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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2016

Classical and integrated multicomponent geothermometry at the Tengchong geothermal field, Southwestern China

To reconstruct deep fluid chemical composition and increase the confidence in estimated reservoir temperatures, a more integral geothermometry method was compared to other classical geothermometers. Here in this paper, we apply the integrated multicomponent geothermometry (IMG) method using the GeoT code to estimate reservoir temperatures at the Tengchong geothermal field in Southwestern China. Results show reservoir temperatures calculated using the quartz geothermometer are closest to those estimated with the IMG method. The concentrations of Al and Mg, as well as selected minerals for geothermometry computations, are key factors for successfully using the IMG. Using the IMG method together with classical geothermometers can significantly increase confidence in reservoir temperature estimations. The methods presented and simulation program used here may be useful for analysis of other geothermal fields under similar conditions.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Geothermometry Mapping of Deep Hydrothermal Reservoirs in Southeastern Idaho: Final Report

The Eastern Snake River Plain (ESRP) in southern Idaho is a region of high heat flow. Sustained volcanic activities in the wake of the passage of Yellowstone Hotspot have turned this region into an area with great potential for geothermal resources. Numerous hot springs with temperatures up to 75 ºC are scattered along the margins of the plain. Similarly, several hot-water producing wells and few hot springs are also present within the plain. The geothermal reservoirs in the area are likely to be hosted at depth in the felsic volcanic rocks underneath the thick sequences of basalts within the plain and the Paleozoic rocks underneath both basalts and felsic volcanic rocks along the margins. The heat source to these geothermal resources is thought to be the mid-crustal sill complex which sustains high heat flow in the ESRP. Several thermal anomaly areas are believed to be associated with the local thermal perturbation because of the presence of favorable structural settings. However, it is hypothesized that the pervasive presence of an overlying groundwater aquifer in the region effectively masks thermal signatures of deep-seated geothermal resources. The dilution of deeper thermal water and re-equilibration at lower temperatures are significant challenges for the evaluation of potential resource areas in the ESRP. To address this issue, this project, led by the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), aimed at applying advanced geothermometry tools including temperature-dependent mineral and isotopic equilibria with mixing models that account for processes such as boiling and dilution with shallow groundwater that could affect calculated temperatures of underlying deep thermal waters. Over the past several years, we collected approximately 100 water samples from springs/wells for chemical analysis as well as assembled existing water chemistry data from literature. We applied several geothermometric and geochemical modeling tools to the compositions of ESRP water samples. Geothermometric calculations based on principle of multicomponent equilibrium geothermometry with inverse geochemical modeling capability (e.g., Reservoir Temperature Estimator, RTEst) have been useful for evaluation of reservoir temperatures. Similarly, sulfate-water oxygen isotope geothermometry was also applied to several samples in tandem with RTEst. In summary, geothermometric calculations of ESRP thermal water samples indicated numerous potential geothermal areas with elevated reservoir temperatures. Specifically, areas around southern/southwestern side of the Mount Bennet Hills and within the Camas Prairie in the southwestern portion of the ESRP suggest temperatures 140-190 °C. In the northern portion of the ESRP, Lidy Hot Springs, Ashton, Newdale, and areas east of Idaho Falls have expected reservoir temperature ?140 °C. In the southern ERSP, areas near Buhl and Twin Falls are found to have elevated temperatures as high as 160 °C. These areas are likely to host potentially economic geothermal resources; however, further detailed study is warranted to each site to evaluate hydrothermal suitability for economic use.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2013

Microbial impacts on geothermometry temperature predictions

Conventional geothermometry approaches assume that the composition of a collected water sample originating in a deep geothermal reservoir still reflects chemical equilibration of the water with the deep reservoir rocks. However, for geothermal prospecting samples whose temperatures have dropped to <120°C, temperature predictions may be skewed by the activity of microorganisms; microbial metabolism can drastically and rapidly change the water’s chemistry. We hypothesize that knowledge of microbial impacts on exploration sample geochemistry can be used to constrain input into geothermometry models and thereby improve the reliability of reservoir temperature predictions. To evaluate this hypothesis we have chosen to focus on sulfur cycling, because of the significant changes in redox state and pH associated with sulfur chemistry. Redox and pH are critical factors in defining the mineral-fluid equilibria that form the basis of solute geothermometry approaches. Initially we are developing assays to detect the process of sulfate reduction, using knowledge of genes specific to sulfate reducing microorganisms. The assays rely on a common molecular biological technique known as quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), which allows estimation of the number of target organisms in a particular sample by enumerating genes specific to the organisms rather than actually retrieving and characterizing the organisms themselves. For quantitation of sulfate reducing genes using qPCR, we constructed a plasmid (a piece of DNA) containing portions of two genes (known as dsrA and dsrB) that are directly involved with sulfate reduction and unique to sulfate reducing microorganisms. Using the plasmid as well as DNA from other microorganisms known to be sulfate reducers or non-sulfate reducers, we developed qPCR protocols and showed the assay’s specificity to sulfate reducers and that a qPCR standard curve using the plasmid was linear over >5 orders of magnitude. As a first test with actual field samples, the assay was applied to DNA extracted from water collected at springs located in and around the town of Soda Springs, Idaho. Soda Springs is located in the fold and thrust belt on the eastern boundary of the track of the Yellowstone Hotspot, where a deep carbon dioxide source believed to originate from Mississippian limestone contacts acidic hydrothermal fluids at depth. Both sulfate and sulfide have been measured in samples collected previously at Soda Springs. Preliminary results indicate that sulfate reducing genes were present in each of the samples tested. Our work supports evaluation of the potential for microbial processes to have altered water chemistry in geothermal exploration samples.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

