Characterization of rock thermophysical properties and factors affecting thermal conductivity−A case study of Datong Basin,China

Rock thermal physical properties play a crucial role in understanding deep thermal conditions,modeling the thermal structure of the lithosphere,and discovering the evolutionary history of sedimentary basins.Recent advancements in geothermal exploration,particularly the identification of high-temperature geothermal resources in Datong Basin,Shanxi,China,have opened new possibilities.This study aims to characterize the thermal properties of rocks and explore factors influencing thermal conductivity in basins hosting high-temperature geothermal resources.A total of 70 groups of rock samples were collected from outcrops in and around Datong Basin,Shanxi Province.Thermal property tests were carried out to analyze the rock properties,and the influencing factors of thermal conductivity were studied through experiments at different temperature and water-filled states.The results indicate that the thermal conductivity of rocks in Datong,Shanxi Province,typically ranges from 0.690 W/(m·K)to 6.460 W/(m·K),the thermal diffusion coefficient ranges from 0.441 mm^(2)/s to 2.023 mm^(2)/s,and the specific heat capacity of the rocks ranges from 0.569 KJ/(kg·℃)to 1.117 KJ/(kg·°C).Experimental results reveal the impact of temperature and water saturation on the thermal conductivity of the rock.The thermal conductivity decreases with increasing temperature and rises with high water saturation.A temperature correction formula for the thermal conductivity of different lithologies in the area is proposed through linear fitting.The findings from this study provide essential parameters for the assessment and prediction,development,and utilization of geothermal resources in the region and other basins with typical high-temperature geothermal resource.

Geothermal anomalies in the Xianshuihe area: Implications for tunnel construction along the Sichuan-Tibet Railway, China

This study presents a comprehensively analysis of geothermal characteristics in the Xianshuihe geothermal area along the Sichuan-Tibet Railway,using temperature logging,temperature monitoring and thermal conductivity measurement,and regional geothermal geological survey data.The research focuses on the geothermal background,geothermal field,and their potential impact on the surrounding tunnels.The investigation reveals that the average heat flow value in the study area is approximately 73.0 mW/m^(2),significantly higher than the average terrestrial heat flow in China's Mainland(62.5 mW/m^(2)).This high terrestrial heat flow signifies a distinct thermal background in the area.In addition,geothermal anomalies in the area are found to be closely associated with the distribution of hot springs along NW faults,indicating a strong control by the Xianshuihe fault zone.The study concludes that the region's favorable conditions for geothermal resources are attributed to the combination of high terrestrial heatflow background and water-conducting faults.However,these conditions also pose a potential threat of heat damage to the tunnels along the Sichuan-Tibet Railway.To evaluate the risk,the research takes into account the terrestrial heat flow,thermal conductivity of the tunnel surrounding rocks,characteristics of the regional constant temperature layer,as well as the distribution of hot springs and faults.The analysis specifically focuses on the thermal damage risk of Kangding 1# tunnel and 2# tunnel passing through the study area.Based on the findings,it is determined that Kangding 1# tunnel and 2# tunnel have relatively low risk of heat damage,as they have avoided most of the high temperature anomaly areas.However,several sections of the tunnels do traverse zones with low to medium temperatures,where surface rock temperatures can reach up to 45℃.Therefore,these regions should not be neglected during the construction and operation of the tunnel project,and mitigation measures may be necessary to address the potential heat-related challenges in the area.

Research on the characteristics and influencing factors of terrestrial heat flow in Guizhou Province

Terrestrial heat flow is an important physical parameter in the study of heat transfer and thermal structure of the earth and it has great significance in the genesis and development and utilization potential of regional geothermal resources.Although several breakthroughs in geothermal exploration have been made in Guizhou Province.The terrestrial heat flow in this area has not been properly measured,restricting the development of geothermal resources in the province.For this reason,the terrestrial heat flow in Guizhou was measured in this study,during which the characteristics of heat flow were determined using borehole thermometry,geothermal monitoring and thermal property testing.Moreover,the influencing factors of the terrestrial heat flow were analyzed.The results show that the thermal conductivity of rocks ranges from 2.0W/(m·K)to 5.0 W/(m·K),with an average of 3.399 W/(m·K);the heat flow varies from 30.27 mW/m^(2) to 157.55 mW/m^(2),with an average of 65.26±20.93 mW/m^(2),which is slightly higher than that of the average heat flow in entire land area in China.The heat flow in Guizhou generally follows a dumbbell-shaped distribution,with high values present in the east and west and low values occurring in the north and south.The terrestrial heat flow is related to the burial depths of the Moho and Curie surface.The basaltic eruptions in the Emeishan led to a thinner lithosphere,thicker crust and lateral emplacement,which dominated the basic pattern of heat flow distribution in Guizhou.In addition,the dichotomous structure of regional active faults and concealed deep faults jointly control the heat transfer channels and thus influence the terrestrial heat flow.