@phdthesis{Wriedt2004, author = {Wriedt, Gunter}, title = {Modelling of nitrogen transport and turnover during soil and groundwater passage in a small lowland catchment of Northern Germany}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-0001307}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2004}, abstract = {Stoffumsatzreaktionen und hydraulische Prozesse im Boden und Grundwasser k{\"o}nnen in Tieflandeinzugsgebieten zu einer Nitratretention f{\"u}hren. Die Untersuchung dieser Prozesse in Raum und Zeit kann mit Hilfe geeigneter Modelle erfolgen. Ziele dieser Arbeit sind: i) die Entwicklung eines geeigneten Modellansatzes durch Kombination von Teilmodellen zur Simulation des N-Transportes im Boden und Grundwasser von Tieflandeinzugsgebieten und ii) die Untersuchung von Wechselwirkungen zwischen Gebietseigenschaften und N-Transport unter besonderer Ber{\"u}cksichtigung der potentiellen N-Zufuhr in die Oberfl{\"a}chengew{\"a}sser. Der Modellansatz basiert auf der Kombination verschiedener Teilmodelle: das Bodenwasser- und -stickstoffmodell mRISK-N, das Grundwassermodell MODFLOW und das Stofftransportmodell RT3D. Zur Untersuchung der Wechselwirkungen mit den Gebietseigenschaften muss die Verteilung und Verf{\"u}gbarkeit von Reaktionspartnern ber{\"u}cksichtigt werden. Dazu wurde ein Reaktionsmodul entwickelt, welches chemische Prozesse im Grundwasser simuliert. Hierzu geh{\"o}ren die Mineralisation organischer Substanz durch Sauerstoff, Nitrat und Sulfat sowie die Pyritoxidation durch Sauerstoff und Nitrat. Der Modellansatz wurde in verschiedenen Einzelstudien angewandt, wobei jeweils bestimmte Teilmodelle im Vordergrund stehen. Alle Modellstudien basieren auf Daten aus dem Schaugrabeneinzugsgebiet (ca. 25 km\&\#178;), in der N{\"a}he von Osterburg(Altmark) im Norden Sachsen-Anhalts. Die folgenden Einzelstudien wurden durchgef{\"u}hrt: i) Evaluation des Bodenmodells anhand von Lysimeterdaten, ii) Modellierung eines Tracerexperimentes im Feldmaßstab als eine erste Anwendung des Reaktionsmoduls, iii) Untersuchung hydraulisch-chemischer Wechselwirkungen an einem 2D-Grundwassertransekt, iv) Fl{\"a}chenverteilte Modellierung von Grundwasserneubildung und Bodenstickstoffaustrag im Untersuchungsgebiet als Eingangsdaten f{\"u}r nachfolgende Grundwassersimulationen, und v) Untersuchung der Ausbreitung von Nitrat im Grundwasser und des Durchbruchs in die Oberfl{\"a}chengew{\"a}sser im Untersuchungsgebiet auf Basis einer 3D-Modellierung von Grundwasserstr{\"o}mung und reaktivem Stofftransport. Die Modellstudien zeigen, dass der Modellansatz geeignet ist, die Wechselwirkungen zwischen Stofftransport und \–umsatz und den hydraulisch-chemischen Gebietseigenschaften zu modellieren. Die Ausbreitung von Nitrat im Sediment wird wesentlich von der Verf{\"u}gbarkeit reaktiver Substanzen sowie der Verweilzeit im Grundwasserleiter bestimmt. Bei der Simulation des Untersuchungsgebietes wurde erst nach 70 Jahren eine der gegebenen Eintragssitutation entsprechende Nitratkonzentration im Grundwasserzustrom zum Grabensystem erreicht (konservativer Transport). Die Ber{\"u}cksichtigung von reaktivem Stofftransport f{\"u}hrt zu einer deutlichen Reduktion der Nitratkonzentrationen. Die Modellergebnisse zeigen, dass der Grundwasserzustrom die beobachtete Nitratbelastung im Grabensystem nicht erkl{\"a}ren kann, da der Großteil des Nitrates durch Denitrifikation verloren geht. Andere Quellen, wie direkte Eintr{\"a}ge oder Dr{\"a}nagenzufl{\"u}sse m{\"u}ssen ebenfalls in Betracht gezogen werden. Die Prognosef{\"a}higkeit des Modells f{\"u}r das Untersuchungsgebiet wird durch die Datenunsicherheiten und die Sch{\"a}tzung der Modellparameter eingeschr{\"a}nkt. Dennoch ist der Modellansatz eine wertvolle Hilfe bei der Identifizierung von belastungsrelevanten Teilfl{\"a}chen (Stoffquellen und -senken) sowie bei der Modellierung der Auswirkungen von Managementmaßnahmen oder Landnutzungsver{\"a}nderungen auf Grundlage von Szenario-Simulationen. Der Modellansatz unterst{\"u}tzt auch die Interpretation von Beobachtungsdaten, da so die lokalen Informationen in einen r{\"a}umlichen und zeitlichen Zusammenhang gestellt werden k{\"o}nnen.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Tranter2022, author = {Tranter, Morgan Alan}, title = {Numerical quantification of barite reservoir scaling and the resulting injectivity loss in geothermal systems}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-56113}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-561139}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {131}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Due to the major role of greenhouse gas emissions in global climate change, the development of non-fossil energy technologies is essential. Deep geothermal energy represents such an alternative, which offers promising properties such as a high base load capability and a large untapped potential. The present work addresses barite precipitation within geothermal systems and the associated reduction in rock permeability, which is a major obstacle to maintaining high efficiency. In this context, hydro-geochemical models are essential to quantify and predict the effects of precipitation on the efficiency of a system. The objective of the present work is to quantify the induced injectivity loss using numerical and analytical reactive transport simulations. For the calculations, the fractured-porous reservoirs of the German geothermal regions North German Basin (NGB) and Upper Rhine Graben (URG) are considered. Similar