Three-dimensional analysis of coupled thermohaline flow and reactive transport in fractured geothermal reservoirs

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Thomas Graf
• Subject Area: Hydrogeology, Hydrology, Limnology, Urban Water Management, Water Chemistry, Integrated Water Resources Management
• Term: from 2010 to 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 175644494

Studying coupled 3D thermohaline flow and reactive transport in fractured materials is important in the context of estimating lifetime and efficiency of geothermal reservoirs. Thermal energy extraction with the common Hot Dry Rock method will lead to steep gradients of water temperature, water density and presumably solute concentration. As a result, chemical reactions (precipitation/dissolution) and a modification of the flow regime due to coupled thermal-solutal (“thermohaline”) flow is expected to occur in the 3D fractured reservoir. To date, a number of coupled geoprocesses in the 3D subsurface have not yet been investigated. These include, amongst others, thermohaline flow in fractured rock, 3D variable-density flow in fractured rock, and the effect of reactive transport on geothermal reservoir efficiency. In particular, this project will focus on (i) the study of viscosity-effects on variable-density flow in porous and fractured-porous reservoirs, (ii) the impact of chemical reactions on geothermal reservoir efficiency, (iii) the study of variable-density flow in 3D fractured reservoirs, (iv) thermohaline (“double-diffusive”) convection in fractured geothermal reservoirs, (v) the transient analysis of thermohaline flow in porous media, and (vi) the efficient representation of complex 3D fracture networks in a finite-element mesh of variable topography and inclined hydrogeological units. The goal of this project is to provide adapted and efficient modelling tools to theoretically examine coupled processes. Numerical models are useful tools because systems of high complexity can be studied, which is difficult and sometimes impossible in field or laboratory experiments. The results of this project will (i) yield fundamental knowledge on the above mentioned coupled geoprocesses in 3D fractured rock as well as their interaction, (ii) assist in the identification of important processes relevant for the long-term operation of georeservoirs, (iii) help to identify the relevant parameters, (iv) provide adapted tools for the long-term prediction of reservoir productivity and efficiency, and (v) help to estimate the relative importance of individual coupled processes.

• DFG Programme: Independent Junior Research Groups