Modelling Flow in Fractures for Geothermal Energy
Pumping water through hot rocks can drive turbines to generate electricity. The system below has an injection well and a recovery well separated by 400 m. The two wells are 4.5 km deep and there are 3 fractures (A,B,C) lying between the wells. 5 intersecting junctions are labelled J1..J5 as well as the two boundary junctions J6,J7. The sections between each junction are labelled according to the fracture letter and the start/end junctions.
Hover mouse over sections or junctions to get info about the system. Junctions can be dragged interactively. Use the panel to change fracture properties. See 'Explore' for guidance.
First try to understand how the system is behaving. Once you see how it works, then you can build your own version in Excel.
Change the input pressure at the injection well [units m]
Change the fracture width (into the page) [units m]
Change the fracture arpeture [units mm]