Tohoku Univ：Selective Flow Control in Geothermal Reservoirs via Short-Circuit Mitigation：T25-069
Temperature-Responsive Gel for Preferential Fracture Plugging
Geothermal energy is recovered by injecting fluid through injection wells, allowing it to absorb heat as it flows through rock fractures, and extracting the heated fluid via production wells. Preferential flow through highly permeable fractures can cause short-circuiting, where injected fluid reaches the production well without sufficient heat exchange, reducing power generation efficiency. Currently, no effective method exists to mitigate short-circuiting, and operators are limited to temporary measures such as adjusting injection rates or switching wells. The inventors have identified a potential solution using a temperature-responsive gel that solidifies at high temperatures. When injected, the gel slurry flows into preferential flow channels and selectively plugs them upon reaching the high-temperature reservoir zone, redistributing fluid flow to other fractures and improving heat recovery efficiency.
- Company：Tohoku Techno Arch Co., Ltd.
- Price：Other
