TY - JOUR A1 - Kaiser, Bjoern Onno A1 - Cacace, Mauro A1 - Scheck-Wenderoth, Magdalena A1 - Lewerenz, Bjoern T1 - Characterization of main heat transport processes in the Northeast German Basin constraints from 3-D numerical models JF - Geochemistry, geophysics, geosystems N2 - To investigate and quantify main physical heat driving processes affecting the present-day subsurface thermal field, we study a complex geological setting, the Northeast German Basin (NEGB). The internal geological structure of the NEGB is characterized by the presence of a relatively thick layer of Permian Zechstein salt (up to 5000 m), which forms many salt diapirs and pillows locally reaching nearly the surface. By means of three-dimensional numerical simulations we explore the role of heat conduction, pressure, and density driven groundwater flow as well as fluid viscosity related effects. Our results suggest that the regional temperature distribution within the basin results from interactions between regional pressure forces as driven by topographic gradients and thermal diffusion locally enhanced by thermal conductivity contrasts between the different sedimentary rocks with the highly conductive salt playing a prominent role. In contrast, buoyancy forces triggered by temperature-dependent fluid density variations are demonstrated to affect only locally the internal thermal configuration. Locations, geometry, and wavelengths of convective thermal anomalies are mainly controlled by the permeability field and thickness values of the respective geological layers. KW - advection KW - convection KW - coupled fluid and heat transport KW - numerical simulations KW - Northeast German Basin KW - salt structures Y1 - 2011 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1029/2011GC003535 SN - 1525-2027 VL - 12 IS - 13 PB - American Geophysical Union CY - Washington ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Noack, Vera A1 - Scheck-Wenderoth, Magdalena A1 - Cacace, Mauro T1 - Sensitivity of 3D thermal models to the choice of boundary conditions and thermal properties: a case study for the area of Brandenburg (NE German Basin) JF - Environmental earth sciences N2 - Based on newly available data of both, the structural setting and thermal properties, we compare 3D thermal models for the area of Brandenburg, located in the Northeast German Basin, to assess the sensitivity of our model results. The structural complexity of the basin fill is given by the configuration of the Zechstein salt with salt diapirs and salt pillows. This special configuration is very relevant for the thermal calculations because salt has a distinctly higher thermal conductivity than other sediments. We calculate the temperature using a FEMethod to solve the steady state heat conduction equation in 3D. Based on this approach, we evaluate the sensitivity of the steady-state conductive thermal field with respect to different lithospheric configurations and to the assigned thermal properties. We compare three different thermal models: (a) a crustal-scale model including a homogeneous crust, (b) a new lithosphere-scale model including a differentiated crust and (c) a crustal-scale model with a stepwise variation of measured thermal properties. The comparison with measured temperatures from different structural locations of the basin shows a good fit to the temperature predictions for the first two models, whereas the third model is distinctly colder. This indicates that effective thermal conductivities may be different from values determined by measurements on rock samples. The results suggest that conduction is the main heat transport mechanism in the Brandenburg area. KW - Conductive thermal field KW - 3D thermal model KW - Lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary KW - Zechstein salt KW - Brandenburg KW - Northeast German Basin Y1 - 2012 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-012-1614-2 SN - 1866-6280 VL - 67 IS - 6 SP - 1695 EP - 1711 PB - Springer CY - New York ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kaiser, Björn Onno A1 - Cacace, Mauro A1 - Scheck-Wenderoth, Magdalena T1 - Quaternary channels within the Northeast German Basin and their relevance on double diffusive convective transport processes - constraints from 3-D thermohaline numerical simulations JF - Geochemistry, geophysics, geosystems N2 - The internal geological structure of the Northeast German Basin (NEGB) is affected by intense salt diapirism and by the presence of several stratified aquifer complexes of regional relevance. The shallow Quaternary to late Tertiary freshwater aquifer is separated