NASA Building 7141: Geothermal Ground Source Heat Pump

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NASA PLUM BROOK STATION

Geothermal Ground Pump Studies

Sandusky, Ohio

Building 7141: Geothermal Ground Source Heat Pump
This feasibility study was conducted to design and install a ground source heat pump (geothermal) system for the engineering building (7141) at NASA Plum Brook Station. The building was constructed in 1964 and was still operating on the original HVAC equipment.


We evaluated three options. Option 1 was a closed-loop system with boreholes. This required information from a test borehole which provided data on the ground conductivity and ultimate borehole depth and quantities. Option 2 was an open-loop system using on-site water pumped from Lake Erie. Option 3 investigated updating the exterior window systems and their effects on HVAC equipment sizes.

Our studies required an evaluation of the existing building envelope and current ASHRAE requirements for outside air ventilation.
Our recommendations concluded from these studies included HVAC equipment sizes, types, boreholes depth, quantity, and spacing. Further recommended support for these systems included anticipated electrical consumption for past and present energy comparisons between electric and gas. We also provided estimated construction costs per option.

Lou Terada