The computer model HYDROTHERM, A three-dimensional finite-difference model to simulate ground-water flow and heat transport in the temperature range of 0 to 1,200 °C

Abstract

Quantitative modeling of magmatic-hydrothermal systems has been hampered by the lack of publicly available models for multiphase, high-temperature flow. The HYDROTHERM model described here is a finite-difference model for three-dimensional, multiphase flow of pure water and heat over a temperature range of 0 to 1,200 degrees Celsius and a pressure range of 0.5 to 10,000 bars. HYDROTHERM solves numerical approximations to mass- and energy-balance equations that are posed in terms of pressure and enthalpy. Major assumptions are that the rock matrix can be treated as a porous medium; that water and rock are in thermal equilibrium; and that capillary pressure is negligible.

HYDROTHERM allows one- and two-dimensional radial simulations as well as one-, two-, and three-dimensional simulations in Cartesian coordinates. The program structure is modular to allow easy modification.

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