Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Conference papers
Title (Primary) Experimental heat flow propagation within porous media using electrical resistivity tomography (ERT)
Title (Secondary) Proceedings of the European Geothermal Energy Congress 2013, 3-7 June, Pisa, Italy
Author Firmbach, L.; Giordano, N.; Comina, C.; Mandrone, G.; Kolditz, O. ORCID logo ; Vienken, T.; Dietrich, P. ORCID logo
Year 2013
Department ENVINF; MET
Language englisch
Keywords electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), heat flow, porous media, soil properties, shallow geothermal system
Abstract With increasing numbers of installed systems for the thermal
use of the shallow subsurface concerns arise about potential
effects on soil and groundwater. So far no consistent
economic, political and / or environmental regulations
have been established to address these concerns.
Furthermore, a lack of fast and effective long-time
monitoring method exists to control the environmental
impact that may occur at such sites. To address this
issue, this study focuses on evaluating the noninvasive
geophysical method ‘electrical resistivity
tomography’ (ERT), using laboratory measurements
to derive a possible efficient monitoring system for
shallow geothermal systems.
We installed a heat source in an experimental box
filled with different porous media, and monitored heat
propagation levels. Additionally, electrical resistivity
changes were measured to evaluate the correlation
between thermal and electrical conductivity. Here, the
electrode arrangements correspond to surface multicolumn
arrays of typical field measurements, which
can then be evaluated. Additionally, small electrode
chains were installed to monitor the electrical
resistivity in different depths and to readjust electrical
borehole measurements.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=13986
Firmbach, L., Giordano, N., Comina, C., Mandrone, G., Kolditz, O., Vienken, T., Dietrich, P. (2013):
Experimental heat flow propagation within porous media using electrical resistivity tomography (ERT)
Proceedings of the European Geothermal Energy Congress 2013, 3-7 June, Pisa, Italy