Relationship of regional water quality to aquifer thermal energy storage
Ground-water quality and associated geologic characteristics may affect the feasibility of aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES) system development in any hydrologic region. This study sought to determine the relationship between ground-water quality parameters and the regional potential for ATES system development. Information was collected from available literature to identify chemical and physical mechanisms that could adversely affect an ATES system. Appropriate beneficiation techniques to counter these potential geochemical and lithologic problems were also identified through the literature search. Regional hydrology summaries and other sources were used in reviewing aquifers of 19 drainage regions in the US to determine generic geochemical characteristics for analysis. Numerical modeling techniques were used to perform geochemical analyses of water quality from 67 selected aquifers. Candidate water resources regions were then identified for exploration and development of ATES. This study identified six principal mechanisms by which ATES reservoir permeability may be impaired: (1) particulate plugging, (2) chemical precipitation, (3) liquid-solid reactions, (4) formation disaggregation, (5) oxidation reactions, and (6) biological activity. Specific proven countermeasures to reduce or eliminate these effects were found. Of the hydrologic regions reviewed, 10 were identified as having the characteristics necessary for ATES development: (1) Mid-Atlantic, (2) South-Atlantic Gulf, (3) Ohio, (4) Upper Mississippi, (5) Lower Mississippi, (6) Souris-Red-Rainy, (7) Missouri Basin, (8) Arkansas-White-Red, (9) Texas-Gulf, and (10) California.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 5443697
- Report Number(s):
- PNL-4929; ON: DE84006267
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
AQUIFERS
HEAT STORAGE
REGIONAL ANALYSIS
BACTERIA
BIOLOGICAL FOULING
CORROSION
HYDROLOGY
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
OXIDATION
PARTICULATES
PRECIPITATION
QUARTZ
SAND
SANDSTONES
SCALING
WATER CHEMISTRY
WATER QUALITY
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
ENERGY STORAGE
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
FOULING
MICROORGANISMS
MINERALS
OXIDE MINERALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PARTICLES
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SILICON OXIDES
STORAGE
250600* - Energy Storage- Thermal