Utilizing supercritical geothermal systems: a review of past ventures and ongoing research activities

Reinsch, Thomas; Dobson, Patrick; Asanuma, Hiroshi; Huenges, Ernst; Poletto, Flávio; Sanjuan, Bernard

doi:10.1186/s40517-017-0075-y

Cited by 149 publications

(86 citation statements)

References 62 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Recent compilations of deep crustal permeability measurements (Achtziger‐Zupančič et al, ; Ingebritsen & Gleeson, ) clearly show that the permeability‐depth profiles of tectonically quiescent and active regions are markedly different with much larger permeability in active regions. Besides, in situ measurements of permeability in volcanic systems from drilling projects (Fridhleifsson et al, ; Ikeda et al, ; Reinsch et al, ) and lab experiments also suggest nonnegligible permeability even at temperatures higher than the brittle‐ductile transition (∼>500 °C; Watanabe, Numakura, et al ; Watanabe, Egawa, et al ).…”

Section: Transient Permeabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Volatile Degassing From Magma Chambers as a Control on Volcanic Eruptions

Mittal

Richards

2019

JGR Solid Earth

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The loss of volatiles from a magma reservoir affects the magmatic overpressure responsible for driving ground deformation and eruptions. Although the high‐temperature metamorphic aureole around a magma chamber is typically considered to have low permeability, recent theoretical, experimental, and field studies have highlighted the role of transient permeability in magmatic systems. Also, direct measurements suggest that passive degassing is a significant component of total volatile loss in both basaltic and silicic volcanoes. Consequently, the effective permeability of the crust when magma is present in the system can be many orders of magnitude larger than that of exhumed rock samples. We develop a fully coupled porothermoelastic framework to account for both the flow of volatiles as well as associated effects on the stress state of the crust and calculate an analytical solution for spherical geometry. We then combine a magma chamber box model with these solutions to analyze eruption dynamics in magmatic systems. We find that in addition to viscous relaxation, magma recharge, and cooling timescales, the pore pressure diffusion timescale exerts a first‐order control on volcanic eruptions with moderately high crustal permeabilities of order 10−17 to 10−19 m2. We describe a parameter space to identify which components dominate in different regimes for volcanic eruptions according to these different timescales.

show abstract

Section: Transient Permeabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Volatile Degassing From Magma Chambers as a Control on Volcanic Eruptions

Mittal

Richards

2019

JGR Solid Earth

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The new journal "Geothermal Energy -Science, Society, Technology" offers not only an open access forum for discussion of various aspects of geothermal energy resources and technology including basic research, e.g. the characterization of deep geothermal systems, geothermal fluids in saline environments (Regenspurg and Schäfer 2017) or supercritical geothermal systems (Reinsch et al 2017) but also socio-economic questions and aspects of technology implementation (Kolditz et al 2017).…”

Section: Future Perspectives On Geothermal Development In Chinamentioning

confidence: 99%

Progress and perspectives of geothermal energy studies in China: from shallow to deep systems

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…Recently, efforts have been made to investigate how to exploit economically attractive fluids in supercritical conditions (

T > 374

°C and

P > 21

MPa for pure water) (Croucher & O'Sullivan, ; Reinsch et al, ; Scott et al, ). Supercritical fluids have high rates of mass transport due to the highly enhanced ratios of buoyancy forces to viscous forces (Dunn & Hardee, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This implies that compared to fluids in a liquid or vapor phase, supercritical fluids have several times more power‐producing potential (Tester, ). However, at present, their exploration and exploitation is hindered by a lack of understanding of the primary controlling geological factors and by the engineering challenges related to the extreme temperatures, chemical compositions, and pressures that can be encountered at depth (Reinsch et al, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tectonic and Anthropogenic Microseismic Activity While Drilling Toward Supercritical Conditions in the Larderello‐Travale Geothermal Field, Italy

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study investigates the seismic activity occurring at the Larderello‐Travale geothermal field, central Italy, from June 2017 to January 2018. We deployed a network composed of nine broadband stations around the Venelle 2 well drilling for supercritical fluids. During the experiment, we recognize two types of seismic events (type 1 and type 2). Type‐1 events have clear P and S wave arrivals and occur in clusters both above and below the K‐horizon, which is a seismic reflector marking a debated transition zone at depth. The distribution and evolution of the seismic sequences suggest that the K‐horizon could be interpreted as a fluid‐rich region at near‐lithostatic pressures. Type‐2 events usually occur in swarms and show a periodic pattern, a narrow frequency band, and almost identical waveforms. Their source is estimated to be located near the well, and their occurrence ceases after about 3 weeks from the conclusion of the drilling. We propose a causal link with the drilling operations where pressure fronts inside the well may promote phase changes and fluid flow across the drilled formations. Our study sheds light on the fluid‐driven tectonic and anthropogenic seismic activity at the Larderello‐Travale geothermal field. More generally, we show that microseismic activity occurring during drilling in high‐pressure and high‐temperature conditions can remain at low magnitudes and that geothermal wells targeting geothermal fluids in such systems may be handled safely despite the critical conditions encountered at depth. The drilling of the Venelle 2 well is an encouraging example for the development of geothermal energy in critical conditions.

show abstract

Utilizing supercritical geothermal systems: a review of past ventures and ongoing research activities

Cited by 149 publications

References 62 publications

Volatile Degassing From Magma Chambers as a Control on Volcanic Eruptions

Volatile Degassing From Magma Chambers as a Control on Volcanic Eruptions

Progress and perspectives of geothermal energy studies in China: from shallow to deep systems

Tectonic and Anthropogenic Microseismic Activity While Drilling Toward Supercritical Conditions in the Larderello‐Travale Geothermal Field, Italy

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About