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- Northeast German Basin (1)
- advection (1)
- convection (1)
- coupled fluid and heat transport (1)
- numerical simulations (1)
- salt structures (1)
Institut
Understanding the interactions between the different processes that control the geothermal and fluid flow fields in sedimentary basins is crucial for exploitation of geothermal energy. Numerical models provide predictive and feasible information for a correct assessment of geothermal resources especially in areas where data acquisition is demanding. Here, we present results from numerical efforts to characterize the thermal structure and its interaction with the fluid system for the area of the North East German Basin (NEGB). The relative impact of the different (diffusive and advective) processes affecting the hydrothermal setting of the basin are investigated by means of three- dimensional numerical simulations. Lithospheric-scale numerical models are evaluated to understand the specific thermal signature of the relevant factors influencing the present-day conductive geothermal field in the NEGB. Shallow and deep structural controls on the thermal configuration of the basin are addressed and quantified. Interaction between the resulting thermal field and the active fluid system is investigated by means of three-dimensional simulations of coupled fluid flow and heat transport. Factors influencing stability and reliability of modeling predictions are discussed. The main effort is to build a physically consistent model for the basin which integrates the impacts of thermal gradients on the regional fluid regime and their coupling with the main geological units defining the basin.
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.