possesses many advantaged due to its high capacity as well as its insulation potential.
With an average volumetric density of 1800 kg m-3 and thermal capacity of 920 Jkg-1.K-1, each cubic meter of
the ground, or rock bed, could store 1.67 MJ kg-1. Heat loss from an underground reservoir is relatively small
and the annual heat losses amount to about only 10% of the total annual collected energy. Similarly. The
thermal capacity of the earth is such that the diurnal variations of the surface temperature do not penetrate
much deeper than 0.5 m, and seasonal variations up to a depth of about 4 meters. Beyond this depth, the
earth's temperature, therefore, remains constant. The value of this temperature is usually seen to be
equivalent to the all year mean of the sol air temperature of its surface.
The earth's thermal potential may be exploited with appropriate architectural and structural arrangements,
either by direct coupling of the building envelopes with the ground, or through indirect coupling of these
buildings with the earth by means of earth-air heat exchanging devices. Out of these, the former technique
results in the underground and partly underground structures, while the examples of latter technique are
earth-air tunnels and cooling pipes inside the ground. The problems like water seepage into the ground,
condensation into the structures and the inhabitant's dislike of being away from the nature are also the
factors limiting the scope of the underground dwellings. On the other hand, the system like earth-air tunnels
spreading over a large portion of the ground can effectively retrieve the 'coolness' and 'warmth' of earth and
be used as an effective way of cooling and heating. Since the performance of underground structures is
controlled by the ground temperature distribution, knowledge of the underground temperature distribution
gives an indication of the initial cooling capacity of the ground. The data for daily and annual variation of the
surface and inside temperature of the ground is, however, scarce. It is, therefore, necessary to obtain an
expression for the ground temperature four meter below the surface by using the actual data of solar
radiation and ambient temperature and treating them mathematically. Amongst others, Khatry et. al.,
obtained such an expression, based on the periodic variation of the ground temperature. The analysis,
however, could not appreciate the effect of varying surface conditions on the ground temperature
distribution. In general, the balance of several heat transfer modes determines the surface temperature of
the earth
The temperature in most part of Nepal shows high diurnal variations. These diurnal variations do not
penetrate much deeper into the earth. The seasonal variations subside at a depth of 4.0 m. Beyond this
depth the earth's temperature is usually seen to be equivalent to the all year mean of sol air temperature of
its surface. From the point of view of providing comfortable conditions inside the building, As such, this
potential of the earth can be utilized for thermal comfort with the help of Earth Air Tunnel
The Earth Air Tunnel (EAT) systems utilizes the heat-storing capacity of earth and the fact that the year
round temperature four meter below the surface remains almost constant throughout the year. That makes it
potentially useful in providing buildings with air-conditioning. Depending on the ambient temperature of the
location, the EAT system can be used to provide both cooling during the summer and heating during winter.
The amount of heat exchanged between the air and the surrounding soil is a function of the parameters
like; surface area of the tunnel walls, length of the tunnel, inlet air temperature, velocity of air in the tunnel,
material of the tunnel, surface conditions of the tunnel walls, and the depth of tunnel from ground surface.
Therefore tunnels constructed at the depth of four meter below ground with appropriate design for good heat
exchange between the tunnel and the air flowing in, can be used for heating and cooling of buildings
depending on the season. The tunnels would be especially useful for large buildings with ample surrounding
ground. The EAT system can not be cost effective for small individual residential buildings.

1.2 Historical Uses

Interest in the ground as a source of 'coolness' has extended rapidly in recent years. The practice has
existed in Islamic and Persian architecture for a number of centuries. Aldo Fanchiotti and Gianni Scudo gave
a study of ancient underground cooling system, which is located near Vicenza, Italy. It consists of a group of
six villas, built in 16th-17th centuries, at a foot of a chain of hills, hosting a many kilometers long network of
tunnels and caves. The results show that in five-day period from July 4 to 8, while the ambient air
temperature was fluctuating between minimum of 17-190C and maximum of 30-320C, the room air
temperature remained at a rather steady level of 20-220C. In 1963, the interesting ancient underground
structures were found in Turkey. This was the first discovery of vast underground cities in Anatolia, Turkey.
During 1970's dozens of underground cities and underground cooling systems were discovered in the region
of Kaimakli and Derinkuya. However, the non-availability of the performance data on actual systems has
restricted the extensive use of the concept. (Singh S. P.)
Earth Air Tunnels have been used successfully at TERI retreat at Gurgaon, Gul Pahari, Delhi, where the
underground tunnels serve the living quarters. The living quarters are maintained at temperatures
approximately between 20 to 30 0C round the year. The system utilizes tunnel, air intake ports and
dehumidification. The treated air is passed to the spaced through ducts and supply grills and are allowed to
escape to the atmosphere after affecting the desired heat transfer in the space.
The efficacy of an earth-air tunnel system depends upon the ground temperature distribution. A
knowledge of the ground temperature distribution helps in carrying out the first order calculations of heat
exchange between earth and the structures, which are partly or fully underground. Khatry et. al. have
obtained such an expression, however, the variation of surface conditions was not incorporated in the
analysis. Later Bharadwaj and Bansal developed an analytical model for the calculation of the daily and
annual variations of the ground- temperature as a function of depth for various surface conditions i.e. dry
sunlit, wet sunlit, dry shaded and wet shaded. This model shows that the effect of incident radiation and
evaporation can be incorporated into an equivalent effective temperature, which surrounds the earth's
surface. The mean of this effective temperature is the temperature, which is usually obtained at the depth of
4-5m below the earth's surface.
2. Function and Construction of EAT

