Project: Thermally Induced Calcite Precipitation (TICP) as a Method to Control Hydraulic Properties in Enhanced Geothermal Systems
Initiative: Hydraulic Properties
Project Lead: Montana State University
Project Sub: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Project Timeline: May 1, 2022 – April 8, 2027
The Thermally Induced Calcite Precipitation (TICP) as a Method to Control Hydraulic Properties in Enhanced Geothermal Systems project, led by Montana State University (MSU) in collaboration with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, is investigating technologies that can control the location and magnitude of permeability reduction within enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) fracture networks. The project is part of OG’s Hydraulic Properties initiative.
MSU’s research proposes TICP to divert flow in fractured rock and potentially mitigate short circuiting—in other words, finding a way to keep fluid from bypassing hot rock, which can diminish energy output. Researchers are combining laboratory experiments with computational modeling to analyze reaction rates, injection strategies, fracture characteristics, and fluid viscosity.
By potentially addressing thermal breakthroughs, MSU’s work has the potential to reduce inefficiencies in EGS reservoir performance. Through analysis and simulations, the team has thus far determined that permeability reductions through TICP are significantly greater at higher temperatures (180°C) versus reductions at 150°C, making it promising for use in high temperature reservoirs.
Learn more about OG’s Hydraulic Properties initiative and work in enhanced geothermal systems.
More about the project:
- Reactive-Transport Model for Thermally Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation (TICP) In EGS: Geochemical and Fracture Permeability Evolution in Batch and Fractured-Core Experiments (Conference Paper, Geothermal Rising Conference 2023)