Measurements of thermal properties of rock samples under high temperature conditions

To investigate temperature effects on the thermal transport properties of several typical rocks, thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity and specific heat capacity or volumetric heat capacity of dry granite, gabbro, marble and sandstone samples and a fused silica sample were measured under high ambient temperature conditions from room temperature up to 160 degrees C and under atmospheric pressure condition. For this purpose, we developed a new measurement system for the three thermal transport properties of dry rock samples under high ambient temperatures up to 180 degrees C. The results of our experiments conducted in this study clearly showed that the thermal properties of dry rocks change with ambient temperature changes, in addition, the thermal property change patterns were different for different rock types. For example, the thermal conductivities of granite, marble and sandstone decreased with temperature, however that of gabbro kept almost constant.