Geothermal energy: settlement and water chemistry in Cork, Ireland

Abstract

Water extracted from beneath the Docklands shows that significant water chemistry issues exist.Laboratory and field tests confirm that optimal concentration levels of several water chemistry characteristics are significantly exceeded; leading to the conclusion that open loop exploitation in the area may not be suitable. In addition, settlement induced by pumping of water could potentially lead to a consolidation settlement in excess of 30 mm due primarily to the existence of highly compressible alluvium. Notation: strain

Energy piles: site investigation and analysis

“…after Recovery' in Figure 6(a). This measurement confirms the findings of Hemmingway and Long (2011b) where the results of a number of geotechnical site investigations suggest the presence of soft clay layers at approximately 6m depth. The temperature with depth measurements presented in Figure 6(a) show a slower rate of return to natural soil temperature conditions at depth 6m relative to the rate of return to natural ground temperature below this point.…”

“…Hemmingway and The energy piles are installed to a depth of 14.5m and therefore the bedrock (thought to be at a depth of between 42.2m and 60m (Allen et al, 2003, Hemmingway and Long, 2011b, Long and Roberts, 2008, Milenic and Allen, 2005 is not reached.…”

“…The sample was extracted at a depth of 12m below ground level during the site investigations described in Hemmingway and Long (2011b). A full description of the thermal probe used to perform the laboratory thermal conductivity measurement alongside the evaluation theory is provided in Hemmingway and Long (2012b).…”

A preliminary study of the effect of groundwater flow on the thermal front created by borehole heat exchangers

“…at the system feasibility stage [1]. This paper deals with vertical closed loop geothermal systems only.…”

Editorial

“…The final paper (Hemmingway and Long, 2011) discusses issues related to implementing geothermal energy schemes in Cork, Ireland. Although the paper does not touch on social issues directly, the authors highlight that the human desire for energy is requiring new non-fossil-fuel schemes to be explored, which may themselves have unexpected and adverse impacts on both natural and built environments.…”