Forced Convection Heat Transfer in Unconventional Geothermal Systems: Numerical Investigation of Complex Flow Processes near Magmatic Chambers
Lead Research Organisation:
Cranfield University
Department Name: School of Water, Energy and Environment
Abstract
Recent research into frontier Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) has highlighted the need to better understand the associated heat exchange and fluid dynamics to converge between unconventional well designs and the definition of where their performance would be best. Whilst convection and mixing within magma chambers and hydrothermal circulation in natural groundwater systems have been extensively investigated, there is limited understanding of the heat transfer from magma to water, the behaviour of supercritical/superheated fluids and the convective forces triggered by stimulation and artificial injection near magmatic chambers. Convective heat transport is further modified by multiphase flow phenomena induced by phase change.
Beginning with the fundamental differences between conduction- vs. convention-dominated geothermal systems, this PhD research will focus on the steady-state and transient heat transfer processes and fluid dynamics associated with free and forced convection near magmatic chambers.
Different scenarios will be defined considering the various deep geothermal solutions that have already been implemented or proposed in the literature. Numerical tools will be used to reproduce the settings from different volcano sites, where relevant parameters will be extracted from the literature available in the public domain.
The outcome of this PhD will contribute to re-evaluating the geothermal resource base worldwide and aims to improve the current understanding of heat transfer from magma to water under a combination of free and forced convection
Beginning with the fundamental differences between conduction- vs. convention-dominated geothermal systems, this PhD research will focus on the steady-state and transient heat transfer processes and fluid dynamics associated with free and forced convection near magmatic chambers.
Different scenarios will be defined considering the various deep geothermal solutions that have already been implemented or proposed in the literature. Numerical tools will be used to reproduce the settings from different volcano sites, where relevant parameters will be extracted from the literature available in the public domain.
The outcome of this PhD will contribute to re-evaluating the geothermal resource base worldwide and aims to improve the current understanding of heat transfer from magma to water under a combination of free and forced convection
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509450/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/09/2021 | |||
| 1878602 | Studentship | EP/N509450/1 | 06/02/2017 | 05/02/2020 | Theo Renaud |
| Description | First numerical experiments of innovative geothermal techniques near magmatic chambers has been performed. Despite high temperatures, single wellbore solutions without innovation are not suitable for producing electricity. |
| Exploitation Route | This research has opened near opportunities to focus on numerical improvements to deals with high enthalpy geothermal systems. Potentially, patent in the public domain to produce a secure and reliable geothermal energy can be achieved. |
| Sectors | Energy |
| Description | Visiting researcher in Lawrence Berkeley laboratory |
| Organisation | Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | We gained valuable expertise and skills from experts in the field in the USA. We have proposed a subject to focus on with a numerical tool. |
| Collaborator Contribution | We gained valuable expertise and skills from experts in the field in the USA. |
| Impact | Two shared paper will be published. |
| Start Year | 2018 |