Potential for hot-dry-rock geothermal resources: experimental results
Hot dry rock (HDR) contains insufficient permeability and fluid for natural hydrothermal development, but water pumped in a circulation loop through a HDR reservoir (hydraulically fractured between two drill holes) is being tested and evaluated. The formation of such in situ heat transfer systems, and subsequent testing of the man-made geothermal reservoirs in the Jemez volcanic field, New Mexico have already indicated the technical feasibility of the hot dry rock (HDR) geothermal concept. Documented production history and heat-extraction data obtained during the period from 1978 to 1980 have confirmed heat transfer, low water loss, and predictable thermal drawdown models for the HDR systems. During a nine month test of closed-loop heat extraction operations, 15 x 10/sup 6/ kWh of thermal energy were produced. The effective heat-transfer area and volume of the reservoir increased due to secondary fracturing caused by thermal contraction of the reservoir rock, and sustained pressurization. Drilling, fracturing, and testing of a larger, hotter reservoir system is now underway on a HDR geothermal reservoir of commercial size.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA); National Research Inst. for Pollution and Resources, Yatabe, Ibaraki (Japan)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- OSTI ID:
- 5347776
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-82-2269; CONF-820834-1; ON: DE82019534
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
150906* -- Geothermal Engineering-- Reservoir Stimulation & Extraction Technology
COMMINUTION
DRAWDOWN
ENERGY SYSTEMS
ENERGY TRANSFER
FRACTURING
GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS
Geothermal Legacy
HEAT EXTRACTION
HEAT TRANSFER
HOT-DRY-ROCK SYSTEMS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
PRODUCTION
RESOURCE POTENTIAL
TESTING
VOLCANIC REGIONS