CO2 Lumped Parameter Model Physics Validation

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Validates code and provides physics reasoning for the 0-D CO2 lumped-parameter model for geothermal reservoirs. Use when modifying ODE solvers, parameter classes, emissions calculations, and concentration dynamics.

Sby Skills Guide Bot
DevelopmentAdvanced
406/2/2026
Claude Code
#co2-lumped-parameter#geothermal#physics-validation#ode-solvers#emissions-modeling

Recommended for

Our review

Validates code changes and provides physics reasoning for the 0-D CO2 lumped-parameter model used in geothermal reservoir simulations, ensuring dimensional consistency, mass balance, and sanity checks.

Strengths

  • Comprehensive physics knowledge for the CO2 LPM
  • Step-by-step workflows for validation and debugging
  • Covers edge cases and sanity checks
  • Helps maintain physical consistency in code changes

Limitations

  • Only applicable to this specific CO2 model
  • Requires understanding of the model's equations and symbols
  • Does not automate validation; relies on manual reasoning
When to use it

When modifying or debugging code related to the CO2 lumped-parameter model, especially ODE solvers, emission calculations, or pressure reversal scenarios.

When not to use it

For general code review unrelated to geothermal CO2 modeling or for models with different physical assumptions.

Security analysis

Safe
Quality score90/100

The skill provides physics documentation and validation workflows for a scientific model; it does not instruct any destructive or risky operations. The allowed tools include Bash, but only for examining code, not for executing harmful commands.

No concerns found

Examples

Validate ODE solver changes
I need to modify the ODE solver in the co2lpm package. Please validate the physics consistency of my proposed change using the physics validation workflow.
Debug pressure reversal behavior
Why does the CO2 concentration increase after a pressure reversal in the lumped-parameter model? Check the relevant equations and trace through the analytical solution.

name: co2lpm description: Validates code and provides physics reasoning for the 0-D CO2 lumped-parameter model for geothermal reservoirs. Use when modifying ODE solvers, parameter classes, emissions calculations, or concentration dynamics. Also use when debugging simulation behavior, explaining physics concepts, or planning changes to physics-related code. allowed-tools: Read, Grep, Glob, Bash

CO2 Lumped Parameter Model Physics Knowledge

This skill provides physics knowledge for the 0-D CO2 lumped-parameter model implemented in the co2lpm package.

When This Skill Applies

  • Modifying code that implements concentration evolution equations
  • Changing ODE solver logic or state variable handling
  • Implementing or modifying emissions partitioning (field, plant, degassing)
  • Debugging unexpected simulation behavior
  • Planning changes to physics-related code
  • Explaining why the model behaves a certain way
  • Working with pressure reversal scenarios

Core Physics Reference

The model tracks reservoir CO2 concentration over time during geothermal extraction. Key state variables:

| Variable | Symbol | Meaning | Units | |----------|--------|---------|-------| | Pressure | P(t) | Reservoir pressure (relative to hydrostatic) | Pa | | Concentration | C(t) | CO2 mass fraction in reservoir fluid | kg/kg | | Upflow rate | q_up | Mass rate into reservoir from depth | kg/s | | Outflow rate | q_out | Mass rate leaving reservoir to surface | kg/s |

For detailed equations, see EQUATIONS.md. For symbol definitions and units, see SYMBOLS.md. For derivation logic, see DERIVATIONS.md. For edge cases and sanity checks, see SANITY_CHECKS.md.


Workflow A: Physics Validation

Use this workflow when reviewing or planning code changes.

Step 1: Identify affected equations

Determine which equations from EQUATIONS.md are affected by the change:

  • Pressure evolution: E1 (exponential pressure decline)
  • Concentration ODE: E2-E4 (with and without delay)
  • Emissions: E5-E8 (degassing, field, plant, total)
  • Solubility: E9-E10

Step 2: Check dimensional consistency

Using SYMBOLS.md, verify that:

  • All terms in an equation have matching units
  • ODE coefficients (alpha, beta, gamma, delta) have correct units
  • Source terms have correct rate units (kg/s for mass)

Step 3: Verify mass balance

Changes must preserve:

  • CO2 mass conservation in the reservoir
  • Correct partitioning between dissolved, degassed, and emitted CO2

Step 4: Check sanity conditions

Verify the change doesn't violate sanity checks S1-S5 in SANITY_CHECKS.md.

Step 5: Report findings

Summarize:

  • Which equations are affected
  • Any dimensional inconsistencies found
  • Any mass balance violations
  • Any sanity check concerns
  • Recommendations for correction

Workflow B: Physics Reasoning

Use this workflow when explaining behavior, debugging, or proposing solutions.

For explaining physics concepts:

  1. Identify the relevant equations and parameters
  2. State the physical interpretation
  3. Explain cause-and-effect relationships between variables
  4. Use the derivation steps from DERIVATIONS.md to show how equations connect

For debugging simulation issues:

  1. Identify which state variables are behaving unexpectedly
  2. Check if the issue relates to:
    • Pressure reversal (q_eff > q_0c)
    • Delay effects (tau > 0)
    • Solubility limiting (degas=True)
    • ODE coefficient calculation
  3. Trace through the analytical solution (gamma_exact or Cf_dde)
  4. Check edge cases against SANITY_CHECKS.md

For proposing physics-consistent changes:

  1. Identify which equations are affected
  2. Show how new terms integrate into the ODE system
  3. Demonstrate that mass balance remains satisfied
  4. Identify any new sanity checks needed

Quick Reference: Module Structure

| Module | Purpose | Key Functions/Classes | |--------|---------|----------------------| | model.py | Core LPM class | LumpedParameterModel, StateArrays | | parameters.py | Dataclasses for inputs | ReservoirParams, OperationParams, ChemistryParams | | solvers.py | ODE/DDE solvers | pressure_exp, integrate_ode, dde_solve | | postproc.py | Emissions calculation | emissions() | | utils.py | CO2 solubility | solubility_linear, solubility_slope_vs_T | | scenarios.py | Preset configurations | high_gas(), low_gas(), delay_demo() |


Key Physical Constraints

These must always hold:

  1. Concentration non-negative: C(t) >= 0
  2. Solubility limit: C(t) <= C_s(P) when degas=True
  3. Pressure reversal: Occurs when q_eff > q_0c (extraction exceeds critical rate)
  4. Steady state exists: C_inf = alpha/beta (no delay) or alpha/(beta-gamma) (with delay)
  5. Delay stability: For tau > 0, the characteristic root lambda_1 must have negative real part

Scenario Classification

| Scenario | Key Parameters | Behavior | |----------|---------------|----------| | High-gas (Ohaaki-like) | degas=True, high C0 | Solubility-limited, significant degassing | | Low-gas (Wairakei-like) | degas=False, low C0 | No degassing, concentration dilutes | | Concentrating | fC < critical | CO2 accumulates in reservoir | | Diluting | fC > critical | CO2 decreases in reservoir | | Reversal | fq*q0 > q0c | Outflow reverses direction | | Delay | tau > 0 | Breakthrough lag, DDE dynamics |

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