Optimization of location of injection wells in an open geothermal system

Abstract

A geothermal open loop system consisting of one production well and several injection wells is considered. The production well serves to raise hot water from a geothermal underground reservoir, which can be used for building heating or for other purposes. As a result, the water is cooled and then pumped through injection wells back into the geothermal reservoir. The cooled water begins to be filtered in the reservoir in the direction of the production well. A mathematical model describing the distribution of a cold water front in such a system is presented. A software package has been developed that makes it possible to evaluate the efficiency of the location of injection wells in a geothermal reservoir in order to increase the operating time of such a system, since the operation of the geothermal system life is over as soon as the cold water front reaches the production well. © 2019 Author(s).