Numerical analysis of hydrothermal flow and heat transfer inside a cavity formed due to faults causing earthquakes

Abstract

This article studies fluid dynamics and convection of the geothermal system. Earthquakes cause faults. Fault zones come up with the pathways for fluid convection. These paths have different characteristics and space distribution, causing the challenge to investigate the geothermal system. The cavity considered in the study is normally found in energy reservoirs. An unsteady, incompressible, and laminar flow along with convection is studied. The finite element method (FEM) is operated to study the flow and heat transfer governed by continuity equations, Navier-Stokes equations, and temperature equations. These equations are tackled with the finite element method. The streamlines and isothermal contours for the problem under discussion are displayed in the Results section. It is observed that the Nusselt number and velocity of the fluid increase with the increased Grashof number.