Multicomponent Equilibrium Models for Testing Geothermometry Approaches

Geothermometry is an important tool for estimating deep reservoir temperature from the geochemical composition of shallower and cooler waters. The underlying assumption of geothermometry is that the waters collected from shallow wells and seeps maintain a chemical signature that reflects equilibrium in the deeper reservoir. Many of the geothermometers used in practice are based on correlation between water temperatures and composition or using thermodynamic calculations based a subset (typically silica, cations or cation ratios) of the dissolved constituents. An alternative approach is to use complete water compositions and equilibrium geochemical modeling to calculate the degree of disequilibrium (saturation index) for large number of potential reservoir minerals as a function of temperature. We have constructed several “forward” geochemical models using The Geochemist’s Workbench to simulate the change in chemical composition of reservoir fluids as they migrate toward the surface. These models explicitly account for the formation (mass and composition) of a steam phase and equilibrium partitioning of volatile components (e.g., CO2, H2S, and H2) into the steam as a result of pressure decreases associated with upward fluid migration from depth. We use the synthetic data generated from these simulations to determine the advantages and limitations of various geothermometry and optimization approaches for estimating the likely conditions (e.g., temperature, pCO2) to which the water was exposed in the deep subsurface. We demonstrate the magnitude of errors that can result from boiling, loss of volatiles, and analytical error from sampling and instrumental analysis. The estimated reservoir temperatures for these scenarios are also compared to conventional geothermometers. These results can help improve estimation of geothermal resource temperature during exploration and early development.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Geochemistry Sampling for Traditional and Multicomponent Equilibrium Geothermometry in Southeast Idaho

The Eastern Snake River Plain (ESRP) is an area of high regional heat flux due the movement of the North American Plate over the Yellowstone Hotspot beginning ca.16 Ma. Temperature gradients between 45-60 °C/km (up to double the global average) have been calculated from deep wells that penetrate the upper aquifer system (Blackwell 1989). Despite the high geothermal potential, thermal signatures from hot springs and wells are effectively masked by the rapid flow of cold groundwater through the highly permeable basalts of the Eastern Snake River Plain aquifer (ESRPA) (up to 500+ m thick). This preliminary study is part of an effort to more accurately predict temperatures of the ESRP deep thermal reservoir while accounting for the effects of the prolific cold water aquifer system above. This study combines the use of traditional geothermometry, mixing models, and a multicomponent equilibrium geothermometry (MEG) tool to investigate the geothermal potential of the ESRP. In March, 2014, a collaborative team including members of the University of Idaho, the Idaho National Laboratory, and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory collected 14 thermal water samples from and adjacent to the Eastern Snake River Plain. The preliminary results of chemical analyses and geothermometry applied to these samples are presented herein.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

GeoT User’s Guide, A Computer Program for Multicomponent Geothermometry and Geochemical Speciation, Version 2.1

GeoT implements the multicomponent geothermometry method developed by Reed and Spycher (1984, Geochim. Cosmichim. Acta 46 513–528) into a stand-alone computer program, to ease the application of this method and to improve the prediction of geothermal reservoir temperatures using full and integrated chemical analyses of geothermal fluids. Reservoir temperatures are estimated from statistical analyses of mineral saturation indices computed as a function of temperature. The reconstruction of the deep geothermal fluid compositions, and geothermometry computations, are all implemented into the same computer program, allowing unknown or poorly constrained input parameters to be estimated by numerical optimization using existing parameter estimation software, such as iTOUGH2, PEST, or UCODE. This integrated geothermometry approach presents advantages over classical geothermometers for fluids that have not fully equilibrated with reservoir minerals and/or that have been subject to processes such as dilution and gas loss.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

iGeoT v1.0: Automatic Parameter Estimation for Multicomponent Geothermometry, User's Guide

