Abstract
A modeling study was carried out to evaluate the influence of aquifer heterogeneity, as represented by geologic layering, on heat transport and storage in an aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES) system in Agassiz, British Columbia, Canada. Two 3D heat transport models were developed and calibrated using the flow and heat transport code FEFLOW including: a “non-layered” model domain with homogeneous hydraulic and thermal properties; and, a “layered” model domain with variable hydraulic and thermal properties assigned to discrete geological units to represent aquifer heterogeneity. The base model (non-layered) shows limited sensitivity for the ranges of all thermal and hydraulic properties expected at the site; the model is most sensitive to vertical anisotropy and hydraulic gradient. Simulated and observed temperatures within the wells reflect a combination of screen placement and layering, with inconsistencies largely explained by the lateral continuity of high permeability layers represented in the model. Simulation of heat injection, storage and recovery show preferential transport along high permeability layers, resulting in longitudinal plume distortion, and overall higher short-term storage efficiencies.
Résumé
Une étude par modélisation a été effectuée pour évaluer l’influence de l’hétérogénéité de l’aquifère telle que la stratification géologique, sur le transport et l’accumulation de chaleur dans un système aquifère de stockage d’énergie géothermique à Agassiz, Colombie Britannique, Canada. Deux modèles 3D de transport de chaleur ont été développés et calibrés en utilisant le logiciel de flux et de transport de chaleur FEFLOW comprenant: un domaine type « non stratifié » avec des propriétés hydrauliques et thermiques homogènes ; et un modèle « stratifié » avec des propriétés hydrauliques et thermiques variables attachées à des unités géologiques discontinues représentant l’hétérogénéité de l’aquifère. Le modèle de base (non stratifié) montre une sensibilité limitée aux échelles de toutes les propriétés thermiques et hydrauliques attendues sur le site ; le modèle est plus sensible à l’anisotropie verticale et au gradient hydraulique. Les températures simulées et observées dans les puits révèlent une combinaison d’écran en place et de stratification, avec des incohérence largement expliquées par la continuité latérale des niveaux à perméabilité élevée représentés dans le modèle. La simulation d’injection de chaleur, accumulation et extraction montrent un transport préférentiel le long des couches de grande perméabilité, dont il résulte une distorsion longitudinale du panache et généralement de plus grande capacité d’accumulation à court terme.
Resumen
Se llevó a cabo un estudio de modelación para evaluar la influencia de la heterogeneidad de un acuífero, representada por la estratificación geológica, sobre el transporte y almacenamiento de calor en un sistema acuífero de almacenamiento de energía térmica (ATES) en Agassiz, British Columbia, Canadá. Se desarrollaron y calibraron dos modelos de transporte 3D usando el programa de flujo y transporte de calor FEFLOW incluyendo: un dominio de modelo “no estratificado” con propiedades hidráulicas y térmicas homogéneas; y, un dominio de modelo “estratificado” con propiedades térmicas e hidráulicas variables asignadas a unidades geológicas discretas para representar la heterogeneidad del acuífero. El modelo base (no estratificado) muestra una limitada sensibilidad para los rangos de todas las propiedades hidráulicas y térmicas esperadas en el sitio; el modelo es más sensible a la anisotropía vertical y al gradiente hidráulico. Las temperaturas simuladas y observadas dentro de los pozos reflejan una combinación de colocación de filtros y estratificación, con inconsistencias explicadas mayormente por la continuidad lateral de capas de alta permeabilidad representadas en el modelo. La simulación de la inyección del calor, el almacenamiento y la recuperación muestran un transporte diferencial a lo largo de capas de alta permeabilidad, lo que resulta en una distorsión longitudinal de la pluma, y sobretodo mayores eficiencias del almacenamiento de corto tiempo.
Resumo
Foi realizado um estudo de modelação para avaliação da heterogeneidade aquífera, tal como a representada pela estratificação geológica, no transporte e armazenamento de calor num sistema de armazenamento de energia térmica (SAET) num aquífero em Agassiz, Columbia Britânica, Canadá. Foram desenvolvidos dois modelos 3D de transporte de calor e foram calibrados com base no uso do código de transporte de fluxo e de calor FEFLOW, incluindo: um modelo de domínio “não estratificado” com propriedades hidráulicas e térmicas homogéneas; e um modelo de domínio “estratificado”, com propriedades hidráulicas e térmicas variáveis, representativas de unidades geológicas discretas que representam a heterogeneidade do aquífero. O modelo de base (não estratificado) mostra uma sensibilidade limitada para as gamas de todas as propriedades hidráulicas e térmicas esperadas para o local; o modelo é mais sensível à anisotropia vertical e ao gradiente hidráulico. As temperaturas simuladas e observadas nos furos refletem a combinação da localização dos filtros com a estratificação, com inconsistências largamente explicadas pela continuidade lateral das camadas de alta permeabilidade representadas no modelo. As simulações de injeção, armazenamento e recuperação de calor mostram preferencialmente transporte ao longo das camadas de alta permeabilidade, resultando em plumas de distorção longitudinal, e numa redução global, a curto prazo, das eficiências de armazenamento.
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Acknowledgements
The authors wish to acknowledge Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, in particular Scott Maynard, for providing access to the Agassiz ATES system. We also wish to thank the three anonymous reviewers for their very helpful comments for improving this paper. This research was supported, in part, through a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Discovery Grant.
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Published in the theme issue “Hydrogeology of Shallow Thermal Systems”
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Bridger, D.W., Allen, D.M. Influence of geologic layering on heat transport and storage in an aquifer thermal energy storage system. Hydrogeol J 22, 233–250 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-013-1049-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-013-1049-1