Step by step to where we want to go

If trenches have to be excavated, digging is performed with a trench width of 0.8 m, a laying distance of 0.7 m and a depth of 1.5 m.

Each module is expertly preassembled to form a partial strand using a plastic welding unit.

The preassembled absorber strands are laid out on the ground ready for installation. Five absorbers have been combined to form each partial strand here. They will ultimately be used to form a complete strand consisting of ten absorbers.

The preassembled GeoCollect strands are placed into trenches or the excavation pit at a minimum lateral distance of 0.7 metres according to the laying diagram.

In a further step, suitable means are used to put the completed strands into a vertical position and stabilize them.

Finally, the fixtures are checked again strand for strand.

The strands are connected to the distribution shaft using flow and return flow pipes (25 mm PP-R pipe). For this purpose, the strand diameter is reduced from 32 mm to 25 mm and then increased to 32 mm again, depending on the design of the distribution shaft.

The distribution shaft is set up, then the flow and return flow pipes of the strands are welded to the 25 mm PP pipes below the distributor. Incidentally, the collector pipes are made of polyethylene. An extension to the building services room is realized using PE welding sockets.

In larger systems, up to twelve strands can be combined to form a group according to the so-called Tichelmann principle. 40 mm PP-R pipes are used to direct them to a distribution shaft using 40 mm circular elements.

All connections are made using the polyfusion welding technique and are permanent and unbreakable once they have been covered with earth.

Before the trench is filled in or the filling of the GeoCollect system can start, the system undergoes a leak test at an air pressure of 6 bars. This is essential for the perfect functioning of the system in the future.

Depending on the planning, the system can be filled with heat transfer fluid (usually a mixture of water and ethylene glycol with a glycol content of 25 to 30%) and then flushed and ventilated. A simple solar flushing pump can be used for systems in which each individual GeoCollect strand is welded to the distribution system; in the case of strands connected according to Tichelmann, a more powerful flushing pump must be used.

The filling of the trenches or the excavation pit is an extremely important part of the work. It is performed using cohesive soil or sand slurry until the absorbers are covered by up to ten centimetres of earth. Then the trench is filled with permeable excavated material.

The GeoCollect system has to be slurried until the collectors are completely covered. This creates an “adhesive” connection between the ground and the modules. Air trapped in the collectors is not permitted. Systems covered in sand and then slurried are laid out in a strongly consolidated mass. This allows the upper part of the excavation pit to be consolidated with ease.

Mechanical consolidation can be carried out upwards of a covering of 50 to 80 cm above the collector field, which has been filled with sand and slurry.

Warning tape must be deployed at about 0.5 m below the top ground surface.