Schäffer, R. ; Sass, I. ; Heldmann, C.-D. ; Scheuvens, D. (2018)
Geothermal drilling in an Alpine karst aquifer and its impact on downstream springs – A case study from Finkenberg, Tyrol, Austria.
In: Acta Carsologica, 47 (2-3)
doi: 10.3986/ac.v47i2-3.4963
Article
Abstract
A borehole heat exchanger array was installed in an Alpine karst aquifer for the first time in Europe. It is composed of nine 400 m deep boreholes in the dolomitic marble of the Hochstegen Formation. New approaches were developed for this unprecedented application and potential risks were checked throughout the sinking of the initial exploratory wellbore. As Finkenberg is located in a tourist area, drilling operations had to be executed within only a few weeks. Several springs downstream from the drilling site are sources of drinking water and tap water supply. Given that the degree and distribution of the Hochstegen Formation karstification was unknown, a spring monitoring program was mandatory in order to obtain drilling permission from public authorities. A practicable and affordable spring monitoring program including several physical and chemical parameters was developed and implemented to document the potential impact of the drilling activities on the spring water. A temporary and locally limited impact of the drilling works on groundwater quality was detected by turbidity measurements. This paper reports the implementation of geothermal drilling in a karst aquifer with a focus on karstification as well as planning, implementation and the results of the spring monitoring program. Such a program can be recommended for comparable projects or questions, adapting the characteristic parameters to be collected and the measurement intervals in consultation with the relevant authorities. It might also increase the chances of gaining approval for geothermal projects in karst and could enhance public acceptance. Key words: Pneumatic down hole hammer drilling, Borehole heat exchanger, Groundwater monitoring, Turbidity, Hochstegen Formation.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Erschienen: | 2018 |
| Creators: | Schäffer, R. ; Sass, I. ; Heldmann, C.-D. ; Scheuvens, D. |
| Type of entry: | Bibliographie |
| Title: | Geothermal drilling in an Alpine karst aquifer and its impact on downstream springs – A case study from Finkenberg, Tyrol, Austria |
| Language: | English |
| Date: | 24 September 2018 |
| Journal or Publication Title: | Acta Carsologica |
| Volume of the journal: | 47 |
| Issue Number: | 2-3 |
| DOI: | 10.3986/ac.v47i2-3.4963 |
| URL / URN: | https://ojs.zrc-sazu.si/carsologica/issue/archive |
| Corresponding Links: | |
| Abstract: | A borehole heat exchanger array was installed in an Alpine karst aquifer for the first time in Europe. It is composed of nine 400 m deep boreholes in the dolomitic marble of the Hochstegen Formation. New approaches were developed for this unprecedented application and potential risks were checked throughout the sinking of the initial exploratory wellbore. As Finkenberg is located in a tourist area, drilling operations had to be executed within only a few weeks. Several springs downstream from the drilling site are sources of drinking water and tap water supply. Given that the degree and distribution of the Hochstegen Formation karstification was unknown, a spring monitoring program was mandatory in order to obtain drilling permission from public authorities. A practicable and affordable spring monitoring program including several physical and chemical parameters was developed and implemented to document the potential impact of the drilling activities on the spring water. A temporary and locally limited impact of the drilling works on groundwater quality was detected by turbidity measurements. This paper reports the implementation of geothermal drilling in a karst aquifer with a focus on karstification as well as planning, implementation and the results of the spring monitoring program. Such a program can be recommended for comparable projects or questions, adapting the characteristic parameters to be collected and the measurement intervals in consultation with the relevant authorities. It might also increase the chances of gaining approval for geothermal projects in karst and could enhance public acceptance. Key words: Pneumatic down hole hammer drilling, Borehole heat exchanger, Groundwater monitoring, Turbidity, Hochstegen Formation. |
| Divisions: | 11 Department of Materials and Earth Sciences 11 Department of Materials and Earth Sciences > Earth Science 11 Department of Materials and Earth Sciences > Earth Science > Geothermal Science and Technology |
| Date Deposited: | 24 Sep 2018 12:01 |
| Last Modified: | 04 Jun 2019 13:16 |
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| Corresponding Links: | |
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