2.1 Essentials of the EAT System

Earth Air Tunnel is a tunnel for the passage of calculated amount of air for the purpose of Heating Ventilating
and Air Conditioning (HVAC) of a space using natural heat of the earth, four meter below earth surface.
It is a well-established fact that the temperature of earth below some four meter remains constant
throughout the year unless there is strong water movement below ground. It is also evident from the old
folklore, which says that the temperature of well water becomes warm in the winter and cold in the summer.
In fact the perception of warm water in the winter and cold water I the summer is due to the fact that the
water feels warmer in the winter because of low ambient temperature and it feels cooler in the summer
because of the hot ambient temperature. In fact the perception is like that because the water temperature
remains constant throughout the year.
Because the ground temperature remains constant, any medium such as air if pumped in appropriate
amount that allows sufficient contact time for the heat transfer to the medium attains the same temperature
as the ground temperature. It is to be ensured here that the amount of pumped medium is such that sufficient
time is allowed for the heat transfer from the ground to the medium. For all practical purpose we may
assume ground to have been infinite heat capacity such that heat transfer to the air does not decrease the
temperature of the surrounding earth. When this condition is met, the air attains the same temperature as the
earth temperature. Figure 1 below shows the schematic of the Earth Air Tunnel System in the Institute of
Engineering in Kathmandu.

Solar Chimney Solar Radiation

Air Intake Wind

with filter

Zero Energy House

(ZEB)
Ground Level

Air
Handling
Unit (AHU)
Room Earth Tunnel

Figure 1. Schematic of Earth Air Tunnel System

The system consists of 75 meter long air tunnel of diameter 0.5 meter at a depth of four meter from the
ground surface. One end of the tunnel terminates on the fresh air intake above ground with 25 µm filters on
four sides of the intake grills while the other side terminates in the Air Handling Room located on the
basement of the Zero Energy Building in the Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University at Kathmandu,
Nepal. The Air Handling Unit used, is a conventional type of AHU, used in comfort air conditioning
application, but without cooling and heating coil, is used to draw the air through the tunnel via the AHU room.
Because of the need to dehumidify the air coming out of the tunnel, the tunnel outlet is not connected directly
to the AHU. The air is first into the AHU room where it was dehumidified with the help of portable
dehumidifiers. It is then distributed to the rooms through the system of normal GI duct and diffusers.
 The conventional air conditioning system uses return air duct to draw the air into the AHU where it is
mixed with fresh air before passing the same through the conditioning coil. The primary reason for doing that
is to save energy. However, because there is no reason to do that in case of EAT, the system has been
designed for a single pass of air. The air after picking up the heat load from the room or after releasing the
heat into the room, depending on whether the system is used for cooling or heating, is allowed to pass to
solar chimney through return air grills and GI ducts. The solar chimney has been built as an integral part of
the building. It faces south and absorbs solar energy. The solar chimney warms the return air and increases
the buoyancy of the air to facilitate its exhaust through the roof outlet. In order to further assist the movement
of the air, wind driven ventilator has been installed at the top of the solar chimney at the terrace level.
Conventional exhaust blowers could be used to drive the stale air out of the room after it completes its heat
transfer. However, because the system was installed in the Zero Energy House, which by definition, would
have to generate as much electrical energy through the installed photo voltaic array as it would draw from
the grid system in an yearly basis, the conventional exhaust blower was replaced by solar chimney a wind
driven roof extractor system. The building has been provided with Building Energy Management System from
Johnson Controls to monitor dry bulb temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide sensor, and occupancy
sensor at strategic locations and they were integrated with computerized data acquisition system. Figure 2
shows the Zero Energy Building.

