I'm getting ready to install my first geothermal system in my own home that we are digging the hole for in the next couple weeks. I have a fair amount of experience with air to air and no experience with geothermal. My house will have a 4 ton Bosch system with (4) 600' loops of 3/4" pipe. With that being said... What is Reynolds number? I know it has something to do with the flow through loops. What is it? Why is it important? How do you calculate it? How does it pertain to your system and flow center? What is a good Reynolds number? Any other information you offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your help.
It's the boundary point between laminar and turbulent flow. Turbulent flow having the better heat exchange properties you require for your ground loop. It is determined once you you've established your design flow for your system. There are tables with "recommended minimum flows" that are generally summaries of Reynold's numbers >2300 (or 3000) to ensure you have turbulent flow. Properties of the water effect this as well (like glycol mix %). Google, Wikipedia, etc. will get you there.
