The purpose of this study is to examine the geothermal potential, sustainability, and reinjection possibility of Edremit geothermal field. In order to investigate this, a numerical model consisting of a hot and cold water aquifer system is established. A two dimensional cross sectional model is set to simulate this geothermal system. Different pressure and temperature values are applied to the nodes at the boundaries to perform a steady state calibration which minimizes the computed results and observed values obtained from the near well logs. After the calibration, three alternative scenarios are proposed and the response of the pressure and temperature to these conditions is evaluated. At first the water is pumped from the wells of Yagci, Derman, Entur and ED-3 seperately at a mass rate of 5 kg/s and energy rate of 4.182 x 105 J/s. Then, in scenario 2 the water is pumped at the same rate from all the wells mentioned in the first scenario together. For the third scenario another well is opened to the geothermal system and 80% of the pumped water (temperature being 200C) is injected to the system from the wells while all the wells mentioned are working. The results of these scenarios are utilized to evaluate the reservoir in terms of its response to different production and reinjection conditions. Interpretation of the reservoir response in view of the pressure and temperature declines emphasize that such a simulation study can be applied to assess potential and sustainability of the geothermal systems.

Geological sequestration of CO₂ in deep saline reservoirs is one of the ways to reduce its continuous emission into the atmosphere to mitigate the greenhouse effect. The effectiveness of any CO₂ sequestration operation depends on pore volume and the sequestration efficiency of the reservoir. Sequestration efficiency is defined here as the maximum storage with minimum risk of leakage to the overlying formations or to the surface. This can be characterized using three risk parameters i) the time the plume takes to reach the top seal; ii) maximum lateral extent of the plume and iii) the percentage of mobile CO₂ present at any time. The selection among prospective saline reservoirs can be expedited by developing some semi-analytical correlations for these risk parameters which can be used in place of reservoir simulation study for each and every saline reservoir. Such correlations can reduce the cost and time for commissioning a geological site for CO₂ sequestration. To develop such correlations, a database has been created from a large number of compositional reservoir simulations for different elementary reservoir parameters including porosity, permeability, permeability anisotropy, reservoir depth, thickness, dip, perforation interval and constant pressure far boundary condition. This database is used to formulate different correlations that relate the sequestration efficiency to reservoir properties and operating conditions. The various elementary reservoir parameters are grouped together to generate different variants of gravity number used in the correlations. We update a previously reported correlation for time to hit the top seal and develop new correlations for other two parameters using the newly created database. A correlation for percentage of trapped CO₂ is also developed using a previously created similar database. We find that normalizing all risk parameters with their respective characteristic values yields reasonable correlations with different variants of gravity number. All correlations confirm the physics behind plume movement in a reservoir. The correlations reproduce almost all simulation results within a factor of two, and this is adequate for rapid ranking or screening of prospective storage reservoirs. CO₂ injection in saline reservoirs on the scale of tens of millions of tonnes may result in fracturing, fault activation and leakage of brine along conductive pathways. Critical contour of overpressure (CoP) is a convenient proxy to determine the risk associated with pressure buildup at different location and time in the reservoir. The location of this contour varies depending on the target aquifer properties (porosity, permeability etc.) and the geology (presence and conductivity of faults). The CoP location also depends on relative permeability, and we extend the three-region injection model to derive analytical expressions for a specific CoP as a function of time. We consider two boundary conditions at the aquifer drainage radius, constant pressure or an infinite aquifer. The model provides a quick tool for estimating pressure profiles. Such tools are valuable for screening and ranking sequestration targets. Relative permeability curves measured on samples from seven potential storage formations are used to illustrate the effect on the CoPs. In the case of a constant pressure boundary and constant rate injection scenario, the CoP for small overpressures is time-invariant and independent of relative permeability. Depending on the relative values of overall mobilities of two-phase region and of brine region, the risk due to a critical CoP which lies in the two-phase region can either increase or decrease with time. In contrast, the risk due to a CoP in the drying region always decreases with time. The assumption of constant pressure boundaries is optimistic in the sense that CoPs extend the least distance from the