Numerical Modelling of Reactive Transport in Geothermal Reservoirs for Long-Term Performance Prediction

Abstract

Numerical modelling of reactive transport has become a critical tool for understanding and predicting the long-term performance of geothermal reservoirs under sustained exploitation. By coupling fluid flow, heat transfer, and geochemical reactions, reactive transport models enable the assessment of how mineral dissolution, precipitation, and porosity–permeability evolution influence reservoir productivity over time. This study reviews and synthesizes established and emerging numerical approaches for simulating reactive transport processes in geothermal systems, with particular emphasis on their role in forecasting thermal decline, injectivity changes, and sustainability under production and reinjection scenarios. Advances in three-dimensional modelling, high-performance computing, and hybrid physics-based–data-driven frameworks are examined, highlighting their contribution to improving predictive capability while managing computational cost. Application examples from sedimentary, volcanic, and enhanced geothermal systems illustrate the practical relevance of reactive transport modelling for long-term resource management. Remaining challenges related to scale effects, parameter uncertainty, and model validation are discussed, outlining directions for future methodological development and operational integration.