Project Details
Projekt
Investigation of thermo-hydro-mechanical processes in deep crystalline rock - experiments and numerical modeling
Applicant
Professor Dr. Martin Sauter
Subject Area
Hydrogeology, Hydrology, Limnology, Urban Water Management, Water Chemistry, Integrated Water Resources Management
Term
from 2002 to 2008
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5365303
Quantification of thermal, hydraulic and geomechanic, coupled systems although complex is very important for the understanding and characterization of natural as well as man-induced processes in geosystems. Accordingly the general target of this project (now Phase 3) for deep crystalline rock (KTB and Urach) is twofold: the analysis of the dominant processes by employing computer modelling and experimental techniques, and the subsequent predictive modelling of such systems. An emphasis will be placed on the potential geothermal usage via the Hot Dry Rock principal. Modelling techniques and experimental techniques will continue to be developed complimentarily and cover the investigation and analysis of the flow, transport (heat and tracer) and deformation processes operative in principally the KTB site. The models and assumptions will be verified against experimental results both at a laboratory scale and at an insitu field scale. Predictive tools developed will be important for the design of the HDR system in Urach and in determining the importance of thermo-hydro-mechanical processes at the reservoir scale (e.g. consolidation during hydraulic testing and associated thermo-mechanical effects). The modelling approach is holistic including thermal, hydraulic and mechanical simulation components. The software development is based on our own object-oriented computer system GeoSys. The experimental program comprises heat and reactive tracer tests (push-pull-tests) for a quantitative characterization of the hydraulically active fracture and heat transfer system.
DFG Programme
Infrastructure Priority Programmes
