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 Title: Interpretation of shallow geothermal surveys Author(s): Larson, Timothy Howe Doctoral Committee Chair(s): Hsui, Albert T. Department / Program: Geology Discipline: Geology Degree Granting Institution: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Degree: Ph.D. Genre: Dissertation Subject(s): Geology Geophysics Hydrology Abstract: Over the last several decades, the shallow temperature survey has been developed as a surface geophysical method in ground water and geothermal energy exploration. Advances in numerical modeling techniques have made it possible to build a realistic model of the shallow subsurface. In particular, variable hydraulic and thermal properties can be included in models which couple moisture and heat processes in multi-dimensions.Coupled thermal and moisture transport equations were solved using an integrated finite difference method to simulate both one-dimensional profiles and two-dimensional cross sections. The two-dimensional model simulated a cross-section through a portion of the Sheffield low-level radioactive waste disposal site, Bureau Co., Illinois. Material properties are from laboratory data and generic values. Factors investigated include surface moisture boundary conditions, material thermal properties, layering, variable moisture content and topographic changes.Of those studied, the most important factor affecting the temperature at 1.0 m depth is the thermal conductivity of the material within the first meter of the subsurface. Advective flux will be measurable when the soils are moist and have a hydraulic conductivity of about 10$\sp{-5}$ cm/s or greater. Vapor flux will be measurable only when the soil is relatively dry, having a soil pressure gradient of at least 10$\sp3$ cm/cm. For example, in the first 2 weeks following a summer storm, advective flux will result in a slight warming of the soil. Following the passage of the moisture front, evapotranspiration will cause a relative cooling of the soil.Shallow thermal structures are also sensitive to local, topographically driven ground water flows. Advective flux can be expected to increase when the topographic gradient increases. However, in soils with high hydraulic conductivity, the effect can be more accurately predicted based on the slope of the water table.Soil temperatures at 1.0 or 2.0 m depth should be measured with a precision of 0.01$\sp\circ$C. If possible, thermal conductivities of the shallow materials should also be obtained. Using these data, and available weather information, quantitative interpretation based on numerical models is feasible. Issue Date: 1990 Type: Text Language: English URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2142/21852 Rights Information: Copyright 1990 Larson, Timothy Howe Date Available in IDEALS: 2011-05-07 Identifier in Online Catalog: AAI9021714 OCLC Identifier: (UMI)AAI9021714
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