Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention allow designers of geothermal heat exchange systems to closely tailor their system designs to the cooling and/or heating demands of the buildings for which their systems are being designed. Systems and methods are discussed herein for gathering information empirically about a ground heat exchanger's performance in a particular physical environment, which facilitates more accurate and efficient design of geothermal heat exchange systems. Such information can be gathered empirically from a design module connected to a ground heat exchanger in a physical environment. The design module can circulate liquid through the ground heat exchanger and conduct a variety of tests to determine characteristics of the ground heat exchanger and the physical environment.

Abstract: A fluid flushing and pressurization apparatus for use with geothermal systems, capable of delivering a reversible high-velocity flow of fluid through a system of buried PE pipe without introducing an overpressure condition or water hammer. The apparatus can be utilized with methods for installing, preparing, flushing, filling, testing, and certifying geothermal heating and cooling systems. A portable pumping and testing apparatus can include a high-volume pump, a high-pressure pump, a flow meter, and pressure sensors in wired or wireless communication with a processor or logic controller such that continuous or periodic monitoring of the system can be recorded. The system can be programmed to operate automatically under computer control such that reversal of the flow through the geothermal system does not shock or damage the equipment or buried piping.