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COMSOL Models and Simulation Results for Closed-Loop Geothermal Systems with Thermal Enhancements

Published by National Renewable Energy Laboratory | Department of Energy | Catalog Last Checked: April 25, 2026 at 08:43 AM | Dataset Last Updated: January 26, 2024 at 04:15 PM
The Closed-Loop Geothermal Working Group and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have studied the performance of disc-shaped and linear thermal enhancements (conductive material introduced around a wellbore) in closed-loop geothermal systems. COMSOL models were developed to investigate the increase in heat production in systems with thermal enhancements compared to those without, across a range of scenarios. This dataset includes two example COMSOL models, a summary of the simulation results, and a link to an accompanying paper. Studied are idealized versions of two thermal enhancement designs: (1) existing or newly created fractures surrounding the wellbore, filled with highly conductive material, and (2) a 'fishbone structure,' where short wellbores are drilled radially outward from the main wellbore and filled with highly conductive material.

Resources

4 resources available

  • COMSOL Thermal Enhancements Simulation Results.xlsx

    XLSX
  • Disc-shaped Thermal Enhancement Model.mph

    MPH
  • Linear Extent Thermal Enhancement Model.mph

    MPH
  • Paper - Thermal Enhancements for Closed-Loop Geothermal

    PDF

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