Numerical simulation of magmatic hydrothermal systems

The dynamic behavior of magmatic hydrothermal systems
entails coupled and nonlinear multiphase flow, heat
and solute transport, and deformation in highly heterogeneous
media. Thus, quantitative analysis of these systems
depends mainly on numerical solution of coupled partial differential
equations and complementary equations of state
(EOS). The past 2 decades have seen steady growth of computational
power and the development of numerical models
that have eliminated or minimized the need for various simplifying
assumptions. Considerable heuristic insight has
been gained from process-oriented numerical modeling.
Recent modeling efforts employing relatively complete
EOS and accurate transport calculations have revealed
dynamic behavior that was damped by linearized, less accurate
models, including fluid property control of hydrothermal
plume temperatures and three-dimensional geometries.
Other recent modeling results have further elucidated the
controlling role of permeability structure and revealed the
potential for significant hydrothermally driven deformation.
Key areas for future research include incorporation of
accurate EOS for the complete H2O-NaCl-CO2 system,
more realistic treatment of material heterogeneity in space
and time, realistic description of large-scale relative permeability
behavior, and intercode benchmarking comparisons.