GERDPy - Simulation Tool for Geothermal Heat Pipe Surface Heating Systems

GERDPy is a Python-based simulation tool designed to model directly geothermally heated surface deicing systems using a two-phase thermosiphon and was specifically developed for the project GERDI. Thus, this modelling tool represents a very specific system and is not suitable as a general modelling software for borehole heat exchangers.

The development of GERDPy is fully based on open-source toolboxes and libraries in Python. Some of the modules are directly based on the open-source toolbox for the evaluation of thermal response factors for geothermal borehole fields, Pygfunction by Massimo Cimmino.

🔗 https://github.com/MassimoCimmino/pygfunction

The GUI is based on the PySide / PyQt interface PyDracula created by Wanderson M. Pimenta.

🔗 https://github.com/Wanderson-Magalhaes/Modern_GUI_PyDracula_PySide6_or_PyQt6

Python Version

For using GERDPy Simulation Tool, Python 3.7.9 or a higher version must be used. This document will assume Python 3.7.9 is used. If not installed, click the link below and install Python 3.7.9.

🔗 https://www.python.org/downloads/release/python-379/

You may check if Python is added to PATH variable on your System. Therefore click 'Start' and search for 'environment variables'. Then add the following paths to the PATH variable.

C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python37
C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python37\Scripts

Required Packages

For operating GERDPy correctly, some Python Packages are required. Therefore navigate to the folder, where GERDPy is located and run the command below in your preferred console (e.g. cmd for Windows, Terminal for MacOS or Linux). If your System already satisfies all requirements, you can skip this section.

Windows:

py -3.7 install_packages.py

MacOS and Linux:

python3.7 install_packages.py 

Running

Inside your preferred console navigate to the folder, where GERDPy is located and run the commands below depending on your system.

Windows:

py -3.7 guimain.py

or run the batch file

.\GERDPy.bat

MacOS and Linux:

python3.7 guimain.py 

or run the shell script

./GERDPy.sh

The GERPDPy GUI will then open and you can work there from now on.

####Example for Windows: Open cmd.exe by clicking on the Windows icon and type 'cmd' for searching for 'cmd.exe'. For navigating to a folder in cmd use the command 'cd'. Alternatively, navigate to the folder in Windows Explorer, type 'cmd' in the address bar and press enter.

To navigate one level up in your folders use:

cd ..

To navigate to a specific folder and subfolder use:

cd folder\subfolder

This is how your console might look:

Using GERDPy

For detailed information about functionality and usage of the tool, please read GERDPy_User Handbook.pdf.

Optional: Activate cython support

Make sure cython is installed:

pip install cython

Then open the file 'GERDPySim/__init__.py' and on line 5 change 'use_cython = False' to 'use_cython = True' to activate.