Analysis of thermal compressor efficiency in case of geothermal energy sources

Abstract

Absorption chillers, having thermal compressors, need a heat source at high temperature to obtain cold energy. Because thermal comfort needs are continuously growing, thermal wells placed near cities with high cooling needs might be exploited efficiently all over the year, and the payback time of these systems might be reduced. To investigate the possibility of geothermal energy utilisation for cooling, the parameters of geothermal wells were analysed in the North Great Plain region. From available geothermal wells database, some wells were chosen in order to see which the possibilities are to raise the calculated efficiency value. Based on the repartition of the temperature gradient in Hungarian territory, a diagram was developed in which the efficiency of thermal compressors variation versus well depth is presented. It was stated that deepening the analysed wells with 600–700 m, the efficiency of thermal compressor will be two to three times higher than the original value.