The Investigation of Fracture Networks on Heat Extraction Performance for an Enhanced Geothermal System

Hydraulic fracturing is usually employed to create a complex fracture network enhance heat extraction in the development of an enhanced geothermal system. The depends on conduction from rock matrix flowing fractures and convection through network. Therefore, geometries have important influences thermal breakthrough. In this paper, hydro-thermal coupling mathematical model considering established. embedded discrete adopted explicitly individual mass flow transfer. validated by analytical solutions. Fracture parameters are changed systematically investigate effects distribution including regular shape production performance. results show that increase producing pressure differential, number, conductivity will cause early strong variation conductivity, as well spacing orientation, channeling decrease efficiency extraction. A modified connectivity field proposed characterize spatial connectivity, which can be used infer path.