Ground freezing

Heat transfer fluids as a ground stabiliser

The basic principle of ground freezing is the use of a heat transfer fluid to stabilise the ground.

Ground freezing is not a new technology. It has been applied in Europe and North America for more than a century for temporary ground freezing on a variety of construction and mining projects, for groundwater control and for excavation support in the underground construction industry.

A cold medium is circulated through a suitable pipe system, which cools the soil and thus converts the in-situ water to ice. Brines are mostly used as a cold medium.

Benefits of ground freezing:

  • Can be applied in all types of soil and groundwater conditions, such as running sand, gravel, etc. It allows working in each of these soils.
  • Most effective as an earth support system where groundwater is a concern and where either pumping or cutting off the water flow cannot be readily achieved using other methods.
  • Can be used for either temporary containment or as a long-term barrier.
  • Can be removed easily and completely, simply by allowing the ground to thaw naturally, without long-term effects on the subsurface environment.
  • Allows frozen soil barriers to be easily monitored in many ways, just by including temperature and pressure sensors.

Recommended dosage:

  • Freezium -60 °C