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Bai et al. 2003
Bai, W., Xu, W. and Lowell, R.P. (2003). The dynamics of submarine geothermal heat pipes. Geophysical Research Letters 30: doi: 10.1029/2002GL016176. issn: 0094-8276.

To better understand natural two-phase hydrothermal systems, we have constructed one-dimensional heat-pipe solutions for NaCl-H2O fluids and explored the effects of basal heat flux and permeability on their behavior. For seafloor conditions, saline brines form quickly at the base of the heat pipe; and in some cases halite is precipitated. NaCl-H2O heat pipes may become liquid or vapor dominated but, in contrast to their pure-water counterparts, often do not achieve steady state. When steady state solutions do exist, they are characterized either by broad, weak counter-flow or by vigorous counter-flow across a thin layer. The latter behavior may be analogous to that occurring in the Salton Sea Geothermal System, California.

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Abstract

Keywords
Marine Geology and Geophysics, Heat flow (benthic) and hydrothermal processes, Tectonophysics, Hydrothermal systems, Marine Geology and Geophysics, Midocean ridge processes
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
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Publisher
American Geophysical Union
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