Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The reaction between elemental sulfur and sulfide is a lynchpin in the biotic and abiotic cycling of sulfur. This dissertation is focused on the reactivity of elemental sulfur nanoparticles (S8weimarn, S8raffo) among other forms of elemental sulfur (S8aq, S8aq-surfactant, α-S8), and how the variation of their surface area, character and coatings reflect on the analytical, physical-chemical and geochemical processes involving sulfur cycling. A comprehensive electrochemical investigation utilizing mercury-surface electrodes showed that elemental sulfur compounds are represented by three main voltammetric signals, corresponding to potentials at -1.2V, -0.8V, and -0.6V in the absence of organics at circumneutral pH. Dissolved S8aq-surfactant signals can be found from -0.3V up to -1.0V, depending on the surfactant in the system. Variations in current response resulted from differences in electron transfer efficiency among the forms of S8, due to their molecular structural variability. Based on this observation a new reaction pathway between S8 and Hg-surface electrodes is proposed, involving an amalgam-forming intermediate step. The kinetics of the nucleophilic dissolution of S8nano by sulfide, forming polysulfides, were investigated under varying surface area, surface character and presence or absence of surfactant coatings on S8nano. Hydrophobic S8weimarn and hydrophilic S8raffo show kinetic rate laws of 𝑟𝑆8𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑛 = 10−11.33 (𝑒 −700.65 𝑅𝑇 ) (Molar(S8)/second/dm-1) and𝑟𝑆8𝑟𝑎𝑓𝑓𝑜 = 10−4.11 𝑖−0.35 (𝑒 −615.77 𝑅𝑇 ) (Molar(S8)/second), respectively. The presence of surfactant molecules can influence the reaction pathways by dissolving S8nano and releasing S8aqsurfactant, evolving the rate-limiting step as a function of the degree of the solubilization of S8nano. The reaction rate of S8biological can be compared with those of S8raffo and S8weimarn in circumneutral pH values and T=50oC, making the forms of S8nano successful abiotic analogue models of microbially produced S8biological. Field observations and geochemical kinetic modeling in the geothermal features of Yellowstone indicate that the nucleophilic dissolution reaction appears to be a key abiotic pathway for the cycling of sulfur species and the enhancement of elemental sulfur bioavailability. Furthermore, in situ and ex situ voltammetry in the same geothermal waters disclosed chaotic variability in chemical gradients of sulfide (observed over small temporal and spatial scales) which can be considered as an ecological stressor capable of influencing single cell physiology and microbial community adaptation.

In drei Gebieten Sachsens wurde durch einen Forschungsverbund unter Leitung des LfULG die Nutzung der petrothermalen Geothermie zur Strom- und Wärmegewinnung untersucht. In der Elbezone im Raum Dresden, in Freiberg und Aue-Schneeberg wurden geologische, petrophysikalische und thermische Daten aufgearbeitet und dreidimensionale Modelle bewertet. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass eine Stromerzeugung durch Tiefenaufschlüsse bis 5 km Tiefe in allen drei Untersuchungsgebieten möglich ist. Die Temperaturmodelle weisen in 5 km Tiefe Werte zwischen 105 und 190 °C auf. Dabei verfügt das Untersuchungsgebiet Aue-Schneeberg über die besten Voraussetzungen für die Errichtung eines Geothermiekraftwerkes.

The energy retrieval process in an Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) depends on fracture networks to facilitate fluid movement, thereby enabling the extraction of heat from adjacent rocks matrix. Nonetheless, due to the inherent heterogeneity and intricate multi-physics characteristics of these systems, high-fidelity physics-based forward simulations ($f_h$) can be computationally demanding. This presents a considerable obstacle to the efficient management of these reservoirs. Therefore, creating an effective and robust optimization framework is essential, with the primary aim being to maximize the thermal extraction from Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS). A deep learning-assisted reservoir management framework incorporating a low-fidelity forward surrogate model ($f_l$) alongside gradient-based optimizers is developed to expedite reservoir management. A thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) model for EGS is established by utilizing finite element-based reservoir simulation techniques. By parameterizing the fracture aperture and well controls, we carried out the THM simulation to produce 2500 datasets. Subsequently, we employed these datasets to train two distinct deep neural network (DNN) architectures to predict the variations in pressure and temperature distributions. Ultimately, these predictions from the forward model are used in calculating the total net energy. Instead of executing the optimization workflow with a large number of simulations from $f_h$, we directly optimize the well control parameters relative to the geological parameters using $f_l$. Since $f_l$ is efficient and fully differentiable, it could be combined with various gradient-based or gradient-free optimization algorithms to maximize the total net energy by determining the optimal decision parameters. Drawing from the simulation datasets, we analysed the effect of fracture aperture variation on temperature and pressure evolution. Our investigation revealed that the spatial distribution of the fracture aperture is a predominant factor in controlling the propagation of the thermal front. Variations of the fracture aperture exhibit a strong correlation with temperature fluctuations within the fracture, primarily due to thermal stress changes. When compared with a comprehensive physics simulator, our DNN-based forward surrogate model offers a significant computational acceleration, approximately 1500 times faster, without compromising predictive accuracy, achieving an $R^2$ value of 99%. The forward model $f_l$, when combined with gradient-based optimizers, enables optimization to proceed 10 to 68 times faster than when using derivative-free global optimizers. The proposed reservoir management framework exhibits both efficiency and scalability, facilitating the real-time execution of each optimization process.

