TY - GEN
T1 - Heat transfer between fluid flow and fractured rocks
AU - Li, Wei
AU - Yost, Keith
AU - Sousa, Rita
PY - 2013
Y1 - 2013
N2 - Heat transfer between fluid flow and fractured rocks is governed by a very complex mechanism. The challenge of modeling this heat transfer process results from the complex geometry of rock fracture networks, variation of rock and fluid properties with temperature, and uncertainty of the flow and heat transfer types. As the heat transfer models are based on the fracture models and fluid flow models, there can be several approaches to model the heat transfer between fluid and fractured rocks. This study starts with a review of the fracture and flow models on which the heat transfer models are based. To clearly present the models, the rock fracture models are grouped into two categories: Fracture Continuum Models (FCM) and Discrete Fracture Models (DFM). A new heat transfer model based on stochastic DFM, GEOFRAC, is then introduced. A thermal drawdown equation for a geothermal reservoir is derived based on the simulation results of the new heat transfer model.
AB - Heat transfer between fluid flow and fractured rocks is governed by a very complex mechanism. The challenge of modeling this heat transfer process results from the complex geometry of rock fracture networks, variation of rock and fluid properties with temperature, and uncertainty of the flow and heat transfer types. As the heat transfer models are based on the fracture models and fluid flow models, there can be several approaches to model the heat transfer between fluid and fractured rocks. This study starts with a review of the fracture and flow models on which the heat transfer models are based. To clearly present the models, the rock fracture models are grouped into two categories: Fracture Continuum Models (FCM) and Discrete Fracture Models (DFM). A new heat transfer model based on stochastic DFM, GEOFRAC, is then introduced. A thermal drawdown equation for a geothermal reservoir is derived based on the simulation results of the new heat transfer model.
KW - Discrete fracture model
KW - Heat transfer
KW - Thermal drawdown of reservoir
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M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:84897628911
SN - 9781629932859
T3 - Transactions - Geothermal Resources Council
SP - 165
EP - 171
BT - Geothermal Resources Council Annual Meeting, GRC 2013
T2 - Geothermal Resources Council Annual Meeting: A Global Resource, from Larderello to Las Vegas, GRC 2013
Y2 - 29 September 2013 through 2 October 2013
ER -