Computational Study of Two Phase Flow with Flash Boiling in Geothermal Wells

Abstract

The paper presents application of Eulerian two phase flow Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model for simulating flash boiling in a geothermal well. The simulation uses a six-equation model with separate mass, momentum, and energy balance equations for the liquid and vapor phases, and, is available in Ansys Fluent. The model takes into account the inter-phase mass, momentum and energy transfer occurring due to phase change. Simulations for a wellbore were carried out and validated using available pressure-temperature data logs and mass flow measurements. Results from the model show agreement with the available data for the location of the point of flashing and steam quality at the wellhead.