Scientists from Yakutia presented an innovative development to protect permafrost from melting. A new active soil cooling system will prevent the destruction of buildings and infrastructure in the face of climate change.
At the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Professor Terenty Kornilov from NEFU presented a unique technology for preserving permafrost. The development was created jointly with the Sette company and has already shown high efficiency in practice.
The essence of the technology is the use of special refrigeration units. The refrigerant is cooled to a temperature of -17 degrees and enters through a pipeline system directly into the ground. This allows you to significantly slow down the thawing process frozen soil
The problem of permafrost protection is becoming increasingly urgent for the Arctic region. According to scientists, Yakutia is warming up twice as fast as other regions of the world. Since 1991, the air temperature in Yakutsk has increased by two degrees, which creates serious risks for the entire infrastructure.
Economic damage from permafrost degradation could reach 1.7 trillion rubles. Builders are already forced to use piles longer than 15 meters and apply additional protective measures. New active soil cooling technology offers an effective solution to this problem.
Field studies in 2024 confirmed the practical benefits of the development. The use of refrigeration units made it possible to speed up the construction of an apartment building in Yakutia by stabilizing the soil. Scientists emphasize that when laying foundations, it is necessary to take into account climate changes for 30-50 years in advance.
The introduction of active soil cooling technology will help protect buildings and infrastructure in the North from the effects of climate change. NEFU scientists continue to work on improving thermal stabilization methods, developing new types of piles with integrated cooling systems.
The material was prepared with the support of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science as part of the Decade of Science and Technology.
Source: geoinfo.ru
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