Evaluation of thermal conductivity estimation models with laboratory-measured thermal conductivities of sediments

Simona Adrinek (Author), Rao Martand Singh (Author), Mitja Janža (Author), Mateusz Żeruń (Author), Grzegorz Ryżyński (Author)

Abstract

Thermal conductivity is one of the key parameters for estimating low-temperature geothermal potential. In addition to field techniques, it can be determined based on physical parameters of the sediment measured in the laboratory. Following the methodology for cohesive and non-cohesive sample preparation, laboratory measurements were carried out on 30 samples of sediments. Density, porosity and water content of samples were measured and used in thermal conductivity estimation models (TCEM). The bulk thermal conductivity (λb) calculated with six TCEMs was compared with the measured λb to evaluate the predictive capacity of the analytical methods used. The results show that the empirical TCEMs are suitable to predict the λb of the analysed sediment types, with the standard deviation of the residuals (RMSE) ranging from 0.11 to 0.35 Wm−1 K−1. To improve the fit, this study provides a new modified parameterisation of two empirical TCEMs (Kersten and Côté&Konrad model) and, therefore, suggests the most suitable TCEMs for specific sample conditions. The RMSE ranges from 0.11 to 0.29 Wm−1 K−1. Mixing TCEM showed an RMSE of up to 2.00 Wm−1 K−1, meaning they are not suitable for predicting sediment λb. The study provides an insight into the analytical determination of thermal conductivity based on the physical properties of sediments. The results can help to estimate the low-temperature geothermal potential more quickly and easily and promote the sustainable use of this renewable energy source, which has applications in environmental and engineering science.

Keywords

toplotna prevodnost;sedimenti;modeli;

Data

Language:	English
Year of publishing:	2022
Typology:	1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization:	GeoZS - Geological Survey of Slovenia
Publisher:	Springer Nature
UDC:	550.3
COBISS:	119122179
ISSN:	1866-6280
Views:	89
Downloads:	55
Average score:	0 (0 votes)
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Other data

Type (COBISS):	Not categorized
Pages:	15 str.
Issue:	ǂvol. ǂ81
Chronology:	2022
DOI:	10.1007/s12665-022-10505-7
ID:	16270690