Rüther, J. ; Lederer, S. ; Peth, C. ; Sass, I. (2016)
Mechanical Evaluation of Sintered Macroporous High Density Polyethylene Filter Elements for Shallow Geothermal Application.
In: Journal of Porous Media, 19 (3)
doi: 10.1615/JPorMedia.v19.i3.30
Article

Abstract

High-density polyethylene (PE-HD) is a suitable material for the filtration of groundwater for shallow geothermal utilization based on its chemical and physical properties. The mechanical performance of filters can be evaluated by uniaxial compression. The compressive strength of sintered polymeric bodies depends on porosity, pore size, molecular weight, and bonding strength of the sintered particles to each other at ambient temperature. Mechanical parameters were analyzed for various manufactured filter and different polyethylene types. The mechanical performance of the porous filters is reduced with increasing porosity. Compressive strength of the samples increases with molecular weight of the sintered material. However, the porosity of the filters has a larger effect on the compressive strength than the molecular weight of the polyethylene type. Fracture behavior of the polymeric bodies is an indicator for bonding strength of sintered particles and consequently compressive strength. Fitting data to strength−porosity models proves that strength of the filters can be described adequately by Duckworth's model. The thermomechanical behavior for temperature range from 10° C to 40° C can be explained by the Arrhenius law. Referring to the analyzed mechanical performance at different temperatures, the utilization in shallow geothermal wells can be suggested at temperatures up to 20° C.

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