from the underlying Mesozoic saline aquifers by an embedded Tertiary clay enriched aquitard (Rupelian Aquitard). An important feature of this aquitard is that hydraulic connections between the upper and lower aquifers do exist in areas where the Rupelian Aquitard is missing (hydrogeological windows). Three-dimensional thermohaline numerical simulations are carried out to investigate the effects of such hydrogeological windows in the Rupelian Aquitard on the resulting groundwater, temperature, and salinity distributions. Numerical results suggest that hydrogeological windows act as preferential domains of hydraulic interconnectivity between the different aquifers at depth and enable vigorous heat and mass transport which causes a mixing of warm and saline groundwater with cold and less saline groundwater within both aquifers. In areas where the Rupelian Aquitard confines the Mesozoic aquifer, dissolved solutes from major salt structures are transported laterally giving rise to plumes of variable salinity content ranging from few hundreds of meters to several tens of kilometers. Furthermore, destabilizing thermal buoyancy forces may overwhelm counteracting stabilizing salinity induced forces offside of salt domes. This may result in buoyant upward groundwater flow transporting heat and mass to shallower levels within the same Mesozoic Aquifer. KW - double diffusive convection KW - thermohaline processes KW - numerical simulations KW - salt structures KW - Northeast German Basin KW - quarternary channels Y1 - 2013 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/ggge.20192 SN - 1525-2027 VL - 14 IS - 8 SP - 3156 EP - 3175 PB - American Geophysical Union CY - Washington ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kaiser, Björn Onno A1 - Cacace, Mauro A1 - Scheck-Wenderoth, Magdalena T1 - 3D coupled fluid and heat transport simulations of the Northeast German Basin and their sensitivity to the spatial discretization - different sensitivities for different mechanisms of heat transport JF - Environmental earth sciences N2 - Based on a numerical model of the Northeast German Basin (NEGB), we investigate the sensitivity of the calculated thermal field as resulting from heat conduction, forced and free convection in response to consecutive horizontal and vertical mesh refinements. Our results suggest that computational findings are more sensitive to consecutive horizontal mesh refinements than to changes in the vertical resolution. In addition, the degree of mesh sensitivity depends strongly on the type of the process being investigated, whether heat conduction, forced convection or free thermal convection represents the active heat driver. In this regard, heat conduction exhibits to be relative robust to imposed changes in the spatial discretization. A systematic mesh sensitivity is observed in areas where forced convection promotes an effective role in shorten the background conductive thermal field. In contrast, free thermal convection is to be regarded as the most sensitive heat transport process as demonstrated by non-systematic changes in the temperature field with respect to imposed changes in the model resolution. KW - Mesh convergence KW - Conduction KW - Advection KW - Convection KW - Thermal field KW - Northeast German Basin Y1 - 2013 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-013-2249-7 SN - 1866-6280 SN - 1866-6299 VL - 70 IS - 8 SP - 3643 EP - 3659 PB - Springer CY - New York ER - TY - THES A1 - Fuchs, Sven T1 - Well-log based determination of rock thermal conductivity in the North German Basin T1 - Bestimmung der Gesteinswärmeleitfähigkeit aus geophysikalischen Bohrlochmessungen im Norddeutschen Becken N2 - In sedimentary basins, rock thermal conductivity can vary both laterally and vertically, thus altering the basin’s thermal structure locally and regionally. Knowledge of the thermal conductivity of geological formations and its spatial variations is essential, not only for quantifying basin evolution and hydrocarbon maturation processes, but also for understanding geothermal conditions in a geological setting. In conjunction with the temperature gradient, thermal conductivity represents the basic input parameter for the determination of the heat-flow density; which, in turn, is applied as a major input parameter in thermal modeling at different scales. Drill-core samples, which are necessary to determine thermal properties by laboratory measurements, are rarely available and often limited to previously explored reservoir formations. Thus, thermal conductivities of Mesozoic rocks in the North German Basin (NGB) are