Optimize the findings by smart field designs

Reinjection of the separated brines back into the geothermal reservoir is very important to maintain the reservoir pressure and to avoid a rapid decline. The reinjection sector is best chosen when its temperature is slightly higher than the temperature of reinjection fluids. The relative distance from the reinjection to the production sectors is also important, not too close but not too far. The role of geochemistry is also taken into account in this matter. Once a certain technology is selected for the utilization of the reservoir, the reservoir management system is then developed that leads to a good steam field design. On the basis of heat and mass balance, hopefully the reservoir would receive a good treatment until the end of the utilization. A problem might occur when the initial reservoir management system is for condensing turbines, but years later lower pressure or multiple flash turbines are added to the current power plants. The reservoir management system needs a re-written. The additional investment could be high when the reinjection sectors need relocations in order to prevent reservoir damage.



Figures showing steam field design and reservoir treatment in a one good master plan.

Flashing of geothermal liquids

Consider a hot geothermal liquid flows from the depth with the flow rate of kg/s at the temperature of degree C to the surface. When it reaches the surface and flashes at degree C it yields steam and brines at the rate of kg/s respectively. Isoenthalpic process is assumed with the dryness of .

Heat carried by a liquid

Suppose a pump is installed to flow a warm liquid from a deep reservoir with a flow rate of kg/s at the temperature of degree C to the surface. When the liquid cools down to degree C, it yields a thermal power of kJ/s, assuming no heat lost, no phase change. Depending on the efficiency and the conversion factor of the system, say , a power of kW could be obtained . However, the amount of power to pump up the warm liquid will reduce the net power of the system. Is it worth doing ?

Production decline in geothermal

Production decline in geothermal industries is very common. There are various causes, such of lack of recharge, well damage, mineral depositions in the vicinity of the wellbores, over exploitation, rapid cold liquid intrusions from far field, leakage from shallow cold aquifer downto the reservoir. The following graph shows an example of production decline from the parameters shown in the table. The values could be modified and the output is shown by clicking the Calculate button.

ParametersValues 
Production time, year 30
Initial prodution, ton/hr 480
Annual decline rate, e.g. 0.040.03
Exponential factor, 0.01-0.99 0.5
Minimum requirement, ton/hr 400
Successful makeup gain, ton/hr  100
Number of makeup campaigns 2