Natural Refrigerant, Enhanced Geothermal
Heating & Cooling Solutions
Lalit Chordia, PhD, Marc Portnoff
150 Gamma Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
www.thargeo.com
150 Gamma Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
www.thargeo.com
Thar Geothermal, LLC © 2014│ All Rights Reserved
The Challenge: The Built Environment
Buildings accounted for
41% of the primary energy consumption &
40% of the carbon emissions
in the USA in 2010 (2011 Buildings Energy Data Book, buildingsdatabook.eren.doe.gov).
The Opportunity:
To improve HVAC & R system performance
Heat
Pumps
R744
150 Gamma Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
www.thargeo.com
Thar Geothermal, LLC © 2014│ All Rights Reserved
Air Side Heat Pump
It takes less energy & $$
to transfer heat to the
Cool earth than the
Hot summer air
85 F-100 F
+
Geothermal Heat Pump
~55 F year
round
150 Gamma Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
www.thargeo.com
Thar Geothermal, LLC © 2014│ All Rights Reserved
Geothermal Ground Source Heat Pump System Components
Terminals: Means for space heating and cooling Ducts
Fan coils
Radiant floor
Radiant beam
Heat Pump Loop: Hot/cold refrigerant heats/cools the: Air
Water (i.e. hydronics) which then heats/cools the air
Domestic Hot Water (optional): uses heat pump capacity for
simultaneous heating and cooling to heat water when space cooling
Ground Heat Exchanger (Ground or Earth Loop): Transfers energy from hot/cold refrigerant into or out of the ground
150 Gamma Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
www.thargeo.com
Thar Geothermal, LLC © 2014│ All Rights Reserved
“Ground Source Heat Pumps reduce Greenhouse Gas by up to 40% over
convention HVAC systems.” US EPA DiEnna, J., Geothermal, The Energy Under Our Feet, International Ground Source Heat Pump Association, 26th Annual Conference, October 8-9, 2013, Las Vegas, NV
“The geothermal heat pump, also known as the ground source heat
pump, is a highly efficient renewable energy technology that is gaining
wide acceptance for both residential and commercial buildings.” US DOE DiEnna, J., Geothermal, The Energy Under Our Feet, International Ground Source Heat Pump Association, 26th Annual Conference, October 8-9, 2013, Las Vegas, NV
“Ground Source Geothermal is the most energy-efficient, environmentally
clean and cost effective space conditioning systems available today.” US EPA Space Conditioning: The Next Frontier. Office of Air and Radiation, 430-R-93-004, 4/93
Renewable Energy
Available 24/7/365
150 Gamma Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
www.thargeo.com
Thar Geothermal, LLC © 2014│ All Rights Reserved
Tangible Benefits
• Superior comfort in cooling and heating modes
• More energy efficient, saving fuel and lowering HVAC costs
• Reliable operation
• Safe & Clean
• Reduced local pollution
• Elimination of outdoor equipment
• For commercial systems: eliminates cooling tower fresh
water use
Ground Source Geothermal Heat Pump Systems
With all these benefits,
why is Geothermal limited to 1-2% of the HVAC market?
150 Gamma Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
www.thargeo.com
Thar Geothermal, LLC © 2014│ All Rights Reserved
1) High cost of ground heat exchanger (GHX)
installation; ~50-75% of total system
2) Degree of disruption associated with GHX
installation
3) Cost and difficulty of evaluating the suitability
of individual installation sites
How can Thar Geothermal solutions
confront these market barriers?
Market Barriers confronting Conventional Geo Systems
Hughes, P., Geothermal (Ground-Source) Heat Pumps: Market Status, Barriers to Adoption, and Actions
to Overcome Barriers, EERE Geothermal Technologies Program, U.S. Department of Energy, December
2008, ORNL/TM-2008/232
150 Gamma Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
www.thargeo.com
Thar Geothermal, LLC © 2014│ All Rights Reserved
Evaporator
Condenser
Expansion
Valve
Compressor
Geothermal
Well Field
R744
Refrigerant
Loop
CO2
WARMHOT
COLDCOOL
Cold AirHot Air
Successful Demonstrations 2012-2013 • Enhanced Energy Efficiency
• Reduced Environmental Footprint
What differentiates Thar Geothermal
from other commercial geothermal systems?
