A simple computer program to model three-dimensional underground heat flow with realistic boundary conditions
A FORTRAN computer program called GROCS (Ground Coupled Systems) has been developed to study three-dimensional underground heat flow. Features include the use of up to 30 finite elements or ''blocks'' of earth which interact via finite difference heat flow equations and a subprogram which sets realistic time and depth-dependent boundary conditions. No explicit consideration of moisture movement or freezing is given. GROCS has been used to model the thermal behavior of buried solar heat storage tanks (with and without insulation) and serpentine pipe fields for solar heat pump space conditioning systems. The program is available independently or in a form compatible with specially written TRNSY-S component TYPE subroutines. This paper first describes the approach taken in the design of GROCS, the mathematics contained and the program architecture. Then, the operation of the stand-alone version is explained. Finally, the validity of GROCS is discussed. A companion paper serves as a user's guide to the TRNSY-S compatible subroutine version.
- Research Organization:
- Solar and Renewables Division, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973
- OSTI ID:
- 5868533
- Journal Information:
- J. Sol. Energy Eng.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Sol. Energy Eng.; (United States) Vol. 105:1; ISSN JSEED
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Simple computer program to model 3-dimensional underground heat flow with realistic boundary conditions
Simple computer program to model 3-dimensional underground heat flow with realistic boundary conditions
Related Subjects
142000* -- Solar Energy-- Heat Storage-- (1980-)
AIR CONDITIONERS
BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
COMPUTER CALCULATIONS
COMPUTER CODES
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
CONTAINERS
DEPTH
DIMENSIONS
ENERGY STORAGE
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
FORTRAN
G CODES
GEOTHERMAL GRADIENTS
GROUND WATER
HEAT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
HEAT FLOW
HEAT PUMPS
HEAT STORAGE
HEATING
HEATING SYSTEMS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PIPES
PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
SIMULATION
SOLAR AIR CONDITIONERS
SOLAR COOLING SYSTEMS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR HEATING
SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS
SOLAR SPACE HEATING
SOLAR-ASSISTED HEAT PUMPS
SPACE HEATING
STORAGE
T CODES
TANKS
TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS
THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE EQUIPMENT
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
UNDERGROUND STORAGE
WATER