A solar compression refrigeration apparatus to cool permafrost embankment. (25th March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sun, Zhaohui; Liu, Jiankun; Hu, Tianfei; You, Tian; Fang, Jianhong
• Is Part Of: Applied thermal engineering. Volume 223(2022)
• Publication Date: 2023-03-25
• Subjects: Permafrost regions -- Cooling embankment -- Solar compression refrigeration apparatus -- Cooling performance -- Thermal regime; Heat engineering -- Periodicals; Heating -- Equipment and supplies -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 621.40205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2023.120034
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-4311

Abstract

Highlights: An active cooling embankment was innovatively put forward. The solar compression refrigeration apparatus can raise the permafrost table. The long-time thermal regime of the cooling embankment was analyzed. The novel cooling embankment can protect underlying permafrost. Abstract: The permafrost embankment inevitably faces the problems of permafrost degradation and thermal thaw settlement. How to actively cool embankments has always been a key issue to construct linear transportation infrastructure in permafrost regions. In this study, a solar compression refrigeration apparatus, using solar power generation to drive vapor compression refrigeration, was proposed. To verify its cooling performance, a field test was carried out in permafrost regions. The test results show that the solar compression refrigeration apparatus can actively cool permafrost. Its cooling performance is not only related to the cooling power but also affected by the ambient temperature. When the apparatus cools intermittently from top to bottom, the cooling capacity is mainly used for cooling the active layer in summer and cooling the permafrost layer in winter. In addition, it can significantly raise the permafrost table around the evaporator. Then, a numerical calculation model of the cooling embankment was established, considering climate warming, cooling power, cooling time, separation distance and buried depth. The simulation results indicate that the cooling embankment can significantly improve the permafrost thermal regime and prevent permafrost degradation. This study can provide a new approach to protecting permafrost, which is valuable for constructing linear transportation infrastructure.