Midway evaluation in Geology - Adolph Jr. Manadao Bravo

Title of thesis: Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Multiphase Flow and Mineral Deposition in Geothermal Systems

Student: Adolph Jr. Manadao Bravo

Dr. Andri Stefánsson, Professor at Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Iceland
Dr. Samuel W. Scott, Research Specialist at Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Iceland
Dr. Erlend Oddvin Straume, Laboratory Supervisor at HVER Research Center of SENS, University of Iceland

Abstract

Multiphase flow plays a central role in geothermal systems and utilization by governing the movement of steam, water, and influencing mineral-fluid interaction in wells and pipelines. Variations in pressure and temperature alter flow regimes and phase distributions, influencing pressure losses and mineral supersaturation. Existing multiphase flow models are primarily based on air–water and oil–gas experiments performed under non-geothermal conditions, limiting their applicability to geothermal fluids and reducing confidence in both flow simulations and mineral-scaling predictions. This doctoral project addresses these limitations through a combination of laboratory experiments and numerical simulations. A geothermal flow loop has been designed and constructed to reproduce realistic geothermal conditions. Experimental data are being used to study gas–liquid slip and flow-regime development under geothermal conditions, with the results incorporated into mineral-scaling analyses. The project ultimately aims to improve predictive tools for more efficient and sustainable geothermal energy production.