Measurements and comparison of the heat flux of near-surface soil layers

Abstract

The radial heat transfer from a constant heat flux of an idealized vertical heat source was studied experimentally in a laboratory scale to investigate different near-surface soil layers.The transfer of the heat flux of these layers were simulated by using a standing cylindrical tank filled with various soil media, while a constant amount of heat was applied from the center of the tank to establish the thermal profiles. In addition, the experimental measurements were compared with the mathematical calculations by using error functions. The results of this study show that the comparison between the mathematical modeling and experimental results can be used to describe the heat transfer of the near-surface soil layers and then further to evaluate the thermal input and heat extraction for geothermal energy system as well as for heat storage processes located in the underground.