Commercial Scale,
Direct Exchange Design
Recycled Carbon Dioxide (co2)
R744 the Safe & Natural Refrigerant
150 Gamma Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
www.thargeo.com
Thar Geothermal, LLC © 2014│ All Rights Reserved
Comparison: Direct & Indirect Exchange Geothermal
COOLING MODE
Water Indirect Exchange
Evaporator
Condenser
Expansion
Valve
Compressor
Geothermal
Well Field
R744
Refrigerant
Loop
CO2
WARMHOT
COLDCOOL
Cold AirHot Air
Heat Flow
R744 Direct Exchange
DX - Simpler Design
with Fewer
Components Geothermal
GHX
Geothermal
Well Field
Warmer Water
Cooler
Water
Water
Pump
Water
Loop
Heat Flow
Expansion
Valve
Cold Air
Evaporator
Hot Air
Low Pres Liquid
Condenser
Compressor
R410a
Refrigerant
Loop
High Pres Liquid
Low
Pres
Vapor
High Pres Vapor
WARMHOT
COOL COLD
R410a to
Water HXGeothermal
GHX
150 Gamma Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
www.thargeo.com
Thar Geothermal, LLC © 2014│ All Rights Reserved
Thar All 744 DIRECT EXCHANGE
Ground Source Geothermal - COOLING MODE
Evaporator
Low Pres Liquid
Condenser
Expansion
Valve
Compressor
Geothermal
GHX
R744
Refrigerant
Loop
High Pres Liquid
Low Pres
Vapor High Pres Vapor
CO2
WARM HOT
COLD COOL
Cold Air Hot Air
Heat Flow
Pre
ssu
re (
psi
g)
Enthalpy (Btu/lbm)
Well Field
Evaporator HX
Pres
sure
(psig
)
Enthalpy (Btu/lbm)
Well Field
Evaporator HX
GHX
150 Gamma Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
www.thargeo.com
Thar Geothermal, LLC © 2014│ All Rights Reserved
Thar Geo R744 DIRECT EXCHANGE
Ground Source Geothermal – HEATING MODE
Evaporator
Low Pres Liquid
Condenser
Expansion
Valve
Compressor
Geothermal
GHX
R744
Refrigerant
Loop
High Pres Liquid
Low Pres
Vapor High Pres Vapor
CO2
WARM HOT
COLD COOL
Cold Air Hot Air
Heat Flow
Pre
ssu
re (
psi
g)
Enthalpy (Btu/lbm)
Condenser HX
Well Field
Pres
sure
(psi
g)
Enthalpy (Btu/lbm)
Condenser HX
Well FieldGHX
150 Gamma Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
www.thargeo.com
Thar Geothermal, LLC © 2014│ All Rights Reserved
How does R744 refrigerant expand opportunity?
• R744 is safe, low cost, and environmentally friendly enables
Direct Exchange Geothermal design at the commercial scale
• R744 enables the design of smaller diameter ground loops (Geo-loops)
Ground heat exchanger design flexibility
Horizontal, Radial, Vertical, Shallow Earth
Established Supply Chain
Integrated Hardware
150 Gamma Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
www.thargeo.com
Thar Geothermal, LLC © 2014│ All Rights Reserved
Smaller Boreholes Less earth removed
Less waste – lower disposal $
Less grout
Smaller equipment
Lower mobilization cost
R744 Smaller Geo-loops can reduce
Environmental Footprint & Cost
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
6.03.0
1.5
300 ft Well vol (ft3)Volume of 300 ft Borehole
Conventional
1.25” Pipe (1.66” O.D.)
