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Effects of adsorption and capillarity on injection in vapor-dominated geothermal reservoirs

Conference ·
OSTI ID:450629
One major motivation for the study of the effects of adsorption in geothermal reservoirs is the phenomenon known as {open_quotes}The Geysers Paradox{close_quotes}. Data from The Geysers field suggest that some water must be stored in the reservoir in a condensed phase even though the prevailing reservoir pressure and temperature dictate superheated conditions. Physical adsorption of steam onto rocks and the thermodynamics of curved interfaces prevailing in the pore spaces of the rock matrix can explain the apparent paradox. These mechanisms make it possible for water and steam to coexist in conditions we normally refer to as {open_quotes}superheated{close_quotes} based on our concept of flat interface thermodynamics (e.g., the Steam Table).
Research Organization:
Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
FG07-90ID12934; FG07-95ID13370
OSTI ID:
450629
Report Number(s):
DOE/EE--0106; CONF-9604116--23; ON: DE96015206
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English