Numerical modelling of geothermal

systems
A short introduction
Mauro Cacace
Bjrn Onno Kaiser
Yvonne Cherubini

Mathematical model
Description (approximated) of a system using mathematical concepts

Mathematical representation
Variables
o
o
o
o

Mathematical equations

Inputs
Outputs
Internal state
Internal processes

Description of the
interactions among these
variables

Conceptual model
Analytical model

Numerical model

Homogeneous and simple (linear) processes

Heterogenous, coupled (non-linear) processes

Geothermal Reservoirs
Modelling

Conceptual model

Continuos
PDEs
, , = 0

Numerical model

Discretization

Geothermal Reservoirs
Modelling

Linear Algebraic
Systems
= 0

Finite Differences

vs

o Linear approximations
o Regular or pseudo-irregular
supprting meshes (grids)
o Simple geometries
o Low computational efforts

Finite Element

o Polynomial approximations
(Weak solution)
o Fully irregular supporting
meshes
o Complex geometries
o High Computational efforts

Geothermal Reservoirs
Modelling

Regionally localized geological setting where heat flow from the Earths interior is
transported close enough to the surface by circulating steam or hot water to be readily
harnesed for use

2000 Geothermal Education Office

Requirements
Heat

Energy

Water

Working Fluid

Reservoir Permeable and porous rock bounded by impermeable formations

Geothermal Reservoirs
Introduction

Reservoir systems
Engineering perspective

Courtesy of Guido Blcher GFZ Potsdam

Geothermal Reservoirs
Introduction

Reservoir systems
Engineering perspective
Geothermal reservoir is
Heat
and

! PERMEABILITY, PERMEABILITY, PERMEABILITY !

Geothermal Reservoirs
Introduction

Reservoir systems
Modelling perspective
Multiphysics systems

Coupled Processes

H
T
M

Hydraulic processes
Fluid and two phase flow, heat and
mass transport, fluid pressure changes

Thermal
Conductive and convective heat flux,
internal heat production

Mechanical
Rock deformation, fracture initiation and
propagation, thermo and poroelastic
effects

Geothermal Reservoirs
Introduction

Chemical
Chemical reactions, corrosion and
scaling

H T M C
Processes
Fluid or Two Phase
Flow
Permeability
Heat flow

Natural
Engineered
Reservoir
Components
Geology
Fault Systems

Fracture & Fault

Mechanics

Natural Fractures

Poroelastics

Completed wells

Thermoelastics

Induced Fractures

Chemical Reactions

Geothermal fluid
loop

Corrosion & Scaling

Courtesy of Guido Blcher GFZ Potsdam

Geothermal Reservoirs
Introduction

Enhanced
Geothermal
System

H T M C
Processes
Fluid or Two Phase
Flow
Permeability
Heat flow

Natural
Engineered
Reservoir
Components
Geology
Fault Systems

Fracture & Fault

Mechanics

Natural Fractures

Poroelastics

Completed wells

Thermoelastics

Induced Fractures

Chemical Reactions

Geothermal fluid
loop

Corrosion & Scaling

Courtesy of Guido Blcher GFZ Potsdam

Geothermal Reservoirs
Introduction

Enhanced
Geothermal
System

Gro Schnebeck at a glance

Hamburg

Gro
Hannover

Kln

Schnebeck

Berlin

Location
approx. 40 km north of Berlin

Doublet system
January 2007

Low-enthalpy Reservoir
-3850 m to -4260 m

Reservoir rocks Lower Permian

Siliclastics and Volcanics

Natural major fault zones

NW-, and NNE-striking

Hydraulically Induced fractures

3 stimulation treatments

Moeck et al. (2009)

