Thermal Response Testing

To assist the design and installation of sustainable Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) solutions it is universally regarded as necessary to perform Thermal Response Tests (TRT's) as part of the initial Site Investigation activities. To this end we have added a unique and bespoke TRT facility, built in-house, to our extensive range of services.

Initially, the design of a borehole field for a given Ground Source Heat Pump system, relies on published Geotechnical data. This data provides approximate information relating to how the Ground Source Heat Pump system would be expected to perform given the local ground conditions. This approach accommodates its inaccuracies by either unnecessarily increasing the number of boreholes, the most expensive cost element per kW for a closed loop GSHP system, or worse still underestimating the true requirement, resulting in an unsustainable solution. Thermal response tests significantly reduce the potential for this inaccuracy, allowing us to design a truly bespoke GSHP solution for any given project and site.

The test borehole would typically be of a similar design and construction to that of the proposed final solution, allowing it to be included as a functional part of the final scheme, reducing unnecessary expenditure for the client. A water / glycol mix is passed through the test borehole loop, and round an external circuit containing instrumentation, heaters, and a pump. The instrumentation allows data to be recorded throughout the duration of the test, providing both general monitoring to ensure the test is being executed consistently, and recording the flow and return temperatures. It is these temperature profiles that allow the calculation of the necessary parameters which enable our designers to create accurate and bespoke renewable solutions.  Frequently, the results of a TRT allow designers to reduce or refine the borehole field, resulting in a value engineered solution that a client can be confident will provide sustainable renewable heating and cooling.

             inside the thermal response test rig     computer systems in the thermal response test rig

The comprehensive instrumentation in the rig also allows us to compensate for any variation in ambient temperatures and flow rates, as well as account for energy dissipated into the flow via the pump. 

The bulk energy delivered by the system is regulated with particular accuracy via a closed loop Ground Source Heat Pump system controlled by the rigs computer systems. All these features combine to enable a very stable data set to be collected, ensuring highly accurate results. 

Our Thermal Response Testing rig itself consists of a vandal resistant, off-road towable unit, which has the ability to be lowered and raised using the in-built compressor. This minimises delays due to mobilising and demobilising, and when on site presents a safe, secure and totally enclosed solution with no exposed pipes or cables.

             The outside of the thermal response testing rig     Another view of the outside of the thermal response testing rig     Towing view of the outside of the thermal response testing rig

In addition to the safety and mobility efficiencies of our Thermal Response Testing rig it is also totally self-sufficient, having its own water supply and super silenced power generator. All functions within the rig are remotely operable via a 3G mobile broadband connection, allowing remote start-up, shutdown, data analysis, and monitoring via the Web through a dedicated client section within the this website, further enhancing the efficiency and speed of analysis. The processing of the data, and the subsequent calculation of results is completed in house, giving us full control of delivering accurate data efficiently and clearly.

For further information, see Why do I Need a TRT? or Order a TRT Rig Today, or call us on 01606 786746 to discuss your requirements.