Modelling Flow and Heat Transfer in Fractured Rocks: Application on Heat Extraction from Hot Dry Rocks

Abstract

The object of this study is to investigate fluid flow and heat transfer within geothermal reservoirs, are placed within hot dry rocks (HDR). Many lield experiments demonstrate the strong correlation between tectonic stress field. fracture opening, and flow processes in hydraulically stimulated rocks. The proposed model is therefore based on the general idea. that flow and advective transport occur mainly in fracture systems, whose orientation is governed by the tectonic stresses. 3-D deterministicfracture networks are synthesizedfor the sites at and Rosemanowes (UK), which represent the mean geometrical features of the reservoirs. A preliminary study emphases the necessity taking into account the spatial character of heatasion within the rock matrix. Therefore, a truly 3-D model is used to predict the thermal performance of HDR prototypes.