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https://hdl.handle.net/11681/9170| Title: | On the temperature distribution near a cold surface |
| Authors: | Yen, Yin-Chao. |
| Keywords: | Cold surfaces Ice Snow Frozen ground Micrometerology Temperature profiles Low temperature research Heat transmission Heat transfer |
| Publisher: | Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (U.S.) Engineer Research and Development Center (U.S.) |
| Series/Report no.: | CRREL report ; 93-19. |
| Description: | CRREL Report Abstract: Temperature profiles were taken during the 1991-92 season at an experimental site on CRREL's grounds; however, they were rather limited because of the unusual lack of snowfall and the location of the site, which was small and had elevated sides (especially in the direction of the prevailing wind). Nevertheless, some unusual features have been observed for the first time. The profiles show the existence of a double-reversal in temperature structure close to the snow surface when the snow temperature is much lower than its melting point, in contrast to a persistent raised maximum temperature over a melting snowpack. This indicates that the micro-heat transport process is complicated by the presence of a non-isothermal lower boundary. Over frozen or partially frozen ground without snow, and with air temperature either above or below the melting point of ice, a thin, nearly isothermal air layer on the order of 2 to 3 cm in thickness at varying heights was observed for the first time. With very few exceptions, in general, the temperature decreases as height increases, but the extent is less pronounced over a snow cover (where conditions are nearly isothermal) than over cold ground. On the basis of limited measurements, the overall temperature gradient over the bare ground is about twice that over snow-covered ground. |
| Rights: | Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/11681/9170 |
| Appears in Collections: | CRREL Report |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRREL-93-19.pdf | 745.4 kB | Adobe PDF |  View/Open |