A team from the Chair of Technical Thermodynamics at the Freiberg University of Mining and Technology and the company DBI Gas- und Umwelttechnik GmbH are currently investigating how mine water from the former Lugau-Oelsnitz coalfield in northwestern Saxony can be used to supply heat. The idea is to heat the mine water with heat pumps and use it to supply heating and cooling to municipalities.
Professor Tobias Fieback explains the principle as follows: "A heat pump works in a similar way to a domestic refrigerator, only according to the reverse principle. Heat is absorbed from the mine water, and the supply of electrical energy then compresses a refrigerant and brings it to a higher pressure and temperature level. After the heat is subsequently dissipated to the building, the refrigerant is expanded again and heat can once more be absorbed from the environment."
The mine water is formed anew every hour and can be returned to the mine after thermal use, so that even higher amounts of energy are generated. Various measurements and tests are currently being carried out in the "MareEn" research project and the heat requirements for various properties with different types of use are being calculated.
Source and further information: tu-freiberg.de
© Fotolia
