Development of Ionic Based Fluid to Improve Fluid Hydraulics in Enhanced Geothermal Systems
2025
Renewable Power Office. Geothermal Technologies Office USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Mohammed F. Al Dushaishi, J. Snow, Hunjoo Lee, Geir Hareland, Prem Bikkina
Abstract
Final technical report. This research advances the field of geothermal energy by developing and evaluating novel fluid systems designed explicitly for high-temperature subsurface environments to enhance fracture flow distribution. The project integrates chemical synthesis, environmental assessment, rheological testing, microfluidic analysis, and reservoir-scale laboratory testing and analysis to identify optimal ionic and nonionic fluids for Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS).