260 research outputs found
Development of an Italian catalogue of potential CO2storage sites: an approach from deep wells data
Stabilize and reduce the atmospheric concentration of anthropogenic greenhouse gases
is one of the principal goal that have to be accomplished in short time, in order to
reduce the climate changes and the global warming, following the World Energy Outlook
2007 program by IEA. The most promising remedy, proposed for large CO2
sources like thermoelectric power plants, refineries and cement industries, is to separate
the flue gas capturing the CO2 and to store it into deep sub-surface geological
reservoirs, such as deep saline aquifers, depleted oil and gas fields and unminable
coal beds. Among these options, deep saline aquifers are considered the reservoirs
with the larger storage potentiality, as a consequence of a wide availability with respect
to deep coal seems, depleted oil fields and gas reservoirs. The identification of
a possible storage site necessarily passes through the demonstration that CO2 can be
injected in extremely safe conditions into geological deep formations, with impermeable
caprock above the aquifer/s, which physic-chemical-mineralogical conditions are
useful to a better mineral and solubility trapping as well as the hydrodynamic or physical/
structural ones. In order to support the identification of potential storage reservoirs
in Italy, INGV jointly with CESI RICERCA S.p.A. accomplished a detailed reworking
of available geological, geophysical, geochemical and seismological data, in order
to support the existing European GESTCO as well as the CO2GeoCapacity projects.
Aim of this work is to establish some site selection criteria to demonstrate the possibility
of the geological storage of CO2 in Italy, even if it is located in an active
geodynamical domain. This research started from the study of 7575 wells drilled on
Italian territory during the last 50 years for gas/oil and geothermal exploration. Among
this data-set as a whole, only 1700 wells (deeper than 800 m) have been selected. Only
1290 of these wells have a public-available composite log and fit with the basic prerequisites
for CO2 storage potential, mostly as deep saline aquifer/s presence. Wells
data have been organized into a geodatabase containing information about the nature
and the thickness of geological formations, the presence of fresh, saline or brackish
water, brine, gas and oil, the underground temperature, the permeability, porosity and
geochemical characteristics of the caprock and the reservoirs lithologies. Available
maps, seismic and geological profiles containing or closer to the analyzed wells have
been catalogued too. In order to constrain the supercritical behaviour of the CO2 and
to prevent the escape of gaseous CO2 to the surface, a first evaluation of the caprock
presence and quality has been done on these selected wells. Using a numerical parameterization
of the caprock lithologies, a âCaprock Quality Factorâ (Fbp) has been
defined, which clustered the wells into 5 different classes of caprock impermeability
(ranging between the lowest 1 to highest 5). The analysis shows that more than 50%
of the selected wells have an Fbp Factor between 4 and 5 (good and optimal quality of
caprock), and are mostly located in foredeep basins of the Alps-Apenninic Chain. The
geodatabase also includes: i) the seismogenetic sources (INGV DISS 3.0.4 Database
of Individual Seismogenetic Sources), ii) an elaboration of seismic events catalogues
(INGV CFTI, CPTI04, NT4.1), iii) the Diffuse Degassing Structures (DDS), as part
of the INGV project V5 diffuse degassing in Italy geodatabase, considered as âCO2
analogueâ field-tests, iv) the distribution of the thermal anomalies on the Italian Territory,
linked to the presence of volcanic CO2 emissions, in order to consider the CO2
diffuse degassing risk assessment on the Italian territory
Successively it has been created a geodatabase on the nature and quality of deep
aquifers for the high-ranking wells sub-dataset (where the aquifers data are available),
containing the following parameters: i) presence of one or more aquifers deeper than
800 meters; ii) thickness of the aquifer/s; iii) lithology of the reservoir/s; iv) available
chemical analysis; v) distance from closer power plants or other anthropogenic CO2
sources.The final aim of these work is to help to find potential areas in Italy where
CO2 storage feasibility studies can be done. In these cases it is necessary to implement
the knowledge by: i) better evaluation of saline aquifer quality; ii) estimation
of CO2 storage capacity by 3D-modeling of deep crustal structures; iii) fluid-dynamic
and geochemical modelling of water-rock-CO2 interaction paths
The 2012 Ferrara seismic sequence: Regional crustal structure, earthquake sources, and seismic hazard
Inadequate seismic design codes can be dangerous, particularly when they underestimate the true hazard. In this study we use data from a sequence of moderate-sized earthquakes in northeast Italy to validate and test a regional wave propagation model which, in turn, is used to under- stand some weaknesses of the current design spectra. Our velocity model, while regionalized and somewhat ad hoc, is consistent with geophysical observations and the local geology. In the 0.02â0.1 Hz band, this model is validated by using it to calculate moment tensor solutions of 20 earth- quakes (5.6 MW 3.2) in the 2012 Ferrara, Italy, seismic sequence. The seismic spectra observed for the relatively small main shock significantly exceeded the design spectra to be used in the area for critical structures. Observations and synthetics reveal that the ground motions are dominated by long-duration surface waves, which, apparently, the design codes do not adequately anticipate. In light of our results, the present seismic hazard assessment in the entire Pianura Padana, including the city of Milan, needs to be re-evaluated. Citation: Malagnini, L., R. B. Herrmann, I. MunafĂČ, M. Buttinelli, M. Anselmi, A. Akinci, and E. Boschi (2012), The 2012 Ferrara seismic sequence: Regional crustal structure, earthquake sources, and seismic hazard, Geophys. Res. Lett., 39, L19302, doi:10.1029/ 2012GL053214