depth-dependent precipitation potentials could be determined for both investigated regions (2.8-20.2 g/m3 fluid). However, the reservoir simulations indicate that the injectivity loss due to barite deposition in the NGB is significant (1.8\%-6.4\% per year) and the longevity of the system is affected as a result; this is especially true for deeper reservoirs (3000 m). In contrast, simulations of URG sites indicate a minor role of barite (< 0.1\%-1.2\% injectivity loss per year). The key differences between the investigated regions are reservoir thicknesses and the presence of fractures in the rock, as well as the ionic strength of the fluids. The URG generally has fractured-porous reservoirs with much higher thicknesses, resulting in a greater distribution of precipitates in the subsurface. Furthermore, ionic strengths are higher in the NGB, which accelerates barite precipitation, causing it to occur more concentrated around the wellbore. The more concentrated the precipitates occur around the wellbore, the higher the injectivity loss. In this work, a workflow was developed within which numerical and analytical models can be used to estimate and quantify the risk of barite precipitation within the reservoir of geothermal systems. A key element is a newly developed analytical scaling score that provides a reliable estimate of induced injectivity loss. The key advantage of the presented approach compared to fully coupled reservoir simulations is its simplicity, which makes it more accessible to plant operators and decision makers. Thus, in particular, the scaling score can find wide application within geothermal energy, e.g., in the search for potential plant sites and the estimation of long-term efficiency.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Steding2022, author = {Steding, Svenja}, title = {Geochemical and Hydraulic Modeling of Cavernous Structures in Potash Seams}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-54818}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-548182}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {IX, 104}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Salt deposits offer a variety of usage types. These include the mining of rock salt and potash salt as important raw materials, the storage of energy in man-made underground caverns, and the disposal of hazardous substances in former mines. The most serious risk with any of these usage types comes from the contact with groundwater or surface water. It causes an uncontrolled dissolution of salt rock, which in the worst case can result in the flooding or collapse of underground facilities. Especially along potash seams, cavernous structures can spread quickly, because potash salts show a much higher solubility than rock salt. However, as their chemical behavior is quite complex, previous models do not account for these highly soluble interlayers. Therefore, the objective of the present thesis is to describe the evolution of cavernous structures along potash seams in space and time in order to improve hazard mitigation during the utilization of salt deposits. The formation of cavernous structures represents an interplay of chemical and hydraulic processes. Hence, the first step is to systematically investigate the dissolution and precipitation reactions that occur when water and potash salt come into contact. For this purpose, a geochemical reaction model is used. The results show that the minerals are only partially dissolved, resulting in a porous sponge like structure. With the saturation of the solution increasing, various secondary minerals are formed, whose number and type depend on the original rock composition. Field data confirm a correlation between the degree of saturation and the distance from the center of the cavern, where solution is entering. Subsequently, the reaction model is coupled with a flow and transport code and supplemented by a novel approach called 'interchange'. The latter enables the exchange of solution and rock between areas of different porosity and mineralogy, and thus ultimately the growth of the cavernous structure. By means of several scenario analyses, cavern shape, growth rate and mineralogy are systematically investigated, taking also heterogeneous potash seams into account. The results show that basically four different cases can be distinguished, with mixed forms being a frequent occurrence in nature. The classification scheme is based on the dimensionless numbers P{\´e}clet and Damk{\"o}hler, and allows for a first assessment of the hazard potential. In future, the model can be applied to any field case, using measurement data for calibration. The presented research work provides a reactive transport model that is able to spatially and temporally characterize the propagation of cavernous structures along potash seams for the first time. Furthermore, it allows to determine thickness and composition of transition zones between cavern center and unaffected salt rock. The latter is particularly important in potash mining, so that natural cavernous structures can be located at an early stage and the risk of mine flooding can thus be reduced. The models may also contribute to an improved hazard prevention in the construction of storage caverns and the disposal of hazardous waste in salt deposits. Predictions regarding the characteristics and evolution of cavernous structures enable a better assessment of potential hazards, such as integrity or stability loss, as well as of suitable mitigation measures.}, language = {en} }