Reservoir lifetime and heat recovery factor in geothermal aquifers used for urban heating

Simple models are discussed to evaluate reservoir lifetime and heat recovery factor in geothermal aquifers used for urban heating. By comparing various single well and doublet production schemes, it is shown that reinjection of heat depleted water greatly enhances heat recovery and reservoir lifetime, and can be optimized for maximum heat production. It is concluded that geothermal aquifer production should be unitized, as is already done in oil and gas reservoirs.Nomenclature a distance between doublets in multi-doublet patterns, meters - A area of aquifer at base temperature, m² drainage area of individual doublets in multidoublet patterns, m² - D distance between doublet wells, meters - h aquifer thickness, meters - H water head, meters - Q production rate, m³/sec. - r _e aquifer radius, meters - r _w well radius, meters - R _g heat recovery factor, fraction - S water level drawdown, meters - t producing time, sec. - T aquifer transmissivity, m²/sec. - v stream-channel water velocity, m/sec. - actual temperature change, °C - theoretical temperature change, °C - water temperature, °C - heat conductivity, W/m/°C - _r rock heat conductivity, W/m/°C - _aC_a aquifer heat capacity, J/m³/°C - _aC_r rock heat capacity, J/m³/°C - _WC_W water heat capacity, J/m³/°C - aquifer porosity, fraction     

On The Small-Scale Dynamics Of Flow Splitting In The Rhine Valley During A Shallow Foehn Event

Flow splitting in the Rhine valley has been observed with a transportable wind lidar (TWL) during a shallow-foehn event in the framework of the Mesoscale Alpine Programme (MAP). The Doppler lidar recorded in detail flow splitting, foehn wind gusts, and flow reversal. Such structures have not previously been observed with comparable detail by conventional in-situinstruments. In addition to the TWL, boundary-layer processes have been documented by means of rawinsondes and surface stations. This paper presents an analysis of the processes giving birth to flow splitting between the Seez and Rhine valleys during Intensive Observation Period (IOP) 5 (1–3 October 1999) by combining the collected data with hydraulic theory. The study shows thatthe splitting of the channelled flow is associated with (1) the existence of a stagnation point at the intersection of the Seez and Rhine valleys, and (2) the deflection of the flow by the lateral sidewalls of the valleys.     

Typologie et mode de mise en place des roches magmatiques dans les Pyrénées hercyniennes

Résumé L'évolution géodynamique hercynienne des Pyrénées se caractérise par une importante activité magmatique à l'origine de corps plutomques de taille, de composition et de niveaux de mise en place différents. A partir de ces caractéristiques nous avons pu établir une typologie qui nous a permis de distinguer deux types principaux de massifs: 1) les massifs de composition homogène, acides (massifs de type HA) ou basiques (massifs de type HB), localisés dans les grands ensembles métamorphiques régionaux et 2) les massifs de composition hétérogène, formés par l'association de roches basiques et de roches acides dont la répartition spatiale a permis de distinguer les massifs de type CA (roches acides au coeur du massif), les massifs de type CB (roches basiques au coer du massif) et les massifs de type CR (récurrences de lentilles de roches basiques dans un massif zoné de type CA ou CB), mis en place dans le Paléozoïque supérieur généralement loin des grands ensembles métamorphiques. Tous ces massifs se sont mis en place diapiriquement au cours du métamorphisme régional et de la déformation hercynienne majeure.

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One of the main characteristics of the Hercynian geodynamic evolution of the Pyrenees is an intense magmatic activity producing large plutonic bodies. They have different sizes, various compositions and distinct emplacement levels. From these characteristics, a typology for these massifs is defined. Two main types of massifs have been recognized: 1) massifs with an homogenous composition founded in large regional metamorphic areas, and 2) massifs with an heterogenous composition of acid and basic rocks, whose spatial disposition permits the recognition of three sub-types: a) the CA type where acid rocks are at the core of the massif; b) the CB type where basic rocks are at the core of the massif, and c) the CR type where numerous basic xenoliths are scattered within either a CA or a CB type massif. These heterogenous massifs generally occur within Upper Paleozoic rocks and usually far away from regional metamorphic areas. All of these massifs were emplaced diapirically during the regional metamorphism and the main Hercynian deformation.