largely unknown. In contrast, geophysical borehole measurements are often available for the entire drilled sequence. Therefore, prediction equations to determine thermal conductivity based on well-log data are desirable. In this study rock thermal conductivity was investigated on different scales by (1) providing thermal-conductivity measurements on Mesozoic rocks, (2) evaluating and improving commonly applied mixing models which were used to estimate matrix and pore-filled rock thermal conductivities, and (3) developing new well-log based equations to predict thermal conductivity in boreholes without core control. Laboratory measurements are performed on sedimentary rock of major geothermal reservoirs in the Northeast German Basin (NEGB) (Aalenian, Rhaethian-Liassic, Stuttgart Fm., and Middle Buntsandstein). Samples are obtained from eight deep geothermal wells that approach depths of up to 2,500 m. Bulk thermal conductivities of Mesozoic sandstones range between 2.1 and 3.9 W/(m∙K), while matrix thermal conductivity ranges between 3.4 and 7.4 W/(m∙K). Local heat flow for the Stralsund location averages 76 mW/m², which is in good agreement to values reported previously for the NEGB. For the first time, in-situ bulk thermal conductivity is indirectly calculated for entire borehole profiles in the NEGB using the determined surface heat flow and measured temperature data. Average bulk thermal conductivity, derived for geological formations within the Mesozoic section, ranges between 1.5 and 3.1 W/(m∙K). The measurement of both dry- and water-saturated thermal conductivities allow further evaluation of different two-component mixing models which are often applied in geothermal calculations (e.g., arithmetic mean, geometric mean, harmonic mean, Hashin-Shtrikman mean, and effective-medium theory mean). It is found that the geometric-mean model shows the best correlation between calculated and measured bulk thermal conductivity. However, by applying new model-dependent correction, equations the quality of fit could be significantly improved and the error diffusion of each model reduced. The ‘corrected’ geometric mean provides the most satisfying results and constitutes a universally applicable model for sedimentary rocks. Furthermore, lithotype-specific and model-independent conversion equations are developed permitting a calculation of water-saturated thermal conductivity from dry-measured thermal conductivity and porosity within an error range of 5 to 10%. The limited availability of core samples and the expensive core-based laboratory measurements make it worthwhile to use petrophysical well logs to determine thermal conductivity for sedimentary rocks. The approach followed in this study is based on the detailed analyses of the relationships between thermal conductivity of rock-forming minerals, which are most abundant in sedimentary rocks, and the properties measured by standard logging tools. By using multivariate statistics separately for clastic, carbonate and evaporite rocks, the findings from these analyses allow the development of prediction equations from large artificial data sets that predict matrix thermal conductivity within an error of 4 to 11%. These equations are validated successfully on a comprehensive subsurface data set from the NGB. In comparison to the application of earlier published approaches formation-dependent developed for certain areas, the new developed equations show a significant error reduction of up to 50%. These results are used to infer rock thermal conductivity for entire borehole profiles. By inversion of corrected in-situ thermal-conductivity profiles, temperature profiles are calculated and compared to measured high-precision temperature logs. The resulting uncertainty in temperature prediction averages < 5%, which reveals the excellent temperature prediction capabilities using the presented approach. In conclusion, data and methods are provided to achieve a much more detailed parameterization of thermal models. N2 - Die thermische Modellierung des geologischen Untergrundes ist ein wichtiges Werkzeug bei der Erkundung und Bewertung tiefliegender Ressourcen sedimentärer Becken (e.g., Kohlenwasserstoffe, Wärme). Die laterale und vertikale Temperaturverteilung im Untergrund wird, neben der Wärmestromdichte und der radiogenen Wärmeproduktion, hauptsächlich durch die Wärmeleitfähigkeit (WLF) der abgelagerten Gesteinsschichten bestimmt. Diese Parameter stellen die wesentlichen Eingangsgrößen für thermische Modelle dar. Die vorliegende Dissertation befasst sich mit der Bestimmung der Gesteins-WLF auf verschiedenen Skalen. Dies