Figure 2. Zero Energy Building

3. Periodic Variation of Ground Temperature with Depth

3.1 Daily and Annual Variation in, Kathmandu

An analysis of the periodic variation of ground temperature with depth is based on the appropriate condition
of energy balance at the surface, which takes into account the periodicity of solar radiation and atmospheric
temperature. Explicit expression for the temperature as a function of time and depth has been derived; the
expression has been used to investigate the daily and annual variations for Pulchowk, Kathmandu. Such an
analysis is useful in evaluating to a first approximation the thermal flux into structures, which are fully or
partly underground.
The useful analysis of the variation of ground temperature with depth is based on an assumed periodic
variation of temperature at the surface. Since the data for daily and annual variation of temperature at
ground surface is not available and this parameter is not in phase with solar radiation and atmospheric
temperature, it is worthwhile to obtain an expression for the ground temperature, making use of the
(recorded) periodic variation of solar radiation and atmospheric temperature. In this connection such an
analysis has been made and applied to the evaluation of daily and annual variation of ground temperature at
different depths in Kathmandu. The results of this analysis may be applied to a first approximation to
calculation of heat exchange between the earth and structures like the earth air tunnel .

3.2 Theoretical Consideration

The following simplifying assumptions have been made in the analysis of earth air tunnel system:
(a) The earth has uniform thermo physical properties.
(b) The air mass flow rate through the tunnel is constant
(c) The heat flow in the earth is considered to be in one direction only (along depth)
(d) The temperature gradient in the direction of air flow is much smaller than temperature gradient
along depth.
Ground temperature is governed by a number of factors. The most important of which are: (1) geographic,
including latitude (L), altitude (β) and prevailing weather conditions; (2) site characteristics, including surface
conditions and surface temperature, landscaping, microclimate, and water table; and (3) thermal physical
properties of the soil. The diurnal fluctuations appear largely at the soil surface and rapidly fade out with
depth. Below 15-51 cm depending on soil type, thermal diffusivity (α), and moisture content - the soil
temperature does not reflect daily changes at the surface
Temperature changes with depth are determined by the amount of radiant energy that reaches the soil
surface and by the thermal properties of the soil. Only that part of the radiant energy which is absorbed
causes changes in soil temperatures. Dark colored soils capture a much higher proportion of the radiant
energy than do the light colored soils. The insulating effects of vegetative cover and surface mulches keeps
the soil cooler than bare or fallow soil. Wet soils warm more slowly than dry soils because the heat capacity
of water is five times that of the mineral soil particles. The energy absorbed by the soil surface is disposed of
in one or more of the following ways: (a) radiation to the atmosphere, (b) heating of the air above the soil by
convection, (c) increasing the temperature of the surface soil, or (d) conduction to the deeper soil layers.
The energy balance at the sunlit ground surface can be expressed as:
Heat flow through = Heat transferred from + Absorbed solar - Re-emitted solar
the soil atmosphere to soil radiation solar radiation
- K(∂θ/∂x)x=0 = h(Tatm - θx=0) + α0I - ∈∆R
where h ≡ heat transfer coefficient at the surface W/m2K; K ≡ thermal conductivity of soil, W/mK; I ≡ intensity
of solar radiation, W/m2 ; x ≡ vertical distance, m; α0 ≡ absorptivity of solar radiation at the surface; θx=0 ≡
soil temperature, 0C; ∆R ≡ difference between the long wave radiation, incident on the surface from the sky
and surroundings and the radiation emitted by a body at atmospheric air temperature, W/m2.
∈ ≡ long-wave emissivity of the surface. The above equation may be put in a more convenient form as
- K(∂θ/∂x)x=0 = h(TA - θx=0) (1)
where TA is commonly known as sol-air temperature; For the ground surface, the effective sol-air
temperature(Teff) of the earth surface is given by Bhardwaj and Bansal (1981) as;
Teff = (1/heff)[hc(1 + 0.013γR1) Tatm + α0I1 - ∈∆R – 0.013R2hc(1 - γ)] (2)
Where heff = hc(1 + 0.013 R1). For different earth surface treatments, the corresponding values of Teff can
be obtained from Eqn. 2 by the following substitutions:

Type of surface R1 R2 α0 hc I1
Dry sunlit surface 0 0 0.6 23 I
Dry shaded surface (50% shading) 0 0 0.6 23 0.5I
Wet sunlit surface 249 3013 0.6 23 I
Wet shaded surface(50% shading) 249 3013 0.6 23 0.5I
Blackened sunlit surface 0 0 0.9 23 I
Blackened and glazed surface 0 0 0.8 5.5 I

