separatus services
Our services
The planning of the separatus geothermal system is generally carried out in accordance with the planning instructions from the applicable standards SIA-384/6 or VDI-4640. Use our expertise for a thermal simulation of the separatus system, especially for more complex projects - either through us or with our assistance.
- Simulation in GHEtool
- We thermally design the separatus system with essential information.
Learn more- Instructions for separatus in EED
- We provide a guide to help you simulate separatus in EED.
Learn more- Instructions for separatus in EED
- planning documents
- We provide technical data sheets so that you can keep track of all the details.
Learn more- separatus BHE simulation
- On request, we can dimension a system for you using a simulation.
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How separatus can reduce investment costs for geothermal energy by 30%:
Slim probe
Narrower probes cost less money.
For example, a drilling diameter of 110 mm instead of 152 saves:
52% less drilling mud
48% less injection material
The separatus probe is narrower and lighter:
Save 48% on installation weight
34% less heat transfer fluid
Small, efficient devices
A smaller drilling diameter requires less power. Approximately 60% of compressor power can be saved. Engine power and retraction forces can also be designed to be smaller. Smaller devices are cheaper to purchase and maintain and require up to 55% less diesel.
performance gain
Due to the material savings and the small, handy equipment, the handling effort can be significantly reduced:
Transport, assembly and dismantling of drilling equipment, repositioning when drilling multiple holes, probe and reel can be moved by hand instead of with a crane, easy installation of the probe.
separatus in GHEtool
separatus Simulation in GHEtool
We simulate the separatus geothermal probe system in GHEtool for you or offer you training so that you can calculate it yourself. This way you can ensure that the boreholes are laid out precisely.
separated in GEOWATTCORE
Separate Simulation in GEOWATTCORE
The separatus geothermal probe system can be selected as the probe type in GEOWATTCORE and thus easily simulated. The influence of neighboring probes or any regeneration can therefore be easily estimated, and separatus can be optimally dimensioned.
separatus in EED
separatus Simulation in Earth Energy Designer - EED
We provide instructions and the necessary input files to help you simulate separatus in EED.
separatus BHE simulation
Dimensioning separatus geothermal probe system
To assess the feasibility of a separatus geothermal probe system, we use suitable simulation applications and our experience. You only need to enter a few parameters, and we will dimension the system for you.
Simply fill out the form and we will contact you.
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Learn more about the experts who provide our services.
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What do scientists and experts say? Are there exams and tests?
Research & Development
Thanks to the large energy reference area of 360° around the pipe, separatus is an ideal heat exchanger for heat and coolness from the ground. In contrast to conventional systems, there is no "dead zone" in the geothermal probe.
- simulations
- The Institute for Energy Technology (IET) at the University of Applied Sciences in Rapperswil (OST) investigated the internal heat transfer using FEM simulation.
- test facilities
- separatus has been subjected to multiple practical tests using real heating and cooling systems. The findings are now incorporated into the professional planning process.
Graphic: Power consumption and temperature development of the “Pernter” test facility
The test systems are functioning very well, as expected. separatus demonstrates stable performance, even under full load. The thermal borehole resistance is roughly between that of a single-U and a double-U probe, but can even exceed the performance of a double-U probe, depending on factors such as flow rate and borehole geometry.
When heating, the heat pump benefits from the high source temperature by raising it to a higher, more comfortable temperature level for the living environment. The smaller the temperature difference, the higher the efficiency and the lower the operating costs. In so-called "passive cooling," the good heat transfer contributes to the achievable temperature reduction in living, sleeping, and working spaces.
How well does separatus work compared to previous geothermal systems?
performance comparison
The performance of geothermal probes is compared based on their "thermal borehole resistance" – the lower the value, the better. This is determined by several factors, including borehole geometry, backfill material and condition, pipe construction, brine medium, flow rate, and temperature. Since all of these factors vary, the borehole resistance is never constant, but changes depending on the borehole, season, and operating conditions. We present three comparisons as examples.
Comparison diagram of borehole resistance and probe length
Rb … Thermal borehole resistance
Ø … borehole diameter
λ … thermal conductivity backfill
The separatus geothermal probe runs turbulently even at low flow rates and thus delivers its maximum performance.
If desired: Save drilling meters
Conventional double U-tube probes (DU 32) are often operated in practice with a flow rate below 1.4 m³/h, meaning they operate with laminar flow (source: VDI 4640/2, p. 39). This results in increased borehole resistance and therefore lower performance.
However, if the borehole diameter and backfill are designed with the separatus concept to be as slim and conductive as possible, higher performance can be achieved than with conventional geothermal probes. Calculations (thermal simulation) can theoretically demonstrate that fewer drilling meters are sufficient.
Comparison diagram of borehole resistance and probe length
Rb … Thermal borehole resistance
Ø … borehole diameter
λ … thermal conductivity backfill
The pragmatic separatus approach: The usual design tables (e.g. VDI 4640) can be used to design small to medium-sized systems.
Simple case: same performance
The separatus geothermal probe exhibits turbulent flow even at low flow rates, thus delivering maximum performance. Even in cases where a conventional double-U probe (DU 32) is considered turbulent, in practice, hardly any relevant performance differences can be observed between the probe types in this scenario.
The separatus recommendation: Choose the smallest possible drill diameter and use thermally enhanced backfill instead of standard backfill. This compensates for any higher resistance due to a comparatively smaller heat transfer surface or slightly higher internal heat coupling. What keeps the probe efficient is even beneficial for drilling costs: The improved backfill material is still cheaper due to the small amount of backfill required. The small diameter allows for the use of compact, fuel-efficient equipment, slim drill rods and hammers, less glycol filling, and so on...
Comparison diagram of borehole resistance and probe length
Rb … Thermal borehole resistance
Ø … borehole diameter
λ … thermal conductivity backfill
Even in a disadvantaged scenario, the differences are limited, but separatus always remains the cheaper solution.
Worst case: Slight difference in efficiency
The worst possible performance comparison for separatus would be if the splitpipe probe was installed in an unnecessarily oversized borehole and compared with an expensively tuned double-U probe (DU 32).
What would actually happen in the ground in such a "worst-case scenario" if the same length of borehole were drilled for separatus? Due to identical energy extraction by the heat pump, the ground temperature would remain at the same level. Due to the higher thermal resistance, only the brine temperature would drop by a few tenths of a degree Celsius. The system's efficiency would be slightly reduced by a few percent, but without disruption.
A loss in efficiency could be compensated for by a slightly longer bore. But even with the added length, separatus remains the more cost-effective solution – a 10% increase in drilling depth is more than offset by approximately 50% lower drilling costs, 50% fewer welds, and 34% lower filling costs.
Contact
Let’s connect
Do you have any questions about our system, our partners or future developments? Then please contact us at any time - we are happy to help you!
Bahnhofplatz 12, 9430 St. Margrethen CH
- +41 71 55 22 350
- office@separatus.ch
Contact
Let’s connect
Do you have any questions about our system, our partners or future developments? Then please contact us at any time - we are happy to help you!
Espenstrasse 137, 9443 Widnau CH
- +41 71 55 22 350
- office@separatus.ch