Year-round cooling and thermal stabilization of water-saturated soils under engineering structures

摘要

We consider the problem of year-round cooling of water-saturated soil to freezing temperatures in order to convert it into a state of permafrost. A new soil-cooling apparatus is proposed. The apparatus is to be made in modular form and connect-ed to passive?active thermal piles (thermosyphons). The estimated capacity of one apparatus allows simultaneous use of up to 1,000 thermal piles for ground freezing. The apparatus is based on natural sources of energy: solar radiation and wind;and it can be used for soil freezing. This approach can prevent thawing of soft soils under railways and roads, as well as under buildings or structures, in an area of more than tens of hectares. The apparatus has no mechanical moving parts and can operate for a long time in stand-alone mode without staff involvement.