Feasibility study on natural cold energy utilization in negative temperature underground space rock mass in permafrost region of northeast China

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the possibility of using natural cold energy to establish a negative temperature space in northeast China by combining previous studies on natural cold energy and the ground temperature data obtained in northeast China. The temperature field changes of different rock masses after joining different depths of the subsurface space were simulated and analyzed by the finite element software COMSOL, exploring the feasibility of establishing underground spaces that maintain a temperature below 0 °C. The numerical simulation results show that the maximum melting depths of granite, limestone and basalt rocks are −6.4 m, −7.85 m and −5.34 m after adding underground space in the Genhe area under the proposed conditions. The temperature in the underground space is lower than the initial setting temperature after a year of temperature change influence, this indicates a surplus of cold energy, Therefore, the goal of maintaining negative temperature in the underground space year-round with zero energy consumption in the Genhe region is feasible. This paper provides new ideas for the utilization of cold resources in China and helps to better achieve the goal of sustainable development.