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Zusammenfassung Ein wichtiges charakteristisches Merkmal der geodynamischen Entwicklung der Pyrenäen während der herzynischen Phase ist eine hohe magmatische Aktivität, auf die Plutone größerer Ausdehnung zurückgeführt werden. Größe, Mineralogie und Erstarrungstiefe der Plutone variieren. Anhand dieser Charakteristika können die Intrusivkörper in zwei Hauptgruppen differenziert werden. Die erste Gruppe (1) sind Plutone homogener Zusammensetzung in regionalmetamorph überprägten Gebieten. Die zweite sind heterogen zusammengesetzte Plutone (2) saurer und basischer Magmatite, deren räumliche Anordnung eine Untergliederung in drei Untergruppen ermöglicht:a) Bei dem CA-Typ befinden sich saure Gesteine im Kern; bei b), dem CB-Typ, liegen basische Gesteine im Kern vor und bei c), einem CR genannten Typ, sind zahlreiche basische Xenolithe entweder in dem CA-oder dem CB-Typ verstreut vorhanden. Diese heterogenen Plutone findet man allein in spätpaläozoischen Gesteinen und in der Regel weit entfernt von Gebieten, die metamorph beeinflußt wurden. Sämtliche Plutone haben eine Diapir-ähnliche Form und intrudierten zeitgleich mit der Regionalmetamorphose und der Hauptphase der herzynischen Deformation.

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Semi-empirical equations for the partial molar volumes of some ions in water and in seawater

Partial molar volumes of the major salts of seawater found in diluted seawater and in pure water are experimentally determined at temperatures of 5°C, 15°C and 25°C. The range of salinity investigated, which is not purely oceanographic, is the link between pure water and seawater in the World Ocean.The partial molar volumes were determined by using the procedure of Poisson and Chanu (1976). An empirical relation is given, linking the partial molar volumes of the salts or major ions of seawater in pure water with those measured in seawater, within the salinity range 0–40 g kg⁻¹ and the temperature range 0–25°C.     

Factors influencing the abundance of deep pelagic bioluminescent zooplankton in the Mediterranean Sea

Measurements of the density of deep pelagic bioluminescent zooplankton (BL) were made with the Intensified Silicon Intensifier Target (ISIT) profiler in the Ligurian, Tyrrhenian, Adriatic, Ionian Seas and the Strait of Sicily from ～300 m to near seafloor. Mean BL densities ranged from 2.61 m^?3 at 500–1000 m depth in the Adriatic Sea to 0.01 m^?3 at 4000–5000 m depth in the E Ionian Sea. We investigated drivers of spatial variation of deep pelagic BL density. Linear regression was applied between surface chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentration and underlying BL density. Chl a values were determined from satellite derived 100 km radius composites (six 10-day means per ISIT deployment, over preceding 60 days). At 500–1000 m depth we found a significant positive relationship between mean BL density and mean Chl a in the period prior to 0–10 days (at 1% level) and prior to 10–40 days (at 5% level). Beyond 40 days no relationship between BL density and Chl a was found at this depth. At depths 1000–1500 m BL density values were low and no significant relationship with Chl a was detected. Generalised additive modelling (GAM) was used to assess the influence of benthic hotspots (seamount; cold water coral mound; mud volcano) on overlying BL density. A reduction in BL density was found downstream of the Palinuro seamount from 300 to 600 m. No effect on BL density in the overlying water column was detected from the presence of cold water corals. Higher BL densities were detected over the W Madonna dello Ionio mud volcano than at other sites sampled in the NW Ionian Sea. We find surface Chl a to be a good predictor of BL density in the mesopelagic zone; below this depth we hypothesise that processes affecting the efficiency of particle export to deep water may exert greater influence on BL density.     

