GROUNDWATER HEAT EXCHANGER
A groundwater heat exchanger includes a distributor, a collector, a plurality of heat exchange pipes, and a return pipe. The distributor includes a first interior chamber and a first port to the first interior chamber. The collector includes a second interior chamber and a second port to the second interior chamber. The plurality of heat exchange pipes each have a first end attached to the distributor and a second end attached to the collector, extend along a central axis, and define a fluid passageway between the first and second interior chambers. The return pipe is fluidically connected to the second interior chamber and includes a section extending through the distributor that is transverse to the central axis.
1 . A groundwater heat exchanger comprising:
a distributor including a first interior chamber and a first port to the first interior chamber;
a collector including a second interior chamber and a second port to the second interior chamber;
a plurality of heat exchange pipes, each heat exchange pipe having a first end attached to the distributor and a second end attached to the collector, extending along a central axis, and defining a fluid passageway between the first and second interior chambers; and
a return pipe fluidically connected to the second interior chamber and including a section extending through the distributor that is transverse to the central axis.
2 . The groundwater heat exchanger according to claim 1 , wherein the return pipe extends from a top plate of the collector to a bottom plate of the distributor.
3 . The groundwater heat exchanger according to claim 2 , wherein the return pipe extends through a substantially central location of the top plate of the distributor.
4 . The groundwater heat exchanger according to claim 2 , wherein the section of the return pipe extends from a substantially central location of the bottom plate of the distributor to an opening in a top plate of the distributor.
5 . The groundwater heat exchanger according to claim 4 , wherein the opening in the top plate of the distributor is offset from a center of the top plate.
6 . The groundwater heat exchanger according to claim 5 , wherein the first port is formed in the top plate of the distributor at a location that is offset from the center of the top plate.
7 . The groundwater heat exchanger according to claim 5 , wherein the section of the return pipe comprises a double bend.
8 . The groundwater heat exchanger according to claim 5 , wherein the plurality of heat exchange pipes extend from the bottom plate of the distributor to the top plate of the collector.
9 . The groundwater heat exchanger according to claim 1 , comprising a housing defining a third interior chamber, wherein the plurality of heat exchange pipes extend through the third interior chamber.
10 . The groundwater heat exchanger according to claim 9 , wherein the collector is contained in the third interior chamber.
11 . The groundwater heat exchanger according to claim 10 , comprising a pump configured to drive a groundwater flow through the third interior chamber of the housing and along the plurality of heat exchange pipes.
12 . The groundwater heat exchanger according to claim 11 , wherein:
the housing includes a lower section containing the collector;
the housing includes an upper section surrounding the plurality of heat exchange pipes; and
the upper section has a diameter that is less than a diameter of the lower section.
13 . The groundwater heat exchanger according to claim 12 , wherein the pump is configured to drive the groundwater flow into the lower section of the housing.
14 . The groundwater heat exchanger according to claim 13 , wherein the distributor is located outside the third interior chamber of the housing.
15 . A groundwater heat exchanger comprising:
a housing defining a first interior chamber;
a distributor including a second interior chamber and a port to the second interior chamber;
a collector contained within the first interior chamber and including a third interior chamber and a port to the third interior chamber;
a plurality of heat exchange pipes extending through the first interior chamber, each heat exchange pipe having a first end attached to the distributor and a second end attached to the collector, extending along a central axis, and defining a fluid passageway between the second and third interior chambers;
a return pipe fluidically connected to the third interior chamber and extending along the central axis to the distributor; and
a pump configured to drive a groundwater flow through the first interior chamber of the housing and along the plurality of heat exchange pipes,
wherein:
the housing includes a lower section containing the collector;
the housing includes an upper section surrounding the plurality of heat exchange pipes; and
the upper section has a diameter that is less than a diameter of the lower section.
16 . The groundwater heat exchanger according to claim 15 , wherein the return pipe extends from a top plate of the collector to a bottom plate of the distributor and includes a section extending through the distributor that is transverse to the central axis.
17 . The groundwater heat exchanger according to claim 16 , wherein the section of the return pipe extends from a substantially central location of the bottom plate of the distributor to an opening in a top plate of the distributor.
18 . The groundwater heat exchanger according to claim 17 , wherein:
the opening in the top plate of the distributor is offset from a center of the top plate; and
the port to the second interior chamber is formed in the top plate of the distributor at a location that is offset from the center of the top plate.
19 . The groundwater heat exchanger according to claim 18 , wherein the section of the return pipe comprises a double bend.
20 . The groundwater heat exchanger according to claim 19 , wherein the plurality of heat exchange pipes extend from the bottom plate of the distributor to the top plate of the collector.