Thermal response testing setup
Thermal response test data
Thermal response testing
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In-situ measurement of the thermal properties of soils and rocks can play an important part in developing cost-effective and sustainable designs for closed-loop geothermal and ground energy systems.
A thermal response test (TRT) is used to determine in-situ thermal properties. This involves injecting a finite amount of heat energy into a closed-loop borehole over a period of several days.
During a test the principal parameters measured are the incoming and outgoing temperatures of the heat transfer fluid; the flow rate of the fluid; and the heat energy input.
Test data can be interpreted to provide the following parameters, all of which are necessary for efficient design of closed-loop systems: the initial ground temperature, the thermal properties of the ground and the equivalent borehole thermal resistance.