PhD candidate Claire Newton has developed an advanced geothermal testing apparatus, pushing the boundaries of research on geothermal brine and gas reinjection processes.

The commissioning and operational testing of an experimental apparatus capable of closely replicating the variable and dynamic subsurface conditions and processes which occur within a geothermal system and accompanying geothermal energy extraction infrastructure, is now close to completion.

PhD candidate Claire Newton’s project is focused on the development and deployment of a sophisticated flow-through multi-input chemical-water-gas-rock reactor (MIFTR) for geothermal non-condensable gas (NCG) reinjection testing. 

This apparatus can react simulated geothermal brines with gas supplied via a pressurised dissolution column and up to two secondary chemical inputs supplied via high-pressure, low-flow metering pumps with rock or any other solid material at temperatures up to 230°C and pressure up to 30 bar (gauge). At temperature below 155°C, this apparatus can constantly monitor solution pH via a high pressure and temperature-rated pH electrode.  

An additional feature of this system is the ability to obtain grab samples at reaction temperature and pressure, without the need for a sample cooling, which has the advantage of retaining all components of the reaction solution in the sample, which may otherwise precipitate and deposit within cooling and pressure regulation equipment.

Claire and Indonesian Master of Energy student Risa Putri plan now to focus on using this novel apparatus to conduct a wide range of hydrothermal geochemical experiments to support the MBIE project. 

Claire successfully presented her results so far at the 2024 Geothermal Rising Conference in Hawaii in October 2024 and 46th NZGW in New Zealand in November 2024.   For more details see http://www.geothermal-energy.org/pdf/IGAstandard/NZGW/2024/063.pdf