Insight from modelling discrete fractures using GEOCRACK
This work analyzes the behavior of a numerical geothermal reservoir simulation with flow only in discrete fractures. GEOCRACK is a 2-D finite element model developed at Kansas State University for the Hot Dry Rock (HDR) research at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Its numerical simulations couple the mechanics of discrete fracture behavior with the state of earth stress, fluid flow, and heat transfer. This coupled model could also be of value for modeling reinjection and other reservoir operating strategies for liquid dominated fractured reservoirs. Because fracture surfaces cool quickly by fluid convection, and heat does not conduct quickly from the interior of reservoir rock, modeling the injection of cold fluid into a fractured reservoir is better simulated by a model with discrete fractures. This work contains knowledge gained from HDR reservoir simulation and continues to develop the general concept of heat mining, reservoir optimization. and the sensitivity of simulation to the uncertainties of fracture spacing and dynamic flow dispersion.
- Research Organization:
- Mechanical Engineering, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 889825
- Report Number(s):
- SGP-TR-151-40
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Proceedings, Twenty-first Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, January 22-24, 1996
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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