Prediction of Dynamic Temperature and Thermal Front in a Multi-Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage System with Reinjection

Abstract

The accurate temperature and thermal front prediction in aquifer thermal energy storage systems during reinjection are crucial for optimal management and sustainable utilization. In this paper, a novel two-way fully coupled thermo–hydro model was developed to investigate the dynamic thermal performance and fronts for multiple aquifer thermal energy storage systems. The model was validated using a typical model, and the evolution characteristics of wellbore temperature before and after the breakthrough of the hydraulic front and thermal front were deeply studied. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to delineate the influence of various reservoir and reinjection factors on the thermal extraction temperature (TET). The results revealed that thermal conductivity significantly impacts the thermal extraction rate among the various reservoir factors. In contrast, volumetric heat capacity has the weakest influence and negatively correlates with the TET. Concerning the reinjection factors, the effect of the reinjection volume rate on the TET was significantly more significant than the reinjection temperature. Furthermore, the correlation between the TET and different properties was observed to be seriously affected by the exploitation period. The coupled model presented in this study offers insight into designing the exploitation scheme in deep reservoirs and geothermal resources.

Keywords

• multiple aquifers thermal energy storage
• two-way fully coupled model
• hydrodynamic front
• thermal front
• thermal extraction rate