IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v17y2024i6p1384-d1356325.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Numerical Study of the Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical Coupling Impacts of Shallow Geothermal Borehole Groups in Fractured Rock Mass on Geological Environment

Author

Listed:
  • Yujin Ran

    (Guizhou Shallow Geothermal Energy Development Co., Ltd., Zunyi 563006, China
    114 Branch, Bureau of Geology and Mineral Exploration and Development Guizhou Province, Zunyi 563006, China)

  • Jia Peng

    (Guizhou Shallow Geothermal Energy Development Co., Ltd., Zunyi 563006, China
    114 Branch, Bureau of Geology and Mineral Exploration and Development Guizhou Province, Zunyi 563006, China)

  • Xiaolin Tian

    (Guizhou Shallow Geothermal Energy Development Co., Ltd., Zunyi 563006, China
    114 Branch, Bureau of Geology and Mineral Exploration and Development Guizhou Province, Zunyi 563006, China)

  • Dengyun Luo

    (Guizhou Shallow Geothermal Energy Development Co., Ltd., Zunyi 563006, China
    114 Branch, Bureau of Geology and Mineral Exploration and Development Guizhou Province, Zunyi 563006, China)

  • Bin Yang

    (College of Mines, Guizhou University, North Wing Rm. 426, Guiyang 550025, China)

  • Peng Pei

    (College of Mines, Guizhou University, North Wing Rm. 426, Guiyang 550025, China)

  • Long Tang

    (School of Mines, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China)

