Termiske energilagre og varmevekslerarrangementer dertil

摘要

The present invention relates to a thermal energy store (or 'earth energy bank') being a seasonal heat store that accumulates and retains heat energy during summer so that it is available for space heating during colder months of the year. The thermal energy store includes an array of boreholes (26) in a thermal ground mass (22), e.g. soil or earth. A heat exchange assembly includes an array of borehole units (2) arranged in a pre-determined pattern and received in the boreholes (26) so as to be in heat exchange with the thermal ground mass (22). Each borehole unit (2) includes an open-loop heat transfer pipe defined by a supply (4a) and a return (4b) and extending substantially perpendicular to a plane of the heat exchange assembly. The borehole units (2) are connected together by connecting pipes (10) to define an open-loop fluid circuit including each open-loop heat transfer pipe and extending between an inlet and outlet of the heat exchange assembly. The borehole units (2) are arranged on a substantially rigid support structure (e.g. a jig) in a pre-determined pattern prior to installation of the heat exchange assembly.