Fault－weakening effect of reservoir temperature of hot spring and its influence on seismic activities

In this paper, the reservoir temperatures of 14 hot spring samples collected from the northern segment of theRed River Fault are calculated by using the mixing-model of SiO2-geothermometer. Based on the features ofreservoir temperatures and densities of hot springs, the northern segment of the Red River Fault is furtherdivided into 4 sub-segments. The influence of weakening effect of water on seismic activities is discussed fromthe view point of fault-weakening effect of water. It is suggested that the difference in seismic activity between various sub-segments is principally caused by the difference in intensity of the fault-weakening effect ofwater of these sub-segments. The Eryuan sub-segment where the reservoir temperatures are high and the hotsprings are dense corresponds to a slipped region, however, the Jianchuan and Midu sub-segments where thereservoir temperatures are lower and the hot springs are fewer as well as the Dan sub-segment where the hotspring are very few all correspond to locked regions. It is suggested that Dan sub-segment is the riskiest region for strong earthquake preparation, while the possibility for strong earthquake preparation is very little inthe Eryuan sub-segment.

Simulation of water temperature distribution in Fenhe Reservoir

In order to evaluate the need of controlling the temperature of water discharged from the Fenhe Reservoir, the reservoir water temperature distribution was examined. A three-dimensional mathematical model was used to simulate the in-plane and vertical distribution of water temperature. The parameters of the model were calibrated with field data of the temperature distribution in the Fenhe Reservoir. The simulated temperature of discharged water is consistent with the measured data. The difference in temperature between the discharged water and the natural river channel is less than 3 ℃ under the current operating conditions. This will not significantly impact the environment of downstream areas.

Towards full predictions of temperature dynamics in McNary Dam forebay using OpenFOAM

Hydroelectric facilities impact water temperature; low velocities in a reservoir increase residence time and enhance heat exchange in surface layers. In this study, an unsteady three-dimensional model was developed to predict the temperatm＇e dynamics in the McNary Dam forebay. The model is based on the open-source code OpenFOAM. RANS equations with the Boussinesq approximation were used to solve the flow field. A： realizable k-ε model that accounts for the production of wind turbulence was developed. Solar radiation and convective heat transfer at the free surface were included. The result of the model was compared with the field data collected on August 18, 2004. Changes in diurnal stratification were adequately predicted by the model. Observed vertical and lateral temperature distributions were accurately captured. Results indicate that the model can be used as a numerical tool to assess structural and operational alternatives to reduce the forebay temperature.

Enhancement of a foaming formulation with a zwitterionic surfactant for gas mobility control in harsh reservoir conditions

This work presents the design of a robust foam formulation that tolerates harsh reservoir conditions(high salinity,high divalent ion concentration,high temperature,light oil,and hydrocarbon injection gas)in a sandstone reservoir.For this,we selected anionic Alpha Olefin Sulfonate(AOS)surfactants and studied their synergistic effects in mixtures with zwitterionic betaines to enhance foam performance.The laboratory workflow used to define the best formulation followed a de-risking approach in three consecutive phases.First,(phase 1)the main surfactant(AOS)was selected among a series of commercial candidates in static conditions.Then,(phase 2)the betaine booster to be combined with the previously selected AOS was chosen and their ratio optimized in static conditions.Subsequently,(phase 3)the surfactant/booster ratio was optimized under dynamic conditions in a porous medium in the absence and the presence of oil.As a result of this study,a mixture of an AOS C14-C16 and cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine(CAPHS)was selected as the one having the best performance.The designed formulation was proven to be robust in a wide range of conditions.It generated a strong and stable foam at reservoir conditions,overcoming variations in salinity and foam quality,and tolerated the presence of oil.

