GEOPRO impacts include:
1) Optimized energy extraction from existing systems (through tighter controls allowing strategically reduced safety margins) to remain within the production constraints of scaling, corrosion etc.
2) Reduced OPEX costs through the ability to thermodynamically minimise scale formation at key points (flash points, heat exchangers, lower temperature reinjection) through control-oriented modeling
3) The ability to better design well layouts, pipe dimensions, coatings using dynamic multi-phase geothermal flow assurance simulations coupled with a Knowledge Based Engineering (KBE) tool
4) Improved knowledge of reservoir fluid characteristics, allowing more accurate chemical thermometry and enthalpy calculations, and the ability to “vector in” onto productive reservoirs during exploration
5) Improving the ability to expand the reinjection technology of waste water and green-house gases like CO2, H2S and CH4 that are currently being emitted to the atmosphere
6) The GEOPRO Flow Loop's Potential: Multi-phase fluids, comprising vapor and brine, constitute an integral component of numerous geothermal systems and industries. The interaction between these fluid phases typically affects the physical and chemical properties of the fluid, potentially resulting in operational challenges such as pressure fluctuations, cavitation, mineral scaling, corrosion, and overall transport efficiency. Nevertheless, characterizing multi-phase flow and optimizing operational conditions can be challenging due to the harsh environmental conditions prevalent in typical geothermal industries. As part of the GEOPRO project, a flow loop was designed and constructed specifically for geothermal applications aimed to test optimal flow regimes under relevant conditions. Through experiments, the flow loop successfully demonstrated its capability to measure various parameters under multiphase flow conditions, including and their impact on the flow processes of geothermal fluids. These flow-loop tests serve as proof-of-concept, demonstrating some of the invaluable capabilities of the flow loop for geothermal energy research and development. Notably, flow loop tests, which were originally introduced in the oil and gas industry over 40 years ago, have never been utilized in geothermal applications until now. These tests offer insights into flow regimes concerning temperature and pressure, provide an understanding of fluid cavitation, and shed light on the effects of scale formation on fluid flow. Furthermore, flow loops can play a pivotal role in evaluating new instruments and sensors for in-situ and ex-situ monitoring of fluid flow in pipelines. This understanding, in turn, can be leveraged to optimize geothermal operations, minimizing and preventing potential issues and reducing costs.
