Device for Measuring Thermal Conductivity of Solids

Authors: ŽELIMIR VEINOVIĆ, GALLA UROIĆ, VJEKOSLAV HERCEG, HELENA VUČENOVIĆ, JADRANKA BAREŠIĆ

Faculty: University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering

Country: Hrvatska

e-mail: zelimir.veinovic@rgn.hr; galla.uroic@rgn.hr; vjekoslav.herceg@rgn.hr helena.vucenovic@rgn.hr; jbaresic@irb.hr

One of the problems in designing deep geological repositories for spent nuclear fuel is the heating of engineering barriers and host rock. This can cause a reduction in the safety of the landfill over a longer period of time. One of the variables to be known when assessing the durability of such a landfill is the thermal conductivity of solids, especially rocks. The device works on the principle of measuring the temperature difference on two sides of the sample of known dimensions and with corrections, according to the temperature of the heated and cooled body, calculates the thermal conductivity. Peltier plates are used for heating and cooling, the housing for the device is made on a 3D printer, and an Arduino and a laptop are used for data collection and processing. The engineering application of the device is the rapid measurement of thermal conductivity on small causes with insight into spatial changes in conductivity. Scientific contribution is in measuring the thermal conductivity of solids for which there is no data, and teaching in teaching in university courses on programming, measurement techniques and thermal properties of solids.

A special feature is the portability of the device, which requires simple sample preparation, gives very precise readings, and is affordable even on relatively small financial projects.