Heat Propagation in High-Temperature Geothermal Wells
Background
Small to medium geothermal power plants might be possible in the near future as an alternative or replacement for other power sources. Some analysts consider it having the potential to become the 5th large renewable power source. As this solution has not become widespread yet, pre-emptive research is necessary to mitigate the concerns and hesitance to implement in a larger scale, as well as a look into future in order to be convincing in the development of both enthalpy and entropy of the solution.
Thesis objective
Exploring how to improve the efficiency, environmental consequences and mitigation methods for bringing steam and heat to the surface through a geothermal well.
Specification
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Study of heat propagation around a geothermal steam well and the impact on the local ecosystem, to understand how to mitigate the presence, visibility and consequences and how to improve the entropy and efficiency in a geothermal power plant.
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Bringing steam at these temperatures and quantities through a bore hole up to the surface will no doubt affect the surrounding rock and soil as well as nearby ecosystems, certainly more the closer to the hole we look and measure. The warming of the surrounding premises is of benefit for the power production and the hysteresis of heat will most likely even out and serve as a power battery, when the balance is reached. Further, one of the benefits of power plant Jordkraft style, is it presence in nature, compared to other power sources.
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We know the losses could be less and thus efficiency of a geothermal power plant could be improved. The cost for the well is high and the more power we could harvest from one hole, the better.
Deliverables
The main deliverables of the project include but are not limited to:
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Final thesis and presentation of the project
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Empirics from a viable real time on-site study (to be discussed)
Duration
The project should start in Jan-Feb 2024 at the latest, with a duration of up to 6 months.
Maximum 2 students in this project.
Contact persons
Johan Asplund Cell: +46708101919