Heat Transfer in an Air Thermosyphon Permafrost Protection Device

Velocity and temperature profiles were measured in a prototype air thermosyphon permafrost protection device. This device, known as the air convection pile, consists of an 18-in. (0.46-m) outer tube containing a shorter concentric 10-in. (0.25-m) tube extending from 10 to 60 ft (3 to 18 m) into the permafrost. Measurements showed a low frequency oscillating flow in both the annulus and inner tube. Heat removal rates compared favorable with an analytical model and previous experimental results, but the annulus velocity profiles were significantly different, possibly due to the oscillation in the flow.