Recent studies on hydrothermal systems in China: a review

Abstract

This paper reviews the state-of-the-art in hydrothermal systems in China with emphasis on current studies of potential and reservoir engineering. Three hydrothermal systems, namely, Yangbajing, Xianyang, and Xiongxian, are used as case studies to represent high temperature granite reservoirs, medium-to-low temperature sandstone reservoirs, and medium-to-low temperature carbonate reservoirs, respectively. There is a huge potential of hydrothermal resources in China that have not been fully studied for possible exploitation. The study reveals that the potential of developing hydrothermal resources is preferable to exploitation of hot-dry-rock (HDR) systems in the near future. In order to enhance the utilization efficiency and prolong the economic lifetime of a geothermal field, reinjection needs to be increased, including treated wastewater as an option. In this regard, deep karstic aquifers containing hot water are the most ideal targets for development due to their favorable characteristics including high single-well yield, low salinity, easy reinjection, and fewer environmental impacts when exploited. The next challenge lies in the geothermal reservoir management for sustainable production. Numerical models describing the full complexity of coupled physicochemical thermodynamic processes such as the open source OpenGeoSys modeling platform are powerful tools for production planning as well as for assessing the possible environmental impacts. Comprehensive reservoir simulation should be employed to provide an optimal fluid production scheme and to maximize the sustainability in the development of a hydrothermal field.

Geoenergy Modeling I

“…Figure 1.2 shows the Earth pattern of plates, ridges, subduction zones as well as geothermal fields. Figure 1.3 shows an overview map of hydrothermal systems in China including a classification to high, mid and low-temperature reservoirs and basins (Kong et al 2014). Current research efforts concerning hydrothermal resources focus on the sustainable development of large-scale geothermal fields.…”

Subsurface energy systems in China: production, storage and conversion

“…Figure 1 shows an overview map of hydrothermal systems in China including a classification to high-, mid-and low-temperature reservoirs and basins (Kong et al 2014). Current research efforts concerning hydrothermal resources focus on the sustainable development of large-scale geothermal fields.…”

“…A special focus is set on research of the well integrity with Fig. 1 Hydrothermal system in China-a classification by high-and mid-low-temperature reservoirs and basis (Kong et al 2014) topics such as chemical degradation of casing and cement materials. Liu et al (2015b) are studying CO 2 sequestration in deep saline formations in low-medium-temperature geothermal reservoirs (Ordos Basin).…”

An assessment of technical and economic feasibility to install geothermal well systems across Ukraine

“…The application of geothermal heat supply systems is not only saving fossil fuels but also contributing to the solution of numerous environmental problems, especially reducing greenhouse gas emissions in industrial megacities (Hashida et al 2000;Mhitaryan and Machulin 2006;Dolinskyi and Obodovych 2016;Bayer et al 2016). Owing to renewability, the use of geothermal plants facilitates keeping the overall energy balance of the country (Kong et al 2014;Reinsch et al 2016). Geothermal well systems (GWS) are of wide and growing use in the USA, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Poland, and Russia (Kepinska 2010); such systems installed in reservoirs at depth of 1.5-3 km have the thermal output of 1-10 MW.…”