New criterion number correlation and similarity theory application on the seepage and heat transfer of a beach well intake system of seawater source heat pump

The seawater intake system is an important part of the seawater source heat pump (SWHP) system, in which the temperature, quantity, and quality of inlet seawater are controlled. Accordingly, it is significant importance to study the seepage and heat transfer mechanisms in a beach well intake system. At present, the field experimental data from a specific engineering of the beach well intake system have strong personality characteristics. However, laboratory experimental results cannot be directly applied to practical engineering. Aiming at resolving this problem, an experimental platform was built based on the similarity theory, and a research method of similarity theory application on the seepage and heat transfer in a beach well intake system was proposed and verified by numerical calculation. The established models were analyzed by similarity theory, two new criterion numbers were found: the well flow criterion number D and the well position criterion number R. The performed analyses show that the excess temperature Theta has an exponential relationship with the Fourier number Fo, the flow criterion number D, and the position criterion number R, and the influence coefficients are 118.53, 1.69, and 1.77, respectively. A new correlation of the similarity criterion numbers was developed to quickly predict the pumping water temperature in engineering applications. The established similarity theory can guide the test well engineering and reduce the work load and engineering cost. This article provides a new perspective on simulating test the seepage and heat transfer in the beach well intake system.