Numerical Simulation of the Transport and Sealing Law of Temporary Plugging Particles in Complex Fractures of Carbonate-Type Thermal Storage

Anle Tian, Guoqiang Fu (), Jinyu Tang () and Dezhao Wang
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Anle Tian: School of Resources and Geosciences, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Guoqiang Fu: School of Resources and Geosciences, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Jinyu Tang: Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates
Dezhao Wang: School of Resources and Geosciences, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 13, 1-19

Abstract: Geothermal energy plays a crucial role in the large-scale deep decarbonisation process and the transition of energy structure in our country. Due to the complex reservoir environment of geothermal energy, characterised by low porosity and permeability, conventional fracturing methods struggle to create a complex network of fractures. Temporary plugging and diverting fracturing technology (TPDF) is a key technology to improve the efficiency of geothermal reservoir extraction. However, there is still a lack of knowledge about the migration and sealing law of temporary plugging agents in complex fractures. Therefore, in this study, two multiphase flow models of temporary plugging particle transport at the fracture slit and inside the complex fracture were established by using a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)-Discrete Element Method (DEM) algorithm. The influence of fracturing fluid concentration, temperature, the concentration of temporary plugging particles, and particle size combinations on migration blocking in fractures was investigated. The simulation results indicate the following: High-viscosity fracturing fluid may cause plugging particles to adhere to each other to form clusters of plugging particles, reducing dispersion during transport and slowing down the velocity of the plugging particles. A particle concentration that is too high does not have a better temporary plugging effect. The use of different combinations of particle sizes is significantly better than using a single particle size, which is a key factor for the success of fracture plugging. The research findings are of great theoretical and practical significance for scaled-up, vibration-controlled fracturing technology in geothermal reservoirs.

Keywords: geothermal resources; temporary plugging agent transport; CFD-DEM; complex fractures; numerical simulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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