Analysis of steady-state heat transfer through mid-crustal vertical cracks with upward throughflow in hydrothermal systems

Zhao, CB, Hobbs, BE, Muhlhaus, HB, Ord, A and Lin, G (2002) Analysis of steady-state heat transfer through mid-crustal vertical cracks with upward throughflow in hydrothermal systems. International Journal For Numerical And Analytical Methods In Geomechanics, 26 14: 1477-1491.


Author Zhao, CB
Hobbs, BE
Muhlhaus, HB
Ord, A
Lin, G
Title Analysis of steady-state heat transfer through mid-crustal vertical cracks with upward throughflow in hydrothermal systems
Journal name International Journal For Numerical And Analytical Methods In Geomechanics   Check publisher's open access policy
Publication date 2002
Sub-type Article
DOI 10.1002/nag.254
Volume number 26
Issue number 14
ISSN 0363-9061
Start page 1477
End page 1491
Total pages 15
Place of publication W Sussex
Publisher John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Language eng
Abstract We conduct a theoretical analysis of steady-state heat transfer problems through mid-crustal vertical cracks with upward throughflow in hydrothermal systems. In particular, we derive analytical solutions for both the far field and near field of the system. In order to investigate the contribution of the forced advection to the total temperature of the system, two concepts, namely the critical Peclet number and the critical permeability of the system, have been presented and discussed in this paper. The analytical solution for the far field of the system indicates that if the pore-fluid pressure gradient in the crust is lithostatic, the critical permeability of the system can be used to determine whether or not the contribution of the forced advection to the total temperature of the system is negligible. Otherwise, the critical Peclet number should be used. For a crust of moderate thickness, the critical permeability is of the order of magnitude of 10(-20) m(2), under which heat conduction is the overwhelming mechanism to transfer heat energy, even though the pore-fluid pressure gradient in the crust is lithostatic. Furthermore, the lower bound analytical solution for the near field of the system demonstrates that the permeable vertical cracks in the middle crust can efficiently transfer heat energy from the lower crust to the upper crust of the Earth. Copyright (C) 2002 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.
Keyword Engineering, Geological
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Mechanics
Theoretical Solutions
Heat Transfer
Vertical Crack
Upward Throughflow
Hydrothermal Systems
Finite-element Analysis
Regional Metamorphism
Fluid Production
Flow
Mineralization
Transport
Gradient
Stress
Media
Q-Index Code C1
Q-Index Status Provisional Code
Institutional Status Unknown

 
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Created: Mon, 13 Aug 2007, 13:16:39 EST