Simulating Wellflow of High-Noncondensable-Gas Geofluids Using Laboratory Measurements on Secondary Fluids

Abstract

An experimental simulation of an actual steam-water geothermal well based on field data obtained in New Zealand is carried out in a two-phase flow facility using dichlorotetrafluoroethane, known commercially as refrigerant 114. The simulation of steam-water flow is accomplished by a similaf-ity theory which is achieved by using appropriate dimensionless numbers; namely, the Mach, Froude, and Reynolds numbers at the flashing front. The theory is used to scale the flow properties from that of water to thaf of refrigerant 114 in the two-phase region, and permits the prediction of steam-water characteristics in a flowing well, under much reduced pressure and temperature levels. Two experimental series were conducted to confront the similarity theory with actual measurements from a flowing well with significant noncondensable gases. Experimental results using refrigerant 114 indicate that the pressure distribution along the pipe can be predicted accurately in the two-phase region of a geothermal well.