journal article·2021-11-09Open access

Closed-Loop Systems for Geothermal Energy Exploitation from Hydrocarbon Wells: An Italian Case Study

Martina Gizzi

Applied Sciences· Volume 11· Issue 22

Abstract

Geothermal energy resources associated with disused hydrocarbon wells in Italian oilfields represent a considerable source of renewable energy. Using the information available on Italian hydrocarbon wells and on-field temperatures, two simplified closed-loop-type systems models were implemented in the Python environment and applied to a selected hydrocarbon well (Trecate4) located inside the Italian Villafortuna–Trecate field (Northwestern Italy). Considering the maximum extracted working fluid temperatures, Coaxial WBHE turned out to be a better performing technology than the U-tube version. The obtained outflow temperatures of the working fluid at the wellhead for Coaxial and U-tube WBHEs of 98.6 °C and 84 °C, respectively, are both potentially exploitable for ensuring a multi-variant and comprehensive use of the resource through its application in sectors such as the food industry, horticultural and flower fields.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Geothermal Energy Systems and Applications · Reservoir Engineering and Simulation Methods · CO2 Sequestration and Geologic Interactions

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Department of Environment, Land and Infrastructure Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, C.so Duca Degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy

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