Structural analysis and fluid geochemistry as tools to assess the potential of the Tocomar geothermal system, Central Puna (Argentina)
Autor: | Gianluca Norini, Sveva Corrado, Gianluca Groppelli, Guido Giordano, Gianfilippo De Astis, Chiara Invernizzi, Raúl Becchio, Maria Florencia Ahumada, Franco Tassi, Sabina Bigi, Sara Taviani, Agostina Chiodi, Chiara Caricchi, José Viramonte, Ruben Eduardo Filipovich, Alfonso Barrios, Arnaldo A. De Benedetti, Luca Aldega, Walter Ariel Baez |
---|---|
Rok vydání: | 2022 |
Předmět: |
geography
geography.geographical_feature_category conceptual model geothermal potential Renewable Energy Sustainability and the Environment Geochemistry Geology Groundwater recharge Magma chamber Fault (geology) Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology fault-related geothermal exploration Southern Central Andes Tectonics Volcano Rhyolite Fracture (geology) Geothermal gradient |
Zdroj: | Geothermics 98 (2022). doi:10.1016/j.geothermics.2021.102297 info:cnr-pdr/source/autori:Filipovich, Rubén; Chiodi, Agostina; Báez, Walter; Ahumada, Maria Florencia; Invernizzi, Chiara; Taviani, Sara; Aldega, Luca; Tassi, Franco; Barrios, Alfonso; Corrado, Sveva; Groppelli, Gianluca; Norini, Gianluca; Bigi, Sabina; Caricchi, Chiara; De Benedetti, Arnaldo; De Astis, Gianfilippo; Becchio, Raúl; Viramonte, José Germán; Giordano, Guido/titolo:Structural analysis and fluid geochemistry as tools to assess the potential of the Tocomar geothermal system, Central Puna (Argentina)/doi:10.1016%2Fj.geothermics.2021.102297/rivista:Geothermics/anno:2022/pagina_da:/pagina_a:/intervallo_pagine:/volume:98 |
ISSN: | 0375-6505 |
Popis: | The Argentinean Andean region hosts a vast geothermal resource clustered by active magmatic and tectonic activity. One of the most studied geothermal areas is the Tuzgle-Tocomar geothermal system in Central Puna (NW Argentina). However, despite the existence of several studies since the 1970′s highlighting the geothermal potential of the area, only highly schematic and dissimilar conceptual models have been proposed for the Tocomar Geothermal System. This study presents new detailed geological-structural and hydrogeochemical data, together with in-situ permeability analysis of fault zones and Raman spectroscopic characterization of hydrothermal-alteration minerals. The electrical generating capacity has also been evaluated using the volumetric method and a stochastic approach. A new comprehensive conceptual model of the studied area was constructed highlighting the role of the Calama-Olacapato-El Toro (COT) fault-system in the circulation of hydrothermal fluids. The reservoir of the Tocomar geothermal system has a Na+-Clˉ(HCO3)ˉ composition and an estimated temperature of ∼235 °C. Such a reservoir is hosted in fractured Ordovician rocks and controlled by the COT-like Chorrillos transpressive fault at 1000–1500 m depth b.g.l. The water isotopic data and hydrological features indicate a regional recharge beyond the Tocomar sub-basin boundaries (>5000 m a.s.l.). Additionally, the main hydrothermal reservoir receives inputs of magmatic fluids from the degassing of the intra-crustal rhyolitic magma chamber of the Tocomar volcanic center. The Monte Carlo simulations suggest that the Tocomar geothermal system has a probable power production capacity above 1.23 MWe (P90), 6.18 MWe (P50) and 11.67 MWe (P10) at different confidence levels. All calculations were biased towards minimum values, thus a tighter definition of the resource size and fracture porosity would significantly impact on the predictions. Notwithstanding, the strategic position of the Tocomar geothermal field encourages move forward towards more in-depth exploration phases. |
Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
Externí odkaz: |