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Aquifer thermal energy storage: An attempt to counter free thermal convection
Author(s) -
Molz F. J.,
Melville J. G.,
Güven O.,
Parr A. D.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/wr019i004p00922
Subject(s) - aquifer , thermal , thermal energy storage , environmental science , thermal conduction , convection , energy storage , soil science , hydrology (agriculture) , geology , groundwater , mechanics , materials science , geotechnical engineering , meteorology , thermodynamics , physics , power (physics) , composite material
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 m 3 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.