scholarly journals Determining the Recoverable Geothermal Resources Using a Numerical Thermo-Hydraulic Coupled Modeling in Geothermal Reservoirs

2022 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yifan Fan ◽  
Shikuan Zhang ◽  
Yonghui Huang ◽  
Zhonghe Pang ◽  
Hongyan Li

Recoverable geothermal resources are very important for geothermal development and utilization. Generally, the recovery factor is a measure of available geothermal resources in a geothermal field. However, it has been a pre-determined ratio in practice and sustainable utilization of geothermal resources was not considered in the previous calculation of recoverable resources. In this work, we have attempted to develop a method to calculate recoverable geothermal resources based on a numerical thermo-hydraulic coupled modeling of a geothermal reservoir under exploitation, with an assumption of sustainability. Taking a geothermal reservoir as an example, we demonstrate the effectiveness of the method. The recoverable geothermal resources are 6.85 × 1018 J assuming a lifetime of 100 years in a well doublet pattern for geothermal heating. We further discuss the influence of well spacing on the recoverable resources. It is found that 600 m is the optimal well spacing with maximum extracted energy that conforms to the limit of the pressure drop and no temperature drop in the production well. Under the uniform well distribution pattern for sustainable exploitation, the recovery factor is 26.2%, which is higher than the previous value of 15% when depending only on lithology. The proposed method for calculating the recoverable geothermal resources is instructive for making decisions for sustainable exploitation.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Basile ◽  
Roberto Brogi ◽  
Favaro Lorenzo ◽  
Tiziana Mazzoni

<p><span><span>Social consensus is a </span><span>condition precedent for any intervention having an impact on the territory, such as geothermal power plants. Therefore, private investors studied and proposed innovative solution for the exploitation of the medium enthalpy geothermal resource, with “zero emissions” in atmosphere, with the target of minimizing its environmental impact. “Montenero” project, developed by GESTO Italia, complies with this precondition.</span></span></p><p><span><span>The area covered b</span><span>y the exploration and exploitation permit is located on the northern edge of the great geothermal anomaly of Mt. Amiata (Tuscany), about 10 km north of the geothermal field of Bagnore, included in the homonymous Concession of Enel Green Power.</span></span></p><p><span><span>The geological - structural setting of the area around the inactive volc</span><span>ano of Mt. Amiata has been characterized by researches for the geothermal field of Bagnore, carried out by Enel Green Power over the years. The geothermal reservoir is present in the limestone and evaporitic rocks of the “Falda Toscana”, below which stands the Metamorphic Basement, as testified by the wells of geothermal field of Bagnore. The foreseen reservoir temperature at the target depth of 1.800 m is 140 °C, with an incondensable gas content of 1,8% by weight.</span></span></p><p><span><span>The project was presented to the authorities in 2013 and it is </span><span>now undergoing exploitation authorization and features the construction of a 5 MW ORC (Organic Ranking Circle) binary power plant. The plant is fed by three production wells for a total mass flow rate of 700 t/h. The geothermal fluid is pumped by three ESPs (Electrical Submersible Pump) keeping the geothermal fluid in liquid state from the extraction through the heat exchangers to its final reinjection three wells.</span></span></p><p><span><span>The reinjection temperature is 70 °C and the circuit pressure is maintained above the </span><span>incondensable gas bubble pressure, i.e. 40 bar, condition which prevents also the formation of calcium carbonate scaling. The confinement of the geothermal fluid in a “closed loop system” is an important advantage from the environmental point of view: possible pollutants presented inside the geothermal fluid are not released into the environment and are directly reinjected in geothermal reservoir.</span></span></p><p><span><span>The </span><span>environmental authorization procedure (obtained) has taken into account all the environmental aspects concerning the natural matrices (air, water, ground, ...) potentially affected by the activities needed for the development, construction and operation of “Montenero” ORC geothermal power plant. A numerical modeling was designed and applied in order to estimate the effect of the cultivation activity and to assess the reinjection overpressure (seismic effect evaluation). The project also follows the “best practices” implemented in Italy by the “Guidelines for the usage of medium and high enthalpy geothermal resources” prepared in cooperation between the Ministry of Economic Development and the Ministry of the Environment.</span></span></p>


2021 ◽  
pp. 014459872110435
Author(s):  
Tianfu Xu ◽  
Yue’an Zhao ◽  
Jichu Zhao ◽  
Lanxin Zhang ◽  
Shuai Liu ◽  
...  

