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Numerical Simulation of Geothermal Energy Development at Mount Meager and Its Impact on In Situ Thermal Stress

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  • Yutong Chai

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada)

  • Zhuoheng Chen

    (Geological Survey of Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Calgary, AB T2L 2A7, Canada)

  • Shunde Yin

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada)

Abstract

The Meager Mountain Geothermal Project stands as one of the pioneering geothermal energy initiatives in its early stages of resource development. Despite its abundant geothermal heat resources, no prior studies have systematically evaluated the potential of implementing coaxial borehole heat exchangers on site. This study addresses this research gap by presenting a comprehensive heat transfer model for an underground closed-loop geothermal system utilizing a single coaxial well. Finite element analysis incorporated fluid and solid heat transfer, as well as solid mechanics. The results obtained facilitated the construction of the temperature and thermal stress profiles induced by the cooling effects resulting from years of heat extraction. After 25 years of operation, the outlet temperature has reached approximately 74 °C, and the maximum radial tensile thermal stress amounts to ~47 MPa. Furthermore, the analysis demonstrates that higher fluid velocities contribute to more perturbed temperature and stress distributions. The study attained maximum thermal and electric power outputs of 208 kW and 17 kW, respectively. This research also underscores the significant impact of geothermal gradient and well length on BHE design, with longer wells yielding more power, especially at higher injection velocities.

Suggested Citation

  • Yutong Chai & Zhuoheng Chen & Shunde Yin, 2024. "Numerical Simulation of Geothermal Energy Development at Mount Meager and Its Impact on In Situ Thermal Stress," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-17, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:14:p:3466-:d:1434952
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Walch, Alina & Mohajeri, Nahid & Gudmundsson, Agust & Scartezzini, Jean-Louis, 2021. "Quantifying the technical geothermal potential from shallow borehole heat exchangers at regional scale," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 165(P1), pages 369-380.
    2. Alimonti, C. & Soldo, E., 2016. "Study of geothermal power generation from a very deep oil well with a wellbore heat exchanger," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 292-301.
    3. Yutong Chai & Zhuoheng Chen & Shunde Yin, 2023. "A Preliminary Analysis of In-Situ Stress at Mount Meager by Displacement Discontinuity Method with Topography and Tectonics Considered," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-25, January.
    4. Alimonti, C. & Soldo, E. & Bocchetti, D. & Berardi, D., 2018. "The wellbore heat exchangers: A technical review," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 353-381.
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