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Tracing Ancient Carbon Dioxide Emission in the Larderello Area by Means of Historical Boric Acid Production Data

Author

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  • Alessandro Lenzi

    (Enel Green Power S.p.a. (EGP) Operation & Maintenance, via Andrea Pisano 120, 56126 Pisa, Italy)

  • Marco Paci

    (Enel Green Power S.p.a. (EGP) Operation & Maintenance, via Andrea Pisano 120, 56126 Pisa, Italy)

  • Geoffrey Giudetti

    (Enel Green Power S.p.a. (EGP) Operation & Maintenance, via Andrea Pisano 120, 56126 Pisa, Italy)

  • Roberto Gambini

    (RE&E, Rethinking Energy and Environment, 00184 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

The impact of natural CO 2 emissions in the development of geothermal areas is presently gaining more attention than ever before. In Italian geothermal fields, a reduction in the natural CO 2 emissions has been observed. This paper reviews and provides an analysis of the historical production data of boric acid from 1818 to 1867 used to calculate the natural emissions of CO 2 associated with boric acid production that pre-dates the use of geothermal resources for power production, which started in 1913. Boric acid was already being extracted from the natural geothermal fluids in geysers and natural ponds emitting steam and gases. After 1827 the ‘lagone coperto’ (covered lake) equipment optimized production, and the drilling of shallow wells (20–30 m) starting in 1836, which further increased the quantity of its extraction. The first geothermal reservoir was developed at the turn of the century and the Larderello geothermal field began to grow. The use of deep wells, keeping pace with the power production, led to the gradual disappearance of the natural ponds and the ‘lagoni’ (lakes) in the historical area, so the residual natural emission of CO 2 is presently restricted to diffuse soil emission. Comparisons of the ancient CO 2 emissions with those of the Geothermal Power Plant (GPP) in the Larderello area show that both amounts are in the same order of magnitude, suggesting a balance between the depletion of natural emissions and geothermal activity.

Suggested Citation

  • Alessandro Lenzi & Marco Paci & Geoffrey Giudetti & Roberto Gambini, 2021. "Tracing Ancient Carbon Dioxide Emission in the Larderello Area by Means of Historical Boric Acid Production Data," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-16, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:14:p:4101-:d:590066
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Thráinn Fridriksson & Almudena Mateos & Pierre Audinet & Yasemin Orucu, 2016. "Greenhouse Gases from Geothermal Power Production," World Bank Publications - Reports 24691, The World Bank Group.
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    Cited by:

    1. Giovanni Chiodini & Carlo Cardellini & Giulio Bini & Francesco Frondini & Stefano Caliro & Lisa Ricci & Barbara Lucidi, 2021. "The Carbon Dioxide Emission as Indicator of the Geothermal Heat Flow: Review of Local and Regional Applications with a Special Focus on Italy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-15, October.
    2. Mott, A. & Baba, A. & Hadi Mosleh, M. & Ökten, H.E. & Babaei, M. & Gören, A.Y. & Feng, C. & Recepoğlu, Y.K. & Uzelli, T. & Uytun, H. & Morata, D. & Yüksel, A. & Sedighi, M., 2022. "Boron in geothermal energy: Sources, environmental impacts, and management in geothermal fluid," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).

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