Pore Unit Cell Network Modeling of the Thermal Conductivity Dynamics in Unsaturated Sandy Soils: Unveiling the Role of Spanning-Wetting Phase Cluster

Pore Unit Cell Network Modeling of the Thermal Conductivity Dynamics in Unsaturated Sandy Soils: Unveiling the Role of Spanning-Wetting Phase Cluster

Rasoul Mirghafari, Amir Hossein Helforoosh, Ehsan Nikooee, Ghassem Habibagahi, Amir Raoof, Martinus Theodorus van Genuchten

A novel technique is proposed to capture the thermal conductivity (TC) dynamics in unsaturated sands, essential for applications as diverse as geo-energy technologies to crop management and modeling fire-induced soil quality loss.

The study introduces a pore unit cell network model (PUCNM) to link thermal conductivity to pore-scale saturation dynamics, revealing that the shrinkage in the extent of spanning wetting-phase cluster results in a drastic decline in the unsaturated TC. The findings highlight the necessity of pore-scale approaches to accurately model heat and moisture transport, crucial to foresee climate change effects on soil and water, two vital human resources.

Vadose Zone Journal, Volume 23, Issue 4 (2024)

Corresponding Author: Ehsan Nikooee

‌

InterPore Members can promote their publications to the community via the InterPore InJournals Section of the Newsletter. If you wish to do so, please submit your publication highlight to newsletter@InterPore.org. Clearly indicate which of the authors is an InterPore member (or the institute with an Institutional Membership). Note that we will not review the entries nor does InterPore endorse the published work. Furthermore, we publish on a “submitted first, published first” basis. The highlighted publication should be no older than 6 months (available online). 

The highlight should be short (max 100 words) and contain an illustration. Please note that we offer this opportunity exclusively to InterPore members. If you would like to become a member, please have a lookhere.