Subsurface Insulation Product and Method for Installing Same

Abstract

A subsurface thermal insulation product for reducing ground disturbance during a freeze-thaw cycle comprises: a plurality of thermal insulation panels each comprising: a foam board and a water wicking sheet attached to one of the top surface or the bottom surface of the foam board. Each foam board has a top surface and a bottom surface and four peripheral shiplap edges each with a notch that permits multiple thermal insulation panels to be placed in adjacent overlapping engagement.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A method for protecting ground infrastructure on a permafrost area from permafrost thaw, comprising:
 (a) covering a permafrost site with a bedding material such that a uniform surface is formed over the permafrost site;   (b) laying a plurality of thermal insulation panels over the bedding material, wherein each panel comprises   a foam board, each foam board having a top surface and a bottom surface and four peripheral shiplap edges each with notch that permits multiple thermal insulation panels to be placed in adjacent overlapping engagement; and   a water wicking sheet attached to one of the top surface or the bottom surface of the foam board;   (c) interlocking the panels together such that at least one panel is interlocked with four other panels around its four peripheral shiplap edges; and   (d) applying a covering material over the interlocked panels; then   (e) installing ground infrastructure over the covering material.   
     
     
         9 . A method as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the bedding material is snow. 
     
     
         10 . A method as claimed in  claim 8  wherein each panel further comprises a water repelling sheet attached to the other of the top surface or bottom surface of the foam board. 
     
     
         11 . A method as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the ground infrastructure is gas production equipment on the permafrost site. 
     
     
         12 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A method of protecting a roadway in a permafrost site from permafrost thaw, comprising:
 (a) removing overburden to a level of permafrost soil;   (b) laying a plurality of thermal insulation panels over the permafrost soil, wherein each panel comprises   a foam board, each foam board having a top surface and a bottom surface and four peripheral shiplap edges each with a notch that permits multiple thermal insulation panels to be placed in adjacent overlapping engagement; and   a water wicking sheet attached to one of the top surface or the bottom surface of the foam board;   (c) interlocking the panels together such that at least one panel is interlocked with four other panels around its four peripheral shiplap edges; and   (d) covering the interlocked panels with a selected covering material; then   (e) constructing a roadway on the covering material.