Numerical Investigation on the Influence of Surface Flow Direction on the Heat Transfer Characteristics in a Granite Single Fracture

• Main Authors: Xuefeng Gao, Yanjun Zhang, Zhongjun Hu, Yibin Huang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-01-01
• Series: Applied Sciences
• Subjects: heat transfer; granite fracture; flow direction; enhanced geothermal system
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/2/751

As fluid passes through the fracture of an enhanced geothermal system, the flow direction exhibits distinct angular relationships with the geometric profile of the rough fracture. This will inevitably affect the heat transfer characteristics in the fracture. Therefore, we established a hydro-thermal coupling model to study the influence of the fluid flow direction on the heat transfer characteristics of granite single fractures and the accuracy of the numerical model was verified by experiments. Results demonstrate a strong correlation between the distribution of the local heat transfer coefficient and the fracture morphology. A change in the flow direction is likely to alter the transfer coefficient value and does not affect the distribution characteristics along the flow path. Increasing injection flow rate has an enhanced effect. Although the heat transfer capacity in the fractured increases with the flow rate, a sharp decline in the heat extraction rate and the total heat transfer coefficient is also observed. Furthermore, the model with the smooth fracture surface in the flow direction exhibits a higher heat transfer capacity compared to that of the fracture model with varying roughness. This is attributed to the presence of fluid deflection and dominant channels.