Petrophysical characterization of the Los Humeros geothermal field (Mexico): from outcrop to parametrization of a 3D geological model
Abstract The Los Humeros Volcanic Complex has been characterized as a suitable target for developing a super-hot geothermal system (> 350 °C). For the interpretation of geophysical data, the development and parametrization of numerical geological models, an extensive outcrop analogue study was pe...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2022-03-01
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| Series: | Geothermal Energy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40517-022-00212-8 |
| _version_ | 1811332175290695680 |
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| author | Leandra M. Weydt Kristian Bär Ingo Sass |
| author_facet | Leandra M. Weydt Kristian Bär Ingo Sass |
| author_sort | Leandra M. Weydt |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The Los Humeros Volcanic Complex has been characterized as a suitable target for developing a super-hot geothermal system (> 350 °C). For the interpretation of geophysical data, the development and parametrization of numerical geological models, an extensive outcrop analogue study was performed to characterize all relevant key units from the basement to the cap rock regarding their petrophysical properties, mineralogy, and geochemistry. In total, 226 samples were collected and analyzed for petrophysical and thermophysical properties as well as sonic wave velocities and magnetic susceptibility. An extensive rock property database was created and more than 20 lithostratigraphic units and subunits with distinct properties were defined. Thereby, the basement rocks feature low matrix porosities (< 5%) and permeabilities (< 10–17 m2), but high thermal conductivities (2–5 W m−1 K−1) and diffusivities (≤ 4·10–6 m2s−1) as well as high sonic wave velocities (≥ 5800 m s−1). Basaltic to dacitic lavas feature matrix porosities and permeabilities in the range of < 2–30% and 10–18–10–14 m2, respectively, as well as intermediate to low thermal properties and sonic wave velocities. The pyroclastic rocks show the highest variability with respect to bulk density, matrix porosity (~ 4– > 60%) and permeability (10–18–10–13 m2), but feature overall very low thermal conductivities (< 0.5 W m−1 K−1) and sonic wave velocities (~ 1500–2400 m s−1). Specific heat capacity shows comparatively small variations throughout the dataset (~ 700–880 J kg−1 K−1), while magnetic susceptibility varies over more than four orders of magnitude showing formation-related trends (10–6–10–1 SI). By applying empirical correction functions, this study provides a full physiochemical characterization of the Los Humeros geothermal field and improves the understanding of the hydraulic and thermomechanical behavior of target formations in super-hot geothermal systems related to volcanic settings, the relationships between different rock properties, and their probability, whose understanding is crucial for the parametrization of 3D geological models. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T16:31:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d49e0491d48044d1979a3b02dbfe7b25 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2195-9706 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T16:31:47Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Geothermal Energy |
| spelling | doaj.art-d49e0491d48044d1979a3b02dbfe7b252022-12-22T02:39:32ZengSpringerOpenGeothermal Energy2195-97062022-03-0110114810.1186/s40517-022-00212-8Petrophysical characterization of the Los Humeros geothermal field (Mexico): from outcrop to parametrization of a 3D geological modelLeandra M. Weydt0Kristian Bär1Ingo Sass2Department of Geothermal Science and Technology, Technische Universität DarmstadtDepartment of Geothermal Science and Technology, Technische Universität DarmstadtDepartment of Geothermal Science and Technology, Technische Universität DarmstadtAbstract The Los Humeros Volcanic Complex has been characterized as a suitable target for developing a super-hot geothermal system (> 350 °C). For the interpretation of geophysical data, the development and parametrization of numerical geological models, an extensive outcrop analogue study was performed to characterize all relevant key units from the basement to the cap rock regarding their petrophysical properties, mineralogy, and geochemistry. In total, 226 samples were collected and analyzed for petrophysical and thermophysical properties as well as sonic wave velocities and magnetic susceptibility. An extensive rock property database was created and more than 20 lithostratigraphic units and subunits with distinct properties were defined. Thereby, the basement rocks feature low matrix porosities (< 5%) and permeabilities (< 10–17 m2), but high thermal conductivities (2–5 W m−1 K−1) and diffusivities (≤ 4·10–6 m2s−1) as well as high sonic wave velocities (≥ 5800 m s−1). Basaltic to dacitic lavas feature matrix porosities and permeabilities in the range of < 2–30% and 10–18–10–14 m2, respectively, as well as intermediate to low thermal properties and sonic wave velocities. The pyroclastic rocks show the highest variability with respect to bulk density, matrix porosity (~ 4– > 60%) and permeability (10–18–10–13 m2), but feature overall very low thermal conductivities (< 0.5 W m−1 K−1) and sonic wave velocities (~ 1500–2400 m s−1). Specific heat capacity shows comparatively small variations throughout the dataset (~ 700–880 J kg−1 K−1), while magnetic susceptibility varies over more than four orders of magnitude showing formation-related trends (10–6–10–1 SI). By applying empirical correction functions, this study provides a full physiochemical characterization of the Los Humeros geothermal field and improves the understanding of the hydraulic and thermomechanical behavior of target formations in super-hot geothermal systems related to volcanic settings, the relationships between different rock properties, and their probability, whose understanding is crucial for the parametrization of 3D geological models.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40517-022-00212-8Super-hot geothermal systemsLos Humeros geothermal fieldReservoir characterizationPetrophysical and thermophysical propertiesSonic wave velocitiesMagnetic susceptibility |
| spellingShingle | Leandra M. Weydt Kristian Bär Ingo Sass Petrophysical characterization of the Los Humeros geothermal field (Mexico): from outcrop to parametrization of a 3D geological model Geothermal Energy Super-hot geothermal systems Los Humeros geothermal field Reservoir characterization Petrophysical and thermophysical properties Sonic wave velocities Magnetic susceptibility |
| title | Petrophysical characterization of the Los Humeros geothermal field (Mexico): from outcrop to parametrization of a 3D geological model |
| title_full | Petrophysical characterization of the Los Humeros geothermal field (Mexico): from outcrop to parametrization of a 3D geological model |
| title_fullStr | Petrophysical characterization of the Los Humeros geothermal field (Mexico): from outcrop to parametrization of a 3D geological model |
| title_full_unstemmed | Petrophysical characterization of the Los Humeros geothermal field (Mexico): from outcrop to parametrization of a 3D geological model |
| title_short | Petrophysical characterization of the Los Humeros geothermal field (Mexico): from outcrop to parametrization of a 3D geological model |
| title_sort | petrophysical characterization of the los humeros geothermal field mexico from outcrop to parametrization of a 3d geological model |
| topic | Super-hot geothermal systems Los Humeros geothermal field Reservoir characterization Petrophysical and thermophysical properties Sonic wave velocities Magnetic susceptibility |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40517-022-00212-8 |
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