Improved determination of heat flux density in porous media using modified block method

摘要

Characterizing the ground thermal regime and estimation of water balance and mass exchange processes occurring across porous media often require knowledge of heat flux through the surface layers. Accurate measurement of the parameter has therefore continued to receive increasing attention by Scientists and Engineers. Improved determination of heat flux density in porous media using the modified Block method was thus investigated in this study with a view to addressing the hitherto associated accuracy concerns. Heat flux densities of granular and solid geologic materials represented by Granite and Clay samples were evaluated using Arctic Silver? Thermal Interface Material (TIM), to measure impacts on thermal resistance errors. Results showed heat flux density of the clay sample increasing from 9.99 to 64.02 W m~(-2) with TIM while that of the granite sample increased from 26.28 to 48.95 W m~(-2) with TIM. Hence, accuracy concern was therefore largely addressed with regards to contact measurements and the correction of the underestimation problem was validated with TIM. Modified block method thus yielded improved results of heat flux density in clay and granite with thermal interface material.