Table 1. Values of different parameters for various surface conditions

For dry sunlit surface Teff can be written as;
TA = Tatm + (α0I/h) – (∈∆R/h)
Where TA= Teff ; ∈ = 1 and ∆R = 63 Wm-2 are reasonable for horizontal ground surface.
The general solution of one dimension heat conduction equation (assuming the θ is finite when x → ∞)
may be written as
∞
θ = A0 + Σ Am exp{i(mωt + αmx)} (3)
m=1
assuming the variation of soil temperature with depth is based on periodic variation of temperature at the
surface where αm = -m1/2α(1-i); α = (ωρc/2K)1/2; t = time, second;
C = specific heat of soil KJ/kg0C; ρ = density of the soil kg/m3; ω = 2π/period.
The sol-air temperature can in general be expressed as a Fourier series, i.e.
∞
TA = a0 + Σ [am1 cos(mωt) + am2 sin(mωt)]
m=1
∞
= a0 + Σ [am exp[i(mωt - σm)] (4)
m=1
Substituting for θ from equation 3 and for TA from equation 4 in equation 1 and equating the co-efficient of
exp (imωt) on both sides, further rearrangements and with considering the real part results in
∞
θ = a0 + Σ Bm exp(-m1/2 αx) cos(mωt - m1/2 αx - σm - βm) (5)
m=1
The heat flux per unit area Q may be written as;
∞
Q = - 1 ∂θ = Σ(2m)1/2 Bmexp(-m1/2 αx) cos(mωt - m1/2 αx - σm - βm + π/4) (6)
Kα α ∂x m=1
The parameters θ and Q at the surface may be evaluated by putting x = 0 in equations 4 and 5.
For large periods (annual variations) ω is small and µ→ 0, βm→ 0 and Bm→ am
Despite many irregularities in weather, surface cover and moisture contents of soil, the above equation
can be modified the above equation into the following convenient form:
θ(x,t) = Tm - Asexp{-x(π/αT)1/2}cos[2π/T{t - to – x/2(T/πα)1/2}] (7)
where Tm = mean annual ground temperature (equivalent to steady state) 0C; As = annual temperature
amplitude at soil surface (x=0), 0C; t = time of the year in days; to = phase constant, the day of minimum
surface temperature; α = thermal diffusivity of soil, in m2/day. (Moustafa et. al. 1980)

3.3 Annual Temperature Profile

Figure 3 below shows the annual temperature profile at various depths.

28.00

26.00

24.00
0m
temperature (0C)

22.00 0,1m
0,5m
20.00 1m
2m
18.00
3m
4m
16.00

14.00

12.00
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
months

Figure 3. Annual Temperature Profiles

3.4 Measured Temperature at a Depth of Four Meter
The analytical temperature at the time of design of the EAT, prior to the construction of the Zero Energy
Building was around 20 °C. The measured temperature is also close to 20 °C. Therefore, it illustrates that
the assumptions and the analysis of the performance of the EAT is right. It also shows that the
performance of the EAT can thus be predicted to fair degree of accuracy provided of course that the
ground does not have very adverse movement of water and the integrity of the structure of the tunnel is
maintained.

4. Cost Savings with Respect to Conventional Air Conditioning

4.1 Cooling Load Fraction met by the EAT

EAT system utilizes the available heat of the Earth by affecting heat transfer between the flowing mass of
air, to be introduced into the space and the tunnel, which would be at the temperature of the earth at four
meter below ground. Although system can be designed to augment the necessary energy through the
conventional systems on top of what is provided by the tunnel system, the present system does not have
that provision. In situations where such provisions are not made, the exact comfort condition of the room
as defined by ASHRAE and other codes may not be achieved. The beauty of the EAT is that the energy is
free if the energy in moving the air, i.e., the energy used in operating the blower of the AHU and the
humidifiers are not considered. This assumption is correct because the major energy in the conventional
air conditioning system is used by the compression system.
The cost of energy for the space served by the EAT system in the ZEB were calculated and the cost of
energy at which the EAT removes the heat (cooling operation) have been calculated. If exact indoor
conditions are required, the EAT can very well be used as energy saver by providing the deficit energy
with the help of conventional system. In that case. Although in normal comfort application such as
shopping mall, class room etc., may choose to go with slightly less than the 'comfort' conditions if such
condition can be achieved with almost no energy cost, some applications may require the exact
conditions. In such a scenario, the percentage of the energy met by EAT becomes an important indicator
for the advocacy of EAT.
The fraction of the energy for the two spaces in the ZEB served by the EAT are presented in Table 2 as
follows:

Ratio of Load met by EAT vs. that

which would be required by
Space Percent saving
conventional system of A/C for exact
comfort conditions

Space 102 0.7 70 %

Table 2. Percent saving

As such, the EAT at ZEB showed the savings to as much as 70 %.

