The temperature dependence of the thermal conductivity K was fitted to
the function K = 1/(A + B x T), T is absolute temperature, for 121 ro
ck samples. Using our own measuring results for 64 samples it was foun
d that there exists a linear relationship between the constants A and
B: A = -(532 +/- 45) x B + (0.448 +/- 0.014). The checked number of li
terature data reflect almost the same result. An analogous equation wa
s obtained far the temperature dependence of the thermal diffusivity.
Using the relationship between the constants A and B the elimination o
f one of them results in a generalized temperature law: K = 1/(B x (T
- 532) + 0.448). For many rock samples a temperature function K = T/(E
+ F x T) takes us to a much better fit of the experimental results fo
r the temperature dependence of the thermal conductivity. In this case
as well the constants are correlated. The result is K = T/(F x (T - 3
14) + 122). (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.