Geothermal heating manifolds
Overview - Our geothermal heating manifolds
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Description |
GN Manifold Standard |
GN Manifold with Wall Bracket |
SEB - System with Floor Penetration |
SEB - System with Wall Penetration |
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Number of Ground Loop Circuits | Min.: 2 ports | Min.: 2 ports | Min.: 2 ports | Min.: 2 ports | |
Diameter of Manifold Header (mm) | Ø 63 to 400 | Ø 63 to 400 | Ø 63 to 400 | Ø 63 to 400 | |
Diameter Connections (mm) |
Ground Loops | Ø 25 to 63 | Ø 25 to 63 | Ø 25 to 63 | Ø 25 to 63 |
Heat Pump | Ø 40 to 400 | Ø 40 to 400 | Ø 40 to 400 | Ø 40 to 400 | |
Manifold Series | Design: I, L, U, Special designs | Design: I, L, U, Special designs | Design: I, L, U, Special designs | Design: I, L, U, Special designs | |
Design | Plastic Flow Meters (l/min) |
2-12 | 8-28 | 5-42 | 35-70 | 2-12 | 8-28 | 5-42 | 35-70 | 2-12 | 8-28 | 5-42 | 35-70 | 2-12 | 8-28 | 5-42 | 35-70 |
Ball Valve (mm) | DN: 25 | 32 | 40 | 50 | DN: 25 | 32 | 40 | 50 | DN: 25 | 32 | 40 | 50 | DN: 25 | 32 | 40 | 50 | |
Additional Measuring Devices and Valves |
Pressure gauge, Thermometer, Air vent, Circuit balancing valves |
Pressure gauge, Thermometer, Air vent, Circuit balancing valves |
Pressure gauge, Thermometer, Air vent, Circuit balancing valves |
Pressure gauge, Thermometer, Air vent, Circuit balancing valves |
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Options | Main shutoff valve, Manifold mounting, Strainer |
Floor penetration plate, Main shutoff valve, Manifold mounting, Strainer |
Floor penetration plate, Main shutoff valve, Formwork plate, Frame system |
Wall penetration plate, Main shutoff valve, Formwork plate, Frame system or wall bracket |
Geothermal energy
Geothermal heating combines financial and ecological benefits when heating and cooling a building. Ensuring the components are of high quality is of utmost importance during the manufacture of geothermal manifolds. This guarantees a long service life and minimizes unnecessary maintenance work. The quality of the components is also characterized by the lowest possible pressure loss. The lower the pressure loss, the more sustainable and cost-saving a geothermal heating system can be operated.
Geothermal heating manifold systems
The geothermal heating manifold plays a particularly important role. Operating a geothermal heating system without the use of a manifold is unthinkable nowadays.
The manifold is where the flow rates of the ground loop fields are set. This ensures that the same amount of heat is extracted from all ground loops. The whole process is also known as “hydraulic balancing”. The added value for the customer is noticeable in the significantly lower power consumption of the heat pump.
Manifold systems ensure more durable geothermal systems
The special feature of the geothermal heating manifold is the high efficiency and safety
it offers. Airflow inside of a geothermal system reduces the efficiency considerably.
That is why the entire geothermal heating system can be vented directly at the manifold.
The geothermal manifold makes it possible to check all ground loops for leaks.
Hydraulic balancing is carried out at the geothermal manifold. This ensures that the same amount of heat is extracted from all ground loops and prevents the ground loop from freezing up.
In case of malfunction, each ground loop can be shut off individually and inspected with a camera.
FAQ
A geothermal heating manifold is a central component in geothermal heating systems that collects the brine fluid from the various geothermal ground loops and directs it to the heat pump. Its main function is the hydraulic balancing of the individual ground loop circuits, whereby the same amount of heat is extracted from all ground loops. This increases the efficiency of the entire system, prevents individual ground loops from freezing and significantly reduces the heat pump's power consumption.
GNV offers four main types of geothermal manifolds: the GN standard manifold, GN manifold with wall bracket, the SEB system with floor penetration and the SEB system with wall penetration. All systems are available with at least 2 connections and can be configured with different diameters of manifolds (Ø 63 to 400 mm) and connections (ground loops: Ø 25 to 63 mm, heat pump: Ø 40 to 400 mm).
