The Analysis of Space Heating Index on Low Enthalpy Geothermal Heating System

Abstract

Geothermal heating systems started to develop around the northern part of China since 1970. Since then the geothermal sources for heating have revealed further potential to extend heating areas at basic heat supply. Test of geothermal (3 geothermal heating plants) and boiler heating plants have been carried out over a long period of time. It was deduced from the operating and monitoring tests that variations in percentage of the space heating index between geothermal and conventional heating systems do exist and that the index may be a factor of 30% if geothermal energy is used. As a particular, testing parameters of temperatures, wellhead pressure, return and supply water temperature and flow rate have been employed to calculate the index. The results also point out that related parameters may have a strong effect upon the index.