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Numerical investigations of CO2 and N2 miscible flow as the working fluid in enhanced geothermal systems

Author

Listed:
  • Li, Jiawei
  • Yuan, Wanju
  • Zhang, Yin
  • Cherubini, Claudia
  • Scheuermann, Alexander
  • Galindo Torres, Sergio Andres
  • Li, Ling

Abstract

In this study, the heat extraction from geothermal reservoirs with the application of CO2 and N2 miscible flow as the novel working fluids has been investigated based on the discrete fracture network model. The miscible flow with different CO2 and N2 proportions and highly pressure and temperature dependent properties have been integrated into reservoir simulations. The heat production processes for CO2 and N2 miscible flow have been simulated with two different discrete fracture networks, which also take the thermal-hydraulic-mechanical (THM) coupling mechanisms into consideration. Based on simulation results, it is revealed that the heat extraction efficiencies show an irregular trend with the increasing proportions of N2 in the mixture. It is found that the miscible flow with two different N2 proportions (20% and 40%) can be a more efficient working fluid than the one with larger N2 proportions. Based on simulation results, cumulative heat production curves that represent ten CO2 and N2 proportions can be divided into three categories. Evaluations of relevant permeabilities and effective normal stresses at sample points were made, which contributed to the comprehensive analysis of the heat transfer processes. It is also found that there are reasonable ranges for the miscible flow with different CO2 and N2 proportions as working fluids that allows higher heat extraction efficiencies, which are validated by a series of comparisons. Thus, in order to define the humps on the heat extraction efficiency curves, a new concept of the optimized heat extraction efficiency range is proposed and validated. It is proved that fluid properties of the miscible flow with different CO2 and N2 proportions and the reservoir temperature determine the optimized heat extraction efficiency range directly. This study proposes the miscible flow of CO2 and N2 as the working fluid, which provides a new alternative for geothermal energy production.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Jiawei & Yuan, Wanju & Zhang, Yin & Cherubini, Claudia & Scheuermann, Alexander & Galindo Torres, Sergio Andres & Li, Ling, 2020. "Numerical investigations of CO2 and N2 miscible flow as the working fluid in enhanced geothermal systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:206:y:2020:i:c:s0360544220311695
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2020.118062
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Liao, Jianxing & Hu, Ke & Mehmood, Faisal & Xu, Bin & Teng, Yuhang & Wang, Hong & Hou, Zhengmeng & Xie, Yachen, 2023. "Embedded discrete fracture network method for numerical estimation of long-term performance of CO2-EGS under THM coupled framework," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 285(C).
    3. Ning Li & Heping Xie & Ziqi Gao & Cunbao Li, 2022. "Study on the Hydraulic Fracturing Failure Behaviour of Granite and Its Comparison with Gas Fracturing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-19, November.
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    5. Linkai Li & Xiao Guo & Ming Zhou & Gang Xiang & Ning Zhang & Yue Wang & Shengyuan Wang & Arnold Landjobo Pagou, 2021. "The Investigation of Fracture Networks on Heat Extraction Performance for an Enhanced Geothermal System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-18, March.

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    Keywords

    CO2 and N2 miscible flow; Fluids properties; Optimized heat extraction efficiency range; Enhanced geothermal systems;
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    JEL classification:

    • N2 - Economic History - - Financial Markets and Institutions

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