2-D BHE modeling

Hi all,
I would like to model a BHE in a 2D vertical axysimmetric projection (therefore with gravity on the negative y-axis), where I place the BHE on the left edge of the model to see how temperature varies along the depth. Is this possible to do?

I have noticed it is not possible to place borehole heat exchanger BC in 2D models and therefore I have to use the heat nodal sink/source BC. Do I place the nodal BC on all the nodes where the BHE should be? How does this work?

Thanks for help!!

If you like to model a BHE in a 2D vertical axysimmetric projection I assume you want to investigate local rather than regional effects. In this context, I recommend to fully discretize the geometry of the BHE in the mesh.

Hi Bjorn! Thank you for your reply and for your suggestion! You are indeed correct, I would like to investigate local effects.
How does it work however with the Heat transport BC? How do I use the heat nodal sink/source BC instead of the borehole heat exchanger BC?
Again, thank you for your help!!!

Hi Zeno, to mimic a BHE by means of a Heat nodal sink/source BC you may use a highly conductive 1D Discrete Feature (DF) and distribute Heat nodal sink/source BC’s evenly along the DF. The crucial disadvantage is given by the fact that you have to know a priori the charge/withdrawal, while for BHE’s you may use for instance a temperature differential. Usually vertical axisymmetric models are used for fully discretizing the geometry of the BHE within the finite element mesh.