Numerical Simulation of Geothermal Energy Development at Mount Meager and Its Impact on In Situ Thermal Stress

Yutong Chai, Zhuoheng Chen and Shunde Yin ()
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Yutong Chai: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
Zhuoheng Chen: Geological Survey of Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Calgary, AB T2L 2A7, Canada
Shunde Yin: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 14, 1-17

Abstract: The Meager Mountain Geothermal Project stands as one of the pioneering geothermal energy initiatives in its early stages of resource development. Despite its abundant geothermal heat resources, no prior studies have systematically evaluated the potential of implementing coaxial borehole heat exchangers on site. This study addresses this research gap by presenting a comprehensive heat transfer model for an underground closed-loop geothermal system utilizing a single coaxial well. Finite element analysis incorporated fluid and solid heat transfer, as well as solid mechanics. The results obtained facilitated the construction of the temperature and thermal stress profiles induced by the cooling effects resulting from years of heat extraction. After 25 years of operation, the outlet temperature has reached approximately 74 °C, and the maximum radial tensile thermal stress amounts to ~47 MPa. Furthermore, the analysis demonstrates that higher fluid velocities contribute to more perturbed temperature and stress distributions. The study attained maximum thermal and electric power outputs of 208 kW and 17 kW, respectively. This research also underscores the significant impact of geothermal gradient and well length on BHE design, with longer wells yielding more power, especially at higher injection velocities.

Keywords: geothermal energy; coaxial borehole heat exchanger; thermal stresses; thermoelasticity; poromechanics; in situ stress (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
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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