Performance analyses of two-phase closed thermosyphons for road embankments in the high-latitude permafrost regions

Two-phase closed thermosyphons(TPCTs)are widely used in infrastructure constructions in permafrost regions.Due to different climatic conditions,the effectiveness of TPCT will also be different,especially in the extremely cold region of the Da Xing'anling Mountains.In this study,a series of three-dimensional finite element TPCT embankment models were established based on the ZhanglingMohe highway TPCT test section in Da Xing'anling Mountains,and the thermal characteristics and the cooling effect of the TPCTs were analyzed.The results indicated that the TPCTs installed in the northeastern high-latitude regions is effective in cooling and stabilizing the embankment.The working cycle of the TPCTs is nearly 7 months,and the cooling range of the TPCTs can reach 3 m in this region.However,due to the extremely low temperature,the TPCT generates a large radial gradient in the permafrost layer.Meanwhile,by changing the climate conditions,the same type of TPCT embankment located in the Da Xing'anling Mountains,the Xiao Xing'anling Mountains,and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau permafrost regions were simulated.Based on the comparison of the climate differences between the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and Northeast China,the differences in the effectiveness of TPCTs were studied.Finally,the limitations of using existing TPCTs in high-latitude permafrost regions of China were discussed and the potential improvements of the TPCT in cold regions were presented.

CONDENSING HEAT TRANSFER IN AN ADVANCED TWO-PHASE CLOSED THERMOSYPHON

1 INTRODUCTIONClosed thermosyphon has been developed to enhance heat transfer and recover wasteheat in various process industries [1,2].Stimulated by this success,a new type oftwo-phase closed thermosyphon was designed by inserting respectively two inner tubesinto the thermosyphon,one in the boiling section and the other in the condensing sec-tion.The two-phase flow boiling heat transfer coefficient was calculated successfully onthe basis of Chen’s dual-mechanism [3].A boiling heat transfer model for thetwo-phase closed thermosyphon with an inner tube in the boiling section was pro-

Temperature distribution of fluids in a two-section two-phase closed thermosyphon wellbore

Compared with a conventional single section two-phase closed thermosyphon （TPCT） wellbore, a two-section TPCT wellbore has better heat transfer performance, which may improve the temperature distribution of fluid in wellbores, increase the temperature of fluid in wellheads and even more effectively reduce the failure rate of conventional TPCT wellbores. Heat transfer performance of two-section TPCT wellbores is affected by working medium, combination mode and oil flow rate. Different working media are introduced into the upper and lower TPCTs, which may achieve a better match between the working medium and the temperature field in the wellbores. Interdependence exists between the combination mode and the flow rate of the oil, which affects the heat transfer performance of a two-section TPCT wellbore. The experimental results show that a two-section TPCT wellbore, with equal upper and lower TPCTs respectively filled with Freon and methanol, has the best heat transfer performance when the oil flow rate is 200 L/h.

A CLOSED SYSTEM OF EQUATIONS FOR DENSE TWO-PHASE FLOW AND EXPRESSIONS OF SHEARING STRESS OF DISPERSED PHA’E AT A WALL

Inthis paper, each of the two phases in dense two-phase flow is considered as continuous medium and the fundamental equations for two-phase flow arc described in Eulerian form. The generalized constitutive relation of the Bingham fluid is applied to the dispersed phase with the analysis oj physical mechanism of dense two-phase flow. The shearing stress of dispersed phase at a wall is used to give a boundary condition. Then a mathematical model for dense two-phase flow is obtained. In addition, the expressions of shearing stress of dispersed phase at a wall is derived according to the fundamental model of the friclional collision between dispersed-plutse particles and the wall.

Climate warming is likely to weaken the performance of two-phase closed thermosyphon on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Over the years,numerous geotechnical approaches have been implemented to mitigate the adverse effects of climate warming on various infrastructures in the permafrost region of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau(QTP),such as the Qinghai-Tibet Highway and Railway,and achieved the expected engineering outcomes.However,little attention has been given to whether the performance of these geotechnical approaches has changed during the ongoing process of climate warming.To investigate the performance variation of one of these geotechnical approaches,which is two-phase closed thermosyphon(TPCT),during sustained climate warming,we conducted a statistical analysis of soil temperature monitoring data in 2003-2020 from eight regular embankments and six TPCT embankments in our permafrost monitoring network.The results indicate that TPCT undeniably has a cooling effect on the permafrost beneath embankments,even rapidly eliminated previously formed taliks beneath embankment.However,further analysis reveals that the performance of TPCT has been weakening during sustained climate warming,which has confirmed by the re-forming of the taliks beneath embankment where they had been previously eliminated.Based on the current understanding,we attributed the weakening of thermosyphon performance to a significant reduction in the air temperature freezing index caused by ongoing climate warming.Through this study,we aimed to draw attention to the evolving performance of geotechnical approaches in permafrost regions amid climate warming,prompting necessary engineering innovations to address this situation and ensure the sustainable development of the permafrost region on the QTP.

