Comprehensive analysis of geothermal energy integration with heavy oil upgrading in hot compressed water

Abstract

In this study, a combined cycle of geothermal energy and heavy oil upgrading in hot compressed water (HCW) is investigated for electricity generation. The proposed approach offers efficient desulfurization and reduced carbon dioxide emissions, as renewable energy supplies part of the energy needed for the upgrading process. The performance of the superstructure is analyzed through energy, exergy, economic, exergoeconomic analysis and environmental assessments, revealing improvements in cycle exergy efficiency (21.67%) and total system cost rate (3.79 $/s). Additionally, a multi-objective optimization of the system is conducted using artificial neural network coupled with genetic algorithm, resulting in optimal values of 23.85% for cycle exergy efficiency and 2.62 $/s for total system cost rate. The integration of geothermal energy in this system leads to a reduction of global carbon dioxide emissions by 479.16 kton/year, resulting in savings of approximately 11.5 M$/year in environmental costs. Finally, a case study demonstrates a mitigation of local sulfur dioxide emissions caused by heavy oil consumption by approximately 177.86 kton/year.