Fracturing in HDR Geothermal System

Abstract

Geothermal systems have a big draw as a provider for free thermal energy for electrical generation. The resource based on fracture networks that permit fluid circulation, and allow geothermal heat to be extracted. Most geothermal resources occur in rocks that posses lack fracture permeability and fluid circulation. Hence, the fluid will be heated due to the Hot Dry Rock (HDR). The flow is circulated through the cracks, and extracts the heat to the ground. The emphasis of the simulators is on the HDR and on the development of methods that produce the hydraulic fractures. Linear elastic fracture mechanics approach (LEFM) was used to predict the crack propagation for initial crack. Finite element method (FEM) is used to predict the maximum stress areas, hence, determining the crack initiation.