Subsurface temperature change due to GHP (“Geothermal Heat Pump”) operation was numerically simulated based on a numerical model (Uchida et al., 2005) to evaluate the effect of groundwater flow. Five topographically different locations in the Sendai Plains were chosen as the heat exchange points. To appraise the effect of local geological structure upon the thermal influence of GHP system, comparison of the Quaternary and Tertiary formations as heat source/sink was done in two locations, ending with seven cases in total.
The simulation result draws three important conclusions: l) thermal storage in the Tertiary formations is more effective than in Quaternary sediments, 2) subsurface fluid flows in the Quatemary layers due to topographic effects. 3) the thermal influence is extended by the recharge of groundwater flow in the area beside the river.
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