Groundwater and mine water heat pump systems are a valuable tool in decarbonising the building sector. However, mineral or biofilm formation within these systems commonly causes blockages of pipework, heat exchangers and wells, which result in reduced efficiency and/or failure and are a known barrier to uptake. These phenomena are poorly understood but are known to be controlled by a range of variables such as groundwater composition, temperature, oxygenation and surface effects.
This 26-month project will determine the nature of, and resolve, how problematic solid phases form in groundwater and mine water heat pump systems. We will determine how they relate to groundwater chemistry and whether these phenomena are linked to particular sets of conditions or water ‘types’. We will produce a user-oriented tool to enable practitioners to assess the water quality risks for any proposed groundwater-sourced heat pump installation within the UK and recommend solutions to avoid mineral or biofilm fouling.
Dr Matt Bailey