Introduction of a Thermal Response Test (TRT) Apparatus Used for Measuring Underground Heat Exchanger Characteristics

A thermal response test (TRT) apparatus is introduced in this paper for determination of the performance of underground heat exchanger in ground-source heat pump system. The inlet and outlet temperatures of the underground heat exchanger can be real-time tested to obtain the heat transfer data. The apparatus was used to test a underground heat exchanger for its inlet and outlet temperatures in Red Star farm, Beian City, Heilongjiang province, China. The inlet and outlet temperatures varied in the ranges of 10.62~13.57°C and 9.01~11.88°C within 24 hours, respectively.