Abstract
Although the reservoir simulation is widely utilized to predict geothermal reservoir performances, the results of the simulation are sometimes different from those actually observed in field operations due to non-equilibrium conditions. For example, the recharge water sometimes reaches producing wells much earlier than predicted by reservoir simulation. Therefore, in this research, we attempted to develop a numerical simulator that can deal with the non-equilibrium vaporization of water and condensation of steam for predicting geothermal reservoir performances more accurately. First, we developed a three-dimensional simulator that can predict the flow behavior of geothermal fluids in a non-equilibrium state. Conventional geothermal simulators solve the only material balance equation for all the water molecules regardless of the phase condition. On the other hand, in the simulator developed in this research, water molecules in the liquid phase are distinguished from those in vapor phase, and the two material balance equations are derived for water and steam separately. These equations have the terms to express the molecular transportation from steam to water and vice versa. Non-equilibrium vaporization and condensation of water molecules are expressed by adjusting the kinetic rate of transportation of water molecules across phases. Next, we expanded the functions of the above simulator, incorporating two types of double porosity models, Kazemi and MINC, to reproduce the fluid flow preferentially through fractures and faults. After verifying the simulator functions, we investigated how the speed of the transportation of water molecules across phases affected the geothermal reservoir performances, especially those with recharging water. Case studies revealed that the non-equilibrium condition hastened the movement of the water injected as recharge water through fractures, which resulted in the water breakthrough earlier than predicted by conventional (equilibrium type) simulators.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Geothermal's Role in Today's Energy Market - Geothermal Resources Council 2018 Annual Meeting, GRC 2018 |
| Publisher | Geothermal Resources Council |
| Pages | 1762-1798 |
| Number of pages | 37 |
| Volume | 42 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 0934412235 |
| Publication status | Published - 2018 Jan 1 |
| Event | Geothermal Resources Council 2018 Annual Meeting: Geothermal's Role in Today's Energy Market, GRC 2018 - Reno, United States Duration: 2018 Oct 14 → 2018 Oct 17 |
Other
| Other | Geothermal Resources Council 2018 Annual Meeting: Geothermal's Role in Today's Energy Market, GRC 2018 |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| City | Reno |
| Period | 18/10/14 → 18/10/17 |
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Keywords
- Artificial recharge
- Double porosity
- Geothermal simulator
- Kinetic non-equilibrium phase change
- MINC model
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
- Energy Engineering and Power Technology
- Geophysics
Cite this
Development of geothermal reservoir simulator for predicting three-dimensional water-steam flow behavior considering non-equilibrium state and kazemi/MINC double porosity system. / Fujii, Sumire; Ishigami, Yuki; Kurihara, Masanori.
Geothermal's Role in Today's Energy Market - Geothermal Resources Council 2018 Annual Meeting, GRC 2018. Vol. 42 Geothermal Resources Council, 2018. p. 1762-1798.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution
}
TY - GEN
T1 - Development of geothermal reservoir simulator for predicting three-dimensional water-steam flow behavior considering non-equilibrium state and kazemi/MINC double porosity system
AU - Fujii, Sumire
AU - Ishigami, Yuki
AU - Kurihara, Masanori
PY - 2018/1/1
Y1 - 2018/1/1
N2 - Although the reservoir simulation is widely utilized to predict geothermal reservoir performances, the results of the simulation are sometimes different from those actually observed in field operations due to non-equilibrium conditions. For example, the recharge water sometimes reaches producing wells much earlier than predicted by reservoir simulation. Therefore, in this research, we attempted to develop a numerical simulator that can deal with the non-equilibrium vaporization of water and condensation of steam for predicting geothermal reservoir performances more accurately. First, we developed a three-dimensional simulator that can predict the flow behavior of geothermal fluids in a non-equilibrium state. Conventional geothermal simulators solve the only material balance equation for all the water molecules regardless of the phase condition. On the other hand, in the simulator developed in this research, water molecules in the liquid phase are distinguished from those in vapor phase, and the two material balance equations are derived for water and steam separately. These equations have the terms to express the molecular transportation from steam to water and vice versa. Non-equilibrium vaporization and condensation of water molecules are expressed by adjusting the kinetic rate of transportation of water molecules across phases. Next, we expanded the functions of the above simulator, incorporating two types of double porosity models, Kazemi and MINC, to reproduce the fluid flow preferentially through fractures and faults. After verifying the simulator functions, we investigated how the speed of the transportation of water molecules across phases affected the geothermal reservoir performances, especially those with recharging water. Case studies revealed that the non-equilibrium condition hastened the movement of the water injected as recharge water through fractures, which resulted in the water breakthrough earlier than predicted by conventional (equilibrium type) simulators.
AB - Although the reservoir simulation is widely utilized to predict geothermal reservoir performances, the results of the simulation are sometimes different from those actually observed in field operations due to non-equilibrium conditions. For example, the recharge water sometimes reaches producing wells much earlier than predicted by reservoir simulation. Therefore, in this research, we attempted to develop a numerical simulator that can deal with the non-equilibrium vaporization of water and condensation of steam for predicting geothermal reservoir performances more accurately. First, we developed a three-dimensional simulator that can predict the flow behavior of geothermal fluids in a non-equilibrium state. Conventional geothermal simulators solve the only material balance equation for all the water molecules regardless of the phase condition. On the other hand, in the simulator developed in this research, water molecules in the liquid phase are distinguished from those in vapor phase, and the two material balance equations are derived for water and steam separately. These equations have the terms to express the molecular transportation from steam to water and vice versa. Non-equilibrium vaporization and condensation of water molecules are expressed by adjusting the kinetic rate of transportation of water molecules across phases. Next, we expanded the functions of the above simulator, incorporating two types of double porosity models, Kazemi and MINC, to reproduce the fluid flow preferentially through fractures and faults. After verifying the simulator functions, we investigated how the speed of the transportation of water molecules across phases affected the geothermal reservoir performances, especially those with recharging water. Case studies revealed that the non-equilibrium condition hastened the movement of the water injected as recharge water through fractures, which resulted in the water breakthrough earlier than predicted by conventional (equilibrium type) simulators.
KW - Artificial recharge
KW - Double porosity
KW - Geothermal simulator
KW - Kinetic non-equilibrium phase change
KW - MINC model
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85059882639&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Conference contribution
VL - 42
SP - 1762
EP - 1798
BT - Geothermal's Role in Today's Energy Market - Geothermal Resources Council 2018 Annual Meeting, GRC 2018
PB - Geothermal Resources Council
ER -