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Numerical Analysis of Enhanced Conductive Deep Borehole Heat Exchangers

Author

Listed:
  • Theo Renaud

    (Energy and Power, Cranfield University, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK)

  • Lehua Pan

    (Earth Sciences Division 90-1116, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 95720, USA)

  • Hannah Doran

    (James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G13 8QQ, UK)

  • Gioia Falcone

    (James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G13 8QQ, UK)

  • Patrick G. Verdin

    (Energy and Power, Cranfield University, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK)

Abstract

Geothermal energy is a reliable and mature energy source, but it represents less than 1% of the total renewable energy mix. While the enhanced geothermal system (EGS) concept faces technical validation challenges and suffers from public acceptance issues, the development of unconventional deep-well designs can help to improve their efficiency and reliability. Modelling single-EGS-well designs is key to assessing their long-term thermal performances, particularly in unconventional geological settings. Numerical results obtained with the T2WELL/EOS1 code have been validated with available experimental data from a deep borehole heat exchanger (DBHE), where a temperature of 358 ∘ C has been measured at a depth of 1962 m. Based on a calibrated model, the thermal performances of two enhanced thermal conductive DBHEs with graphite were compared for high geothermal gradients. The analysis highlights the potential recovery of a variable fraction of vapour. Graphite used along the well appears to be the most suitable solution to enhance the thermal output by 5 to 8% when compared to conventional wells. The theoretical implementation of such well in the Newberry volcano field was investigated with a single and doublet DBHE. The findings provide a robust methodology to assess alternative engineering solutions to current geothermal practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Theo Renaud & Lehua Pan & Hannah Doran & Gioia Falcone & Patrick G. Verdin, 2021. "Numerical Analysis of Enhanced Conductive Deep Borehole Heat Exchangers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-21, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:12:p:6918-:d:578012
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Gola, Gianluca & Di Sipio, Eloisa & Facci, Marina & Galgaro, Antonio & Manzella, Adele, 2022. "Geothermal deep closed-loop heat exchangers: A novel technical potential evaluation to answer the power and heat demands," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 198(C), pages 1193-1209.

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