Subsurface Modelling of Deep Direct-Use (DDU) Geothermal on the West Virginia University Campus

Kevin Donnelly*, Nagasree Garapati (1), Yingqi Zhang (2) and Pierre Jeanne (2),  (1) Dept. of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506. (2) Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720

Field (Broad Category): Engineering (Physical Sciences & Engineering) 

Student’s Major: Chemical Engineering 

The north-central region of West Virginia hosts a unique geological opportunity for the development of deep direct-use (DDU) geothermal energy. Being in the midst of this region, West Virginia University’s (WVU) Morgantown campus could potentially supply its heat from DDU geothermal in an effort to increase renewable energy on campus. This work features the results of simulations done for a subsurface reservoir using TOUGH2/EOS1, a program utilized to simulate couple transport of water and heat in geothermal reservoirs. Reservoir behavior (pressure, temperature) over 60 years of production time is analyzed. In order to achieve a more accurate pressure profile at well bores, a radial mesh has been generated around injection and production well bores used in the simulations. Reinjection temperatures and flow rates were varied for different well configurations to more fully measure their effects on the reservoir. Longevity of the reservoir decreased with increased mass flowrate and lower reinjection temperatures. In comparison to single production well systems, multiple production wells resulted in faster thermal breakthroughs and larger pressure changes. These specific trends were analyzed through temperature and pressure contour maps created at various points within the 60 year time frame. These results from numerical simulation help in designing the optimum well configuration. 

Funding: U.S. Department of Energy 

Program/mechanism supporting research/creative efforts: An External Internship or Other Type of Program Summer Research Assistant