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U.S. Department of Energy
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Calculations of maximum allowable heat losses for various shallow-trench heat-distribution systems

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5685966
The calculation of heat losses for shallow-trench underground heat-distribution systems was performed using a finite=element computer program. The finite-element analysis solved a two-dimensional steady-state heat-transfer problem for two insulated pipes in a rectangular trench with surrounding soil. A life-cycle-cost analysis was performed to determine the cost of construction and annual energy cost associated with pipe heat loss for underground concrete trench systems of different trench dimensions and insulated-pipe sizes.
Research Organization:
National Bureau of Standards, Washington, DC (USA). Building Environment Div.
OSTI ID:
5685966
Report Number(s):
PB-88-153721/XAB; NBSIR-87/3617
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English