| Title: | Numerical analysis of low-enthalpy deep geothermal energy extraction using a novel gravity heat pipe design |
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| Authors: | ID Gselman, Urban (Author)
ID Peršak, Vid (Author)
ID Goričanec, Darko (Author) |
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| Files: |  sustainability-16-06660.pdf (3,23 MB)
MD5: 18A9666B96223759D4E0B29342903150
 https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/15/6660
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| Language: | English |
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| Work type: | Article |
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| Typology: | 1.01 - Original Scientific Article |
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| Organization: | FKKT - Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
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| Abstract: | Geothermal energy, derived from the Earth’s internal heat, can be harnessed due to the geothermal gradient between the Earth’s interior and its surface. This heat, sustained by radiogenic decay, varies across regions, and is highest near volcanic areas. In 2020, 108 countries utilised geothermal energy, with an installed capacity of 15,950 MWe for electricity and 107,727 MWt for direct use in 2019. Low-enthalpy sources require binary systems for power production. Open-loop systems face issues like scaling, difficult water treatment, and potential seismicity, while closed-loop systems, using abandoned petroleum or gas wells, reduce costs and environmental impacts greatly. The novel geothermal gravity heat pipe (GGHP) design eliminates parasitic power consumption by using hydrostatic pressure for fluid circulation. Implemented in an abandoned well in north-east (NE) Slovenia, the GGHP uses a numerical finite difference method to model heat flow. The system vaporises the working fluid in the borehole, condenses it at the surface, and uses gravitational flow for circulation, maintaining efficient heat extraction. The model predicts that continuous maximum capacity extraction depletes usable heat rapidly. Future work will explore sustainable heat extraction
and potential discontinuous operation for improved efficiency. |
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| Keywords: | geothermal energy, geothermal gravity heat pipe, numerical modelling, single well closed-loop heat exchanger |
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| Publication status: | Published |
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| Publication version: | Version of Record |
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| Submitted for review: | 28.05.2024 |
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| Article acceptance date: | 31.07.2024 |
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| Publication date: | 03.08.2024 |
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| Publisher: | MDPI |
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| Year of publishing: | 2024 |
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| Number of pages: | 13 str. |
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| Numbering: | Vol. 16, iss. 15, [article no.] 6660 |
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| PID: | 20.500.12556/DKUM-90420  |
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| UDC: | 620.92/.98 |
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| ISSN on article: | 2071-1050 |
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| COBISS.SI-ID: | 206210051 |
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| DOI: | 10.3390/su16156660 |
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| Copyright: | © 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). |
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| Publication date in DKUM: | 03.09.2024 |
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| Views: | 233 |
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| Downloads: | 26 |
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| Metadata: |    |
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| Categories: | Misc.
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