Freeze-thaw simulation for shallow geothermal collectors

Usability
1

Hello,

I am interested in modelling a shallow horizontal ground heat collector used for geothermal heat extraction. The goal is to simulate the annual freeze-thaw cycle in the surrounding soil.

Is it possible in OpenGeoSys to model for example: i) 3D heat transport with phase change (water-ice), ii) the development of a moving freezing front, iii) and seasonal boundary conditions over a yearly cycle?

The aim would be to evaluate the thermal response of the soil and determine operating conditions (e.g. inlet temperature of the circulating fluid) that allow full regeneration of the ground during summer.

Would this be feasible in OGS?

Thanks,

Lukas

2

Hi Lukas,

Thank you for your interest in OpenGeoSys!

The following benchmarks may be of interest to you:

Regarding the seasonal BCs, OGS allows defining BCs with a Python script. It may be useful for you:

Depending on the complexity of your BCs, using a scaled curve parameter to define them may be sufficient:

Best regards,
Feliks