Geothermal energy system

Abstract

A heat exchanger 10 is for use in a geothermal energy system for a building 12, for heating and/or cooling. The exchanger 10 has a flask member 14 which defines a chamber 16 for heat exchange fluid. A supply conduit 22 supplies heat exchange fluid to a first port of the chamber 16, from ground level. An exhaust conduit 26 removes heat exchange fluid from a second port 28. The flow direction can be reversed. A pipe 30 extends from the inlet port 24 to an intermediate position 32, generally at the bottom of the chamber, whereas the outlet port 28 is generally at the top of the chamber. Accordingly, fluid entering the chamber must pass down to the bottom of the chamber, before leaving the pipe 30 and then flowing back up the chamber to the outlet port 28.

1 . A heat exchanger component for a geothermal system, comprising:
 a flask member having a chamber for receiving heat exchange fluid, the chamber, in use, being situated, at least in part, below ground level, and in thermal contact with the surrounding ground;   the chamber having respective ports for receiving heat exchange fluid supplied from ground level and for returning heat exchange fluid to ground level;   and there being conveying means within the chamber and serving, in use, to convey fluid between a first of the ports and an intermediate position within the chamber, the intermediate position being located generally opposite the other of the ports, within the chamber.   
   
   
       2 . A heat exchanger component according to  claim 1 , wherein the chamber is elongate. 
   
   
       3 . A heat exchanger component according to  claim 2 , wherein the other of the ports and the intermediate position are located at respective end regions of the chamber. 
   
   
       4 . A heat exchanger component according to  claim 3 , wherein the other of the ports is the outlet port. 
   
   
       5 . A heat exchanger component according to  claim 2 , wherein the length of the chamber is generally upright. 
   
   
       6 . A heat exchanger component according to  claim 5 , wherein the outlet port is generally at the upper end of the chamber. 
   
   
       7 . A heat exchanger component according to  claim 6 , wherein the inlet port is generally at the upper end of the chamber. 
   
   
       8 . A heat exchanger component according to  claim 7 , wherein the conveying means is a pipe extending from the first port to the intermediate position. 
   
   
       9 . A heat exchanger component according to  claim 8 , wherein the chamber is provided by a pipe. 
   
   
       10 . A heat exchanger component according to  claim 9 , wherein the conveying means is a pipe extending within and along the chamber pipe. 
   
   
       11 . A heat exchanger component according to  claim 10 , wherein the pipes are generally parallel. 
   
   
       12 . A heat exchanger component according to  claim 11 , wherein the pipes are concentric. 
   
   
       13 . A heat exchanger component according to  claim 12 , wherein the conveying means provides thermal insulation between fluid moving between the first port and the intermediate position, and fluid within the chamber. 
   
   
       14 . A heat exchanger component according to  claim 13 , wherein the flask member constitutes a pile or pile component, pier or pier component. 
   
   
       15 . A heat exchanger component according to  claim 14 , wherein the flask member extends along substantially the whole length of the pile. 
   
   
       16 . A heat exchanger component according to  claim 14 , wherein the inlet and outlet ports are at or near ground level, when the pile is installed. 
   
   
       17 . A heat exchanger component according to  claim 14 , wherein the flask member forms a load-bearing component of the pile. 
   
   
       18 . A heat exchanger component according to any of  claim 14 , wherein the flask member provides reinforcement within a body of material around the flask member. 
   
   
       19 . A heat exchanger component according to  claim 18 , wherein the body is a body of settable material. 
   
   
       20 . A heat exchanger component according to  claim 19 , wherein the settable material is cementitious material, grout, or the like. 
   
   
       21 . A heat exchanger component according to  claim 17 , wherein the chamber walls are tubular to provide load bearing and/or reinforcement as aforesaid. 
   
   
       22 . (canceled) 
   
   
       23 . A heat exchange system for a building, comprising a heat exchange component as defined in  claim 1 , the chamber being connected in a heat exchange circuit for temperature control of the building. 
   
   
       24 . A building having a heat exchange system as defined in  claim 23 . 
   
   
       25 . A method of providing a heat exchange system for a building, comprising:
 forming a bore in the ground;   inserting a heat exchange component of the type defined in  claim 1 , into the bore;   using the inlet and outlet ports to connect the heat exchanger into a heat exchange circuit for use in temperature control of the building.   
   
   
       26 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein the heat exchange member is inserted into the bore as part of the construction of a pile within the bore. 
   
   
       27 . (canceled) 
   
   
       28 . (canceled)