injection well. We extend the analytical model to infinite-acting aquifers to get a more widely applicable estimate of risk. An analytical expression for pressure profile is developed by adapting water influx models from traditional reservoir engineering to the "three-region" saturation distribution. For infinite-acting boundary condition, the CoP trends depend on same factors as in the constant pressure case, and also depend upon the rate of change of aquifer boundary pressure with time. Commercial reservoir simulators are used to verify the analytical model for the constant pressure boundary condition. The CoP trends from the analytical solution and simulation results show a good match. To achieve safe and secure CO₂ storage in underground reservoirs several state and national government agencies are working to develop regulatory frameworks to estimate various risks associated with CO₂ injection in saline aquifers. Certification Framework (CF), developed by Oldenburg et al (2007) is a similar kind of regulatory approach to certify the safety and effectiveness of geologic carbon sequestration sites. CF is a simple risk assessment approach for evaluating CO₂ and brine leakage risk associated only with subsurface processes and excludes compression, transportation, and injection-well leakage risk. Certification framework is applied to several reservoirs in different geologic settings. These include In Salah CO₂ storage project Krechba, Algeria, Aquistore CO₂ storage project Saskatchewan, Canada and WESTCARB CO₂ storage project, Solano County, California. Compositional reservoir simulations in CMG-GEM are performed for CO₂ injection in each storage reservoir to predict pressure build up risk and CO₂ leakage risk. CO₂ leakage risk is also estimated using the catalog of pre-computed reservoir simulation results. Post combustion CO₂ capture is required to restrict the continuous increase of carbon content in the atmosphere. Coal fired electricity generating stations are the dominant players contributing to the continuous emissions of CO₂ into the atmosphere. U.S. government has planned to install post combustion CO₂ capture facility in many coal fired power plants including W.A. Parish electricity generating station in south Texas. Installing a CO₂ capture facility in a coal fired power plant increases the capital cost of installation and operating cost to regenerate the turbine solvent (steam or natural gas) to maintain the stripper power requirement. If a coal-fired power plant with CO₂ capture is situated over a viable source for geothermal heat, it may be desirable to use this heat source in the stripper. Geothermal brine can be used to replace steam or natural gas which in turn reduces the operating cost of the CO₂ capture facility. High temperature brine can be produced from the underground geothermal brine reservoir and can be injected back to the reservoir after the heat from the hot brine is extracted. This will maintain the reservoir pressure and provide a long-term supply of hot brine to the stripper. Simulations were performed to supply CO₂ capture facility equivalent to 60 MWe electric unit to capture 90% of the incoming CO₂ in WA Parish electricity generating station. A reservoir simulation study in CMG-GEM is performed to evaluate the feasibility to recycle the required geothermal brine for 30 years time. This pilot study is scaled up to 15 times of the original capacity to generate 900 MWe stripping system to capture CO₂ at surface. / text

No description available.

Nowadays, the rational energy consumption is one of the main concerns of the whole modern society. Thus, this dissertation contributes to improve energy efficiency, increase the renewable energy sources and to develop cleaner and more efficient technologies as the greatest challenges of science and technology. This is reflected in today s residential energy consumption in Brazil which is about 26%, mostly produced by equipment of high energy consumption as is the case of showers and air-conditioning, according to the Energy Research Company - EPE. The main goal of this research was to develop a dedicated electronic instrumentation to determine the superficial geothermal profile, focusing at cost reduction and short installation times. With many experimental data was possible to establish the heat exchange capacity of heat exchangers buried underground. The experimental data was obtained in the Center of Studies in Energy and Power Systems Center (CEESP) at Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM). It was developed a dedicated acquisition board based on a microprocessor (PIC18f5420) and a tubular PVC probe setup with 11 digital temperature sensors model DS18B20 with 5 m long rod and half inch diameter. The temperature data were collected during 12 months recorded every 2 minutes This dissertation is mostly focused on the establishment of basic electronic instrumentation for conducting summary surveys of temperature data in shallow subsurface geothermal profile in any area, thereby reducing costs and installation times. These geothermal profile data are important for various areas in establishing the ability to exchange heat between buried materials and the homely ambient, such as construction, underground power cabling and architecture. The experimental area was the Center of Studies in Energy and Power Systems (CEESP), in the campus of UFSM in