Gro Schnebeck Geothermal Facility

Gro Schnebeck Geothermal Facility

H T M C

Natural

Processes
Fluid or Two Phase
Flow
Permeability

Engineered
Reservoir
Components
Geology

Heat flow

Fault Systems

Fracture & Fault

Mechanics

Natural Fractures

Poroelastics

Completed wells

Thermoelastics

Induced Fractures

Chemical Reactions

Geothermal fluid
loop

Corrosion & Scaling

Courtesy of Guido Blcher GFZ Potsdam

Geothermal Reservoirs Modelling

Components

Enhanced
Geothermal
System

 Geological Units

Geothermal Reservoirs Modelling

Components

 Geological Units
Induced Fractures / Natural fault Systems

Geothermal Reservoirs Modelling

Components

 Geological Units
Induced Fractures / Natural fault Systems
Injection & Production Well

Geothermal Reservoirs Modelling

Components

H T M C

Natural

Processes
Fluid or Two Phase
Flow
Permeability

Engineered
Reservoir
Components
Geology

Heat flow

Fault Systems

Fracture & Fault

Mechanics

Natural Fractures

Poroelastics

Completed wells

Thermoelastics

Induced Fractures

Chemical Reactions

Geothermal fluid
loop

Corrosion & Scaling

Courtesy of Guido Blcher GFZ Potsdam

Geothermal Reservoirs Modelling

Processes

Enhanced
Geothermal
System

Fluid flow

Darcys

Law

= ( + )

= Darcy velocity m s1
= permeability [m2 ]
= dynamic viscosity [Pa s]
= pressure [Pa]
= fluid density [kg m3 ]
= acceleration coefficient [m s 2 ]
= reference height [m]

Geothermal Reservoirs Modelling

Processes

H T M C

H T M C

Fluid flow
Piezometric head [h]

Hydraulic conductivity [K]

()

= = ()

Geothermal Reservoirs Modelling

Processes

Permeability porous medium H T M C

o Permeability in an intrinsic property of the porous medium
o Measure the easiness of flow
o

Magnitude is controlled by the grain size (pore size)

Hornberger et al. (1998)

Geothermal Reservoirs
Introduction

Permeability fractures

H T M C

Formulas are analytical solutions and valid for laminar (Hagen Poiseuille or
Couette) flow between two ideal plates without roughness

Fracture permeability

Fracture conductivity

2
=
12
2
=
12

Geothermal Reservoirs
Introduction

Fluid flow
Balance equation

= + Q = +

Geothermal Reservoirs Modelling

Processes

H T M C

H T M C

Fluid flow
Balance equation

= + Q = +

Mass source term

Specific Storativity

= +
= = Specific weight of water [N3]
= Effective porosity []
= Bulk compressibility [m2N1]
= Fluid compressibility [m2N1]

Darcy velocity

Geothermal Reservoirs Modelling

Processes

Heat flow
Conductive and convective
[ +(1 ) ]

H T M C

+ v + 1 =

Geothermal Reservoirs Modelling

Processes

Heat flow
Conductive and convective
[ +(1 ) ]

H T M C

+ v + 1 =

Fouriers Law

= heat flow density [W 2 ]

= heat conductivity W ( )1
= thermal gradient [K 1 ]

Geothermal Reservoirs Modelling

Processes

Heat flow
Conductive and convective
[ +(1 ) ]

H T M C

+ v + 1 =

Darcys Law

Geothermal Reservoirs Modelling

Processes

Fluid and Heat flow

H T M C

= + Q

[ +(1 ) ]
+ v + 1 =

Geothermal Reservoirs Modelling

Processes

Fluid and Heat flow

H T M C

= + Q

[ +(1 ) ]
+ v + 1 =

Geothermal Reservoirs Modelling

Processes

Boundary conditions

1st type (Dirichlet):

pressure (head), temperature,
concentration

2nd type (Neumann):

flux

3rd type (Cauchy):

transfer

4th type (FeFlow):

well

Results Step 1
Natural flow field

Results Step 2
Doublet System (hydraulic)

Results Step 3
Doublet System (hydro-thermal)

Results Step 4
Doublet System with induced fractures