Product Introduction

RY-DRT soil heat flux sensor (also known as "soil heat flux plate" or "heat flux meter") is mainly used to measure the energy balance of soil and the thermal conductivity of soil layers. The soil heat flux sensor uses a thermoelectric stack to measure temperature gradients, which is composed of two different metal materials. Thermopile detectors accept thermal radiation, which can generate thermoelectric potential between nodes of two different materials. The heat flux sensor outputs in the form of voltage, which is proportional to the heat flux. Its output voltage is a millivolt signal, which is read by the data acquisition system.

The output radiation of a heat flux sensor is W/m2, usually represented by G:

G=mv ´ sensitivity coefficient

Each soil heat flux sensor provides a calibrated sensitivity coefficient.

During use, be sure to pay attention to the front and back of the heat flux sensor. The correct placement is with the front facing upwards, because after the soil surface absorbs the net solar radiation, energy is transmitted to the deeper layers of the soil through molecular conduction, causing the lower layers of the soil to warm up. In other words, heat is transported downwards from the ground, and the soil heat flux is positive at this time; Conversely, when the surface temperature of the soil is lower than the deep temperature, heat will be output from the deep layers of the soil, and the soil heat flux at this time is negative. This process is called the heat exchange process in soil.

Throughout the year, soil heat flux varies with the seasons. In summer, soil heat flux is positive, meaning that heat enters the soil layer and the amount is relatively large; In winter, the heat flux is negative, and the heat in the soil is released into the atmosphere, but the amount is relatively small.

Technical Specifications