New Insights into the Velocity of Groundwater Flow in Geothermal Systems
Publication: Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 29, Issue 4
Abstract
The rise of groundwater level and the acceleration of flow velocity in the discharge section of a geothermal system is difficult to explain by gravity-driven groundwater system theory alone. The temperature of groundwater increases after being heated in the geothermal systems, resulting in a decrease in groundwater density, an increase in salinity, and a decrease in viscosity. These changes create additional pressure heads, which are collectively recorded as geothermal driving forces. Based on the hydrochemistry and isotopes of hot springs in the Heyuan fault zone, South China, the geothermal driving force was evaluated as a case study. The geothermal driving force, which is mainly caused by the increase of groundwater temperature, increases with the increase of groundwater temperature and decreases with the increase of groundwater salinity. At the deepest position of groundwater circulation in the Heyuan geothermal field, the groundwater temperature reaches a maximum of 113.42°C, and the geothermal driving force generated here also reaches a maximum of . The geothermal driving force gradually decreases from deep to shallow in the Heyuan fault zone, but it makes the average vertical flow velocity of groundwater increase from in the recharge section to in the discharge section. Therefore, the geothermal driving force exists in the discharge section of the geothermal system, and its additional effect accelerates the flow of geothermal water in the discharge section.
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the published article.
Acknowledgments
This research project was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.: 41440027). Our special appreciation goes to the editors and anonymous reviewers for their critical reviews and helpful comments.
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Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 29 • Issue 4 • August 2024
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© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Jun 5, 2023
Accepted: Feb 13, 2024
Published online: Apr 25, 2024
Published in print: Aug 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Sep 25, 2024
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