Santa Maria - RS. The data collection will serve as input for the rapid establishment of underground temperature distribution curves where is intended to utilize geothermal energy. The data collection was realized by a dedicated data logger based on the PIC18f5420 microprocessor. The entire plate is sized, constructed and programmed in CEESP along with a standard PVC tubular probe five meters long and half inch diameter fitted with 11 digital temperature sensors type DS18B20, to enable monitoring the underground temperature change from surface up to a desired depth. Collection of temperature data was made in the course of 12 months, with measurements recorded at every 2 minutes. Some interruptions occurred during the measurement period, but it did not interfere with the final outcome results. It was then possible to establish the mean thermal profile parameters during daily periods and the maximum and minimum temperatures throughout the year. With the results obtained in this research is possible to prove that the thermal variation (temperature) of the soil profile decreases gradually with depth until it stabilizes at a value which is approximately the average annual temperature of that local area. During these tests, it was observed that the temperature measurements in the experimental campus CEESP for a maximum depth of five meters ranged between 18 and 22 °C. The data reduction method called Least Squares Method was used to make projections of temperatures for deeper depths. Thus it was possible to confirm the theoretical information that the soil temperature at any location a few meters deep tends to stabilize at the annual average surface temperature in that place. In Santa Maria-RS, according to the National Institute of Meteorology (INMET), the annual average temperature is 19.5 °C. / Atualmente existe uma preocupação de toda a sociedade com relação ao consumo racional de energia. Desta forma busca-se melhorar a eficiência energética, aumentar a proporção de fontes renováveis de energia elétrica e desenvolver tecnologias mais eficientes e limpas. O consumo residencial hoje é 26% do consumo nacional, segundo a Empresa de Pesquisa Energética EPE, sendo que os maiores consumidores de energia nos lares são os chuveiros e os condicionadores térmicos de ambientes. Essa dissertação tem por objetivo o estabelecimento de uma instrumentação eletrônica dedicada à realização de levantamentos sumários de dados do perfil geotérmico superficial do subsolo numa área qualquer, reduzindo assim custos e tempo de instalação de projetos geotérmicos para condicionamento de ambientes. Esses dados do perfil geotérmico são importantes para várias áreas no estabelecimento da capacidade de troca do calor entre materiais enterrados e o ambiente. Este conhecimento pode ser utilizado também na construção civil, arquitetura e dimensionamento de cabos de energia subterrâneos, entre outros. A área experimental utilizada foi a do Centro de Estudos em Energia e Sistemas de Potência (CEESP), no Campus da UFSM em Santa Maria - RS. As coletas de dados vão servir de subsídios para o estabelecimento rápido das curvas de distribuição da temperatura do solo no local onde se pretenda estabelecer o aproveitamento da energia geotérmica. Para a coleta de dados foi desenvolvido uma placa dedicada de aquisição baseada num microprocessador PIC18f5420. A placa foi toda dimensionada, construída e programada no CEESP juntamente com um padrão de sonda tubular de PVC de cinco metros de comprimento e meia polegada de diâmetro, onde foram instalados 11 sensores digitais de temperaturas modelo DS18b20. Com esta sonda multissensora fez-se a monitoração automática da variação de temperatura subterrânea desde a superfície até a profundidade desejada. Para comprovar a efetividade da proposta da instrumentação geotérmica com a sonda sensora, fez-se uma coleta de dados de temperatura no decorrer de 12 meses, com medições registradas a cada 2 minutos. Durante o período de medição, ocorreram algumas interrupções nas medidas, mas que não interferiram no resultado final dos experimentos e serviram para demonstrar como se pode facilmente interpolar os valores da variável medida. Estabeleceram-se então parâmetros térmicos do perfil durante períodos diários, de máximas e mínimas temperaturas no decorrer de um ano. Com os resultados obtidos nesta pesquisa foi possível comprovar que a variação térmica (temperatura) do perfil do solo diminui gradativamente de acordo com a profundidade até estabilizar num valor que corresponde aproximadamente à temperatura média anual do sítio de estudo. Durante estes testes, observou-se que as medições de temperatura do solo no campus experimental do CEESP na profundidade máxima medida de cinco metros variaram entre 18 e 22 °C. Foi aplicada uma redução de dados através do Método dos Mínimos Quadrados para obter medidas que permitem projeções de temperaturas para profundidades maiores e assim recomendar as profundidades necessárias para a instalação de trocadores de calor. Os dados confirmaram as informações teóricas de que a temperatura do solo em qualquer local após alguns metros de profundidade tende a se estabilizar em um valor que corresponde à temperatura média anual da superfície do ambiente daquela área. Em Santa Maria-RS, segundo Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia (INMET) a temperatura média anual é de 19.5 °C.

No description available.

