Real-time enthalpy measurement of two-phase geothermal fluid flow using load cell sensors: Field testing results

• Published in: Geothermics Vol. 89; p. 101930
• Main Authors: Mubarok, Mohamad Husni, Zarrouk, Sadiq J., Cater, John E., Mundakir, Ali, Bramantyo, Eko Agung, Lim, Yoong Wei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2021; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Cross correlation; Data analysis; Enthalpy; Estimation; Field study; Field testing; Fluid dynamics; Fluid flow; Geothermal fluid; Geothermal power; Liquid phases; Load cell sensor; Load cells; Measuring enthalpy; Noise measurement; Phase velocity; Real-time; Sensors; Two-phase; Velocity; Void fraction; Geothermal fluid; Two-phase; Load cell sensor; Field testing; Measuring enthalpy; Real-time
• ISSN: 0375-6505; 1879-3576
• DOI: 10.1016/j.geothermics.2020.101930

•Measuring the real-time flowing enthalpy is crucial when operating geothermal wells.•Extensive field-testing was carried out using Load Cell sensors in different setups.•Two different methods were investigated for the estimation of real-time enthalpy.•Some promising result was obtained but with relatively low/moderate accuracy.•Recommendations for improvements during future field implementation are provided. Field testing data from five different wells using load cell sensors were analysed to investigate their possible application for estimating geothermal two-phase fluid enthalpy. Two different data analysis approaches - measuring the liquid phase velocity and estimating the dryness fraction - were examined. The liquid velocity was predicted successfully using the cross-correlation technique. However, liquid velocity cannot be used alone to measure the fluid enthalpy without slip ratio and void fraction. It was only possible to calculate the dryness fraction estimate from the weight of the pipeline for one data set due to measurement noise and the results were found to be of low quality. The remaining technical challenges and recommendations are discussed.