Variation characteristics of aquifer parameters induced by groundwater source heat pump operation under variable flow

Abstract

The variation characteristics of aquifer parameters, induced by groundwater source heat pump (GWSHP) operation under variable flow, were theoretically analyzed through a case study, in which the characteristics of building air conditioning load were considered. The results, compared with the constant flow operation, indicate that the influence on the variations of porosity, hydraulic conductivity and confined water head is decreased by 48%, 51% and 71%, respectively, under variable flow operation. The security of variable flow operation is superior to that of constant flow. It is also concluded that the climate region and function of the buildings are primary factors which affect the suitability of variable flow operation in GWSHP.

Keywords

groundwater source heat pump / variation characteristic / aquifer parameter / variable flow