IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v17y2024i13p3081-d1420070.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Optimizing Micro-CT Resolution for Geothermal Reservoir Characterization in the Pannonian Basin

Author

Listed:
  • Rita Mwendia Njeru

    (Department of Mineralogy, Geochemistry and Petrology, University of Szeged (SZTE), Egytem Str. 2, H-6722 Szeged, Hungary
    Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Egerton University, Egerton 536-20115, Kenya)

  • Akhmad Sofyan

    (Department of Mineralogy, Geochemistry and Petrology, University of Szeged (SZTE), Egytem Str. 2, H-6722 Szeged, Hungary
    Polytechnic of Energy and Mineral Akamigas, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (KESDM), Cepu, Blora 58315, Central Java, Indonesia)

  • Matthias Halisch

    (Leibniz Institute for Applied Geophysics (LIAG), Department 5-Petrophysics & Borehole Geophysics, Stilleweg 2, GEOZentrum Hannover, D-30655 Hannover, Germany)

  • Balázs Kóbor

    (Department of Mineralogy, Geochemistry and Petrology, University of Szeged (SZTE), Egytem Str. 2, H-6722 Szeged, Hungary
    Geothermal Energy Applied Research Center (GEAR), University of Szeged (SZTE), Dugonics Square 13, H-6722 Szeged, Hungary)

  • János Szanyi

    (Department of Mineralogy, Geochemistry and Petrology, University of Szeged (SZTE), Egytem Str. 2, H-6722 Szeged, Hungary)

Abstract

In the context of global efforts to transition toward renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, geothermal energy is increasingly recognized as a viable and sustainable option. This paper presents a comprehensive assessment derived from a subset of a larger sample collection within the Dunántúli Group of the Pannonian Basin, Hungary, focusing on optimizing micro-computed tomography (µ-CT) resolution for analyzing pore structures in sandstone formations. By categorizing samples based on geological properties and selecting representatives from each group, the study integrates helium porosity and gas permeability measurements with µ-CT imaging at various resolutions (5 µm, 2 µm, and 1 µm). The findings reveal that µ-CT resolution significantly affects the discernibility and characterization of pore structures. Finer resolutions (2 µm and 1 µm) effectively uncovered interconnected pore networks in medium- to coarse-grained sandstones, suggesting favorable properties for geothermal applications. In contrast, fine-grained samples showed limitations in geothermal applicability at higher resolutions due to their compact nature and minimal pore connectivity, which could not be confidently imaged at 1 µm. Additionally, this study acknowledges the challenges in delineating the boundaries within the Dunántúli Group formations, which adds a layer of complexity to the characterization process. The research highlights the importance of aligning µ-CT findings with geological backgrounds and laboratory measurements for accurate pore structure interpretation in heterogeneous formations. By contributing vital petrophysical data for the Dunántúli Group and the Pannonian Basin, this study provides key insights for selecting appropriate µ-CT imaging resolutions to advance sustainable geothermal energy strategies in the region. The outcomes of this research form the basis for future studies aimed at developing experimental setups to investigate physical clogging and enhance geothermal exploitation methods, crucial for the sustainable development of geothermal resources in the Pannonian Basin.

