The Elephant Problem—Determining Bulk Thermal Diffusivity

Robert Beaufait, Sebastian Ammann and Ludger Fischer
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Robert Beaufait: Competence Center Thermal Energy Storage (CCTES), Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Technikumstrasse 21, 6048 Horw, Switzerland
Sebastian Ammann: Competence Center Thermal Energy Storage (CCTES), Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Technikumstrasse 21, 6048 Horw, Switzerland
Ludger Fischer: Competence Center Thermal Energy Storage (CCTES), Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Technikumstrasse 21, 6048 Horw, Switzerland

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 21, 1-10

Abstract: This study investigates a measurement method of thermal diffusivity for samples with arbitrary geometries and unknown material properties. The aim is to curve fit the thermal diffusivity with the use of a numerical simulation and transient temperature measurement inside the object of interest. This approach is designed to assess bulk material properties of an object that has a composite material structure such as underground soil. The method creates the boundary conditions necessary to apply analytical theory found in the literature. It was found that measurements best correlated with theory and simulation at positions between the center and surface of an object.

Keywords: thermal diffusivity; measurement method; energy storage (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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