Numerical Simulation of Thermal Energy Storage Experiment Conducted by Auburn University

A multidimensional, finite-difference model for ground-water flow and heat transport is used to analyze the thermal energy storage experiment conducted by Auburn University in Mobile, Alabama. The experiment consisted of three stages–namely, injection, storage and recovery occurring for 80, 51 and 41 days, respectively. This application demonstrates the validation evidence that the model adequately and accurately simulates the field experiment. The numerical model includes the effects of: hydraulic anisotropy, thermal convection and conduction, and heat loss to the adjacent confining strata. Observed aquifer isotherms at the end of each stage are compared with predicted values on a cylindrical grid situated about the well. The degree of vertical discretization used in the model is shown to impact the predicted temperature profiles at each stage, but has minimal effect on the recovery water temperature.