CHAPTER II.

METHODOLOGY

I. Research Design

Throughout the study, specific methods and theoretical rules will be followed to achieve the

set objectives. As to complete this chapter of this study, the researchers gathered information and

numerical facts from similar studies as a reference.

a. Project Design Description

Geothermal ventilation systems use the constant soil temperature to cool or heat a

targeted room above the ground. Ground-source heating systems require three main components:

a heat exchanger (ground piping loop), a heat pump (condensing unit) and distribution units such

as air ducts or in-floor tubing (Pedersen, 2018). These systems rely on earth’s relative warmth

either for cooling or heating process. Just like air-source heat pumps, geothermal ventilation

systems do not create heat: they simply move it from one area to another (Bhatia, n.d.).

b. A geothermal ventilation system has 3 main components:

1. Ground loop – A closed ground loop system consists of a series of appropriate pipes

(alloy, hdpe, etc.) buried under a vacant yard. Either a refrigerant, or a heat transfer fluid

like a mixture of water and anti-freeze is inside the loop of pipes. This refrigerant of

mixture removes heat from the earth (heating) or the other way around, sends heat

(cooling) under. The loop of pipes will then carry the heated or cooled refrigerant back

into the heat pump furnace.

2. Heat Pump or Heat Pump Furnace Unit – The heat pump’s system provides and

improves a consistent temperature, which is then circulated throughout the home through
 a fan. In geothermal ventilation systems, heat pump furnace units can both provide

cooling or heating process.

3. Distribution System – In a forced air or DX system, the fan in the heat pump blows air

over a fan coil, and the heated or cooled air is circulated to the room or through the

home’s installed ductwork.

c. Design Principle

Heat exchange principle – When two objects of different temperatures come in contact,

heat exchange will occur. The object with the lower temperature will absorb the heat from the

object with higher temperature. The heat lost by the hotter object is always equal to the heat

absorbed by the cooler object. This process will not cease until the two objects will be equal in

temperature.

This principle is the principle behind HVAC systems. Be it an underground or direct air

to air system, heat exchanging is present. Heat, can be transferred through the help of

conduction, convection, and radiation. For this specific study, a vertical closed-loop geothermal

ventilation, heat transfer through convection is observed. Convection is a heat transfer

mechanism with respect to a moving fluid, or water, or air. Convective heat transfer will be then

driven to occur if significant temperature difference is present among the fluids.

Vertical Closed-loop Geothermal Ventilation Systems Advantages

1. Efficiency – Though the overall cost is quite expensive, the system’s efficiency is worth

the expenditures owing to its great energy performance

2. Clean – Geothermal ventilation systems produce zero emissions, reducing emissions like

greenhouse gases and smog.

3. Lower operating costs – Not only do the use energy that is renewable and clean, geo

ventilation systems also require lower operation costs compare to other conventional

HVAC systems.

4. Longevity – Most of the components of this system is placed underground, as a

consequence, there is zero to no movement at all. This would result into a longer lasting

performance, lasting up to even 50 years, way longer than AC units that are averaging 10

years before it needs replacing.