Traditionally, geothermal boreholes have utilized the ground energy for space heating and cooling. In this system, a circulation loop is placed in a small-diameter borehole typically extending to a depth of 200-300 ft. The hole is then backfilled with a mixture of sand, bentonite and/or cement. The loop is connected to a geothermal heat pump and the fluid inside the loop is circulated. The heat energy is fed into the ground for cooling in the summer and withdrawn from the ground for heating in the winter. Geothermal heat pumps work more efficiently for space heating and cooling compared to air-source heat pumps.  The reason is ground-source systems use the ground as a constant temperature source which serves as a more favorable baseline compared to the ambient air temperature. A significant cost associated with any deep geothermal borehole is the drilling required for installation. Because Energy Piles perform the dual function of exchanging heat and providing structural support, and are only installed at sites where pile foundations are already required, these systems provide the thermal performance of deep geothermal systems without the additional drilling costs. Low maintenance, long lifetime, less variation in energy supply compared to solar and wind power, and environmental friendliness have been cited as additional Energy Pile advantages. Case studies show that they can significantly lower heating/cooling costs and reduce the carbon footprint. Energy cost savings for typical buildings outfitted with Energy Piles could be as much as 70 percent. The use of Energy Piles has rapidly increased over the last decade, especially in Europe where more than 500 applications are reported. Primary installations have been in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and United Kingdom. Notable projects include the 56-story high Frankfurt Main Tower in Germany, Dock E Terminal Extension at Zurich International Airport in Switzerland and the One New Change building complex in London U.K. Energy piles have seen very little use in the North America, only a handful of completed projects are known; Marine Discovery Center in Ontario, Canada, Lakefront Hotel in Geneva, New York and the Art Stable building in Seattle, Washington. Energy Piles are typically installed with cast-in-place technology (i.e. drilled shafts, continuous flight auger piles, micropiles etc.) while some driven pile applications are also reported. Other types of geotechnical structures in contact with the ground, such as shallow foundations, retaining walls, basement walls, tunnel linings and earth anchors, also offer significant potential for harnessing near-surface geothermal energy. Energy Pile design needs to integrate geotechnical, structural and heat exchange considerations. Geotechnical characteristics of the foundation soils and the level of the structural loads are typically the deciding factors for the selection and dimensioning of the pile foundations. The geothermal heat exchange capacity of an Energy Pile is a key parameter to be considered in design. Thermal characteristics of the ground as well as the heating and cooling loads from the structure need to be considered for the number of piles that will be utilized as heat exchangers. Therefore, the thermal properties of the site need to be evaluated for an Energy Pile application in addition to the traditional geotechnical characterization for foundation design. Energy Piles bring new challenges to geotechnical pile design. During a heat exchange operation, the pile will expand and contract relative to the soil as heat is injected and extracted, respectively. These relative movements have the potential to alter the shear transfer mechanism at the pile-soil interface.  Furthermore, the range of temperature increases near the pile surface, though limited by practical operational guidelines, can have a significant effect on pore pressures generation and soil strength. This dissertation provides answers for several research questions including the long-term performance of Energy Piles, the applicability of the thermal conductivity tests to Energy Piles.  Furthermore, it presents the results and a detailed discussion about the full scale in-situ thermo-mechanical pile load test conducted at Virginia Tech. / Ph. D.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

