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Numerical modelling of the Sydney Basin using temperature dependent thermal conductivity measurements: thesis submitted on the 9th of October 2015

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posted on 2022-03-28, 12:53 authored by Alexandre Lemenager
The thermal structure of continental crust is a critical factor for geothermal exploration, hydrocarbon maturation and crustal strength, and yet our understanding of it is limited by our incomplete knowledge of its geological structure and thermal properties. One of the most critical parameters in modelling upper crustal temperature is thermal conductivity, which itself exhibits strong temperature dependence. In this study, finite-element geothermal models of the Sydney Basin are generated through the use of deal.II finite element libraries. Basin geometry and structure is adapted from Danis, et al. (2011), which quantified the extent of Triassic sediment, Permian coal measures, Carboniferous volcanics and Basement thickness. We find that temperature-dependent thermal conductivity result in lower lateral variation in temperature, compared to constant thermal conductivity models. However, the average temperatures at depth are significantly higher when temperature-dependent thermal conductivity effects are included. A number of regions within the Sydney Basin demonstrate temperatures above 150⁰C at depths of less than 2000m in these models, for instance NW of Singleton exhibits a strong thermal anomaly, demonstrating the potential for geothermal prospectivity of the region from experimentally-constrained thermal parameters. Future work will address the repeatability and application of this type of thermal model in areas of varying geology and stratigraphy.

History

Table of Contents

1. Introduction -- 2. Geological background -- 3. Methods -- 4. Results -- 5. Discussion -- 6. Conclusion.

Notes

Bibliography: pages i-iii Empirical thesis.

Awarding Institution

Macquarie University

Degree Type

Thesis MRes

Degree

MRes, Macquarie University, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences

Department, Centre or School

Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences

Year of Award

2015

Principal Supervisor

Craig O'Neill

Additional Supervisor 1

Siqi Zhang

Rights

Copyright Alexandre Lemenager 2015. Copyright disclaimer: http://www.copyright.mq.edu.au

Language

English

Extent

1 online resource (v, 60, xvi pages)

Former Identifiers

mq:44902 http://hdl.handle.net/1959.14/1073093