Warming up the soil in winter: technology and 8 methods, which one is better to choose

Earthworks in winter cause a number of difficulties. One of the problems that may arise is the need for preliminary preparation. The use of jackhammers or other types of mechanical impact is not always possible, as this provokes damage to underground utilities or damage to buildings located nearby. Therefore, thermal technologies for warming up the soil in winter are often used.

Traditional types of frozen soil heating

Today, many methods are known that are based on different principles of temperature exposure. All of them have certain pluses and minuses.

Reflex oven

This is a fairly quick way to warm up the ground, which is convenient and perfect for use in the city. The heat generator in this case is a nichrome wire, the thickness of which is 3.5 mm. The direction of thermal radiation is corrected by a chrome-plated reflector. Its thickness should be approximately 1 mm.

The reflector itself is insulated with a metal casing. Between the walls of 2 metals is an air cushion. It performs thermal protection functions. The oven operates from the mains and can heat 1.5 square meters of soil. To warm a cubic meter of soil requires an amount of energy at the level of about 50 kilowatts per hour. It takes 10 hours in time.

The main disadvantage of this method is the high risk of electric shock to unauthorized persons. Therefore, during the operation of the installation, it is required to install fences and provide security.

Also, the disadvantages of this method include a low coverage area and the need for a power supply system with a capacity of about 20 kilowatts per hour for the operation of the complex, which includes 3 installations.

Electrodes

This method of warming up the soil can be implemented in various ways:

1. For soil cultivation at a depth of less than 70 centimeters, it is required to use electrodes in the form of steel strips. Their edges must first be bent up to connect the wires. The strips should be laid on the ground and sprinkled with a layer of sawdust. Their thickness should not exceed 20 centimeters. To increase conductivity, it is recommended to moisten the sawdust with a low concentration s alt solution. The strips then need to be energized.
2. To warm the soil to a depth of more than 70 centimeters, it is recommended to use electrodes in the form of steel rods. They need to be hammered into the soil in a checkerboard pattern with an interval of 0.5-1 meter from each other.Then voltage must be applied to them, which will start the heating process. When the soil thaws, the rods should be hammered harder.

In any case, the manipulation takes approximately 30 hours. At the same time, the cost of electricity for processing 1 cubic meter of soil is about 60 kilowatts per hour. To implement this method, a power source is required. In addition, the process must be constantly monitored. Otherwise, there is a risk of electric shock to people.

Open flame

This method is based on the combustion of solid or liquid fuel in a special device, which consists of open tanks. The first box is a combustion chamber, and the last one is supplemented with an exhaust pipe.

At the same time, a thrust appears, which ensures the passage of combustion products along the entire chain, and the simultaneous heating of the soil under it. The unit operates on any fuel.In this case, the process is considered to be quite lengthy. It needs strict control and is accompanied by impressive heat losses. It is not possible to use this method in the city.

Chemical method

To thaw the soil with chemicals, you need to drill holes in it. After that, sodium chloride is required to be poured into the holes to dissolve the ice. The process takes 6-8 days.

He does not need constant monitoring and is simple. However, the use of chemical reagents negatively affects the condition of the soil. It will not be possible to use it later for growing cultivated plants.

Steam needles

Needles are special metal pipes. Their diameter is 25-50 millimeters, and the length is 1.5-2 meters. They have tips with holes with a diameter of 2-3 millimeters and are connected by flexible hoses to supply steam, the temperature of which exceeds 100 degrees.

Needles are recommended to be placed in a checkerboard pattern. This should be done at intervals of 1-1.5 meters from each other. Devices must be installed in pre-drilled wells. Then, under a pressure of 0.07 megapascal, hot steam is supplied there. This method should be used if the depth of the future trench is 1.5 meters or more. This method helps to warm the soil within a few hours.

The disadvantages of the method include the need to use a steam generator and the complexity of preparatory measures. In addition, a lot of condensate is released during the procedure - about 35 liters per treated meter of surface. Another disadvantage is the need for constant monitoring of the process.

Hot coolant

In this case, the soil is heated under the influence of a hot mineral, the temperature of which is 100-200 degrees.They cover the entire surface of the earth. For this purpose, materials that remain after laying roads can be used. It can be concrete chips or damaged asph alt. Defrost period - minimum 20-30 hours.

However, this method also has some disadvantages. These include, in particular, dependence on a subcontractor, heat losses during the period of coolant delivery, the need to clean up the coolant after the ground has been defrosted. Another disadvantage is the long defrosting time.

Tubular electric heaters

When implementing this technology, heat energy is transferred by the contact method. Electric needles act as working elements. They are pipes 1 meter long and 50-60 millimeters in diameter. Inside are electrical heating elements. They are placed horizontally and connected in series to the circuit.

This method also has certain disadvantages. These include the need for constant monitoring and the risk of electric shock to people. Also, a small thawing area and the need to perform preparatory measures are considered disadvantages.

Heating the soil with thermoelectric mats

An excellent option for warming up the soil is the use of thermomats. They help to evenly heat the soil throughout the depth and help maintain the set temperature in automatic mode.

For the production of special mats, heat-radiating films are used. They differ in area and configuration. The panels are approximately 10 mm thick. They operate from a single-phase network and are able to generate temperatures up to 70 degrees. The high performance of the device is due to the directed effect of infrared radiation.

Which method is better to choose

Each of the soil warming methods has certain pluses and minuses. The simplest and least expensive way is to use hot sand. Ordinary quarry sand is used as a material for the procedure.

It is heated at the factory to a temperature of 180-250 degrees, after which it is delivered by vehicles to the right place. To reduce heat loss, sand needs to be insulated. It takes about a day to warm up the soil. Then the cooled coolant can be removed and subsequently used for other purposes.

On average, a cubic meter of such material is enough to impact an area of 4 square meters. The use of hot sand in the construction industry is considered one of the cheapest and most effective options.

Also a great option is to use thermomats. This option has the following advantages:

• no risk of environmental pollution;
• complete safety for people;
• high efficiency;
• no need for advance preparation.

It is permissible to warm up the soil in different ways. Each of them has certain pros and cons. This allows you to choose the most suitable option.

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