umfasst (1) laborative WLF-Messungen an mesozoischen Bohrkernproben, (2) die Evaluierung und Verbesserung der Prognosefähigkeit von Mischgesetzten zur Berechnung von Matrix- und Gesamt-WLF sedimentärer Gesteine, sowie (3) die Entwicklung neuer Prognosegleichungen unter Nutzung bohrlochgeophysikalischer Messungen und multivariater Analysemethoden im NGB. Im Nordostdeutschen Becken (NEGB) wurden für die wichtigsten geothermischen Reservoire des Mesozoikums (Aalen, Rhät-Lias-Komplex, Stuttgart Formation, Mittlerer Buntsandstein) Bohrkerne geothermischer Tiefbohrungen (bis 2.500 m Tiefe) auf Ihre thermischen und petrophysikalischen Eigenschaften hin untersucht. Die WLF mesozoischer Sandsteine schwankt im Mittel zwischen 2,1 und 3,9 W/(m∙K), die WLF der Gesteinsmatrix hingegen im Mittel zwischen 3,4 und 7,4 W/(m∙K). Neu berechnete Werte zur Oberflächenwärmestromdichte (e.g., 76 mW/m², Stralsund) stehen im Einklang mit den Ergebnissen früherer Studien im NEGB. Erstmals im NDB wurde für das mesozoisch/känozoischen Intervall am Standort Stralsund ein in-situ WLF-Profil berechnet. In-situ Formations-WLF, für als potentielle Modelschichten interessante, stratigraphische Intervalle, variieren im Mittel zwischen 1,5 und 3,1 W/(m∙K) und bilden eine gute Grundlage für kleinskalige (lokale) thermische Modelle. Auf Grund der in aller Regel nur eingeschränkt verfügbaren Bohrkernproben sowie des hohen laborativen Aufwandes zur Bestimmung der WLF waren alternative Methoden gesucht. Die Auswertung petrophysikalischer Bohrlochmessungen mittels mathematischer-statistischer Methoden stellt einen lang genutzten und erprobten Ansatz dar, welcher in seiner Anwendbarkeit jedoch auf die aufgeschlossenen Gesteinsbereiche (Genese, Geologie, Stratigraphie, etc.) beschränkt ist. Daher wurde ein leicht modifizierter Ansatz entwickelt. Die thermophysikalischen Eigenschaften der 15 wichtigsten gesteinsbildenden Minerale (in Sedimentgesteinen) wurden statistisch analysiert und aus variablen Mischungen dieser Basisminerale ein umfangreicher, synthetischer Datensatz generiert. Dieser wurde mittels multivariater Statistik bearbeitet, in dessen Ergebnis Regressionsgleichungen zur Prognose der Matrix-WLF für drei Gesteinsgruppen (klastisch, karbonatisch, evaporitisch) abgeleitet wurden. In einem zweiten Schritt wurden für ein Echtdatenset (laborativ gemessene WLF und Standardbohrlochmessungen) empirische Prognosegleichungen für die Berechnung der Gesamt-WLF entwickelt. Die berechneten WLF zeigen im Vergleich zu gemessenen WLF Fehler zwischen 5% und 11%. Die Anwendung neu entwickelter, sowie in der Literatur publizierter Verfahren auf den NGB-Datensatz zeigt, dass mit den neu aufgestellten Gleichungen stets der geringste Prognosefehler erreicht wird. Die Inversion neu berechneter WLF-Profile erlaubt die Ableitung synthetischer Temperaturprofile, deren Vergleich zu gemessenen Gesteinstemperaturen in einen mittleren Fehler von < 5% resultiert. Im Rahmen geothermischer Berechnungen werden zur Umrechnung zwischen Matrix- und Gesamt-WLF häufig Zwei-Komponenten-Mischmodelle genutzt (Arithmetisches Mittel, Harmonische Mittel, Geometrisches Mittel, Hashin-Shtrikman Mittel, Effektives-Medium Mittel). Ein umfangreicher Datensatz aus trocken- und gesättigt-gemessenen WLF und Porosität erlaubt die Evaluierung dieser Modelle hinsichtlich Ihrer Prognosefähigkeit. Diese variiert für die untersuchten Modelle stark (Fehler: 5 – 53%), wobei das geometrische Mittel die größte, quantitativ aber weiterhin unbefriedigende Übereinstimmungen zeigt. Die Entwicklung und Anwendung mischmodelspezifischer Korrekturgleichungen führt zu deutlich reduzierten Fehlern. Das korrigierte geometrische Mittel zeigt dabei, bei deutlich reduzierter Fehlerstreubreite, erneut die größte Übereinstimmung zwischen berechneten und gemessenen Werten und scheint ein universell anwendbares Mischmodel für sedimentäre Gesteine zu sein. Die Entwicklung modelunabhängiger, gesteinstypbezogener Konvertierungsgleichungen ermöglicht die Abschätzung der wassergesättigten Gesamt-WLF aus trocken-gemessener WLF und Porosität mit einem mittleren Fehler < 9%. Die präsentierten Daten und die neu entwickelten Methoden erlauben künftig eine detailliertere und präzisere Parametrisierung thermischer Modelle sedimentärer Becken. KW - Wärmeleitfähigkeit KW - Temperaturfeld KW - Nordostdeutsches Becken KW - Bohrlochmessungen KW - Multivariate Analyse KW - Thermal-conductivity KW - Well-log analysis KW - Northeast German Basin KW - temperature field analysis KW - Multivariate statistic Y1 - 2013 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-67801 ER -