Heat transport model simulations of Lysimeter/Ecotron systems

Soil temperature plays a central role in the complex processes in the vadose zone, particularly in connection with water and solute transport. As a major thermal factor, soil temperature influences not only the physical properties of the soil, but also the biochemical reactions responsible for the transport of water and solutes. The variation of soil temperature can have significant effects on the mobility of nutrients and pollutants and thus plays a key role in understanding and controlling important soil processes.

Ecotrons in combination with weighable lysimeters are generally able to investigate complex ecological processes (e.g. evapotranspiration, nutrient dynamics) under controlled conditions. However, the requirement for this is that the temperature control of the soil column can be simulated with sufficient accuracy over the entire height and cross-section. Furthermore, it must also be ensured that the required rates of temperature change in the soil column, which can vary depending on the scientific question, can be simulated.

In the course of the abstract submitted here, we would like to present the results of 3D heat transport model simulation for selected examples, which contribute to the optimization of the technical design of Lysimeter/Ecotron systems (e.g. with regard to insulation thickness, heat exchanger area, required inlet temperature in the heat exchanger, etc.).