We present results of our simulation study of the effects of the depth (top of the magma chamber at 5-10 km) and volume (1000-1400 km 3 ) of the primary heat source beneath the Los Humeros caldera. The thermal gradient in the vicinity of the magma chamber calculated from the temperature excess (difference between the simulated and the initial temperatures prior to emplacement of the magma) is more sensitive to its depth of intrusion than to its volume. This relationship was quantified from multiple linear regression equations. The temperature excess at 2-3 km depth due to the emplacement of magma and its conductive cooling is also more dependent on the chamber depth than on its volume. Therefore, in the study of calderas, volcanoes, and geothermal fields, constraining the chamber depth is more important than its volume. Similarly, comparison of the thermal regime inferred along vertical and horizontal profiles shows the importance of solving the thermal transport equations in three dimensions instead of one or two dimensions.
In this work, we report new chemical and isotopic data (3He/4He, δ13CCO2, δ13CCH4, and δDCH4) from poorly or previously unstudied hydrothermal and magmatic gases that are emitted along the eastern coast of the Baja California Peninsula (BCP). High 3He/4He values (up to ~7 Ra) characterize the magmatic gases, while lower ratios (≤1.6 Ra) characterize hydrothermal springs. We infer that the mantle beneath the BCP could be Mid‐ocean‐ridge basalt (MORB)‐likes, as in the rift within the Gulf of California, or it may reflect contamination from C‐rich sediment during paleo‐subduction of the Farallon plate. During their ascent, through the crust, mantle/magmatic gases mix with CO2‐ and 4He‐rich fluids, thus forming CO2‐rich hydrothermal gases. These hydrothermal gases undergo partial dissolution of CO2 in shallow waters under different temperature and pH conditions, which further modifies their composition. Thermogenic and possibly abiogenic sources of methane are present only in magmatic gases from the BCP. Secondary methane oxidation (microbial/inorganic) processes are proposed for some hydrothermal gases, which are extremely enriched in heavy isotopes. Finally, we argue that the hydrothermal gases that are emitted from the BCP have variable percentages of mantle contribution, indicating the presence of lithospheric faults enhancing the rise of mantle fluids also in areas where volcanism is absent.
Solar and geothermal energies are considered cleaner and more useful energy sources that can be used to avoid the negative environmental impacts caused by burning fossil fuels. Several works have reported airconditioning systems that use solar energy coupled to geothermal renewable energy as a thermal source. In this study, an Absorption AirConditioning System (AACS) used sodium hydroxide-water (NaOH-H 2 O) instead of lithium bromide-water to reduce the cost. Low enthalpy geothermal heat was derived from two shallow wells, 50 and 55 m deep. These wells are of interest due to the thermal recovery (temperature vs. time) of 56.2 • C that was possible at the maximum depth, which can be used for the first stage of the process. These wells were coupled with solar energy as a geothermal energy application for direct uses such as airconditioning systems. We studied the performance of an absorption cooling system operating with a NaOH-H 2 O mixture and using a parabolic trough plant coupled with a low enthalpy geothermal heat system as a hybrid heat source, as an alternative process that can help reduce operating costs and carbon dioxide emissions. The numerical heat transfer results showed the maximum convective heat transfer coefficient, as function of fluid velocity, and maximum temperature for a depth higher than 40 m. The results showed that the highest temperatures occur at low fluid velocities of less than or equal to 5.0 m/s. Under these conditions, reaching temperatures between 51.0 and 56.2 • C in the well was possible, which is required of the geothermal energy for the solar energy process. A water stream was used as the working fluid in the parabolic trough collector field. During the evaluation stage, the average experimental storage tank temperature achieved by the parabolic trough plant was
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