Inter-particle contact heat transfer in soil systems at moderate temperatures

An inter-particle contact heat transfer model for evaluating soil thermal conductivity is analysed with respect to soils, representing different textural classes, exposed to moderate temperatures ranging from 15 to 30°C. This model is a combination of a self-consistent approximation model, enhanced with an inter-particle contact heat transfer correction coefficient. For dry and saturated soils, this coefficient is defined as a ratio of a soil harmonic mean thermal conductivity of solid and fluid (air or water) phases, to the average thermal conductivity of soil solid grains. For unsaturated soils, we assume a linear interpolation of the correction coefficient between absolutely dry and saturated states, with a Kersten function (Ke) as a proportional factor. The strongest impact of the correction coefficient (maximum reduction of heat transfer) is observed for coarse soils below a critical value of saturation degree (Sr-cr–corresponds to Ke≅0) followed by medium and fine soils. For Sr>Srcr, the reduction of heat transfer gradually diminishes as Sr approaches 1 (i.e. saturated state). Soil texture, soil specific surface area, porosity and mineralogical composition (particularly quartz content) are important factors influencing the heat transfer correction coefficient. Their influence appears to be more substantial at the lower half of the wetness range (Sr<0.5). Simulation results from the new enhanced model closely follow experimental data.