Engineering Methods for Predicting Productivity and Longevity of Hot-Dry-Rock Geothermal Reservoir in the Presence of Thermal Cracks
- Key words
- Hot Dry Rock; Hydraulic Fracture; Heat Transfer; Heat Extraction
- Conference
- Geothermal Resources Council Transactions
- Year
- 1978
- Session
- HDR/EGS; Computer modeling; Fractures; Rock mechanics
- Language
- English
Abstract
Additional heat extraction from geothermal energy reservoirs depends on the feasibility to extend the main, hydraulic fracture through secondary thermal cracks of adjacent hot rock. When the main fracture is cooled sufficiently, secondary thermal cracks are produced normal to the main fracture surface. As such, both the heat transfer surface area and heat energy available to the fluid circulating through the main fracture system increase. The objectives of this investigation are: (1) to study how the main, hydraulic fracture can be extended through secondary thermal cracks of the rock, and (2) to develop methods for predicting the productivity and longevity of a geothermal reservoir.
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