Faults are likely to have a significant impact on physical processes controlling the fluid and heat transport in the earth`s interior. Quantifying this impact is important for a successful exploration of geothermal energy which depends on a reliable assessment of the fluid flow and thermal field in the subsurface.

The goal of this project is to study the control of structural heterogeneities comprising salt structures and faults on the coupled fluid and heat transport by means of 3D numerical simulations. For this purpose, we systematically investigate simplified fault geometries and subsequently adapt the results to the geothermal site of Groß Schönebeck and for the area of Brandenburg (NE-German Basin). We integrate major faults into 3D Finite Element models to quantify the impact of fault architecture and of  varying fault permeabilities on the fluid system and thermal field.

Poster

Control of faults on the 3D coupled fluid and heat transport in a geothermal site (Groß Schönebeck, NE-German Basin)

Impact of fault zones on the coupled fluid flow and heat transport for the area of Brandenburg (NE German Basin)

Partners

Helmholtz Centre Potsdam GFZ German Research Centre for Geoscience
Btu Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus


Cooperation

Department Environmental Informatics, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Leipzig


Funding

University Potsdam

Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung - BMBF
Im Rahmen der "Spitzenforschung und Innovation in den neuen Ländern" GeoEnergie Verbundprojekt zwischen Universität Potsdam, BTU Cottbus und Helmholtz-Zentrum Potsdam Deutsches Geoforschungszentrum GFZ

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