The Coupled Effects of Dryness and Non-condensable Gas Content of Geothermal Fluid on the Power Generation Potential of an Enhanced Geothermal System

The Enhanced Geothermal System(EGS) is a recognized geothermal exploitation system for hot dry rock(HDR), which is a rich resource in China. In this study, a numerical simulation method is used to study the effects of geothermal fluid dryness and non-condensable gas content on the specific enthalpy of geothermal fluid. Combined with the organic Rankine cycle(ORC), a numerical model is established to ascertain the difference in power generation caused by geothermal fluid dryness and non-condensable gas content. The results show that the specific enthalpy of geothermal fluid increases with the increase of geothermal fluid temperature and geothermal fluid dryness. If the dryness of geothermal fluid is ignored, the estimation error will be large for geothermal fluid enthalpy. Ignoring non condensable gas will increase the estimation of geothermal fluid enthalpy, so the existence of the non-condensable gas tends to reduce the installed capacity of a geothermal power plant. Additionally, both mass flow of the working medium and net power output of the ORC power generation system are increased with increasing dryness of geothermal fluid, however there is some impact of geothermal fluid dryness on thermal efficiency.

Reconstruction of deep fluid chemical constituents for estimation of geothermal reservoir temperature using chemical geothermometers

This paper elaborates the chemical constituent change principles of deep geothermal fluid during the process of upward movement. It summarizes research methods of hydrochemistry, isotope and numerical modelling technique for the physiochemical processes such as decreasing temperature, shallow groundwater infusion, and degassing. The multi-component chemical geothermometry methods including gas geochemical method are discussed. High-temperature geothermal fields in China are mostly located in the southwest with frequent new tectonic movements, especially in Tibet high-temperature geothermal areas. Therefore the paper also focuses the status of high-temperature geothermal fluid research. At last, it's pointed out in the paper that in the future we can start from typical high-temperature geothermal zones and geothermal fields to explore optimization of the multi-component geothermometry method and use it in the reconstruction and analogue of the formation mechanism and internal relevancy of regional geothermal systems.

O,H,and Sr isotope evidence for origin and mixing processes of the Gudui geothermal system,Himalayas,China

Tho Gudui geothermal field records the highest temperature at equivalent borehole depths among the lainland hydrothermal systems in China's Mainland.Located about 150 km southeast of Lhasa City,the capital of Tibet,the Gudui geothermal field belongs to the Sangri-Cuona rift belt,also known as the Sangri-Cuona geothermal belt,and is representative of the non-volcanic geothermal systems in the Himalayas.In this study,oxygen-18 and deuterium isotope compositions as well as 87Sr/86Sr ratios of water samples collected from the Gudui geothermal field were characterized to understand the origin and mixing processes of the geothermal fluids at Gudui.Hydrogen and oxygen isotope plots show both,deep and shallow reservoirs in the Gudui geothermal field.Deep geothermal fluids are the mixing product of magmatic and infiltrating snow-melt water.Calculations show that the magma fluid component of the deep geothermal fluids account for about 21.10%-24.04%;magma fluids lay also be a contributing source of lithium.The linear relationship of the 87Sr/86Sr isotopic ratio versus the 1/Sr plot indicates that shallow geothermal fluids form from the mixing of deep geothermal fluids with cold groundwater.Using a binary mixing model with deep geothermal fluid and cold groundwater as two end-members,the nixing ratios of the latter in most surface hot springs samples were calculated to be between 5% and 10%.Combined with basic geological characteristics,hydrogen and oxygen isotope characteristics,strontium concentration,87Sr/(86)Sr ratios,and the binary mixing model,we infer the 6 th-Class Reservoirs Evolution Conceptual Model(6-CRECM) for the Gudui geothermal system.This model represents an idealized summary of the characteristics of the Gudui geothermal field based on our comprehensive understanding of the origin and mixing processes of the geothermal fluid in Gudui.This study may aid in identifying the geothermal and geochemical origin of the Gudui high-temperature hydrothermal systems in remote Tibet of China,whose potential for geothermal development and utilization is enormous and untapped.

Geothermal occurrence analysis of Dongying Formation in Tanggu area of Tianjin

Based on introducing geological structure of Tanggu area, the authors analyzed the sedimentary environment of Paleogene Dongying Formation, and further analyzed its geothermal occurrence. The studied area spans two grade IV tectonic units which are Beitang depression and Banqiao depression. The studied area is mainly located in the Tanggu nose-like structure which is the secondary structure of Beitang depression. Its existence affects the sedimentary distribution of the part strata of Paleogene. The depositions of Dongying Ⅲ （ SQEd3 ） and Dongying Ⅱ （ SQEd2 ） are mainly delta front facies and lake sand bars which are propitious to the geothermal fluid enrichment. The favorable enrichment region of geothermal fluid is located in south Hetou- Tanggu. Most of Dongying Ⅰ （ SQEd1 ） changes into swamp plain deposition, only the northeast part of this area is the distributary riverway facies with developed sand layers. There is the favorable enrichment region of geothermal fluid. The hydraulic connection is weak among the geothermal reservoirs of Dongying Formation and its overlying Guantao and Minghuazhen formations. The underlying Shahejie Formation geothermal reservoir pro- vides a steady stream of fluid supply and ground pressure protection for Dongying Formation geothermal reservoir.

Geochemical genesis of geothermal waters from the Longling hydrothermal area, Yunnan, Southwestern China

Longling is characterized by a wide distribution of hydrothermal areas, among which the Banglazhang hydrothermal system is the most geothermally active. Banglazhang is marked by intensive hydrothermal activities including hot springs, geysers, fumaroles and hydrothermal explosions. The geothermal waters from the Longling region are mainly HCO3-Na type with low but comparable SO4 and Cl concentrations. Calculations based on a variety of chemical geothermometers and a K-Ca geobarometer indicate that the Banglazhang hydrothermal system has much higher subsurface temperature and CO2 pressure compared to the other systems such as Daheba, Dazhulin and Huangcaoba. However, geothermal water samples collected from all these alternative hydrothermal areas are either partially equilibrated with reservoir minerals or are immature. The silica-enthalpy relationships of Banglazhang geothermal waters indicate the presence of a deep geothermal fluid with an enthalpy value and silica concentration of 945 J/g（up to around 220 °C） and 339 mg/L. Our work indicates the Banglazhang area is a promising source in terms of long-term utilization of hydrothermal resources.