Geothermal energy is one of the oldest forms of energy on our planet. Its use by humanity dates back to the beginning of the ages. The forms of this energy gradually changed from the direct heat of the hot springs, through the heating of the buildings and the baths to the later use of superheated steam for industrial use. Nowadays, there is a large share of the use of large number of ground geothermal boreholes with heat exchangers drilled in the matrix. The geometric arrangement of such system has a considerable impact on its operation. Specific examples show that, unlike the design, actual boreholes in such system can often be drilled non vertically or even curved. These imperfections then usually deteriorate the thermal properties of the system. This thesis demonstrates the influence analysis of the borehole geometry distortion on the system thermal properties, it also informs about the development of a special measuring device designed to obtain information about the actual geometric shape of the investigated borehole and about the development of software for in situ rapid borehole system properties evaluation. The theoretical part of thesis contains the derivation of a simplified numerical model of heat conduction in the vicinity of the borehole system. Its results serve to compare the different borehole variants and the inaccuracy of borehole shaping. Using the simulations, the influence of inaccuracies in the borehole system on its thermal properties is demonstrated in several model configurations. This effect does not occur in a single borehole, but it is significantly visible in organized geothermal borehole systems. It may deteriorate system properties, but under certain circumstances its properties may improve. Verification of the results of these simulations was performed by the FEFLOW simulation software. In the practical part the development of a special instrument for measuring the shape of a geothermal energy borehole is documented. ....

published_or_final_version / Mechanical Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Basin-hosted stratigraphy in volcanic arc settings reflects the interplay between ancient environments, volcanism, magmatism and tectonism. Lithostratigraphic variations within basins can be used to identify the location and timing of the processes contributing to their evolution. However, when deposits are hydrothermally altered, the use of many traditional analytical techniques for assessing their volcanic origin become impracticable, making analysis challenging. Examination then relies on an integrated mix of detailed macroscopic assessment and techniques utilising remaining stable magmatic phases. The Huka Group at Wairakei-Tauhara Geothermal Field (Wairakei-Tauhara) is primarily comprised of volcanic deposits preserving ~300 kyr of evolution in the Taupo Volcanic Zone (TVZ), New Zealand. Intensive geothermal well drilling in the field has identified the distribution and variation comprising its Waiora and Huka Falls Formations. The volcanic, structural and environmental history of the Huka Group, however, remains poorly understood. This thesis is concerned with identifying the stratigraphic and geothermal significance of the Huka Group from recent drill core samples at Wairakei-Tauhara. Drill core facies analysis confirm a spatially and temporally complex depositional history at the site. Deposits forming Waiora Formation were sourced from local explosive and effusive eruptions over ~100 kyrs within extensional basins hosting paleo-Lake Huka. Lacustrine and fluvial deposition prevailed for the following ~200 kyrs, as volcanism ceased, depositing the Huka Falls Formation. Frequent drilling of Huka Falls Formation has identified and thoroughly constrained facies variations of a local pyroclastic member, the Middle Huka Falls Formation. This eruption evolved as a series of water-supported, eruption-fed density currents from a sublacustrine vent in Tauhara transported beneath Lake Huka. Examined Huka Group core samples were hydrothermally altered and required the use of novel assessment techniques for comprehensive stratigraphic assessment. This alteration provided an opportunity to locally date the geothermal system within the Huka Group reservoir. Stratigraphic variations of resistant magmatic phenocrysts (feldspar) and immobile elements (Ti, Zr, V and Y) added new details of depositional processes and lithostratigraphy. Regional magmatic immobile element comparisons identified geochemical similarities within Huka Group ignimbrites that may have implications for the longevity and recurrence of caldera magma systems in TVZ. Geothermal activity in the Waiora Formation reservoir was dated using pristine hydrothermal adularia and 40Ar/39Ar dating methods. Results recognised a young phase of the system’s evolution (<30 ka) and the applicability of 40Ar/39Ar dating for use in geothermal chronology. Lastly, a conceptual evolutionary model for the Huka Group presents ~300 kyr of depositional processes, landscapes and structural events at Wairakei-Tauhara. The long-lived lacustrine setting is recognised to have been continually modified by episodic volcanism and gradual tectonism. Variations in Huka Group stratigraphy between the Wairakei and Tauhara Fields identify contemporaneous, but separate evolution of the underlying controlling horst (ridge) and graben (basin) structure. This study highlights the unique tectonic, magmatic, volcanic and sedimentary processes forming basins in the TVZ and improve our understanding on the geological evolution of geothermal systems. Techniques trialled in the study are demonstrated to be suitable for investigating altered volcanic materials and can be utilised elsewhere in the TVZ or other geothermal settings.