Abstract

Fractured rock mass is extensively distributed in Karst topography regions, and its geological environment is different from that of the quaternary strata. In this study, the influences on geological environment induced by the construction and operation of a large-scale borehole group of ground source heat pumps are analyzed by a thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) coupling numerical model. It was found that groundwater is redirected as the boreholes can function as channels to the surface, and the flow velocity in the upstream of borehole group is higher than those downstream. This change in groundwater flow enhances heat transfer in the upstream boreholes but may disturb the original groundwater system and impact the local geological environment. Heat accumulation is more likely to occur downstream. The geo-stress concentration appears in the borehole area, mainly due to exaction and increasing with the depth. On the fracture plane, tensile stress and maximum shear stress simultaneously occur on the upstream of boreholes, inducing the possibility of fracturing or the expansion of existing fractures. There is a slight uplift displacement on the surface after the construction of boreholes. The correlations of the above THM phenomena are discussed and analyzed. From the modeling results, it is suggested that the consolidation of backfills can minimize the environmental disturbances in terms of groundwater redirection, thermal accumulation, occurrence of tensile stress, and possible fracturing. This study provides support for the assessment of impacts on geological environments resulting from shallow geothermal development and layout optimization of ground heat exchangers in engineering practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Yujin Ran & Jia Peng & Xiaolin Tian & Dengyun Luo & Bin Yang & Peng Pei & Long Tang, 2024. "Numerical Study of the Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical Coupling Impacts of Shallow Geothermal Borehole Groups in Fractured Rock Mass on Geological Environment," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-22, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:6:p:1384-:d:1356325
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/6/1384/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/6/1384/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hähnlein, Stefanie & Bayer, Peter & Ferguson, Grant & Blum, Philipp, 2013. "Sustainability and policy for the thermal use of shallow geothermal energy," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 914-925.
    2. Capozza, Antonio & De Carli, Michele & Zarrella, Angelo, 2013. "Investigations on the influence of aquifers on the ground temperature in ground-source heat pump operation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 350-363.
    3. Deng, Fengqiang & Li, Wei & Pei, Peng & Wang, Lin & Ren, Yonglin, 2024. "Study on design and calculation method of borehole heat exchangers based on seasonal patterns of groundwater," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Somogyi, Viola & Sebestyén, Viktor & Nagy, Georgina, 2017. "Scientific achievements and regulation of shallow geothermal systems in six European countries – A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 68(P2), pages 934-952.
    2. Rivera, Jaime A. & Blum, Philipp & Bayer, Peter, 2015. "Ground energy balance for borehole heat exchangers: Vertical fluxes, groundwater and storage," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 1341-1351.
    3. Li, Biao & Han, Zongwei & Bai, Chenguang & Hu, Honghao, 2019. "The influence of soil thermal properties on the operation performance on ground source heat pump system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 903-913.
    4. Beernink, Stijn & Bloemendal, Martin & Kleinlugtenbelt, Rob & Hartog, Niels, 2022. "Maximizing the use of aquifer thermal energy storage systems in urban areas: effects on individual system primary energy use and overall GHG emissions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 311(C).
    5. Bleicher, Alena & Gross, Matthias, 2016. "Geothermal heat pumps and the vagaries of subterranean geology: Energy independence at a household level as a real world experiment," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 279-288.
    6. Abbas, Tauqeer & Ahmed Bazmi, Aqeel & Waheed Bhutto, Abdul & Zahedi, Gholamreza, 2014. "Greener energy: Issues and challenges for Pakistan-geothermal energy prospective," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 258-269.
    7. Cho, Sangmin & Kim, Jinsoo & Heo, Eunnyeong, 2015. "Application of fuzzy analytic hierarchy process to select the optimal heating facility for Korean horticulture and stockbreeding sectors," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 1075-1083.
    8. García-Gil, Alejandro & Goetzl, Gregor & Kłonowski, Maciej R. & Borovic, Staša & Boon, David P. & Abesser, Corinna & Janza, Mitja & Herms, Ignasi & Petitclerc, Estelle & Erlström, Mikael & Holecek, Ja, 2020. "Governance of shallow geothermal energy resources," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    9. Karytsas, Spyridon & Choropanitis, Ioannis, 2017. "Barriers against and actions towards renewable energy technologies diffusion: A Principal Component Analysis for residential ground source heat pump (GSHP) systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 252-271.
    10. Alessandro Franco & Maurizio Vaccaro, 2020. "Sustainable Sizing of Geothermal Power Plants: Appropriate Potential Assessment Methods," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-19, May.
    11. Francesco, Tinti & Annamaria, Pangallo & Martina, Berneschi & Dario, Tosoni & Dušan, Rajver & Simona, Pestotnik & Dalibor, Jovanović & Tomislav, Rudinica & Slavisa, Jelisić & Branko, Zlokapa & Attilio, 2016. "How to boost shallow geothermal energy exploitation in the adriatic area: the LEGEND project experience," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 190-204.
    12. Chen, Siyuan & Zhang, Qi & Li, Hailong & Mclellan, Benjamin & Zhang, Tiantian & Tan, Zhizhou, 2019. "Investment decision on shallow geothermal heating & cooling based on compound options model: A case study of China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 254(C).
    13. Perego, Rodolfo & Viesi, Diego & Pera, Sebastian & Dalla Santa, Giorgia & Cultrera, Matteo & Visintainer, Paola & Galgaro, Antonio, 2020. "Revision of hydrothermal constraints for the installation of closed-loop shallow geothermal systems through underground investigation, monitoring and modeling," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 1378-1395.
    14. Fleuchaus, Paul & Godschalk, Bas & Stober, Ingrid & Blum, Philipp, 2018. "Worldwide application of aquifer thermal energy storage – A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 861-876.
    15. Thomas Hermans & Frédéric Nguyen & Tanguy Robert & Andre Revil, 2014. "Geophysical Methods for Monitoring Temperature Changes in Shallow Low Enthalpy Geothermal Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 7(8), pages 1-36, August.
    16. De Schepper, Guillaume & Paulus, Claire & Bolly, Pierre-Yves & Hermans, Thomas & Lesparre, Nolwenn & Robert, Tanguy, 2019. "Assessment of short-term aquifer thermal energy storage for demand-side management perspectives: Experimental and numerical developments," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 242(C), pages 534-546.
    17. Kastner, O. & Norden, B. & Klapperer, S. & Park, S. & Urpi, L. & Cacace, M. & Blöcher, G., 2017. "Thermal solar energy storage in Jurassic aquifers in Northeastern Germany: A simulation study," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 290-306.
    18. Cook, David & Davidsdottir, Brynhildur & Petursson, Jón Geir, 2015. "Accounting for the utilisation of geothermal energy resources within the genuine progress indicator—A methodological review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 211-220.
    19. Jing, Zefeng & Wang, Huaijiu & Feng, Chenchen & Wang, Shuzhong, 2020. "Numerical study on the heat characteristics of a novel artificial seepage thermal storage based on the successive four seasons," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 1185-1193.
    20. Han, Chanjuan & Yu, Xiong (Bill), 2016. "Performance of a residential ground source heat pump system in sedimentary rock formation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 89-98.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:6:p:1384-:d:1356325. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.