Geothermal:
Waveguide-Based Ultrasonic and Far-Field Electromagnetic Sensors for Downhole Reservoir Characterization
Argonne's objective is to develop waveguide-based ultrasonic and far-field electromagnetic sensors to measure key enhanced geothermal system reservoir parameters, including temperature profiles, fluid flow, flow-rock interaction and porosity. Major tasks are sensor development, sensor test facility development, laboratory sensor tests, and development of industrial collaboration for future sensor field tests.
Argonne's technology development includes:
- Passive microwave radiometers for downhole reservoir applications,
- Active radar sensing techniques for reservoir characterization,
- Ultrasonic flow instruments,
- Ultrasonic enthalpy meters,
- Passive acoustic sensors for flow/rock interaction, and
- Ultrasonic downhole imaging systems.
This project is funded by DOE's Geothermal Technologies Program (GTP) under its mission to conduct research, development, and demonstration to advance geothermal energy technology.
More
Ultrasonic and Electromagnetic Sensors for Downhole Reservoir Characterization and Monitoring (PDF). This paper describes recent progress in the development of ultrasonic and electromagnetic (EM) techniques applied to temperature measurement and flow and rock characterization for Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS). An ultrasonic temperature probe and a microwave radiometer for temperature gradient and profile measurements are described. A statistical approach for estimating the average grain size through spectral analysis of the scattered ultrasonic signals is also introduced. For directional temperature measurement, different microwave antenna designs are compared numerically and an array loop antenna design is selected for further development. Techniques to characterize the porosity and permeability of a hot rock reservoir are also proposed.
February 2011
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