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Temperature dependence of thermal diffusivity, specific heat capacity, and thermal conductivity for several types of rocks

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Abstract

The thermo-physical properties for four rock types (granite, granodiorite, gabbro, and garnet amphibolite) from room temperature to 1,173 K were investigated. Thermal diffusivity and specific heat capacity were measured using the laser-flash technique and heat flux differential scanning calorimetry, respectively. Combined with the density data, rock thermal conductivities were calculated. Rock thermal diffusivity and conductivity decrease as the temperature increases and approach a constant value at high temperatures. At room temperature, the measured thermal conductivity is consistently near or lower than the calculated conductivity using the mineral series model, which suggests that real thermal conduction is more complicated than is depicted in the model. Therefore, in situ measurement remains the best method for accurately obtaining thermal conductivity for rocks.

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Acknowledgements

The study was performed under Project supported by “135” Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory for High Temperature and High Pressure Study of the Earth’s Interior, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550002, China

    S. Q. Miao, H. P. Li & G. Chen

  2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China

    S. Q. Miao & G. Chen

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  1. S. Q. Miao
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  2. H. P. Li
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  3. G. Chen
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Correspondence to H. P. Li.

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Miao, S.Q., Li, H.P. & Chen, G. Temperature dependence of thermal diffusivity, specific heat capacity, and thermal conductivity for several types of rocks. J Therm Anal Calorim 115, 1057–1063 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-013-3427-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-013-3427-2

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