Ut-battelle, Inc.

Thomas S Cox

Jy-An Wang

Fei Ren

Hong Wang

An apparatusfor simulating a pulsed pressure induced cavitation technique (PPCT) from a pressurized working fluid (F) provides laboratory research and development for enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), oil, and gas wells. A pumpis configured to deliver a pressurized working fluid (F) to a control valve, which produces a pulsed pressure wave in a test chamber. The pulsed pressure wave parameters are defined by the pumppressure and control valvecycle rate. When a working fluid (F) and a rock specimenare included in the apparatus, the pulsed pressure wave causes cavitation to occur at the surface of the specimen, thus initiating an extensive network of fracturing surfaces and micro fissures, which are examined by researchers.

Specimen for evaluating pressure pulse cavitation in rock formations

A rotary shutter valveis used for geothermal reservoir stimulation. The valveincludes a pressure chamberfor holding a working fluid (F) under pressure. A rotatable shutteris turned with a powering deviceto periodically align one or more windowswith one or more aperturesin a bulkhead. When aligned, the pressurized working fluid (F) flows through the bulkheadand enters a pulse cavity, where it is discharged from the pulse cavityas pressure waves. The pressure wave propagationand eventual collapse of the bubblescan be transmitted to a target rock surfaceeither in the form of a shock wave, or by micro jets, depending on the bubble-surface distance. Once cavitation at the rock face begins, fractures are initiated in the rock to create a network of micro-fissures for enhanced heat transfer.

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Oak Ridge, TN, United States of America

Thomas S Cox