Fourier Casing: A New Technology to Reduce Heat Loss in Geothermal Processes

The Fourier Casing development project is targeting geothermal energy production applications, to increase energy output from operations which recover heat by the flow of fluids through the subsurface heat resource to energy generation operations.

Project at a Glance

Funding Recipient: Dr. Arman Hemmati, University of Alberta
Funding Awarded: $195,000
Project Duration: Feb 1, 2023 – Mar 31, 2026
Sector: Clean Technology, Energy, Environment
Program: Renewable and Alternative Energy Program

Related Files:

Project description:

This technology may also increase heat recovery used in oil and gas production operations, and other industrial processes to recover waste heat from piped fluids.

Geothermal energy represents an opportunity for low emissions energy generation and for Alberta’s oil and gas sector to reduce GHG emissions. Recent studies by Alberta Innovates and COSIA identified fluid flow drag and heat losses as two key barriers to efficient geothermal power production, particularly from lower temperature geothermal resources which are common in Alberta. Fourier Casing technology is a short, targeted, wall-shaped device which can be inserted at selected locations into geothermal subsurface pipes to reduce fluid flow drag and heat losses. This Project will advance Fourier Casing design optimization to optimize fluid flow and mixing for heat recovery.