Thermal Creek Geothermal
4023 4 Street S.E., Calgary
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Conductivity Testing

Thermal Creek Geothermal > Services > Conductivity Testing
Conductivity Test Costa Rica
Conductivity Test Costa Rica
Formation Thermal Conductivity Test
Getting set up
GeoCube Conductivity Test
The GeoCube yields reliable results
Analyzing Conductivity Test Data
Analyzing Conductivity Test Data
Geothermal Test Borehole Drilling
Geothermal Test Borehole Drilling

Formation Thermal Conductivity

We are experts in design and execution of formation thermal conductivity testing.

Pretty much since the inception of the business, Thermal Creek has been doing Formation Thermal Conductivity (FTC) Tests. We have done them all over Alberta and even one in Costa Rica which was an amazing adventure.

What is Conductivity?

The formation thermal conductivity, or thermal response, test is a way to determine ground thermal
properties that are critical for ground source heat pump system design. The test is performed by injecting a known and constant heat power into a borehole heat exchanger and then measuring the temperature response.

Why do a formation thermal conductivity test?

By doing an FTC test on your actual development site, you gain the most crucial information about the soil conditions as they relate to the feasibility of your geothermal solution. These information items include:

  • How well the soil can transfer heat energy
  • Long term soil response to temperature change
  • Undisturbed resting soil temperature
  • Drilling conditions on the site

When do a formation thermal conductivity test?

There is not a single answer as to when to do a FTC test. Thermal Creek can advise you on your project, and whether or not you should be planning on doing an FTC test. As a general guideline, if any of the following applies, a test is likely warranted:

  • Projects of a Commercial nature
  • Total system capacity exceeding 30-tons
  • Unknown soil conditions (no information whatsoever)
  • Anticipation of challenging drilling conditions

How Thermal Creek can help

Designing your FTC test is an important step in the process. Ideally, the test borehole parameters (depth, pipe size etc…) will match the actual field parameters. Even more ideal is when the test borehole is placed in such a way that it can be part of the actual field. 

01
FTC Design

Designing the FTC test

We will need some basic information on your project. Rough building size, location and lot layout are minimum requirements. Based on this information, we can design the FTC test for the project. Key design items are:
  • Number of FTC tests (sometimes more than one is advisable)
  • Borehole Design (depth, pipe, grout)
  • Placement on site of the test borehole(s)
02
Drilling

Drilling the test wells

Once we have the FTC test parameters, we can start the planning and drilling of the test borehole(s). This usually involves locating any underground utilities and possibly surveying the borehole(s). We then drill the test well(s) and provide an accurate lithology report.
  • Borehole(s) drilled
  • Geothermal loop installed
  • Borehole(s) grouted
  • Minimum 5-days of letting the soil rest
03
FTC Test

Executing the FTC test

Once the soil has had its minimum rest time, and returned to undisturbed conditions, we can start the actual FTC test. This involves setting up our test equipment and connection to the test borehole(s). The test duration is 48-72hrs. During this timeframe an uninterrupted and steady heat energy injection into the borehole takes place. Multiple sensors collect data on the thermal response of the soil.
  • Ground has returned to undisturbed conditions
  • Test duration is 48-72hrs uninterrupted
  • Multiple sensors collect data on soil response
04
Analysis

Analyzing the test data

The final step of the FTC test process is analyzing the data. A competent test can provide the undisturbed formation ground temperature, the calculated thermal conductivity, the calculated borehole thermal resistance and an estimate of the thermal diffusivity. These values, critical for the optimal design of a geothermal system, can be used in a geothermal design program to design an optimized, cost-effective system.
  • Undisturbed Soil Temperature
  • Thermal Conductivity
  • Thermal Diffusivity
  • Borehole Thermal Resistance

Common Questions around FTC Tests

As mentioned above, there is no set answer on this. We would not typically advise doing a test for a residential project, unless the total geothermal capacity is exceeding 30-tons. 

All commercial projects require an FTC test. 

Early in the project design process is ideal. The information from the test is not only crucial for the design of the geothermal ground loop heat exchanger, but also yields valuable insights into the drilling conditions on the site. This helps with accurate quotations for the actual project.

The total cost of the test is dependent on the test borehole parameters as outlined above. Typically, the total cost of the FTC test (including drilling) is in the range of $30,000 – $50,000. 

Would you like to explore our FTC services?

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