Genesis of Geothermal Fluid in Typical Geothermal Fields in Western Sichuan,China

The hydrogeochemical characteristics of geothermal fluids can reveal the genesis of geothermal systems and act as important references for developing and using geothermal resources.This study presents hydrogeochemical processes and thermal cycle mechanisms of typical geothermal fields in Western Sichuan.Based on the geological conditions in Western Sichuan,29 hot springs in three geothermal fields in the Batang and Litang areas were selected for hydrochemical and isotopic(δD andδ18O)analyses.Furthermore,the temperature of the thermal reservoir was calculated and the upflow cooling process of the hot springs was analyzed.Most of the subterranean hot waters in Batang and Litang are of the HCO3-Na hydrochemical type.The ion variation in Batang is primarily affected by water-rock interactions.There is a strong positive correlation between Na+,B?,and Cl?in Litang,suggesting that they have the same material source.The Na+and metaboric acid content is relatively high,which indicates that the groundwater runoff in both areas is relatively long-lasting,with reduced flow velocity;moreover,the metasilicic acid content is relatively high,which supports this conclusion.Both hydrogen and oxygen isotopes plot near the atmospheric precipitation line,indicating that groundwater recharge is functionally obtained from precipitation.The calculated thermal storage temperatures in Batang and Litang were 88–199℃ and 96–154℃,respectively.The proportion of cold water mixing in Batang was 64%–67%,while that in Litang was 60%–68%.According to the calculated results,the initial thermal cycle depth of the Batang area(4540–4780 m)was greater than that of the Litang area(3150–3960 m).The enthalpy of the deep parental geothermal fluid in Batang was 1550 J/g with a Cl^(-)concentration of 37 mg/L,while that in Litang was 2100 J/g with a Cl^(-)concentration of 48 mg/L.

Discussion on heat source mechanism and geothermal system of Qinghai Gonghe-Guide Basin

The Qinghai Gonghe-Guide Basin together with the alternatively distributed mountainous region shows characteristics that the conductive geothermal resource of the basin has high geothermal gradient, the granite occurs in the bottom of borehole for geothermal exploration, and the convective hot springs in the basin-edge uplift fracture are in zonal distribution and with high-temperature geothermal water. There are still some divergences about the heat source mechanism of the basin. In this paper, queries to the view of mantle-derived heat source have been put forward, coming up with geochemical evidences to prove that the radiogenic heat of granite is the heat source within the mantle. Additionally, temperature curve is drawn based on the geothermal boring and geochemical geothermometer has been adopted for an estimation of the temperature and depth of the geothermal reservoir, it has been found that the surrounding mountains belong to the medium-temperature geothermal system while the area within the basin belongs to the high-temperature geothermal system with the temperature of borehole bottom reaching up to 175-180 ℃. In this paper, discussions on the problems existing in the calculation of geothermal gradient and the differences generated by the geothermal system have been carried out.

Aqueous Chemistry of Typical Geothermal Springs with Deep Faults in Xinyi and Fengshun in Guangdong Province,China

This paper investigated aqueous chemistry for two geothermal spring groups responsive and sensitive to flow fluctuations induced by earthquakes. Quake monitorings are favored for their being in residential areas with well-preserved natural flow systems in Xinyi City＇s Xijiang Hot Springs and Fengshun County＇s Shihu Hot Spring. The hot springs are typical in temperatures and flow rates in southern China＇s Guangdong Province. Physical and chemical conditions deep down in the heat sources are important constraints on earthquake, fluid flow, reactive solute transport and heat transfer, but remain challenging to address via field observations and numerical experiments. In this paper, we made daily and annual observations on flow rates, temperature, and/or aqueous chemistry. We employed strontium isotopes as tracers for the water sources, equilibrium phase diagram for K-feldspar and albite stability, and Na-K-Mg diagram for heat reservoir temperatures. The abundant sulfite content in Xi- jiang Hot Springs is discussed. Our main finding are that the deep fault springs are characterized by low reduction-oxidation potential at around -200- -150 mV and relatively large daily flow variations. The resuits provide scientific background features on the field sites regarding earthquake monitoring and predictions and geothermal reservoir.