Application of Rock Fracture Mechanics to HDR Reservoir Design -An Overview of T ·Project, Tohoku University

Abstract

Recently a significant role of artificial and/or natural cracks in the geothermal reservoir has been demonstrated where the cracks behave as fluid paths and/or heat exchanging surfaces. Until now, however, there are several problems such as a design procedure of hydraulic fracturing, and a quantitative estimate of fluid and heat transfer for reservoir design.ln order to develop a design methodology of geothermal reservoir cracks, a special distinguished research project named as "r-Project", started at Tohoku University (5 year project, 1983-1988). In this project a basic fracture mechanics model of geothermal reservoir cracks is being demonstrated and its validation is being addressed both theoretically and experimentally. This paper discribes an overview of "T-Project".