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CRM-geothermal: Raw materials from geothermal fluids: occurrence, enrichment, extraction

Descrizione del progetto

Estrazione sostenibile di materie prime dai fluidi geotermici

I fluidi geotermici spesso contengono elevate quantità di materie prime critiche (CRM, critical raw material). Alcuni studi hanno dimostrato che anche un solo pozzo ha la capacità di fornire all’Europa una quantità di elementi sufficiente a coprire le esigenze dei settori industriali chiave. L’estrazione combinata di calore e minerali massimizza i ritorni sull’investimento, riduce al minimo l’impatto ambientale, non richiede l’utilizzo aggiuntivo di terreni, ha un’impronta di carbonio prossima allo zero ed elimina la dipendenza da forniture esterne. Per valutare il potenziale di approvvigionamento complessivo, il progetto CRM-geothermal, finanziato dall’UE, amplierà l’atlante di fluidi geotermici esistente, raccogliendo nuovi dati e campionando i pozzi per determinare il loro contenuto di materie prime critiche. Sarà valutato il potenziale dei diversi contesti geologici per l’estrazione combinata in Europa e in Africa orientale.

Obiettivo

Geothermal fluids often carry high amounts of elements that the EU considers as 'critical' raw materials (CRM). Preliminary calculations show that even a single well has the potential to produce single-digit percentages of the EU needs. Combined extraction of heat and minerals maximises returns on investment, minimises environmental impact, requires no additional land use, leaves no mining legacies, has near-zero carbon footprint, and enables domestic supplies of CRM.
To assess overall supply potential, CRM-geothermal will enlarge an existing geothermal fluid atlas by collecting new data and sampling wells for their CRM content in Europe and East Africa. The potential of different geological settings for combined extraction will be evaluated.
Extraction/separation techniques exist, but need to be adapted to the harsh conditions of such systems (high temperature, pressure and salinities). Combinations of materials and flow-schemes will be assessed at lab-scale to optimise systems for different geothermal settings and CRM.
A modular, mobile plant will be developed and deployed at existing geothermal sites to conduct pilot studies, investigating upscaling and system integration.
The technological developments will be accompanied by assessments of environmental and social impacts to ensure good governance. An UNFC/UNRMS compliant reporting template will be developed to create trust among investors, regulators and the public. The project will advance key reference points for stakeholder engagement, in order to obtain and maintain a 'social license to operate'.
Combined extraction creates new business opportunities for both SMEs and larger companies, and its economics under likely future market developments will be investigated with a view to proposing suitable business models.
CRM-geothermal will open up a potentially huge untapped resource and deploy solutions to help Europe fulfil the strategic objectives of the EU Green Deal and the Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Coordinatore

HELMHOLTZ ZENTRUM POTSDAM DEUTSCHES GEOFORSCHUNGSZENTRUM GFZ
Contribution nette de l'UE
€ 1 965 500,00
Indirizzo
TELEGRAFENBERG
14473 POTSDAM
Germania

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Regione
Brandenburg Brandenburg Potsdam
Tipo di attività
Research Organisations
Collegamenti
Costo totale
€ 1 965 500,00

Partecipanti (33)

Partner (5)