Hydraulic balancing ensures that the brine fluid flows evenly through all geothermal ground loops. Without this balancing, some ground loops would be overloaded while others would be underutilized. This could lead to the freezing of overloaded ground loops which could reduce the efficiency of the entire system. A correctly adjusted geothermal heating manifold from GNV optimizes heat extraction, reduces the power consumption of the heat pump and extends the service life of the entire geothermal system.
The quality of a geothermal manifold directly influences the energy efficiency of the entire geothermal heating system. High-quality manifolds such as those from GNV are characterized by minimal pressure losses, which reduces the energy requirement of the circulation pump. In addition, precise flow meters and balancing valves enable exact hydraulic balancing. This results in optimum heat extraction from the ground and a higher COP (coefficient of performance) value for the heat pump, which significantly reduces the operating costs of the heating system.
GNV geothermal heating manifolds are available in various designs: I-shape, L-shape, U-shape and special shapes. The I-shape is suitable for narrow shafts or wall installations. L-shaped manifolds are ideal for corner installations in plant rooms. U-shaped manifolds are often used where space is limited. Special shapes can be adapted to specific spatial conditions. The choice of design depends on the spatial conditions of the plant room, the number of ground loop circuits and the individual requirements of the geothermal system.
Flow meters on the geothermal heating manifold indicate the volume flow of the brine fluid in each ground loop circuit and are essential for hydraulic balancing. GNV offers plastic flow meters in various measuring ranges: 2-12 l/min, 8-28 l/min, 5-42 l/min and 35-70 l/min. The choice of the right flow meter depends on the output of the heat pump and the number of ground loop circuits. With these precise measuring devices, specialist installers can optimally regulate the geothermal system and ensure maximum efficiency.
Depending on the building conditions, a geothermal heating manifold is integrated either with a wall bracket, in a geothermal manifold chamber, with a floor duct or with a wall duct. For new buildings, the installation is ideally planned during the construction phase, with the SEB system offering a clean solution with a floor duct or wall duct. In existing buildings, the GN standard distributor or the GN manifold with wall bracket can be installed retrospectively. It is important to connect the geothermal ground loops on the one hand and the heat pump on the other correctly to ensure the efficiency of the overall system.
When planning a geothermal system, the following aspects relating to the geothermal manifold should be taken into account: The number of ground loop circuits, the required diameter of the manifold based on the heat pump output, the spatial conditions for installation, the required flow meters according to the expected volume flows, as well as the additional components required such as pressure gauges, thermometers and venting devices. Professional planning of the manifold is crucial for the subsequent efficiency and ease of maintenance of the entire geothermal system.
GNV geothermal manifolds are designed for a service life of several decades, comparable to the service life of the geothermal ground loops themselves (40-50 years). Thanks to the use of high-quality materials and precise manufacturing techniques, maintenance requirements are minimal. A regular visual inspection for leaks, occasional checks of the flow rates and, if necessary, readjustment of the hydraulic balancing are recommended. The robust design and high-quality components ensure reliable, low-maintenance operation over the entire service life of the geothermal heating system.
Various additional components are available for GNV geothermal heating manifolds to increase functionality and safety: Pressure gauges for pressure control, thermometers for temperature monitoring, quick air vents for easy removal of air in the system, line regulating valves for hydraulic balancing, main shut-off valves, dirt traps to protect the heat pump, as well as various mounting systems such as wall brackets, floor penetration plates and formwork systems for wall penetrations. These components increase operational reliability and simplify maintenance work on the geothermal system.
A geothermal heating manifold is a key element for sustainable energy use, as it makes optimum use of regenerative geothermal energy. Thanks to precise hydraulic balancing, it maximizes the efficiency of the heat pump, which reduces electricity consumption and thus the CO2 footprint. The durable design of the GNV manifolds helps to conserve resources. Geothermal heating systems with high-quality manifolds achieve annual coefficients of performance of 4.0 and higher, which means that four or more kilowatt hours of heating energy are obtained from one kilowatt hour of electricity. This makes geothermal energy one of the most environmentally friendly and future-proof heating solutions for modern residential buildings.