Table of Contents What is Heat Flux? Heat flux, also known as heat flow density, refers to the amount of heat transferred per unit area
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Soil Heat Flux Plate
The soil heat flux plate, also called soil heat flux sensor. It can be used to measure the energy balance of the soil and the heat transfer through the soil layers. Renke soil heat flux sensor measure using a thermopile, which consists of two different metallic materials. The thermopile receives the thermal radiation and generates a temperature difference potential, which in turn leads to an algorithmic heat flux value.
- Model: RS-SHF-N01-TR-1-EX
- MOQ: 1 PCS
- Delivery date: within 24 hours
- Price: $92
About - Soil Heat Flux Plate
Our soil heat flux plate uses the standard ModBus-RTU RS485 communication protocol to directly read the current soil heat flux value without the need for a separate collector. Wiring is simple and easy to use. Soil heat flux panels are suitable for soil heat path analysis in geotechnical engineering, meteorological surface flux measurements, and soil heat transfer processes in scientific research.
Parameters
- Power supply: DC 7-30V
- Maximum power consumption: 0.3W (24V DC)
- Operating temperature: -40°C to +60°C
- Ingress protection: IP68
- Measure range: -2000 to 2000 W/m²
- Accuracy: ±5% (@±200 W/m²)
- Sealing material: Black flame-retardant epoxy resin
- Cable length: 2m (default), customizable
- Output signal: RS485 (ModBus protocol)
- Can be connected to our weather stations or monitoring hosts to upload data to the free cloud platform for real-time monitoring, with data also displayed on an LED screen.
- Designed with IP68 protection rating, allowing long-term dynamic monitoring when buried in soil.
How to install soil heat flux plate?
Installation method
Select a relatively uniform and representative open area for measurement, avoiding stones. First, dig a vertical pit with a shovel, and keep the excavated soil for later backfilling to restore the original soil structure after installing the soil heat flux sensor.
Install the soil heat flux plate on one side of the pit, at a depth of 5 cm below the ground surface. Use a knife or shovel to make a horizontal cut at the installation position. Insert the heat flux sensor into the horizontal cut. To ensure measurement accuracy, the heat flux plate must be in full contact with the soil. Then backfill the excavated soil to its original density.
The sensor is designed with an IP68 protection rating, allowing it to be fully submerged in water. During installation, ensure the green side faces the soil surface and the blue side faces deeper soil layers. If installed in reverse, the output data will be opposite to the actual soil heat flux values.
Do not route the sensor cable directly to the ground surface. The cable should be buried horizontally for at least 1 meter to minimize heat conduction through the wire. After the sensor and cable are installed, backfill all soil to its original position.
If installing a soil temperature sensor, place it near the soil heat flux plate, at a depth of either 2 cm or 4 cm below the ground surface. Make sure there is no heat-generating equipment around the installation site. Because temperature changes may affect sensor accuracy.
Precautions
- In field experiments, it is difficult to find a single location that represents the entire area. Therefore, we usually recommend using two sensors spaced more than 5 meters apart within the measurement area.
- The thermal conductivity of the surrounding environment affects the sensitivity of the soil heat flux sensor. This is because soil properties are uncertain and vary with soil moisture content. The typical thermal conductivity of a heat flux device is 0.8 W/(m·K), while soil conductivity can vary between 0.2 and 2.5 W/(m·K). For relatively dry sand, the conductivity is about 0.8 W/(m·K), but when saturated with water, it can reach up to 2.5 W/(m·K).
- The soil heat flux plate must be installed below the soil surface, not directly on it. Installing on the surface will distort water flow, making the measured heat flux unrepresentative of the surrounding soil. In addition, solar radiation absorption will not be representative, and the sensor will be more fragile. In meteorological applications, soil heat flux sensors are typically buried about 0.05 meters below the soil surface. Installation at depths shallower than 0.05 m or deeper than 0.08 m is not recommended, as deeper installation reduces measurement accuracy.
FAQs - Soil Heat Flux Plate
Why measure soil heat flux?
Soil heat flux plays an important role for the Earth. First, it has a significant impact on the Earth’s energy balance and climate change. Secondly, soil heat flux can also affect the distribution of soil moisture and evaporation process. When soil heat flux is high, soil temperature increases and the rate of water evaporation increases, which leads to a decrease in soil moisture content. Finally, soil heat flux can also affect soil biological activities and plant growth. Changes in soil heat flux can directly or indirectly affect the structure and function of soil ecosystems.
Most meteorological experiments show that the main source of energy during the day is downward solar radiation. The maximum power of the sun is about 1500 w/m² Under clear sky conditions and at low latitudes, solar radiation is either reflected or absorbed by the soil. The absorbed heat is divided into evaporation of water, heating of ambient air and heating of soil. At night, the sun disappears and the net irradiance is upward. The soil then releases energy to the sky through far-infrared radiation. The maximum upward net irradiance is about 150 W/m² under clear sky conditions. The heat flux in soil at a depth of 0.05 m typically ranges from -100 to +300 W/m².
What is soil heat flux?
Soil heat flux refers to the transfer of heat energy through the soil surface, and it is a key component of the Earth’s surface energy balance.
The magnitude of soil heat flux is influenced by multiple factors, including solar radiation, soil properties, and vegetation cover. Among these, solar radiation is the primary driving force—it directly strikes the soil surface, causing the soil to absorb energy and warm up.
Soil characteristics such as thermal conductivity and bulk density also affect the amount of heat flux. In addition, vegetation cover plays a regulatory role by altering radiation absorption, evaporation, and conduction processes at the soil surface, thereby impacting the overall soil heat flux.
What is a soil heat flux plate?
The soil heat flux plate is a traditional soil thermal property tester used to measure the energy balance of the soil and the thermal conductivity of the soil layer.
How does the soil heat flux plate work?
The soil heat flux plate measure using a thermopile, which consists of two different metallic materials. The thermopile receives the thermal radiation and generates a temperature difference potential, which is then used to derive the heat flux value according to an algorithm.
Where is the soil heat flux plate use?
Soil heat flux plates are widely used in meteorological monitoring, scientific research and geotechnical engineering.
What do I need to pay attention to when installing a soil heat flux plate?
Installation should ensure that the sensor is in good contact with the soil to avoid air gaps that can affect measurement accuracy. The sensor should be placed horizontally at the target depth and secured to prevent movement. At the same time, select representative soil sample points and environmental conditions to avoid human interference.
How do I calibrate the soil heat flux plate?
Our heat flux plates are calibrated at the factory and do not need to be calibrated twice. If calibration is required, please contact a technician for guidance.
What is the maintenance and care of the soil heat flux plate?
Regular cleaning of the surface and regular calibration.
What is the measurement accuracy of the soil heat flux plate?
Our soil heat flux plates have a measurement accuracy of ±5% (@ ±200W/²), which meets the measurement requirements of most locations.
Can soil heat flux plate operate in extreme climatic conditions?
Renke heat flux plates are made of black flame retardant epoxy resin material and are sealed to IP68 rating to work even in harsh environments.
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