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The Krafla Geothermal Field, Iceland: 3. The generating capacity of the field
Author(s) -
Bodvarsson G. S.,
Pruess K.,
Stefansson V.,
Eliasson E. T.
Publication year - 1984
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/wr020i011p01545
Subject(s) - geothermal gradient , groundwater recharge , field (mathematics) , geology , mathematics , geotechnical engineering , aquifer , geophysics , groundwater , pure mathematics
This paper presents analytical and numerical studies of the generating capacity of the Krafla field. A general lumped parameter model is developed which can be used to obtain rough estimates of the generating capacity of a geothermal field based on the size of the wellfield, the average formation porosity, and the amount of recharge to the system. The model is applied to the old wellfield at Krafla. More sophisticated calculations of the generating capacity of the Krafla field are also performed using distributed‐parameter models. Two‐dimensional areal models of the various reservoir regions at Krafla are developed and their generating capacities (MW e ) evaluated. The results obtained indicate that the old wellfield can sustain steam production of 30 MW e for 30 years. The estimated power potential of the new wellfield is 20 MW e for 30 years. To obtain the required steam production several additional wells may be drilled in the old and new wellfields.