Pressure Buildup Analysis for a Well in a Closed, Bounded Multiwell Reservoir

A general method has been developed for analyzing pressure buildup data from a well located in a system with both production and injection wells in a closed, bounded two-phase flow reservoir. The proposed method enables one to calculate the total mobility or permeability-thickness product, the skin factor, the average drainage-area pressure and the injection-production ratio （at the instant of shut-in） with accuracy from pressure buildup （or falloff） data dominated by a linear trend of reservoir pressure. Out of thousands of well tests, several typical field examples have been presented to illustrate the application of the proposed method for analyzing pressure transient data from a well located in a water-injection multiwell reservoir. And the possible application of this method to heterogeneous systems such as naturally fractured reservoirs is also discussed. Approaches to aid practicing engineers in verifying the buildup interpretation （or recognizing the interference of offset wells） are presented. Extension of the presented method to a gas well located in a multiwell gas reservoir is also suggested

Dynamic simulation and experimental validation of a two-phase closed thermosyphon for geothermal application

The heat transfer perfonmance of a vertical two-phase closed thermosyphon(TPCT)used in a geothermal heat pump was experimentally investigated.The TPCT is a verticalplain steel pipe with inner diameter of 114 mm and bored 368 m deep underground.Carbon dioxide(CO_(2))is used as working fluid.In the TPCT there is no condensation section.CO_(2)is condensed by the evaporator pf the heat pump,flows into the head of the TPCT and nuns down as a falling film along the inner wall of the pipe.For the heat transfer simulation in the TPCT,a quasi-dynamic model in which the mass transfer between the liquid and vapor phases as well as the conduction heat transfer from the surrounding soil towards the pipe is treated dynamically.However the film flow modeling is based on the Nusselt theory of frilm condenssation.The compauison of the experimental data with the numerical simulation is presented and discussed.

用估算热收支的方法评价热棒制冷效果

利用青藏铁路路基地质钻孔资料和地温资料,通过计算随地温变化的热收支、来自近地表的热量、来自深部的热量、以及冻土上限变化引起的相变热,来估算测温孔在水平方向的热收支.通过对比热棒路基、普通路基的右路肩孔以及天然孔水平热收支的差异,来描述热棒的工作效果.之后,对比了热棒路基左路肩孔(阳坡)和右路肩孔(阴坡)水平热收支的差异,并给出解释.最后,以热棒路基右路肩孔水平热收支为基础估算了整个路基的水平热收支,进而给出了单个热棒的平均"产冷量".

青藏铁路多年冻土区热棒的施工技术

青藏铁路要穿越550 km长的多年冻土区,其中年平均地温>-1.0℃的高温多年冻土路段275 km,高含冰量冻土类型路段长221 km.为确保路基工程的整体稳定,部分地段采用了热棒处理措施.热棒路基利用自然能源,在温差作用下驱动内部制冷工质的汽液两相对流循环,通过蒸发段蒸发吸热作用降低周围冻土温度,增加冻土本身的冷储量,提高热稳定性,保护多年冻土.热棒技术是一种有着广阔应用前景的新技术,尤其是在全球气温升高大环境下,其作用更为明显.针对热棒的工作原理和施工技术进行了系统的总结分析,实践证明,热棒能够很好的防止多年冻土的融沉、冻胀病害,已在青藏铁路、公路多年冻土区路基试验段取得重要的阶段成果,以后将会在多年冻土区施工中逐步推广应用.

Application of a concrete thermal pile in cooling the warming permafrost under climate change

Permafrost degradation caused by climate warming is posing a serious threat to the stability of cast-in-place pile foundations in warm permafrost regions.Ambient cold energy can be effectively utilized by two-phase closed thermosyphons(TPCTs)to cool the permafrost.Therefore,we installed TPCTs in a cast-in-place pile foundation to create a unique structure called a thermal pile,which effectively utilizes the TPCTs to regulate ground temperature.And we conducted a case study and numerical simulation to exhibit the cooling performance,and optimize the structure of the thermal pile.The purpose of this study is to promote the application of thermal piles in unstable permafrost regions.Based on the findings,the thermal pile operated for approximately 53%of the entire year and effectively reduced the deep ground temperature at a rate of at least-0.1℃per year.Additionally,it successfully raised the permafrost table that is 0.35 m shallower than the natural ground level.These characteristics prove highly beneficial in mitigating the adverse effects of permafrost degradation and enhancing infrastructure safety.Expanding the length of the condenser section and the diameter of the TPCT in a suitable manner can effectively enhance the cooling capability of the thermal pile and ensure the long-term mechanical stability of the pile foundation even under climate warming.

Thermal and mechanical characteristics of a thermal pile in permafrost regions

Cast-in-place pile foundations are widely used in permafrost regions to support buildings.The stability of cast-in-place pile foundations is highly sensitive to permafrost thermal regime changes.Permafrost degradation caused by climate change is increasing the disaster risk of castin-place pile foundations.However,proactive cooling methods for cast-in-place pile foundations are seldom reported.The cold energy produced by two-phase closed thermosyphons(TPCTs)can efficiently prevent the permafrost thermal regime from being disturbed by engineering activities and climate change.TPCTs were installed in a concrete pile forming a thermal pile.Then,a model experiment was conducted to explore the thermal regime,influence scope,dissipation process of cold energy,and freezing strength of the thermal pile.The results indicated that the thermal pile may significantly cool the foundation soil.Most of cold energy produced by the thermal pile dissipated during the warm period,and the cooling scope of the thermal pile can cover the area within a 40 cm(twice the pile diameter)radius around the pile.Additionally,the TPCTs can significantly improve freezing strength between the thermal pile and frozen soil.The lesson learned from this study can provide a new approach to control the thermal regime of cast-in-place pile foundation in permafrost,which was of valuable to the construction of pile foundations in cold regions.