5. Effect of EAT in Reducing the Air Pollution

5.1 Microbial Pollution

This part of study was carried out from 1st February to 2nd March 2004 in the Central Department of
Microbiology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur. The main aim of the study was to assess the microbial load at
the inlet of the tunnel, outlet of the tunnel and the rooms supplied with air from tunnel.
During study period bacterial and fungal (mold) load in the air was studied by plate exposure technique
using Nutrient Agar (NA) and Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA). The work was focused on qualitative
estimation of microorganisms in the inside and outside environment. Samples were taken two times in the
month of February. For the first sample, plates were exposed to air when the earth air tunnel was
operated for only ten minutes after an idle time of weeks. For the second sample, plates were exposed to
air after continuous operation for two weeks.
5.2 RESULT
The microbial results are tabulated below in Tables 3 and 4.

S.N. Sampling Count Bacteria Reported

Site
1. Tunnel intake Heavy Bacillus spp., Microcollus, Streptococcus spp. and
Staphylococcus aureus
2. Tunnel outlet Few Bacillus spp., Micrococcus, Streptococcus spp.
3. Room Nil Not detected
Table 3. Bacteria Report

S.N. Sampling Count Fungi Reported

Site
1. Tunnel intake Heavy Penicillum spp., Aspergillus, Alternaria,
Cladosporium spp.
2. Tunnel outlet Few Penicillum spp., Aspergillus, Alternaria,
Cladosporium spp.
3. Room Seven Penicillum spp.
Table 4. Fungus Report

Each form of bacteria and fungus are injurious to health. Bacillus spp. causes food poisoning,
Aspergillus causes asthma. The bacteria Streptococcus is caused by human activities. Both the samples
showed the similar count of bacteria and fungi, which means that the duration of operation does not affect
the microbial activity. The tunnel is found not to support the growth of bacteria and fungi; rather it is found
to reduce the quantity of bacteria and fungi thus making the air safer for humans to inhale.
It is therefore clear that the use of EAT not only helps save the energy but also helps reduce the air
pollution by reducing bacteria and Fungi.

6. Conclusions

6.1 EAT as Energy Saver with Enhanced Indoor Air Quality

The performance of an EAT can be analytically predicted. As such it is possible to design EAT Heating
Ventilating and Air Conditioning System for large application such as public buildings, schools, hospitals,
shopping complexes, and the like. EAT can be used as a negligible energy cost alternative at the cost of
some compromise on the quality of comfort, and as energy saver for conventional system. Irrespective of
how it is used, the system pays back not only in terms of energy cost but also in terms of the enhanced
indoor environment.

6.2 EAT as an Effective Device for Helping Reduce the Green House Gases
By helping reduce the energy for the HVAC of large buildings, it indirectly helps reduce the GHG by
eventual reduction of the emissions from thermal power plants.

6.3 EAT for One hundred percent Fresh Air without and Re-circulation
The use of EAT allows the use of one hundred percent fresh air as against the part re-circulated air of the
conventional HVAC system. This facilitates better indoor air quality and less ppm of carbon dioxide and is
especially very good for public buildings such as cinema, schools etc.

6.4 EAT as a Cost Effective Device with Inherent 'Cleaning' Capability

Although the cause of why and how EAT reduced both Bacteria and fungal load of the air is not clear and
requires more extensive experiments with more microbiological inputs, the initial indication is very
encouraging. More controlled and elaborate testing are justified from the first results.
References
Bharadwaj, S. S., and Bansal, N. K., 1981. Temperature Distribution Inside Ground for Various Surface
Conditions. Building and Environment, 16(3) 183-192.

Khatry, A. K., Sodha, M. S., and Malik, M. A. S., 1978. Periodic Variation of Ground Temperature with
Depth. Solar Energy, Volume 20, 425-427.

Moustafa, S., Jarrar, D., Hussain, E. M., Al-Shami, H., and Brusewitz, G. 1980 Arid Soil Temperature
Model. Solar Energy, Volume 27, 83-88.

Singh, S. P., 1987. A Study of Earth Coupled and Evaporative Passive Cooling Systems. Ph. D. Thesis ,
Center for Energy Studies, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India.