Mineralogy and geochemical trapping of CO2 in an Italian carbonatic deep saline aquifer: preliminary results
CO2 Capture & Storage (CCS) is presently one of the most promising technologies
for reducing anthropogenic emissions of CO2 . Among the several potential geologi-
cal CO2 storage sites, e.g. depleted oil and gas field, unexploitable coal beds, saline
aquifers, the latter are estimated to have the highest potential capacity (350-1000 Gt
CO2 ) and, being relatively common worldwide, a higher probability to be located
close to major CO2 anthropogenic sources. In these sites CO2 can safely be retained
at depth for long times, as follows: a) physical trapping into geologic structures; b) hy-
drodynamic trapping where CO2(aq) slowly migrates in an aquifer, c) solubility trap-
ping after the dissolution of CO2(aq) and d) mineral trapping as secondary carbon-
ates precipitate. Despite the potential advantages of CO2 geo-sequestration, risks of
CO2 leakage from the reservoir have to be carefully evaluated by both monitoring
techniques and numerical modeling used in âCO2 analoguesâ, although seepage from
saline aquifers is unlikely to be occurring. The fate of CO2 once injected into a saline
aquifer can be predicted by means of numerical modelling procedures of geochemical
processes, these theoretical calculations being one of the few approaches for inves-
tigating the short-long-term consequences of CO2 storage. This study is focused on
some Italian deep-seated (>800 m) saline aquifers by assessing solubility and min-
eral trapping potentiality as strategic need for some feasibility studies that are about
to be started in Italy. Preliminary results obtained by numerical simulations of a geo-
chemical modeling applied to an off-shore Italian carbonatic saline aquifer potential
suitable to geological CO2 storage are here presented and discussed. Deep well data,
still covered by industrial confidentiality, show that the saline aquifer, includes six
Late Triassic-Early Jurassic carbonatic formations at the depth of 2500-3700 m b.s.l.
These formations, belonging to Tuscan Nappe, consist of porous limestones (mainly
calcite) and marly limestones sealed, on the top, by an effective and thick cap-rock
(around 2500 m) of clay flysch belonging to the Liguride Units. The evaluation of the
potential geochemical impact of CO2 storage and the quantification of water-gas-rock
reactions (solubility and mineral trapping) of injection reservoir have been performed
by the PRHEEQC (V2.11) Software Package via corrections to the code default ther-
modynamic database to obtain a more realistic modelling. The main modifications to
the Software Package are, as follows: i) addition of new solid phases, ii) variation
of the CO2 supercritical fugacity and solubility under reservoir conditions, iii) addi-
tion of kinetic rate equations of several minerals and iv) calculation of reaction sur-
face area. Available site-specific data include only basic physical parameters such as
temperature, pressure, and salinity of the formation waters. Rocks sampling of each
considered formation in the contiguous in-shore zones was carried out. Mineralogy
was determined by X-Ray diffraction analysis and Scanning Electronic Microscopy
on thin sections. As chemical composition of the aquifer pore water is unknown, this
has been inferred by batch modeling assuming thermodynamic equilibrium between
minerals and a NaCl equivalent brine at reservoir conditions (up to 135 ÌC and 251
atm). Kinetic modelling was carried out for isothermal conditions (135 ÌC), under a
CO2 injection constant pressure of 251 atm, between: a) bulk mineralogy of the six
formations constituting the aquifer, and b) pre-CO2 injection water. The kinetic evolu-
tion of the CO2 -rich brines interacting with the host-rock minerals performed over 100
years after injection suggests that solubility trapping is prevailing in this early stage
of CO2 injection. Further and detailed multidisciplinary studies on rock properties,
geochemical and micro seismic monitoring and 3D reservoir simulation are necessary
to better characterize the potential storage site and asses the CO2 storage capacity
Overview of the geochemical modeling on CO2 capture & storage in Italian feasibility studies
CO2 Capture & Storage in saline aquifers is presently one
of the most promising technologies for reducing
anthropogenic emissions of CO2. In these sites the short-longterm
consequences of CO2 storage into a deep reservoir can be
predicted by numerical modelling of geochemical processes.
Unfortunately a common problem working with off-shore
closed wells, where only the well-log information are
available, is to obtain physico-chemical data (e.g.
petrophysical and mineralogical) needed to reliable numerical
simulations. Available site-specific data generally include only
basic physical parameters such as temperature, pressure, and
salinity of the formation waters.
