Study of effect of moisture and temperature on thermal and physical properties of limestone using a transient plane source technique

Abstract

This study investigated the thermophysical properties of limestone in its dry and moist states. A thermal constant analyser, based on Transient Plane Source (TPS) technique, was used to study the thermophysical properties. Temperature dependence of thermophysical properties of limestone was investigated by elevating the temperature up to 433 K. The chemical and mineral composition of samples were studied using SEM-EDS and XRD analysis. The thermal conductivity of dry and moist limestone showed that in situ measurements are necessary for the precise determination of thermal properties. The variations in thermal properties of limestones as a function of temperature were described by mineral composition and heat transfer mechanism. The thermal conductivity of limestone was measured in the range of 2.586 to 3.054 Wm−1K−1. The thermal diffusivity of samples was ranged from 1.390 to 1.601 mm2s−1 while specific heat capacity of limestone was in the range of 1.847 to 2.066 MJm−3K−1. A noticeable change in thermal properties of moist limestone was observed as compared to the dry limestone.