GeoT implements the multicomponent geothermometry method developed by Reed and Spycher [1984] into a stand-alone computer program to ease the application of this method and to improve the prediction of geothermal reservoir temperatures using full and integrated chemical analyses of geothermal fluids. Reservoir temperatures are estimated from statistical analyses of mineral saturation indices computed as a function of temperature. The reconstruction of the deep geothermal fluid compositions, and geothermometry computations, are all implemented into the same computer program, allowing unknown or poorly constrained input parameters to be estimated by numerical optimization. This integrated geothermometry approach presents advantages over classical geothermometers for fluids that have not fully equilibrated with reservoir minerals and/or that have been subject to processes such as dilution and gas loss. This manual contains installation instructions for iGeoT, and briefly describes the input formats needed to run iGeoT in Automatic or Expert Mode. An example is also provided to demonstrate the use of iGeoT.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2013

GeoT User's Guide: A Computer Program for Multicomponent Geothermometry and Geochemical Speciation, Version 1.4

GeoT (Spycher et al., 2011) was developed by automating the multicomponent chemical geothermometry method of Reed and Spycher (1984). As needed, this program can be integrated with parameter estimation software. Without optimization, GeoT is useful for fast geothermometry computations with fluid compositions from single locations, and for independently processing fluids from multiple locations in one single program run.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

The Reservoir Temperature Estimator (RTEst): A multicomponent geothermometry tool

The Reservoir Temperature Estimator (RTEst) is a multicomponent geothermometry tool for estimating reservoir geochemical parameters including reservoir temperature, CO 2 fugacity, mass of water lost or gained, and a reaction factor. It estimates these parameters and their associated uncertainties by minimizing an objective function that is the weighted sum of squares of the saturation indices of a user-selected set of minerals believed to be equilibrated with the reservoir fluid. RTEst accomplishes these estimates by combining the geochemical modeling capabilities of The Geochemist’s Workbench® with the optimization/parameter estimation resources of PEST®. An included interface aids the user in selecting plausible mineral phases to comprise the objective function and calculates their weighting factors. The working principles of RTEst are described and its efficacy is illustrated by presenting results of its application to various geothermal fields with known conditions. These examples show RTEst can account for the alteration of ascending reservoir fluid by mineral (calcite) re-equilibration with changes in temperature, reconstruct waters with CO 2 loss, correct for the deficit of water and other volatiles (CO 2,gas , H 2 S gas ) from boiling, and determine the amount of mixing of thermal and non-thermal waters. RTEst can use data with basis species below detection limit, missing, or unreliable either by assuming equilibrium with a controlling mineral (fixed-analyte method) or by treating the analyte concentration as an optimization parameter. The inverse of variance weighting method included in RTEst provides more representative results than either the normalization or unit weighting methods. Finally, the ability of RTEst to calculate reservoir temperatures, gas fugacity, and mixing fractions demonstrates its usefulness as a tool for evaluating geothermal systems.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Improved Geothermometry Through Multivariate Reaction-path Modeling and Evaluation of Geomicrobiological Influences on Geochemical Temperature Indicators: Final Report

The project was aimed at demonstrating that the geothermometric predictions can be improved through the application of multi-element reaction path modeling that accounts for lithologic and tectonic settings, while also accounting for biological influences on geochemical temperature indicators. The limited utilization of chemical signatures by individual traditional geothermometer in the development of reservoir temperature estimates may have been constraining their reliability for evaluation of potential geothermal resources. This project, however, was intended to build a geothermometry tool which can integrate multi-component reaction path modeling with process-optimization capability that can be applied to dilute, low-temperature water samples to consistently predict reservoir temperature within ±30 °C. The project was also intended to evaluate the extent to which microbiological processes can modulate the geochemical signals in some thermal waters and influence the geothermometric predictions.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Mineral Selection for Multicomponent Equilibrium Geothermometry

Multicomponent geothermometry requires knowledge of the mineral phases in the reservoir with which the geothermal fluids may be equilibrated. These minerals phases are most often alteration products rather than primary minerals. We have reviewed the literature on geothermal systems representing most major geologic environments typically associated with geothermal activity and identified potential alteration products in various environments. We have included this information in RTEst, a code we have developed to estimate reservoir conditions (temperature, CO 2 fugacity) from the geochemistry of near-surface geothermal waters. The information has been included in RTEst through the addition of filters that decrease the potential number of minerals from all possibilities based on the basis species to those that are more relevant to the particular conditions in which the user is interested. The three groups of filters include host rock type (tholeiitic, calc-alkaline, silicic, siliciclastic, carbonate), water type (acidic, neutral), and the temperature range over which the alteration minerals were formed (low, medium, high). The user-chosen mineral assemblage is checked to make sure that it does not violate the Gibbs phase rule. The user can select one of three mineral saturation weighting schemes that decrease the chance the optimization from being skewed by reaction stoichiometry or analytical uncertainty.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1991

Pyroxene spectroscopy revisited - Spectral-compositional correlations and relationship to geothermometry

