Hydrochemical characterization of a mine water geothermal energy resource in NW Spain
Loredo, C. and Ordóñez, A. and Garcia-Ordiales, E. and Álvarez, R. and Roqueñi, N. and Cienfuegos, P. and Peña, A. and Burnside, N.M. (2017) Hydrochemical characterization of a mine water geothermal energy resource in NW Spain. Science of the Total Environment, 576. pp. 59-69. ISSN 1879-1026 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.10.084)
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Abstract
Abandoned and flooded mine networks provide underground reservoirs of mine water that can be used as a renewable geothermal energy source. A complete hydrochemical characterization of mine water is required to optimally design the geothermal installation, understand the hydraulic behavior of the water in the reservoir and prevent undesired effects such as pipe clogging via mineral precipitation. Water pumped from the Barredo-Figaredo mining reservoir (Asturias, NW Spain), which is currently exploited for geothermal use, has been studied and compared to water from a separate, nearby mountain mine and a river that receives mine water discharge and partially infiltrates into the mine workings. Although the hydrochemistry was altered during the flooding process, the deep mine waters are currently near neutral, net alkaline, high metal waters of Na-HCO3 type. Isotopic values suggest that mine waters are closely related to modern meteoric water, and likely correspond to rapid infiltration. Suspended and dissolved solids, and particularly iron content, of mine water results in some scaling and partial clogging of heat exchangers, but water temperature is stable (22 °C) and increases with depth, so, considering the available flow (> 100 L s− 1), the Barredo-Figaredo mining reservoir represents a sustainable, long-term resource for geothermal use.
ORCID iDs
Loredo, C., Ordóñez, A., Garcia-Ordiales, E., Álvarez, R., Roqueñi, N., Cienfuegos, P., Peña, A. and Burnside, N.M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4110-2623;-
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Item type: Article ID code: 74258 Dates: DateEvent15 January 2017Published11 October 2016AcceptedSubjects: Science > Chemistry
Technology > Environmental technology. Sanitary engineeringDepartment: Faculty of Engineering > Civil and Environmental Engineering Depositing user: Pure Administrator Date deposited: 15 Oct 2020 10:02 Last modified: 05 Oct 2024 00:33 URI: https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/74258