Midway evaluation in Mechanical Engineering - Yagiz Bostanci

Title: Interdisciplinary integrated Geothermal System Utilization

Doctoral candidate: Yagiz Bostanci

Doctoral committee:
Gunnar Gunnarsson, Specialist at Reykjavik Energy
Halldór Pálsson, Professor at the Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Iceland
Magnús Þór Jónsson, Professor at the Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Iceland

Abstract

The characteristics of production from geothermal fields directly determine the sustainability of the reservoir. Due to the complex nature of geothermal reservoirs, their geological and geophysical variability of the natural state, as well as the uncertainty of flow behaviour during production are crucial factors affecting the sustainabile use of the reservoir. The aim of the project is to obtain an integrated geothermal system model, by coupling different disciplines involved in the use of geothermal energy. Thus, the deficiencies of discrete disciplines can be reduced, and the sustainability of the system could be increased. To achieve this goal, it is critical to identify the key deficiencies of each discipline involved in the use of geothermal energy. Through this notion, the geothermal system is examined in 3 parts; the reservoir where the fluid is stored, the boreholes used to discharge the fluid from the reservoir, and the power plant where electricity is produced from the fluid. Within the scope of the project, a numerical model was developed that reflects the geological and geophysical state of the geothermal reservoir. To investigate the pressure drop, a Python based multi purpose 1-D wellbore simulator is developed and coupled with AUTOUGH2 & TOUGH2 reservoir simulators. Python based thermodynamical cycle simulator is developed to better estimate of the electricity generation at the surface power plant. At the last stage simultaneous coupling of the disciplines is performed. Therefore, sustainable use of geothermal reservoir by from reservoir to turbine and from turbine to reservoir approach will be investigated.