Easy and Rapid In Situ Measurement of Thermal Conductivity of Rock

Thermal conductivity of rock is a basic characteristic concerning the safety and thermal environment in mines. However, considerable preparation work and time are necessary for the measurement by a typical measuring method. Although, a new measuring method based on heat conduction theory of spherical heat source was developed, an easy and rapid measuring method to measure in situ thermal conductivity has yet to be developed. The method was first theoretically examined by a computer simulation and several measuring devices were made based on the result for verification. The test using the devices was conducted for various materials in a laboratory. Comparative measurement using another device based on line heat source currently used was also conducted. In addition, thermal conductivities of rock in a mine were measured. As a result, it has been found that the in situ measurement by the new method can be done easily and rapidly with acceptable accuracy.