Wind-driven device for cooling permafrost

Preserving permafrost subgrade is a challenge due to global warming, but passive cooling techniques have limited success. Here, we present a novel wind-driven device that can cool permafrost subgrade by circulating coolant between the ambient air and the subgrade. It consists of a wind mill, a mechanical clutch with phase change material, and a fluid-circulation heat exchanger. The clutch engages and disengages through freezing and melting phase change material, while the device turns off when the outside air temperature exceeds a certain threshold, preventing heat from penetrating the subgrade. Two-year observations demonstrate that the device effectively cooled permafrost measuring 8.0 m in height and 1.5 m in radius by 0.6–1.0 °C, with an average power of 68.03 W. The device can be adapted for cooling embankments, airstrip bases, pipe foundations, and other structures. Further experimentation is required to evaluate its cooling capacity and long-term durability under various conditions.

Yinghong Qin, Tianyu Wang, Weixin Yuan