Pyroxene reflectance and transmittance spectra have been examined in a search for systematic relationships between spectral features and compositional variations and to assess the applicability of reflectance spectroscopy to pyroxene geothermometry. Orthopyroxenes containing up to about 11 percent Wollastonite show a positive correlation between Fe(2+) content and wavelength positions of the major absorption bands. Aluminum-rich orthopyroxenes display absorption bands at lower than expected wavelengths. Spectral-compositional relationships are more complex for clinopyroxenes, showing both positive and negative correlations between band positions and major cation abundances. These relationships are further complicated by the presence of significant amounts of other transition series elements such as Ti and Cr and by the presence of exsolved phases and compositional zonations. Contours of the wavelength positions of band minima projected onto the pyroxene tetralateral generally exhibit concave downward shapes. The orientations of the contours relative to pyroxene geotherms are such as to effectively preclude the use of spectroscopy to significantly constrain the temperatures of formation of pyroxenes.

Cloutis, Edward A.↗
DOE OSTI2016

Chemistry Data for Geothermometry Mapping of Deep Hydrothermal Reservoirs in Southeastern Idaho

This dataset includes chemistry of geothermal water samples of the Eastern Snake River Plain and surrounding area. The samples included in this dataset were collected during the springs and summers of 2014 and 2015. All chemical analysis of the samples were conducted in the Analytical Laboratory at the Center of Advanced Energy Studies in Idaho Falls, Idaho. This data set supersedes #425 submission and is the final submission for AOP 3.1.2.1 for INL. Isotopic data collected by Mark Conrad will be submitted in a separate file.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Deep Geothermal Reservoir Temperatures in the Eastern Snake River Plain, Idaho using Multicomponent Geothermometry

The U.S. Geological survey has estimated that there are up to 4,900 MWe of undiscovered geothermal resources and 92,000 MWe of enhanced geothermal potential within the state of Idaho. Of particular interest are the resources of the Eastern Snake River Plain (ESRP) which was formed by volcanic activity associated with the relative movement of the Yellowstone Hot Spot across the state of Idaho. This region is characterized by a high geothermal gradient and thermal springs occurring along the margins of the ESRP. Masking much of the deep thermal potential of the ESRP is a regionally extensive and productive cold-water aquifer. We have undertaken a study to infer the temperature of the geothermal system hidden beneath the cold-water aquifer of the ESRP. Our approach is to estimate reservoir temperatures from measured water compositions using an inverse modeling technique (RTEst) that calculates the temperature at which multiple minerals are simultaneously at equilibrium while explicitly accounting for the possible loss of volatile constituents (e.g., CO2), boiling and/or water mixing. In the initial stages of this study, we apply the RTEst model to water compositions measured from a limited number of wells and thermal springs to estimate the regionally extensive geothermal system in the ESRP.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Geothermal Reservoir Temperatures in Southeastern Idaho using Multicomponent Geothermometry

Southeastern Idaho exhibits numerous warm springs, warm water from shallow wells, and hot water within oil and gas test wells that indicate a potential for geothermal development in the area. Although the area exhibits several thermal expressions, the measured geothermal gradients vary substantially (19 – 61 ºC/km) within this area, potentially suggesting a redistribution of heat in the overlying ground water from deeper geothermal reservoirs. We have estimated reservoir temperatures from measured water compositions using an inverse modeling technique (Reservoir Temperature Estimator, RTEst) that calculates the temperature at which multiple minerals are simultaneously at equilibrium while explicitly accounting for the possible loss of volatile constituents (e.g., CO2), boiling and/or water mixing. Compositions of a selected group of thermal waters representing southeastern Idaho hot/warm springs and wells were used for the development of temperature estimates. The temperature estimates in the the region varied from moderately warm (59 ºC) to over 175 ºC. Specifically, hot springs near Preston, Idaho resulted in the highest temperature estimates in the region.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1977

A critical evaluation of the application of amino acid racemization to geochronology and geothermometry

Attempts have been made to determine the age of biological samples by measuring the racemization of amino acids in protein samples. The pitfalls and inherent complications in diagenetic racemization studies are reviewed, and recent advances in improving techniques are outlined. Methodological topics include isolation of amino acids from geological samples, resolution of amino acid enantiomers, and the effects of acid hydrolysis. The theory and kinetics of amino acid racemization are discussed with attention to the derivation of the rate expression for amino acid racemization, isoleucine and the equilibrium constant, the mechanism of amino acid racemization, the racemization of 'bound' versus 'free' amino acids, and factors affecting the racemization rates of free amino acids in aqueous solution. Applications of amino acid racemization kinetics to geochronology is considered with reference to shells, marine sediments, and bones. Potential complications include heating and diagenesis, diagenetic formation of amino acids, the effect of clays, species effect, and contamination.

Williams, K. M.↗