Numerical Modeling and Analysis of Airlift Parameters in a Production Well of a Circulation Geothermal System. Part B

The results of the calculation estimation of the energy expenditure in different ways of water lifting in a geothermal circulating system are presented. The increase in the efficiency of air-lift technique as compared with pumping operation methods is demonstrated. Reservoir pressure and well production rate are decreased under the condition of the prolonged operation period of a geothermal field. Wells are transferred from the gushing forth mode into the pump operation one; later on the portion of pressure wells, and in the final operation period all pressure wells are transferred into the operational well mode. To increase the operational efficiency of a geothermal field the transfer from the extensive gushing technology to the intensive circulating one is required with the increase in the operational-well output by 2–4 times by means of the forced lifting of geothermal water and lowering the heat production cost by 1.3–1.8 times. The results of computer modeling were compared with the data from experimental measurement. The obtained results indicate the possibility of practical application of airlift technology to reduce energy costs in geothermal circulatory systems.