Phase-Field Modeling of Thermal Fracturing Mechanisms in Reservoir Rock Under High-Temperature Conditions
Thermal stimulation represents an effective method for enhancing reservoir permeability, thereby improving geothermal energy recovery in Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS). The phase-field method (PFM) has been widely adopted for its proven capability in modeling the fracture behavior of brittle soli...
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MDPI AG
2025-08-01
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| author | Guo Tang Dianbin Guo Wei Zhong Li Du Xiang Mao Man Li |
| author_facet | Guo Tang Dianbin Guo Wei Zhong Li Du Xiang Mao Man Li |
| author_sort | Guo Tang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Thermal stimulation represents an effective method for enhancing reservoir permeability, thereby improving geothermal energy recovery in Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS). The phase-field method (PFM) has been widely adopted for its proven capability in modeling the fracture behavior of brittle solids. Consequently, a coupled thermo-mechanical phase-field model (TM-PFM) was developed in COMSOL 6.2 Multiphysics to probe thermal fracturing mechanisms in reservoir rocks. The TM-PFM was validated against the analytical solutions for the temperature and stress fields under steady-state heat conduction in a thin-walled cylinder, three-point bending tests, and thermal shock tests. Subsequently, two distinct thermal fracturing modes in reservoir rock under high-temperature conditions were investigated: (i) fracture initiation driven by sharp temperature gradients during instantaneous thermal shocks, and (ii) crack propagation resulting from heterogeneous thermal expansion of constituent minerals. The proposed TM-PFM has been validated through systematic comparison between the simulation results and the corresponding experimental data, thereby demonstrating its capability to accurately simulate thermal fracturing. These findings provide mechanistic insights for optimizing geothermal energy extraction in EGS. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-8e880bcdc59b47bda76d3e01c981486f2025-08-20T03:04:42ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-08-011515869310.3390/app15158693Phase-Field Modeling of Thermal Fracturing Mechanisms in Reservoir Rock Under High-Temperature ConditionsGuo Tang0Dianbin Guo1Wei Zhong2Li Du3Xiang Mao4Man Li5College of Energy Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Deep Geothermal Enrichment Mechanisms and Efficient Development, Beijing 102206, ChinaCollege of Energy Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Deep Geothermal Enrichment Mechanisms and Efficient Development, Beijing 102206, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Deep Geothermal Enrichment Mechanisms and Efficient Development, Beijing 102206, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, ChinaThermal stimulation represents an effective method for enhancing reservoir permeability, thereby improving geothermal energy recovery in Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS). The phase-field method (PFM) has been widely adopted for its proven capability in modeling the fracture behavior of brittle solids. Consequently, a coupled thermo-mechanical phase-field model (TM-PFM) was developed in COMSOL 6.2 Multiphysics to probe thermal fracturing mechanisms in reservoir rocks. The TM-PFM was validated against the analytical solutions for the temperature and stress fields under steady-state heat conduction in a thin-walled cylinder, three-point bending tests, and thermal shock tests. Subsequently, two distinct thermal fracturing modes in reservoir rock under high-temperature conditions were investigated: (i) fracture initiation driven by sharp temperature gradients during instantaneous thermal shocks, and (ii) crack propagation resulting from heterogeneous thermal expansion of constituent minerals. The proposed TM-PFM has been validated through systematic comparison between the simulation results and the corresponding experimental data, thereby demonstrating its capability to accurately simulate thermal fracturing. These findings provide mechanistic insights for optimizing geothermal energy extraction in EGS.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/15/8693phase-fieldthermal-mechanical couplingthermal crackingheterogeneitythermal shock |
| spellingShingle | Guo Tang Dianbin Guo Wei Zhong Li Du Xiang Mao Man Li Phase-Field Modeling of Thermal Fracturing Mechanisms in Reservoir Rock Under High-Temperature Conditions Applied Sciences phase-field thermal-mechanical coupling thermal cracking heterogeneity thermal shock |
| title | Phase-Field Modeling of Thermal Fracturing Mechanisms in Reservoir Rock Under High-Temperature Conditions |
| title_full | Phase-Field Modeling of Thermal Fracturing Mechanisms in Reservoir Rock Under High-Temperature Conditions |
| title_fullStr | Phase-Field Modeling of Thermal Fracturing Mechanisms in Reservoir Rock Under High-Temperature Conditions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Phase-Field Modeling of Thermal Fracturing Mechanisms in Reservoir Rock Under High-Temperature Conditions |
| title_short | Phase-Field Modeling of Thermal Fracturing Mechanisms in Reservoir Rock Under High-Temperature Conditions |
| title_sort | phase field modeling of thermal fracturing mechanisms in reservoir rock under high temperature conditions |
| topic | phase-field thermal-mechanical coupling thermal cracking heterogeneity thermal shock |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/15/8693 |
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