Active seismicity and volcanism north of Washington state’s Mount St. Helens provide key ingredients for hydrothermal circulation at depth. This broad zone of seismicity defines the St. Helens Seismic Zone, which extends well north of the volcanic edifice below where several faults and associated fractures in outcrop record repeated slip, dilation, and alteration indicative of localized fluid flow. Candidate reservoir rocks for a geothermal system include marine metasediments overlain by extrusive volcanics. The colocation of elements comprising a geothermal system at this location is tested here by analysis of the structures potentially hosting a reservoir, their relationship to the modern stress state, and temperature logs to a depth of 250 m. Outcrop mapping and borehole image log analysis down to 244 m document highly fractured volcaniclastic deposits and basalt flows. Intervening ash layers truncate the vertical extent of most structures. However, large strike slip faults with well-developed fault cores and associated high fracture density cross ash layers; vein filling and alternation of the adjacent host rock in these faults suggest they act as vertically extensive flow paths. These faults and associated fractures record repeated slip, dilation, and healing by various dolomite, quartz, and hematite, as well as clay alteration, indicative of long-lived, localized fluid flow. In addition, where these rocks are altered by igneous intrusion, they host high fracture density that facilitated heat transfer evidenced by associated hydrothermal alteration. Breakouts in image logs indicate the azimuth of SHmax in the shear zone is broadly consistent with both the GPS plate convergence velocity field as well as seismically active strike slip faults and strike-slip faults mapped in outcrop and borehole image logs. However, the local orientation of SHmax varies by position relative to the edifice and in some cases with depth along the borehole making a simple regional average SHmax azimuth misleading. Boreholes within the seismic zone display a wider variety of fracture attitudes than those outside the shear zone, potentially promoting permeability. Temperature profiles in these wells all indicate isothermal conditions at average groundwater temperatures, consistent with rapidly flowing water localized within fractures. Together, these results indicate that the area north of Mount Saint Helens generates and maintains porosity and permeability suggesting that conditions necessary for a geothermal system are present, although as yet no modern heat source or hydrothermal circulation was detected at shallow depth. / Geology

Slip on the geometrically complex Rhyolite Ridge Fault System and associated local stresses in the Desert Peak Geothermal Field in Nevada, were modeled with the boundary element method (BEM) implemented in Poly3D. The impact of uncertainty in the fault geometry at depth, the tectonic stresses driving slip, and the potential ranges of frictional strength resisting slip on the likely predictions of fracture slip and formation in the surrounding volume due to these local stresses were systematically explored and quantified. The effect of parameter uncertainty was evaluated by determining the frequency distribution of model predicted values. Alternatively, Bayesian statistics were used to determine the best fitting values for parameters within a probability distribution derived from the difference of the model prediction from the observed data. This approach honors the relative contribution of uncertainties from all existing data that constrains the fault parameters. Lastly, conceptual models for different fault geometries and their evolution were heuristically explored and the predictions of local stress states were compared to available measurements of the local stresses, fault and fracture patterns at the surface and in boreholes, and the spatial extent of the geothermal field. The complex fault geometry leads to a high degree of variability in the locations experiencing stress states that promote fracture, but such locations generally correlate with the main injection and production wells at Desert Peak. In addition, the strongest and most common stress concentrations occur within relays between unconnected fault segments, and at bends and intersections in faults that connect overlapping fault segments associated with relays. The modeling approach in this study tests the conceptual model of the fault geometry at Desert Peak while honoring mechanical constants and available constraints on driving stresses and provides a framework that aids in geothermal exploration by predicting the spatial variations in stresses likely to cause and reactivate fractures necessary to sustain hydrothermal fluid flow. This approach also quantifies the relative sensitivity of such predictions to fault geometry, remote stress, and friction, and determines the best fitting model with its associated probability. / Geology

Identifying and locating permeable zones in geothermal fields is a critical step in determining reservoir potential and realizing energy production. Despite a general association with active faults, geothermal systems typically display heterogeneously distributed permeability that makes locating successful wells difficult. Faults are associated with complex distributions of secondary fractures, with variable attitude, fracture density, and connectivity – all of which can influence permeability. Simulations of the local stress state due to slip on a detailed model of the fault system at Brady Geothermal Field, NV, supported by models of key idealized fault geometries, are used to test the relationship between both productive wells or hydrothermal features and failed wells with stress states that promote or suppress fracture. These simulations show that hydrothermal features are generally associated with portions of faults best oriented to slip in the stress state measured at Brady. Critically, regions of enhanced coulomb stress (S_c^((max))) and reduced least compressive principal stress (σ3) that promote fractures occur at narrow, extensional relays and at intersections between faults; at Brady such locations correlate with the locations of production wells and hydrothermal surface manifestations. Despite this positive correlation, several of these structures do not host evidence of hydrothermal flow due to a lack of persistence along the dip of the fault necessary to connect to the heat source at depth. In contrast, regions of reduced S_c^((max)) and enhanced σ3 correspond to volumes that lie near the interior of faults, including at bends and at contractional relays. These locations are generally associated with failed wells; however, major production wells occur at a clear bend in a large fault at Brady. This may reflect the origin of the bend as breached relay and warrants further investigation. / Geology