In this study we present a methodological procedure that
allows to estimate and integrate lacking information to
geochemical modelling of deep reservoirs such as: i) bulk and
modal mineralogical composition, ii) porosity and
permeability of the rock obtained from heat flow
measurements and temperature, iii) chemical composition of
formation waters (at reservoir conditions) prior of CO2
injection starting from sampling of analogue outcropping rock
formations.
The data sets in this way reconstructed constitute the base
of geochemical simulations applied on some deep-seated
Italian carbonatic and sandy saline aquifers potentially suitable
for geological CO2 storage.
Numerical simulations of reactive transport has been
performed by using the reactive transport code
TOUGHREACT via pressure corrections to the default
thermodynamic database to obtain a more realistic modelling.
Preliminary results of geochemical trapping (solubility and
mineral trapping) potentiality and cap-rock stability as
strategic need for some feasibility studies near to be started in
Italy are here presented and discussed
Soil-gas survey of liquefaction and collapsed caves during the Emilia seismic sequence
Immediately after the 20th May 2012 Mw 5.9 main shock Emilia earthquake and during the seismic sequence of May-June, 2012, geochemical field investigations were carried out into the epicentral area. This paper provides preliminary soils measurements of CO2 and CH4 performed on widespread liquefactions and ground fractures, occurred after the main shock. Soil gas concentrations and flux measurements on some collapsed caves, already studied in 2008, were repeated again during the seismic sequence of 2012. Observations related to gap forming between buildings and sidewalk, damage of roads, tilting of electricity poles, sand eruption from a well and settlement of ground are also presented
An Exploratory Study of Field Failures
Field failures, that is, failures caused by faults that escape the testing
phase leading to failures in the field, are unavoidable. Improving verification
and validation activities before deployment can identify and timely remove many
but not all faults, and users may still experience a number of annoying
problems while using their software systems. This paper investigates the nature
of field failures, to understand to what extent further improving in-house
verification and validation activities can reduce the number of failures in the
field, and frames the need of new approaches that operate in the field. We
report the results of the analysis of the bug reports of five applications
belonging to three different ecosystems, propose a taxonomy of field failures,
and discuss the reasons why failures belonging to the identified classes cannot
be detected at design time but shall be addressed at runtime. We observe that
many faults (70%) are intrinsically hard to detect at design-time
Hospital discharges-based search of acute flaccid paralysis cases 2007-2016 in Italy and comparison with the National Surveillance System for monitoring the risk of polio reintroduction
Background: Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance has been adopted globally as a key strategy for monitoring the progress of the polio eradication initiative. Hereby, to evaluate the completeness of the ascertainment of AFP cases in Italy, a hospital-discharges based search was carried out. Methods: AFP cases occurring between 2007 and 2016 among children under 15 years of age were searched in the Italian Hospital Discharge Records (HDR) database using specific ICD-9-CM diagnostic codes. AFP cases identified between 2015 and 2016 were then compared with those notified to the National Surveillance System (NSS). Results: Over a 10-year period, 4163 hospital discharges with diagnosis of AFP were reported in Italy. Among these, 956 (23.0%) were acute infective polyneuritis, 1803 (43.3%) myopathy, and 1408 (33.8%) encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis. During the study period, a decreasing trend was observed for all diagnoses and overall the annual incidence rate (IR) declined from 5.5 to 4.5 per 100,000 children. Comparing NSS with HDR data in 2015-2016, we found a remarkable underreporting, being AFP cases from NSS only 14% of those recorded in HDR. In particular, the acute infective polyneuritis cases reported to NSS accounted for 42.6% of those detected in HDR, while only 0.9% of myopathy cases and 13.1% of encephalitis/myelitis/encephalomyelitis cases have been notified to NSS. The highest AFP IRs per 100,000 children calculated on HDR data were identified in Liguria (17.4), Sicily (5.7), and Veneto (5.1) Regions; regarding the AFP notified to the NSS, 11 out of 21 Regions failed to reach the number of expected cases (based on 1/100,000 rate), and the highest discrepancies were observed in the Northern Regions. Overall, the national AFP rate was equal to 0.6, therefore did not reach the target value. Conclusions: AFP surveillance data are the final measure of a country's progress towards polio eradication. The historical data obtained by the HDR have been useful to assess the completeness of the notification data and to identify the Regions with a low AFP ascertainment rate in order to improve the national surveillance system
La campagna sismica del progetto âAlto Adriaticoâ. Rapporto delle attivitĂ 2010-2011
Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e VulcanologiaPublished1-401.1. TTC - Monitoraggio sismico del territorio nazionaleN/A or not JCRope
RETRACE-3D PROJECT, a multidisciplinary approach for the construction of a 3D crustal model: first results and seismotectonic implications
The RETRACE-3D (centRal italy EarThquakes integRAted Crustal modEl) Project has
been launched with the ambitious goal to build, as first result, a new, robust, 3D geological
model of broad consensus of the area struck by the 2016-2018 Central Italy seismic sequencePublishedBologna3T. Sorgente sismica4T. SismicitĂ dell'Itali
- âŠ