Archaeological reconstruction of medieval lead production: Implications for ancient metal provenance studies and paleopollution tracing by Pb isotopes

The identification of metal provenance is often based on chemical and Pb isotope analyses of materials from the operating chain, mainly ores and metallic artefacts. Such analyses, however, have their limits. Some studies are unable to trace metallic artefacts or ingots to their ore sources, even in well-constrained archaeological contexts. Possible reasons for this difficulty are to be found among a variety of limiting factors: (i) problems of ore signatures, (ii) mixing of different ores (alloys), (iii) the use of additives during the metallurgical process, (iv) metal recycling and (v) possible Pb isotopic fractionation during metal production. This paper focuses on the issue of Pb isotope fractionation during smelting to address the issue of metal provenance. Through an experimental reconstruction of argentiferous Pb production in the medieval period, an attempt was made to better understand and interpret the Pb isotopic composition of ore smelting products. It is shown that the measured differences (outside the total external uncertainties of 0.005 (2*sd) for ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios) in Pb signatures measured between ores, slag and smoke are not due to Pb mass fractionation processes, but to (1) ore heterogeneity (Δ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb_slag-ores = 0.066) and (2) the use of additives during the metallurgical process (Δ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb_slag-ores = 0.083). Even if these differences are due to causes (1) and/or (2), smoke from the ore reduction appears to reflect the ore mining area without a significant disturbance of its Pb signature for all the isotopic ratios (Δ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb_smokes-ores = 0.026). Thus, because the isotopic heterogeneity of the mining district and additives is averaged in slags, slag appears as the most relevant product to identify ancient metal provenance. Whereas aiming at identifying a given mine seems beyond the possibilities provided by the method, searching for the mining district through analysis of the smelting workshop materials should provide a more appropriate approach in cases where no archaeological evidence of ancient mining is available. Furthermore, smoke Pb isotopic composition does not seem to be significantly affected by the metallurgical process. Paleopollution recorded in peat deposits could help to detect ancient mining production and workshops. Integrated collaboration between mining archaeologists and geochemists appears crucial to achieve this goal.     

Study of the initiation and propagation of excavation damaged zones around openings in argillaceous rock

The study of the creation and evolution of the excavation disturbed zone (EDZ) in argillaceous rocks is a major issue for the safety of nuclear wastes underground repositories. In this context, the argillaceous Tournemire site has provided a unique opportunity to study the evolution of the EDZ with time thanks to the existence of three openings of different ages. A thorough characterization of the EDZ has been conducted by different means such as visual observation, analysis of samples extracted from drilled boreholes, EDZ permeability measurements, etc. On the basis of these measurements, a conceptual model of the EDZ initiation and propagation at the Tournemire site has been proposed. In order to validate this model, numerical simulations of increasing complexity have been carried out. In a first attempt, the response of the rock mass to the excavation phase, followed by seasonal cyclic variations of temperature and relative humidity inside the opening, has been simulated by means of a purely mechanical analysis, using a simple elastic material model. The EDZ has been estimated by post-processing the calculated stress states, using a Mohr–Coulomb failure criterion. The results obtained show that no EDZ could be predicted unless adopting a low cohesion value for the rock mass. Moreover, the deferred nature of the EDZ formation in Tournemire could not be reproduced. These limitations have then been suppressed by using a coupled viscoplastic-damaging mechanical model, the parameters of which have been identified from different laboratory experiments. With this model, a time evolution of the EDZ could be predicted, but the EDZ pattern could not match the one observed in situ. Finally, in view of the importance of the hydraulic couplings, unsaturated hydro-mechanical calculations have been carried out to investigate the effect of the numerous seasonal variations cycles and the resulting shrinkage.