Operation Optimization of Medium-Depth Ground Source Heat Pump (MD-GSHP) Systems Based on the Improved Particle Swarm Algorithm
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The manuscript scope is dealing with the optimization of the medium-depth ground source 2 heat pump (MD-GSHP) systems, In the present work, experimental validation was evaluated. However, there are some comments to improve the quality of the manuscript:
1. The abbreviation and nomenclature section should be added
2. Check the basic grammatical corrections and update the manuscript.
3. In the conclusion section, the author needs to revise with technical data.
4. The experimental section needs to strengthen with numerical values.
5. The recent literature will add to the introduction section. It will helpful for the reader.
6. The directions and the research gaps should be added in the abstract and introduction sections.
7. The literature review section should be enhanced to present the main concerning of the present study; the authors should look what are the difference between the present and the previous work.
8. Uncertainty analysis should be briefly discussed
9. Improve the quality of the figures and tables
Author Response
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Reviewer 2 Report
The paper is very good. I suggest to publish that paper.
Author Response
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Reviewer 3 Report
In this manuscript, the performance of a medium-depth ground-source heat pump is optimized with an improved PSA algorithm. Although the topic of this research is interesting, there are several flaws and ambiguities that need to be carefully considered.
1- In these calculations (Eq. 7), soil temperature is only assumed as a function of depth, but it does not change over time. Meanwhile, with the activity of the borehole, the surrounding soil will be affected over time, and this will cause the performance of the borehole to decline over time. This seems not to have been factored into the modelling.
2- The system's performance is shown hourly in the presented results, but the mathematical modeling is written with a steady-state assumption. It is necessary to show in some way by analyzing the time constants that using the quasi-steady model for this analysis is reasonable.
3- In this optimization, what is the temperature condition of the indoor temperature of the building? Is it reasonable to optimize the system performance regardless of the thermal comfort conditions inside the building? Is the comfort temperature inside the building assumed constant? The building's interior conditions are not mentioned.
4- In all the presented results, it is claimed that the presented values are optimal. This optimality is not shown in any graph. How can we ensure that the values provided are optimal?
5- The term "average depth" is emphasized in the article's title. However, the reason for this emphasis on mathematical modeling is unclear. The models used seem to be correct for other depths. Even to verify the accuracy of the borehole calculations, the results of the present work were compared with the results of reference 3, which was for a deep borehole.
6- In Figure 3, it is necessary to specify the reference number for Zhang's work.
7- In the presented mathematical modeling, which operational parameter was a function of time? How are the results a function of time, but neither the transient modeling nor the time-dependent variable is seen?
8- Was the optimization for heating or cooling operations? Shouldn't the optimization process be done in the annual performance analysis? It seems that checking the performance in a 24-hour period cannot guarantee optimal performance in the year.
9- In the present research, an improved PAS method has been used for optimization. Has this issue been done before with other optimization algorithms? What was the reason for choosing the PSA algorithm for optimizing the performance of the mentioned ground-source HP system?
10- The innovative aspects of the research have not been identified.
Author Response
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