<p>During installation and operation of a geothermal heat pump system leakage of an antifreezing agent can appear in a borehole and leak out in surrounding groundwater. To guarantee high quality drinking water for generations to come Sweden has dedicated some areas as water protection areas. The local authority gives permits for the installation of heat pump systems within water protection areas. Before giving a permit the local authority makes an evaluation of the risks involved in installation and operation of the system within the area. By keeping a certain distance between the protected object in the area and the heat pump system the risk of polluting the protected object with an anti-freezing agent can be reduced.</p><p>This thesis makes a comparison between three different methods of calculating an appropriate distance between the protected object and the heat pump system. These methods include different numbers of parameters to calculate the appropriate distance.</p><p>The results are evaluated with regard to the parameters used. The methods used are a simplified version of an empirical point-count system made by LeGrand, an analytical solution from Baetsle and a numerical solution with Visual MODFLOW 4.0.</p> / <p>Miljöbalken med bakomliggande miljömål skall bidra till att skydda viktiga naturområden för en hållbar utveckling. Ett stort problem för att tillgodose detta behov är dock alla konkurrerande intressen som kan finnas inom ett och samma område.</p><p>Vattenskyddsområden utfärdas i syfte att ge tillgång till rent vatten för framtida dricksvatten, men konkurrerande intressen påverkar även dessa områden. Beslut om vilka verksamheter som skall vara tillåtna inom ett vattenskyddsområde tas av den kommun inom vilken området finns.</p><p>Ett ökande oljepris har under senare år lett till ett ökat intresse av att installera bergvärmeanläggningar. Denna kraftiga ökning har gjort att negativa effekter av att installera dessa anläggningar förbisetts och att installatörer med dåliga kunskaper fått en chans att etablera sig på marknaden. Före eventuell installation av en bergvärmeanläggning inom ett vattenskyddsområde är det viktigt att beakta de risker som en bergvärmeanläggning kan medföra för omgivande grundvatten. En noggrann utredning kräver beaktande av alla de riskmoment som installation och drift av en sådan anläggning kan medföra. För omgivande grundvatten är det dock främst läckage av köldbärarvätska, dvs. vatten med tillfört frostskyddsmedel, som kan ha en större inverkan. Det finns idag ingen övergripande lagstiftning över tillåtna köldbärarvätskor, men enligt de hänsynsregler som finns i miljöbalken och rekommendationer av bl.a. Sveriges Geologiska Undersökning skall etanol användas som frostskyddsmedel. Etanol för tekniskt bruk innehåller denatureringsmedel för att motverka konsumtion.</p><p>Denatureringsmedel samt etanol kan ge smak och lukt till vatten och är därför inte önskvärda att ha i ett vattenskyddsområde. Dessa ämnen tillför även negativa effekter genom att de som substrat för bakterier kan ge en ökad bakteriehalt i marken. Under nedbrytning av dessa ämnen kan även syrefria förhållanden utbildas i jorden vilket kan leda till utfällningar av järn och mangan samt utbildning av svavelväte.</p><p>Det finns olika riktlinjer för hur risk med att införa en bergvärmeanläggning i ett vattenskyddsområde beaktas i olika kommuner. Ett lämpligt skyddsavstånd mellan en bergvärmeanläggning och ett skyddsobjekt kan dock göra att risken för att förorena ett skyddsobjekt med etanol kan minimeras. Detta arbete har utförts i syfte att jämföra olika metoder för att ta fram ett skyddsavstånd för en första övergripande undersökning av vilken effekt ett läckage av etanol kan ha på ett skyddsobjekt ett visst avstånd från en ansatt bergvärmeanläggning. De metoder som använts är en förenklad form av en empirisk lösning av LeGrand, en analytisk lösning av Baetsle och en numerisk lösning i Visual MODFLOW.</p>

Geothermal energy has become a focal point of the renewable energy revolution. Both shallow and deep types of geothermal energy have the potential to offset carbon emissions, reduce energy costs, and stimulate the economy. Before widespread geothermal exploration and exploitation can occur, both shallow and deep technologies require improvement by theoretical and experimental investigations. This thesis investigated one aspect of both shallow and deep geothermal energy technologies. First, a group of shallow geothermal energy piles was modeled numerically. The model was constructed, calibrated, and validated using available data collected from full-scale in-situ experimental energy piles. Following calibration, the model was parameterized to demonstrate the impact of construction specifications on energy pile performance and cross-sectional thermal stress distribution. The model confirmed the role of evenly spaced heat exchangers in optimal pile performance. Second, experimental methods were used to demonstrate the evolution of a fractured granite permeability as a function of mineral dissolution. Steady-state flow-through experiments were performed on artificially fractured granite cores constrained by 5 MPa pore pressure, 30 MPa confining pressure, and a 120°C temperature. Upstream pore pressures, effluent mineral concentrations, and X-Ray tomography confirmed the hypothesis that fracture asperities dissolve during the flow through experiment, resulting in fracture closure.