Modeling of upward flow of steam-water mixture in a geothermal well with consideration of phase transformations

About the authors:

Anastasia V. Konyukhova, student, Department of modeling of physical processes and systems, School of natural sciences, University of Tyumen, Tyumen, Russia
stud0000264778@study.utmn.ru

Alexander Ya. Gilmanov, Cand. Sci. (Phys.-Math.), Associate Professor, Department of Modeling of Physical Processes and Systems, School of Natural Sciences, University of Tyumen, Tyumen, Russia; a.y.gilmanov@utmn.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7115-1629

Alexander P. Shevelev, Cand. Sci. (Phys.-Math.), Associate Professor, Professor, Department of Modeling of Physical Processes and Systems, School of Natural Sciences, University of Tyumen, Tyumen, Russia; a.p.shevelev@utmn.ru; ORCID: 0000-0003-0017-4871

Abstract:

Geothermal energy is quite promising for Kamchatka Krai; the region’s capabilities allow to provide the territory with heat and electricity through geothermal plants. However, the development of new geothermal fields is associated with certain risks: to check whether the well is suitable for exploitation, it is necessary to conduct experimental studies or model the process. The aim of the work is to create a quasi-one-dimensional physical and mathematical model of heat and mass transfer of a vapor-liquid mixture in a geothermal well. For the first time these processes are described in the stationary approximation. In the model were used equations of multiphase media mechanics. The initial problem is divided into two: internal, in which the movement of vapor-water mixture along the wellbore is described considering phase transitions, and external, in which the heat flow in the heat carrier-well-rock system is determined. The developed model allows to calculate the main well parameters (pressure, steam velocity, steam quality) responsible for the efficiency of geothermal well operation. The problem was solved numerically considering the symmetry of the well, which allowed to reduce the number of input parameters and calculation time. It was determined that the steam quality increases by 8% for 350 m. This is due to low values of heat losses. The velocity of steam-water mixture in its upward movement from the bottom of the well increases by 220%, despite the presence of dissipative forces caused by the friction of the flow against the wall of the well.

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