Dezhou City is located in northwestern Shandong Province, China, and is rich in geothermal resources. Approximately 30% of the geothermal wells and geothermal heating areas of Shandong Province are located in Dezhou. A doublet-well layout geothermal system was completed by the Lubei Geo-engineering Exploration Institute for local winter heating, which has been in operation for 4 years. The wellbores penetrated the Guantao Formation with a well spacing of 180 m. This study aims to assess the heat extraction performance of the current well layout and predict the temperature evolution and lifespan. Furthermore, larger well spacing schemes were used in a simulation to test the heat supply potential and sustainability. In this study, the thermal conductivity and permeability were calibrated using in situ measured data from a field production test. A relatively high permeability layer was found between the depths of 1468 and 1536 m. The temperature remained stable in the first 6 years and then started to decrease. The recharging (injection) water tended to concentrate along the bottom highly permeable layer and accounted for over 64% of the outflow in the 100th year of the simulation test. The outflow temperature decreased from 53.9°C to 50°C in the 32nd year, making it less viable for subsequent sustainable exploitation. Hence, a larger well spacing is required for long-term operation based on the same geothermal reservoir. It was found that a spacing of 400 m could guarantee an outflow temperature above 50°C over a 100-year lifespan with an 80 m3/h pumping (production) rate. Moreover, the sustainability of the 600-m spacing was almost 2.5 times that of the 400 m case. The modeling and analysis method can be useful for the development and optimization of a doublet-well geothermal system under similar conditions.


Author(s):  
Aygun Vahid Mammadova

Geothermal field of the Pliocene complex in the Absheron peninsula, Azerbaijan have been examined on the basis of temperature distributions in over 50 deep wells. Data analysis include variations in geothermal gradient and distribution of heat flow within complexes of Absheron formation of upper Pliocene in age. Geothermal gradients are in the range of 17 to 25oC/km. The heat flow values are found to fall in the range of 50 to 80mW/m2. Estimates have been made of geothermal energy resources up to depths of 6000 meters. The main productive strata are of middle Pliocene in age. The results have allowed identification of geothermal resources with temperature above the 20°C and at depths less than 110-180 meters. Assessments of in-situ and recoverable resources have been made for 21 sites. Model simulations point to perspectives for widespread utilization of geothermal energy in the Absheron peninsula.


2012 ◽  
Vol 550-553 ◽  
pp. 2472-2477
Author(s):  
Yu Chun Bai ◽  
Yong Li Li ◽  
Fu Li Qi ◽  
Feng Long Zhang

Heiyu Lake zone of Daqing is located in the southwest hollow borderland of Heiyu Lake and on the arching transitional zone of Daqing placanticline. Based on the geological background of Heiyu Lake, this paper analyzes the landform, the regional geological structure, the formation lithology and the irruptive rock and other metallogenic conditions in detail. The indispensable geological conditions for forming geothermal field in layers were summed up. Combining with the development characteristics and geophysical data of formation, the bore hole site of geothermal well and target stratum were ascertained. The four major elements of forming geothermal resources in this region were confirmed by carrying out geothermal drilling.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitsuo Matsumoto

This chapter describes an approach to estimate reservoir productivity during the active exploration and development of a geothermal prospect. This approach allows a reservoir model to be updated by overcoming the severe time limitations associated with accessing sites for drilling and well testing under snowy and mountainous conditions. Performed in parallel with the conventional standard approach, the new approach enables us to obtain a first estimate of the reservoir productivity at an early time and to make successful project management decisions. Assuming a practical geothermal field, the procedures of the new approach are demonstrated here in detail. Finally, frequency distributions for the expected production rates and changes in the reservoir pressure at an arbitrary time are obtained during an assumed operational period.


Jurnal MIPA ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 32
Author(s):  
Jeferson Polii

Injeksi brine hasil dari fluida produksi panas bumi digunakan untuk mengisi volume pori batuan reservoir, mencegah penurunan tekanan batuan yang terlalu cepat, dan mencegah polusi panas dan polusi kimia pada lingkungan yang disebabkan oleh kandungan kimia tertentu pada brine. Pada pipa aliran brine terjadi penurunan tekanan fluida sepanjang aliran. Di lapangan panas bumi Dieng, konsentrasi silika sangat tinggi, sehingga penurunan temperatur saturasi memicu desposisi silika. Penurunan tekanan sepanjang pipa aliran brine dari pompa Vertikal Atas (VA) 7 ke pond di pad 29 di lapangan panas bumi Dieng akan menyebabkan penurunan temperatur saturasi, selain juga kehilangan panas secara alami. Perhitungan penurunan tekanan fluida brine berdasarkan perhitungan Harrison-Freeston dan metode dari Zhao, yang dikembangkan dengan algoritma menggunakan Macro Excel. Sehingga dengan memodelkan penurunan tekanan sepanjang pipa alir, dapat dikembangkan untuk perhitungan penurunan temperatur dan pengendapan silika di pipa aliran brine untuk injeksi panas bumi.Brine injection from geothermal production fluids is used to fill reservoir pore rock volumes, preventing rapid rock pressure drops, and preventing heat pollution and chemical pollution in the environment caused by certain chemical constituents in the brine. Decrease fluid pressure along the flow on the brine flow pipe. In the Dieng geothermal field, the silica concentration is very high, so the decrease in saturation temperature triggers the silica desposition. The pressure drop along the brine flow pipe from the Upper Vertical (VA) 7 pump to the pond in pad 29 in Dieng geothermal field will cause a decrease in saturation temperature, as well as natural heat loss. The calculation of the decrease in brine fluid pressure based on Harrison-Freeston calculations and methods of Zhao, developed with algorithms using Macro Excel. By modeling the pressure drop along the flow line, it can be developed for the calculation of temperature drop and deposition of silica in the brine flow pipe for geothermal injection


Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 638
Author(s):  
Zhenzhou Zhu ◽  
Xiaodong Lei ◽  
Nengxiong Xu ◽  
Dongyue Shao ◽  
Xingyu Jiang ◽  
...  

With the increasing demand for energy and the growing concern for atmospheric pollution in Beijing, China, the exploitation and utilization of geothermal resources are becoming more desirable. The study combined three-dimensional geological modeling with geothermal field analysis to make clear the potential and distribution of geothermal resources in the northwest of the Beijing plain, which could provide a scientific basis for rational utilization in the study area. Based on the analysis of the geological data and geothermal conditions, we created a 3D geological model of the study area, and then added isothermal surfaces into the model and analyzed the heat flow to enhance the understanding of the present geothermal field. After that, the volumes of different temperature intervals of heat reservoirs were calculated accurately and automatically by the integration of the model and the isothermal surfaces. Finally, the geothermal reserves were calculated by the improved volumetric method, and the distribution of resources was analyzed comprehensively. The results showed that, in the study area, the heat flow values ranged from 49 to 99 mW m−2, and the average elevations of 25 °C, 40 °C, and 60 °C isothermal surfaces were at −415 m, −1282 m, and −2613 m, respectively. The geothermal reserves were 5.42 × 1019 J and the volume of the heat reservoir was 4.88 × 1011 m3. The geothermal resources of the study area had good potential and could support local green development.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 1039-1052 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yue Gaofan ◽  
Wang Guiling ◽  
Ma Feng ◽  
Zhang Wei ◽  
Yang Zhijie

There are abundant geothermal resources in the Xiong’an New Area, China. However, the thermal state and geothermal energy accumulation mechanism are not clear. Based on the geological conditions and the characteristics of the present geothermal field, a 2D model was established to analyze the process of mantle-derived heat conduction and to predict the distribution of the deep geothermal field. We calculated the terrestrial heat flow for the Rongcheng uplift and Niutuozhen uplift to be 64 and 75 mW/m2, respectively. The geothermal resources in this area are controlled by a four-element model comprising heat conduction, structural uplift, large deep fractures, and convection within the reservoir.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugenio Trumpy ◽  
Gianluca Gola ◽  
Alessandro Santilano ◽  
Adele Manzella ◽  
Matteo Brambilla ◽  
...  

<p>Based on a joint analysis of geothermal indicators (e.g. temperature map at different depth, surface heat flux) and practical features (e.g. restricted areas, existing research lease), two promising areas in southern Tuscany were identified to perform a more detailed geothermal resource characterization. An area is located on the north-east of the Larderello-Travale geothermal field, and the other one is located on the west of the Mt. Amiata geothermal field.</p><p>A quantitative geothermal resources assessment was performed in the aforementioned areas of Tuscany by solving numerical thermo-fluid dynamic models and by computing the geothermal potential using the ‘ThermoGIS’ software, as further developed for the Italian case (Trumpy et al., 2016).</p><p>First of all, geological and geophysical data required for geological and thermo-fluid dynamic modelling were collected and organised. The geological data were used to build a 3D geological model of the two areas of interest suitable for numerical simulations. Static temperature data gathered from the Italian National Geothermal Database together with site-specific heat flow measurements were used to calibrate the simulated steady state temperature distribution.</p><p>The geothermal potential computed by integrating geological, thermal and petro-physical information implementing the volume method used in ThermoGIS provided estimates of the heat in place and the geothermal technical potential maps. The resulting technical potential in the area close to Larderello –Travale is 330 MW<sub>e</sub> and in the Mt. Amiata sector is 50MW<sub>e</sub>.</p><p>References</p><p>Trumpy E., Botteghi S., Caiozzi F., Donato A., Gola G., Montanari D., Pluymaekers M., Santilano A., Van Wees, J.D., Manzella A. Geothermal potential assessment for a low carbon strategy: a new systematic approach applied in southern Italy. Energy 103, 167-181, 2016.</p>


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document