Thermal Energy Storage Ability Research Articles

In our laboratory, field experiments on the aquifer thermal energy storage method have been continued for six years. As a result, the thermal recovery factor (collected thermal energy / charged thermal energy) has been improved from 23% (1st) to 59% (6th). One of the causes is ferric colloid (Fe2O3·nH2O) made by ferric bacteria such as Gallione, Leptothrix, Metallogenium. We have performed field experiments and come to the following conclusions : 1. The transmissivity and the apparent thermal diffusivity changed their value due to the clogging of the ferric colloidal dam in the vacant of the aquifer, preventing the natural flow of groundwater around the well. 2. The clogging of the ferric colloidal dam was destroyed and washed out by back wash till 1.6 meters in diameter around charge well, but ferric colloid remained farther than 1.6 meters, improving aquifer thermal energy storage ability. 3. Repetition of the charge and back wash process formed a ferric colloidal dam in the aquifer, which increased the thermal recovery factor significantly.