Simulation of optimal exploitation of an open geotermal loop

Abstract

Geothermal aquifers are a renewable resource of heat and energy. To encourage these resources open geothermal systems consisting of injection and production wells are commonly used. As a rule, such systems consist of two wells. Hot water from the production well is used and became cooler, and the injection well returns this cold water into the aquifer. To simulate this open geothermal system a three-dimensional nonstationar mathematical model and numerical algorithms are developed taking into account the most important physical and technical parameters of the wells to describe processes of heat transfer and thermal water filtration in the aquifer. Results of numerical calculations, which, in particular, are used to determine an optimal parameters for a geothermal system in North Caucasus, are presented. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.