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Aquifer thermal energy storage: An attempt to counter free thermal convection
Molz, F. J. Melville, J. G. Guven, O. Parr, Alfred D.
Molz, F. J.
Melville, J. G.
Guven, O.
Parr, Alfred D.
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Abstract
In previous Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) experiments, appreciable free thermal convection was observed. In an attempt to counter the detrimental effects of convection, a dual recovery well system was constructed at the Mobile site and a third injection-storage-recovery cycle performed. Using a partially penetrating well, cycle 3-3 injection began on April 7, 1982. A total of 56,680 m3 of 79°C water were injected. After 57 days of storage, production began with a dual recovery well system. Due to the dominating effect of nonhomogeneities, the dual well system did not work particularly well, and a recovery factor of 0.42 was achieved. The degree of aquifer heterogeneity at the location of the present experiments was not apparent during previous experiments at a location only 109 m away, although pumping tests indicated similar values of transmissivity. Therefore aquifers with the same transmissivity can behave quite differently in a thermal sense. Heat conduction to the upper aquitard was a major energy loss mechanism. Water sample analyses indicated that there were no important changes in the chemical constituents during the third set of experiments. There was a 19% increase in total dissolved solids. At the end of injection, the land surface near the injection well had risen 1.39 cm with respect to bench marks located 70 m away.
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This is the published version. Copyright 1983 American Geophysical Union
Date
1983-08
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American Geophysical Union
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Molz, F. J., J. G. Melville, O. Güven, and A. D. Parr. "Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage: An Attempt to Counter Free Thermal Convection." Water Resources Research Water Resour. Res. 19.4 (1983): 922-30. http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/WR019i004p00922