Effects of Permeability Distribution on Flow and Heat Transfer in a Geothermal Reservoir

This paper describes effects of permeability distribution on flow and heat transfer in a geothermal reservoir. In order to evaluate the effects generally, a low permeability layer is assumed to be placed in the reservoir model. The theoretical results are as follows; 1) When thermal convective flow exists in a geothermal reservoir, the permeability distribution takes effect on flow pattern. In result, it has influence on the change of average temperature with time at the outlet. 2) If the permeability distribution takes no effect on the pressure at the inlet, the heterogeneity should be considered. 3) If the permeability distribution takes effect on the pressure at the inlet, the reservoir can be treated as a homigeneous model.