EESS PhD Student talk on "Global warming accelerates permafrost thaw, threatening landscapes and infrastructure. "
Event details
| Date | 15.10.2024 |
| Hour | 12:15 › 12:45 |
| Speaker | PhD Student Elizaveta Sharaborova, EPFL CRYOS Lab |
| Location | Online |
| Category | Conferences - Seminars |
| Event Language | English |
Abstract:
Global warming accelerates permafrost thaw, threatening landscapes and infrastructure. To mitigate these risks, protective thermal stabilization methods passive, active, and combined have been developed. In our current project, we focus on assessing the impact of these methods on mountain permafrost. To assess their effectiveness, we are conducting numerical simulations using the SNOWPACK model in the alpine permafrost. Alongside the simulations, we have developed a laboratory-scale prototype to demonstrate the active cooling system’s working principle and evaluate its performance. This prototype features cooling pipes to create a cold barrier, as well as temperature, soil moisture, and heat flux sensors to monitor permafrost conditions. At this seminar I will explain the working principle of different thermal stabilization methods, including the innovative one based on solar-powered heat-pump. I will explain their impact on the heat transfer through permafrost ground, sharing the numerical simulations results and experimental work performance.
Biography:
I am a PhD student at the CRYOS Lab, specializing in renewable energy solutions for permafrost stabilization. With a background in mechanical engineering, I became involved in the development of a solar-powered heat pump system designed for permafrost cooling and protecting the infrastructure on it. My current research combines numerical modeling and experimental studies to optimize this system for alpine permafrost. Supported by the ENAC Seed Grant under the “SolarFrost” project, my work explores the utilisation of renewable energy for powering cooling systems to protect fragile environments. I invite you to attend this seminar to learn more and join the discussion.
Global warming accelerates permafrost thaw, threatening landscapes and infrastructure. To mitigate these risks, protective thermal stabilization methods passive, active, and combined have been developed. In our current project, we focus on assessing the impact of these methods on mountain permafrost. To assess their effectiveness, we are conducting numerical simulations using the SNOWPACK model in the alpine permafrost. Alongside the simulations, we have developed a laboratory-scale prototype to demonstrate the active cooling system’s working principle and evaluate its performance. This prototype features cooling pipes to create a cold barrier, as well as temperature, soil moisture, and heat flux sensors to monitor permafrost conditions. At this seminar I will explain the working principle of different thermal stabilization methods, including the innovative one based on solar-powered heat-pump. I will explain their impact on the heat transfer through permafrost ground, sharing the numerical simulations results and experimental work performance.
Biography:
I am a PhD student at the CRYOS Lab, specializing in renewable energy solutions for permafrost stabilization. With a background in mechanical engineering, I became involved in the development of a solar-powered heat pump system designed for permafrost cooling and protecting the infrastructure on it. My current research combines numerical modeling and experimental studies to optimize this system for alpine permafrost. Supported by the ENAC Seed Grant under the “SolarFrost” project, my work explores the utilisation of renewable energy for powering cooling systems to protect fragile environments. I invite you to attend this seminar to learn more and join the discussion.
Practical information
- General public
- Free
- This event is internal
Organizer
- EESS - IIE
Contact
- Prof. Michael Lehning, Laboratory CRYOS