Numerical Simulations of Convection Cells in Sedimentary Basins with Application to Geothermal Energy

Excerpt

The study of hydrothermal circulation in sedimentary rocks by forced and free convection mechanisms has recently captured much attention in the field of geothermal reservoir engineering. In particular, investigations of the state of geothermal energy in sedimentary basins have detected the presence of anomalous areas characterized by abnormally high or low heat flow values, compared to the regional geothermal gradient. These often prove to be areas where convection currents (involving simultaneous transport of water and heat in a deformable porous medium) are prevailing. The analysis of geothermal groundwater convection in sedimentary basins (e.g., the Perth Basin) is important because it provides a natural heat exchanger that can be accessed without engineered hydraulic fracturing because of high natural permeability (e.g., Regenauer-Lieb and Horowitz 2007). Numerical simulations provide a useful tool to investigate the mechanisms at stake and increase understanding of the processes involved. …