HDPE
Thar Geothermal
Stainless
Steel
150 Gamma Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
www.thargeo.com
Thar Geothermal, LLC © 2014│ All Rights Reserved
Thar R744 Geothermal Facility, Pittsburgh, PA
Well Field Development
Vertical
Well Field
#1
Horizontal
Well Field
#1 Vertical
Well
Field #2
Well Field #3
Radiant Patio
Wells
Mud Rotary
Down Hole Hammer
Sonic
Horizontal Directional
Horizontal Directional
150 Gamma Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
www.thargeo.com
Thar Geothermal, LLC © 2014│ All Rights Reserved
Thar Geothermal systems are versatile and can
integrate with all types of standard HVAC systems
• Central or Distributed
• Air or Water Heat Exchangers
• Active Radiant (Chilled Beam)
• Passive Radiant
• Cassette
• Wall Mount
• Mini Air Handling Unit
• Variable Refrigerant Flow
150 Gamma Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
www.thargeo.com
Thar Geothermal, LLC © 2014│ All Rights Reserved
Thar R744 Geothermal Facility, Pittsburgh, PA
System Integration & Development
Radiant P
ati
o
Manufacturing &
Warehouse Space Cooling & Heating
Air Handling Units
Shipping & Receiving Cooling & Heating
Air Handling Units
Front Offices
Radiant Floor
CompressorPumps
Toll Process Space Cooling & Heating
Air Handling Units
Geothermal
Lab & Workshop
150 Gamma Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
www.thargeo.com
Thar Geothermal, LLC © 2014│ All Rights Reserved
R744 Radiant Floor Thermal Image Overlay
Office Café
150 Gamma Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
www.thargeo.com
Thar Geothermal, LLC © 2014│ All Rights Reserved
Café
Patio
March 6, 2013 Thermal Image
R744 Radiant Patio – Snow Melt
February 18, 2014
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
10.0
0 1,440 2,880 4,320
CO
P
2/16 2/17 2/18 2/19
CO
P
R744 Radiant Floor Heat Pump COP
150 Gamma Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
www.thargeo.com
Thar Geothermal, LLC © 2014│ All Rights Reserved
Thar Geothermal Development Facility
Air Handling
Units
• Validate R744 DX heat pump cycle
• Component Testing and Evaluation
Microchannel Heat Exchanger Designs
Electronic Expansion Valves
Oil Management Systems
Control Software/Hardwares
• Demonstration at commercial scale geothermal system (15-20 ton)
Air Side Heat Exchangers (heating and cooling)
Radiant Floor & Panels (heating and cooling)
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
100 200 300 400
Tem
p (d
eg
F)
AHU_2_TE1 AHU_2_TE2
150 Gamma Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
www.thargeo.com
Thar Geothermal, LLC © 2014│ All Rights Reserved
ECO2 Efficient
0.00
0.20
0.40
0.60
0.80
1.00
1.20
1.40
1.60
Gas&ACConv-GSHP
Thar DX-GSHP
En
erg
y C
os
t ($
/ft2
)
Gas H
eat
& A
/C
Co
nven
tio
nal G
rou
nd
So
urc
e H
eat
Pu
mp
Th
ar
Geo
therm
al
Dir
ect E
xch
an
ge
210,000 ft2 Facility Pittsburgh, PA
Enhanced Energy Efficiency
Lower Energy Costs
150 Gamma Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
www.thargeo.com
Thar Geothermal, LLC © 2014│ All Rights Reserved
tcsgroup.eu.com
Comfort Controls
Conventional HVAC
Delivery Systems
Temperature
Relative Humidity
Indoor Air Quality
R744
Above Ground
Mechanical Room
DX
Geothermal
GHX
Below Ground
Geology- Drilling- Geo-Loop Installation-Grouting
R744
The Approach
150 Gamma Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
www.thargeo.com
Thar Geothermal, LLC © 2014│ All Rights Reserved
• Thar Geothermal Solutions are the next generation in
Ground Source Heat Pump Systems providing Enhanced
Economic & Environmental Value
• Natural, Safe & Non-toxic R744 (recycled CO2) Refrigerant
Less expensive, Promotes ease of maintenance
• Direct Exchange Design More Efficient
• Improved Return on Investment Reduced Operating Costs
Reduced Maintenance Costs
Same or Lower Capital Costs
• Reduced Environmental Impact
Conclusions
CO2MFORT
ADVANTAGE
Nature’s