Development of a novel and robust Virtual Flow Meter (VFM) for Geothermal Applications

Geothermal energy extraction from a well involves multiphase flow of water, steam, and other gaseous components with varying ratios. Precise metering and monitoring of this multiphase flow are essential for optimizing geothermal power generation and management. However, these measurements are commonly lower in accuracy and limited to groups of wells. Conventional physical multiphase flow meters are often unsuitable for geothermal wells due to their high costs, maintenance requirements, and vulnerability to scaling and corrosion in harsh geothermal environments. To address these challenges, this proposal focuses on the implementation of a virtual flow meter to estimate flow rates and water/steam ratios using the surface pressure and temperature data. Virtual flow meters can provide a cheaper and more accurate alternative for liquid-gas flow measurement by leveraging a hybrid approach, combining the physical and data-driven methods. This proposal aims to explore, develop, and validate a robust virtual flow metering system specifically tailored for geothermal applications. These meters operate on the principles of mass and energy conservation, coupled with empirical correlations and computational models, to predict the behavior of the flow within the well. By inferring flow characteristics from surface data, virtual flow meters offer distinct advantages over physical flow meters, including reduced installation complexity, enhanced safety, and improved operational efficiency. An experimental facility available at the University of Oklahoma will be used to collect two-phase flow data under conditions similar to the geothermal production lines. These data will be used to test the virtual flow meter and select the best suited physical models for the application. By employing virtual flow meters for water-steam flow measurement, operators can make informed decisions to optimize geothermal power plant efficiency, maximize energy extraction, and prolong the lifespan of geothermal reservoirs. This can contribute significantly to the global transition towards a sustainable energy landscape. Available data in GDR (Geothermal Data Repository) can be leveraged for developing a robust workflow. Greenpath systems, with the help of academic partner, will have access to unique resources such as geothermal wells production data sets. In Phase I&II, GreenPath Systems (GPS) plans to include commercialization and market research, such as outreach for capital investment and fundraising. The technology proposed in this application has vast market potential in the geothermal, oil, and gas industries.