Comparison of Measured and Derived Thermal Conductivities in the Unsaturated Soil Zone of a Large-Scale Geothermal Collector System (LSC)

Abstract

The design, energetic performance, and thermal impact of large-scale geothermal collector systems (LSCs) are dependent on the thermal conductivity of unsaturated soils (λ). The aim of this study was to investigate the benefits of two different λ measurement methods using single-needle sensor measuring devices on a laboratory scale. Since large-scale determinations are required in the context of LSCs, the potential for deriving λ from electrical resistivity tomography measurements (ERTs) was also examined. Using two approaches—the continuous evaporation method and the punctual method—thermal conductivities of soil samples from Bad Nauheim (Germany) were measured. The results were compared with averaged λ derived from three ERT sections. With the evaporation method, significant bulk density changes were observed during the experimental procedure, which were caused by the clay content and the use of repacked samples. The punctual method ensures a sufficiently constant bulk density during the measurements, but only provides a small number of measurement points. The thermal conductivities derived from ERTs show largely minor deviations from the laboratory measurements on average. If further research confirms the results of this study, ERTs could provide a non-invasive and unelaborate thermal exploration of the subsurface in the context of large-scale infrastructure projects such as LSCs.