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A. Oberhauser, D. Adam:
"Erdwärmenutzung im Eisenbahntunnelbau - Simulation und Wirtschaftlichkeitsberechnung";
Vortrag: FEMLAB Konferenz 2005, Frankfurt a. M., Deutschland; 02.11.2005 - 04.11.2005; in: "FEMLAB Konferenz 2005 - Neue Wege der Multiphysik Simulation", (2005), ISBN: 3-00-017211-4; S. 209 - 215.

The usage of geothermal heat by the means of railway infrastructure is a relatively new method to tap renewable energy sources. Railway infrastructure e.g. tunnels consist of a large concrete surface, which is in direct contact to the surrounding soil or rock material. By implementing absorber elements into the concrete, thermal energy can be extracted from or conducted into the surrounding medium. The thermal energy can be used for the heating of nearby buildings or factories. In summertime it is possible to cool these buildings with the same system. Surface heat is transferred to the ground and the building is air-conditioned.
A research project at the Department of Railway Engineering, Transport Economics and Ropeways at Vienna University of Technology in cooperation with the Department of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Enginering and the Atlas Copco MAI Ltd. deals with the development of structural elements for tunnelling, which can also be used as heat absorbers. Therefore, numerical calculations were necessary, in order to examine the proper geometry for an optimal performance of the system. The transferred energy was simulated in 2D as well as in 3D by the means of FEMLAB. This happened by multiphysics coupling of the fluid flow calculation of the absorber medium with the heat transfer by convection and conduction.
Furthermore a FEMLAB- subsytem was included into a Simulink model. The connection of both programs allowes the simulation of the whole plant during the year and to monitor the energy performance. The calculation of cost reduction by the usage of geothermal heat is an important contribution to a "geothermal design tool" for plant development. By considering the specific boundary conditions for every customer, the optimal layout for the system can be designed. Therefore it is possible to calculate amortization periods for the plant and to find an optimal solution for both operator and customer of geothermal heat.

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