Study of geothermal brine reinjection by microcalorimetry and core flooding experiments

Abstract

SaltPower electricity generation can be used to harvest more energy from heat depleted geothermal brines. This study is an attempt to determine rock–fluid interactions by a synergy between isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and core flooding experiments. The results from the ITC experiments show dynamic rock–fluid and fluid–fluid interactions that take place in the reservoir upon brine reinjection. The direct implication of those dynamic interactions is the stabilization of clay particles loosely attached to the pore surfaces. Formation damage is observed when Thisted and diluted Thisted brines are reinjected into Berea sandstone core plugs. Fe(III) oxides precipitation inside the porous media is the main reason for that permeability reduction.