A thermal model and experimental procedure for a point-source approach to determining the thermal properties of drill cuttings

This paper discusses a new procedure for calculating the conductivity and volumetric heat capacity of drill cuttings from boreholes, an important factor when designing shallow geothermal systems. The experiment in question consists of placing 55–65 kg drill cutting samples inside a container, along with a heat source (point source assumed), and arranging temperature sensors, connected to a data logger, at known distances from the source. A mathematical method for determining the conductivity and volumetric heat capacity associated with this experiment is described.