Multiphysics coupling in exploitation and utilization of geo-energy: State-of-the-art and future perspectives

Abstract

Natural gas hydrates and geothermal energy are potential sources of low-carbon geo-energy that are crucial in achieving a sustainable energy future for human society. The exploitation and utilization of these sources inherently involve thermal-hydraulic-mechanical-chemical coupling processes, and these complex coupling processes need to be numerically simulated for exploitation and utilization technology developments. This paper provides a brief overview of the current status and future challenges of numerical simulations for these coupling processes in the context of exploiting and utilizing natural gas hydrates, shallow and deep geothermal energy. It also presents perspectives on how to address these challenges, aiming to advance the development of numerical coupling technology within the geo-energy exploitation and utilization communities.

Document Type: Perspective

Cited as: Wan, Y., Yuan, Y., Zhou, C., Liu, L. Multiphysics coupling in exploitation and utilization of geo-energy: State-of-the-art and future perspectives. Advances in Geo-Energy Research, 2023, 10(1): 7-13. https://doi.org/10.46690/ager.2023.10.02

References

Barla, M., Di Donna, A. Energy tunnels: Concept and design aspects. Underground Space, 2018, 3(4): 268-276.

Bidarmaghz, A., Narsilio, G. Heat exchange mechanisms in energy tunnel systems. Geomechanics for Energy and the Environment, 2018, 16: 83-95.

Bourne-Webb, P. J., Amatya, B., Soga, K., et al. Energy pile test at Lambeth College, London: geotechnical and thermodynamic aspects of pile response to heat cycles. Géotechnique, 2009, 59(3): 237-248.

Chen, T., Liu, G., Liao, S. Impacts of boundary conditions on reservoir numerical simulation and performance prediction of enhanced geothermal systems. Energy, 2019, 181: 202-213.

Cui, Y., Lu, C., Wu, M., et al. Review of exploration and production technology of natural gas hydrate. Advances in Geo-Energy Research, 2018, 2(1): 53-62.

Cui, S. Q., Zhou, C., Liu, J. Q., et al. Stress effects on thermal conductivity of soils and heat transfer efficiency of energy piles in the saturated and unsaturated soils. Computers and Geotechnics, 2023, 160: 105549.

De La Fuente, M., Vaunat, J., Marín-Moreno, H. Thermo-hydro-mechanical coupled modeling of methane hydrate-bearing sediments: Formulation and application. Energies, 2019, 12(11): 2178.

Franco, A., Vaccaro, M. Numerical simulation of geothermal reservoirs for the sustainable design of energy plants: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2014, 30: 987-1002.

Gawecka, K., Cui, W., Taborda, D., et al. Predictive modelling of thermo-active tunnels in London Clay. Géotechnique, 2021, 71(8): 735-748.

Gupta, S., Deusner, C., Haeckel, M., et al. Testing a thermo-chemo-hydro-geomechanical model for gas hydrate-bearing sediments using triaxial compression laboratory experiments. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 2017, 18(9): 3419-3437.

Ji, J., Song, X., Song, G., et al. Study on fracture evolution model of the enhanced geothermal system under thermal-hydraulic-chemical-deformation coupling. Energy, 2023, 269: 126604.

Kaya, E., Zarrouk, S. J., O’Sullivan, M. J. Reinjection in geothermal fields: A review of worldwide experience. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2011, 15: 47-68.

Kimoto, S., Oka, F., Fushita, T., et al. A chemo-thermo-mechanically coupled numerical simulation of the sub-surface ground deformations due to methane hydrate dissociation. Computers and Geotechnics, 2007, 34(4): 216-228.

Kumari, W., Ranjith, P. Sustainable development of enhanced geothermal systems based on geotechnical research–A review. Earth-Science Reviews, 2019, 199: 102955.

Kvenvolden, K. A. Potential effects of gas hydrate on human welfare. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 1999, 96(7): 3420-3426.

Laloui, L., Sutman, M. Energy geostructures: A new aera for geotechnical engineering practice. Paper Presented at Proceedings of the XVII European Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering. Reykjavik, Iceland, 1-9 September, 2019.

Li, S., Feng, X., Zhang, D. Coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical analysis of stimulation and production for fractured geothermal reservoirs. Applied Energy, 2019, 247: 40-59.

Li, S., Firoozabadi, A., Zhang, D. Hydromechanical modeling of nonplanar three-dimensional fracture propagation using an iteratively coupled approach. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 2020a, 125(8): e2020JB020115.

