Computer Simulations on the Creation of Artificial Permafrost under the Ground Using Heat Pipes

Abstract

Field experiments on utilizing the cold energy obtained during winter by storing it in the ground as artificial permafrost using heat pipes have been carried out over several years. Using the data obtained from the experiments, mumerical simulations were performed for the creation and degradation of a frozen underground zone. For predicting the temperature field, the finite difference method was used, and the latent heat associated with freezing or thawing of the soil water was treated as a heat sink (source). The simulations were performed using three kinds of soil: silt, clay and sand. The following fact became clear as a result of the simulations: if the two-dimensionality of the ground temperature is maintained under suitable soil conditions, it is possible to surround an area of 8m×8m with 4m-thick artificial permafrost using 72 lengths of heat pipe.