Suggested Citation

  • Rita Mwendia Njeru & Akhmad Sofyan & Matthias Halisch & Balázs Kóbor & János Szanyi, 2024. "Optimizing Micro-CT Resolution for Geothermal Reservoir Characterization in the Pannonian Basin," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-15, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:13:p:3081-:d:1420070
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/13/3081/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/13/3081/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yanyan Li & Zhihong Zhang & Siyu Wei & Peng Yang & Yanjun Shang, 2021. "Opportunities in Measuring Multiscale Pore Structure of the Continental Shale of the Yanchang Formation, Ordos Basin, China," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-12, August.
    2. John W. Lund, 2010. "Direct Utilization of Geothermal Energy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 3(8), pages 1-29, August.
    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. Chandarasekharam, D. & Aref, Lashin & Nassir, Al Arifi, 2014. "CO2 mitigation strategy through geothermal energy, Saudi Arabia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 154-163.
    2. Tomaszewska Barbara, 2012. "Geothermal Water Resources Management – Economic Aspects Of Their Treatment / Gospodarka Zasobami Wód Termalnych - Ekonomiczne Aspekty Ich Uzdatniania," Gospodarka Surowcami Mineralnymi / Mineral Resources Management, Sciendo, vol. 28(4), pages 59-70, December.
    3. Mahesh, A. & Shoba Jasmin, K.S., 2013. "Role of renewable energy investment in India: An alternative to CO2 mitigation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 26(C), pages 414-424.
    4. 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.
    5. Sanchez-Alfaro, Pablo & Sielfeld, Gerd & Campen, Bart Van & Dobson, Patrick & Fuentes, Víctor & Reed, Andy & Palma-Behnke, Rodrigo & Morata, Diego, 2015. "Geothermal barriers, policies and economics in Chile – Lessons for the Andes," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 1390-1401.
    6. George Antoneas & Irene Koronaki, 2024. "Geothermal Solutions for Urban Energy Challenges: A Focus on CO 2 Plume Geothermal Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-27, January.
    7. Mrityunjay Singh & Saeed Mahmoodpour & Cornelia Schmidt-Hattenberger & Ingo Sass & Michael Drews, 2023. "Influence of Reservoir Heterogeneity on Simultaneous Geothermal Energy Extraction and CO 2 Storage," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-23, December.
    8. Xiao-Hui Sun & Hongbin Yan & Mehrdad Massoudi & Zhi-Hua Chen & Wei-Tao Wu, 2018. "Numerical Simulation of Nanofluid Suspensions in a Geothermal Heat Exchanger," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-18, April.
    9. Kharseh, Mohamad & Altorkmany, Lobna & Al-Khawaja, Mohammed & Hassani, Ferri, 2015. "Analysis of the effect of global climate change on ground source heat pump systems in different climate categories," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 219-225.
    10. Tsubaki, Koutaro & Mitsutake, Yuichi, 2016. "Performance of ground-source heat exchangers using short residential foundation piles," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 229-236.
    11. 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.
    12. 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.
    13. Qi, Zishu & Gao, Qing & Liu, Yan & Yan, Y.Y. & Spitler, Jeffrey D., 2014. "Status and development of hybrid energy systems from hybrid ground source heat pump in China and other countries," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 29(C), pages 37-51.
    14. Wei-Tao Wu & Nadine Aubry & James F. Antaki & Mark L. McKoy & Mehrdad Massoudi, 2017. "Heat Transfer in a Drilling Fluid with Geothermal Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-18, September.
    15. 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).
    16. Korkmaz, E.D. & Serpen, U. & Satman, A., 2014. "Geothermal boom in Turkey: Growth in identified capacities and potentials," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 314-325.
    17. Kharseh, Mohamad & Altorkmany, Lobna, 2012. "How global warming and building envelope will change buildings energy use in central Europe," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 999-1004.
    18. Xydis, George A. & Nanaki, Evanthia A. & Koroneos, Christopher J., 2013. "Low-enthalpy geothermal resources for electricity production: A demand-side management study for intelligent communities," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 118-123.
    19. Nian, Yong-Le & Cheng, Wen-Long, 2018. "Evaluation of geothermal heating from abandoned oil wells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 592-607.
    20. Stegnar, Gašper & Staničić, D. & Česen, M. & Čižman, J. & Pestotnik, S. & Prestor, J. & Urbančič, A. & Merše, S., 2019. "A framework for assessing the technical and economic potential of shallow geothermal energy in individual and district heating systems: A case study of Slovenia," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 405-420.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    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:13:p:3081-:d:1420070. 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.