Li, S., Guo, S., Chen, Y., et al. Advances and recommendations for multi-field characteristics and coupling seepage in natural gas hydrate development. Chinese Journal of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, 2020b, 52(3): 828-842. (in Chinese)

Li, T., Han, D., Yang, F., et al. Modeling study of the thermal-hydraulic-mechanical coupling process for EGS based on the framework of EDFM and XFEM. Geothermics, 2021, 89: 101953.

Li, X., Lei, G., Wan, Y., et al. A new theoretical model incorporating geomechanical effects for hydrate dissociation in sediments under thermal stimulation. Geoenergy Science and Engineering, 2022, 221: 111220.

Liu, F., Kang, Y., Hu, Y., et al. Comparative investigation on the heat extraction performance of an enhanced geothermal system with N2 O, CO2 and H2 O as working fluids. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2022, 200: 117594.

Liu, Z., Lu, Y., Cheng, J., et al. Geomechanics involved in gas hydrate recovery. Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2019, 27(9): 2099-2106. (in Chinese)

Liu, L., Lu, X., Zhang, X. A theoretical model for predicting the spatial distribution of gas hydrate dissociation under the combination of depressurization and heating without the discontinuous interface assumption. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 2015, 133: 589-601.

Liu, G., Yuan, Z., Zhou, C., et al. Heat extraction of enhanced geothermal system: Impacts of fracture topological complexities. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2023, 219: 119236.

Liu, L., Zhang, Z., Li, C., et al. Hydrate growth in quartzitic sands and implication of pore fractal characteristics to hydraulic, mechanical, and electrical properties of hydrate-bearing sediments. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 2020, 75: 103109.

Liu, J., Zhou, C. Thermo-hydro-mechanical behaviour of geothermal energy tunnel in different ground conditions. Computers and Geotechnics, 2022, 151: 104954.

Lu, S. A global review of enhanced geothermal system (EGS). Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2018, 81: 2902-2921.

Lv, Y., Yuan, C., Gan, Q., et al. Analysis of heat transfer based on complex embedded discrete fracture network (EDFN) for field-scale EGS. Geothermics, 2022, 104: 102463.

Mao, P., Wu, N., Wan, Y., et al. Optimization of a multi-fractured multilateral well network in advantageous structural positions of ultralow-permeability hydrate reservoirs. Energy, 2023, 268: 126623.

McCartney, J., Rotta Loria, A., Tomac, I. Energy geostructures: Theory and application. E3S Web of Conferences, 2020, 205(13): 01004.

Mohamad, Z., Fardoun, F., Meftah, F. A review on energy piles design, evaluation, and optimization. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2021, 292: 125802.

Moormann, C., Buhmann, P., Westrich, B. Web-based application for the investigation of thermally activated tunnels. Tunnel, 2018, 37: 42-54.

Moridis, G., Kim, J., Reagan, M., et al. Feasibility of gas production from a gas hydrate accumulation at the UBGH2-6 site of the Ulleung basin in the Korean East Sea. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 2013, 108: 180-210.

Ning, F., Chen, Q., Sun, J., et al. Enhanced gas production of silty clay hydrate reservoirs using multilateral wells and reservoir reformation techniques: Numerical simulations. Energy, 2022, 254: 124220.

Ning, F., Dou, X., Sun, J., et al. Progress in numerical simulation of sand production from hydrate reservoirs. Petroleum Science Bulletin, 2020, 5(2): 182-203. (in Chinese)

Olasolo, P., Juárez, M., Morales, M., et al. Enhanced geothermal systems (EGS): A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2016, 56: 133-144.

Patel, G., Bull, J. Selection of material used for thermopiles for recycling heat within a building. Paper Presented at Geo-Frontiers Congress 2011, Dallas, Texas, United States, 13-16 March, 2011.

Peltier, M., Loria, A., Lepage, L., et al. Numerical investigation of the convection heat transfer driven by airflows in underground tunnels. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2019, 159: 113844.

Reagan, M., Queiruga, A., Moridis, G. Simulation of gas production from multilayered hydrate-bearing media with fully coupled flow, thermal, chemical and geomechanical processes using TOUGH+Millstone. Part 3: Production simulation results. Transport in Porous Media, 2019, 129(1): 179-202.

Rutqvist, J., Moridis, G. Development of a numerical simulator for analyzing the geomechanical performance of hydrate-bearing sediments. Paper Presented at The 42nd U.S. Rock Mechanics Symposium (USRMS), San Francisco, California, United States, 29 June-2 July, 2008.

Samala, R., Chaudhuri, A. Coupled THMC modeling of dissociation induced deformation of gas hydrate bearing Media. Computers & Geosciences, 2022, 166: 105162.

