Experimental Proof of a Solar-Powered Heat Pump System for Soil Thermal Stabilization

Elizaveta S. Sharaborova, Taisia V. Shepitko and Egor Y. Loktionov
Additional contact information
Elizaveta S. Sharaborova: State Lab for Photon Energetics, Bauman Moscow State Technical University, 5-1, 2nd Baumanskaya Str., 105005 Moscow, Russia
Taisia V. Shepitko: Institute of Track, Building, and Constructions, Russian University of Transport, 9b9, Obraztsova Str., 127994 Moscow, Russia
Egor Y. Loktionov: State Lab for Photon Energetics, Bauman Moscow State Technical University, 5-1, 2nd Baumanskaya Str., 105005 Moscow, Russia

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 6, 1-11

Abstract: We suggested earlier a new sustainable method for permafrost thermal stabilization that combines passive screening of solar radiation and precipitation with active solar-powered cooling of the near-surface soil layer thus preventing heat penetration in depth. Feasibility of this method has been shown by calculations, but needed experimental proof. In this article, we are presenting the results of soil temperature measurements obtained at the experimental implementation of this method outside of the permafrost area which actually meant higher thermal loads than in permafrost area. We have shown that near-surface soil layer is kept frozen during the whole summer, even at air temperatures exceeding +30 °C. Therefore, the method has been experimentally proven to be capable of sustaining soil frozen. In addition to usual building and structures’ thermal stabilization, the method could be used to prevent the development of thermokarst, gas emission craters, and landslides; greenhouse gases, chemical, and biological pollution from the upper thawing layers, at least in the area of human activities; protection against coastal erosion, and permafrost restoration after wildfires. Using commercially widely-available components, the technology can be scaled up for virtually any size objects.

Keywords: solar energy; permafrost; geothermal energy; seasonally thawed layer; thermosyphon; heat flux; performance indicator; near-surface layer; heat shielding (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: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/6/2118/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/6/2118/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:6:p:2118-:d:770854

Access Statistics for this article

Energies is currently edited by Ms. Agatha Cao

More articles in Energies from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().