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Updated: Jul 4, 2026
08:02
Reservoir Condition Pore-scale Imaging of Multiple Fluid Phases Using X-ray Microtomography
Published on: February 25, 2015
Quantifying Formation Permeability Effects on High-Temperature Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage.
Zhenjie Sun1, Xiaoguang Wang1,2,3, Di Deng3
1College of Energy, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China.
ACS Omega
|July 3, 2026
Summary
High-temperature aquifer thermal energy storage (HT-ATES) performance depends on formation permeability. Optimal design requires balancing energy recovery and pumping needs by minimizing anisotropy and heterogeneity for efficient thermal energy storage.
Area of Science:
- Geosciences
- Energy Storage
- Hydrogeology
Background:
- High-temperature aquifer thermal energy storage (HT-ATES) is crucial for renewable energy integration.
- System efficiency is heavily influenced by aquifer formation permeability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of mean permeability, anisotropy, and heterogeneity on HT-ATES performance.
- To analyze the thermo-hydro-mechanical (T-H-M) behavior of aquifers during HT-ATES operation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a three-dimensional coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical (T-H-M) model.
- Simulated doublet HT-ATES operations in various aquifer conditions.
Main Results:
- Higher mean permeability reduces pumping energy but lowers thermal recovery.
- Increased permeability anisotropy and heterogeneity decrease thermal recovery efficiency.
- Hot wells exhibit higher sensitivity due to fluid properties and convection.
Conclusions:
- Weak anisotropy and low heterogeneity are optimal for HT-ATES.
- Findings provide quantitative insights for formation selection and system design optimization.
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