Soltani, M., Farzanehkhameneh, P., Kashkooli, F. M., et al. Optimization and energy assessment of geothermal heat exchangers for different circulating fluids. Energy Conversion and Management, 2021a, 228: 113733.

Soltani, M., Kashkooli, F. M., Souri, M., et al. Environmental, economic, and social impacts of geothermal energy systems. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2021b, 140: 110750.

Song, H. A., Pei, H. F., Zhou, C., et al. Cyclic t-z model for the long-term thermomechanical analysis of energy piles. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 2022, 60(1): 1-17.

Song, M., Xie, Q., Shen, Z. Impact of green credit on high-efficiency utilization of energy in China considering environmental constraints. Energy Policy, 2021, 153: 112267.

Uchida, S., Klar, A., Yamamoto, K. Sand production model in gas hydrate-bearing sediments. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 2016, 86: 303-316.

Wan, Y., Wu, N., Chen, Q., et al. Coupled Thermal-hydrodynamic-mechanical–chemical numerical simulation for gas production from hydrate-bearing sediments based on hybrid finite volume and finite element method. Computers and Geotechnics, 2022, 145: 104692.

Wan, Y., Wu, N., Hu, G., et al. Reservoir stability in the process of natural gas hydrate production by depressurization in the Shenhu area of the south China Sea. Natural Gas Industry B, 2018, 5(6): 631-643.

Wang, L., Jiang, Z., Li, C. Comparative study on effects of macroscopic and microscopic fracture structures on the performance of enhanced geothermal systems. Energy, 2023, 274: 127300.

Wang, J., Shang, Y., Wang, H., et al. Beijing’s water resources. Journal of the American Water Resources Association, 2015, 51(3): 614-623.

Wang, J., Su, L., Zhu, Q. Numerical investigation on power generation performance of enhanced geothermal system with horizontal well. Applied Energy, 2022, 325: 119865.

Wang, C., Winterfeld, P., Johnston, B., et al. An embedded 3D fracture modeling approach for simulating fracture-dominated fluid flow and heat transfer in geothermal reservoirs. Geothermics, 2020, 86: 101831.

Wani, S., Samala, R., Kandasami, R., et al. Positioning of horizontal Well-bore in the hydrate reservoir using a custom developed coupled THMC Solver. Computers and Geotechnics, 2023, 161: 105618.

Wei, C., Yan, R., Tian, H., et al. Geotechnical problems in exploitation of natural gas hydrate: Status and challenges. Natural Gas Industry, 2020, 40(8): 116-132. (in Chinese)

Xie, J., Li, L., Wen, D., et al. Experiments and analysis of the hydraulic fracture propagation behaviors of the granite with structural planes in the Gonghe Basin. Acta Geologica Sinica-English Edition, 2021, 95: 1816-1827.

Xie, J., Wang, J. Performance optimization of pinnate horizontal well in geothermal energy utilization with orthogonal test. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2022, 209: 118321.

Xu, J., Feng, B., Cui, Z., et al. Comparative study of acid and alkaline stimulants with granite in an enhanced geothermal system. Acta Geologica Sinica-English Edition, 2021, 95: 1926-1939.

Xu, T., Liang, X., Xia, Y., et al. Performance evaluation of the Habanero enhanced geothermal system, Australia: Optimization based on tracer and induced micro-seismicity data. Renewable Energy, 2022, 181: 1197-1208.

Xu, T., Yuan Y., Jia, X., et al. Prospects of power generation from an enhanced geothermal system by water circulation through two horizontal wells: A case study in the Gonghe Basin, Qinghai Province, China. Energy, 2018, 148: 196-207.

Yoon, S., Hyman, J., Han, W., et al. Effects of dead-end fractures on non-Fickian transport in three-dimensional discrete fracture networks. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 2023, 128(7): e2023JB026648.

Yuan, Y., Xu, T., Moore, J., et al. Coupled thermo–hydro–mechanical modeling of hydro-shearing stimulation in an enhanced geothermal system in the Raft River geothermal field, USA. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 2020, 53: 5371-5388.

Zhang, W., Han, D., Wang, B., et al. Thermal-hydraulic-mechanical-chemical modeling and simulation of an enhanced geothermal system based on the framework of extended finite element methods-Embedded discrete fracture model. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2023, 415: 137630.

Zheng, S., Li, S., Zhang, D. Fluid and heat flow in enhanced geothermal systems considering fracture geometrical and topological complexities: An extended embedded discrete fracture model. Renewable Energy, 2021, 179: 163-178.

Zhu, H., Xu, T., Yuan, Y., et al. Numerical investigation of the natural gas hydrate production tests in the Nankai Trough by incorporating sand Migration. Applied Energy, 2020, 275: 115384.