| Project Title: Characterization and Analysis of Geo-column Heat Transfer |
Project Description:
Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHPs) are a clean and sustainable alternative to conventional building heating and cooling systems. However, their adoption in the building sector has been hindered by the logistical challenges and high capital cost of drilling underground borehole heat exchangers. ‘Geo-columns’ are a new type of prefabricated geothermal heat exchanger with the potential to improve GSHP efficiency and lower installation costs. Their design is similar to helical steel piles – steel cylinders that are screwed into the ground for foundation anchoring – except the outer casing of geo-piles is made of a strong durable plastic rather than steel. Geo-piles get screwed into the ground, piped with inner tubing to control water flow, pressurized, and sealed. The proposed undergraduate research project will investigate the potential for geo-columns to be used as part of a GSHP, and characterize their potential functionality. Pile based heat exchangers differ greatly from conventional boreholes in that they have approximately three times the diameter, and are drilled to approximately one-third the depth. As such, fluid flow and heat transfer properties vary considerably. For example, they employ laminar flow and achieve heat transfer efficacy through long fluid residence times rather than turbulent heat transfer. The proposed undergraduate research project will seek to experimentally characterize the pile GSHP system to better understand its functionality in different operating scenarios. This project builds on collaborative research conducted between the Dworkin group and Innovia Geo Inc., over the last six years, which has included detailed modelling, experimentation, and a demonstration site with helical steel piles. A new demonstration project is currently beginning with the collaborative team, whereby a geo-pile GSHP is being installed at a test site in the Greater Toronto Area. By the start of the undergraduate research project, the student will be able to monitor and control the demonstration equipment remotely, conduct experiments, and collect and analyze operational data. The student will conduct a literature review of GSHPs, pile technology, and relevant research done to date. They will be trained on remote monitoring and experimental techniques by the supervisor and a postdoctoral fellow. They will perform the studies under the supervision of the professor, in collaboration with the industry partner. Together with other members of the research team, they will analyze the data and prepare a conference or journal manuscript. |
RA Position Duties and Resposibilities
(Include Interaction with Research Team Members, Supervisory Arrangements):
The RA responsibilities are as follow: 1. The student will begin the project with a literature review on the general aspects of the geothermal heating and cooling industry, as well as geo-piles. The student will review typical designs and technical aspects. 2. The student will then work with Anthony Di Liddo, a current MASc. student, Dr. Amin Ahmadfard, a postdoctoral fellow, and the industry partner to become familiar with the installed pile system, and its operation and testing procedures. 3. Working directly with myself, Prof. Dworkin, the student will acquire and analyze the data taken from the new experimental setup to characterize the system and develop strategies to optimize its functionality. 4. The final stages of the project will conclude with the student presenting their results to our company partner, and possibly assisting in preparing a technical report for them. The student will collaborate with myself, Prof. Dworkin, and Dr. Ahmadfard, on the writing of a journal article, containing their results. |
| How Many Students Are Currently Under Your Supervision: Undergraduate:
1
Masters: 1
Doctoral: 2
|
| Animals Will Be Used In Research:
No
|
| Human Subjects Involved:
No
|
| Hazardous Materials, Equipment, or Processes Will Be Involved
in the Research:
No
|
Research Experience and Opportunites Offered RA:
The student will gain experience using engineering software tools with greater depth than they otherwise would during their bachelor’s studies. The student will gain experience in engineering experimentation, system control, generating and analyzing data, and networking with industry professionals at Innovia. The project presents an opportunity to increase the student’s understanding in the fields of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and environmental engineering, reinforcing and further applying undergraduate education content. Throughout the project the student will work in a team including three graduate students and two postdoctoral fellows. Toward the end of the project, the student will develop skills in technical writing by contributing to a conference paper and/or journal manuscript. In addition to the networking opportunities that conference attendance provides, the student will be given the opportunity to obtain public speaking and presentation experience. These experiences will enhance the student’s potential to attend graduate school as the additional skills will be directly related to research dissemination. I manage a strong, collaborative research environment, meeting with each of my students multiple times per week, and problem solving with them on a regular basis. I encourage collaboration among my trainees, with myself, and with industry partners. I will be available to the student throughout the project, and will take an active role and interest in the work. The enhanced mentorship that I will offer the student will provide a training experience that will help prepare them for graduate research. Or, depending on which path the student chooses, the networking experience with Innovia staff will also help them to develop post-graduate employment contacts. |
Specific Skills / Knowledge / Experience Required
(Include Any Required Courses, Computer Programs, etc.):
The ideal candidate will have completed their third year, and will have strong interest- and excellent performance in courses in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer. Candidates with a cGPA of 3.67 or higher will be given priority. Members of one or more equity seeking groups, including (but not limited to) those who identify as women, racialized, Indigenous, LGBTQ2S++, and persons with disabilities, are strongly encouraged to apply. The Dworkin Group is strongly committed to upholding the values of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). Consistent with the Tri-Agency Statement on EDI, and the Dimensions Program at TMU, the Dworkin group fosters an environment in which all will feel comfortable, safe, supported, and free to speak their minds and pursue their research interests. The Dworkin group recognizes that engineering culture can feel exclusionary to traditionally underrepresented groups in STEM fields (those who identify as women, racialized, LGBTQ2S++, Indigenous, and/or people with disabilities). By acknowledging the EDI issues that exist in our field, we aim to validate the challenges faced by each group member, and continually strive to improve our group’s culture for all members. |