Ground-based thermal storage and heat exchange system
A ground-based thermal storage and heat exchange system, comprising a core, including a top, a bottom, an outward facing surface, an inward facing surface, and a space formed between the top, the bottom, and the inward facing surface, and a plurality of U-tubes extending outward from the core, wherein a fluid is pumped through the core and the plurality of U-tubes.
1. A ground-based thermal storage and heat exchange system, comprising:
a core, including:
a top;
a bottom;
an outward facing surface;
an inward facing surface; and
a space formed between the top, the bottom, and the inward facing surface; and
a plurality of U-tubes extending outward from the core;
wherein a fluid is pumped through the core and the plurality of U-tubes.
2. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein each U-tube of the plurality of U-tubes extends through a respective through-bore in the core.
3. The system as recited in claim 2 , wherein each U-tube of the plurality of U-tubes comprises:
a first end arranged in the space;
a second end arranged in the space; and
a bend arranged outward of the outward facing surface.
4. The system as recited in claim 3 , further comprising:
at least one supply header fluidly connected to the first end of the one or more U-tubes; and
at least one return header fluidly connected to the second end of the one or more U-tubes.
5. The system as recited in claim 3 , further comprising:
a primary header; and
at least one secondary header including a first end connected to the primary header and a second end, the secondary header arranged to transfer the fluid between the primary header and the plurality of U-tubes.
6. The system as recited in claim 5 , wherein the at least one secondary header comprises:
a vertically arranged secondary supply header; and
a vertically arranged secondary return header.
7. The system as recited in claim 6 , wherein the at least one secondary header further comprises:
a horizontally arranged secondary supply header fluidly connected to the vertically arranged secondary supply header; and
a horizontally arranged secondary return header fluidly connected to the vertically arranged secondary return header.
8. The system as recited in claim 5 , wherein the at least one secondary header is arranged as a coil within the space.
9. The system as recited in claim 1 , further comprising an auxiliary heat transfer apparatus arranged in the space.
10. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the core is a wet well.
11. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the core is a caisson.
12. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the core is arranged completely in earth.
13. The system as recited in claim 12 , wherein each U-tube of the plurality of U-tubes is arranged in a borehole in the earth.
14. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of U-tubes are arranged in a plurality of levels, wherein each level of the plurality of levels is arranged at a distinct elevational position.
15. The system as recited in claim 14 , wherein the plurality of levels comprises:
a first level spaced apart from the top in a first axial direction, wherein U-tubes in the first level are arranged substantially perpendicular to the outward facing surface;
a second level spaced apart from the first level in the first axial direction, wherein U-tubes in the second level are arranged at an acute angle relative to the outward facing surface; and
a third level spaced apart from the second level in the first axial direction, wherein the U-tubes in the third level are arranged substantially parallel to the outward facing surface.
16. A thermal storage and heat exchange system arranged at least partially in earth, comprising:
a core, including:
a top;
a bottom;
an outward facing surface;
an inward facing surface; and
a space formed between the top, the bottom, and the inward facing surface; and
a plurality of U-tubes extending outward from the core into a borehole in the earth and comprising:
a first end arranged in the space;
a second end arranged in the space; and
a bend arranged in the earth;
wherein a fluid is pumped through the core and the plurality of U-tubes.
17. The system as recited in claim 16 , wherein each U-tube is fluidly connected to a primary header via one or more secondary headers arranged at least partially in the space.
18. The system as recited in claim 16 , wherein:
the plurality of U-tubes are spaced apart from each other and arranged in a plurality of levels; and
each level of the plurality of levels is arranged at a distinct elevational position with respect to the core.
19. The system as recited in claim 18 , wherein the plurality of levels comprises:
a first level spaced apart from the top in a first axial direction, wherein U-tubes in the first level are arranged substantially perpendicular to the outward facing surface;
a second level spaced apart from the first level in the first axial direction, wherein U-tubes in the second level are arranged at an acute angle relative to the outward facing surface; and
a third level spaced apart from the second level in the first axial direction, wherein the U-tubes in the third level are arranged substantially parallel to the outward facing surface.
20. A thermal storage and heat exchange system, comprising:
a core, including:
an outward facing surface; and
an inward facing surface forming a space; and
a plurality of tubes extending outward from the core, each tube of the plurality of tubes comprising:
a first end;
a second end; and
a bend arranged outward of the outward facing surface;
wherein:
the plurality of tubes are spaced apart from each other and arranged in a plurality of levels; and
a fluid is pumped through the core and the plurality of tubes.