Heat transfer in aquifers with finite caprock thickness during a thermal injection process

Journal Article · Tue Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Water Resour. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/WR023i012p02286· OSTI ID:5386169

Voigt, H D; Haefner, F

A two-dimensional model has been developed to solve for the problem of thermal injection into confining aquifer with a caprock of finite thickness and a bedrock of infinite thickness. Heat transfer by horizontal convection within the aquifer and by vertical conduction in the caprock an bedrock is considered. The model also incorporates variable temperatures on the surface of the caprock. Thus, it can be used to study problems in connection with aquifer thermal energy storage, heat recovery from, and cold water injection into aquifers near the surface. The derived analytical solutions show that the caprock thickness is important only in long-time periods and at greater distance from the injection well. The application of this model to cold water injection into an aquifer with 1.75-m caprock thickness shows that the influence of seasonal variation of the surface temperature on the aquifer is nearly +/- 2/sup 0/C.

• Research Organization: Volkseigener Betreib Kombinat Erdoel-Erdgas, Gommern, German Democratic Republic
• OSTI ID: 5386169
• Journal Information: Water Resour. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Water Resour. Res.; (United States) Vol. 23:12; ISSN WRERA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
250600* -- Energy Storage-- Thermal
AQUIFERS
CONVECTION
ENERGY RECOVERY
ENERGY STORAGE
ENERGY TRANSFER
HEAT RECOVERY
HEAT STORAGE
HEAT TRANSFER
MASS TRANSFER
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
RECOVERY
SEASONAL THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE
STORAGE