Česká geologická služba
Projekt Mokrsko
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Přihlášení

Incorporation of the project into the research and development (R/D) program in the Czech Republic

The majority of foreign projects of similar orientation are focused on and implemented in sedimentary rocks, which are in the Czech Republic of a limited extent and often serve as sources of drinking water, therefore they are unsuitable for such technical projects. The use of crystalline rocks (specifically the plutonic and metamorphic rocks), prevailing in the Czech Republic, has not yet been more extensively tested for the underground storage of thermal energy. Besides the use of the new geological environment, another innovative objective of the proposed project is the development and testing of a special material, which due to its high thermal conductivity, is more efficient in heat transfer between the transport medium and the walls of boreholes, which accelerates both the storage and recovery of thermal energy.

Specific objectives of the project

The research is focused on quantifying the effective thermal conductivity of granitoids at the monitoring network of the field experiment. The main objective of laboratory and field investigations is to confirm or rule out potential changes in physical and chemical parameters of granitic rocks due to the thermal load of maximum 100 ° C. Specific objectives are to determine and verify:
- the extent and range of possible influence of thermal load on the structure of granitic rocks,
- the possibility of changes in hydraulic, hydro chemical, petrographic and geotechnical parameters of rocks in relation to the distance from the heat source,
- the emission intensity of seismic energy due to slip along surfaces of tectonic faults and the widening of micro fractures due to changes in the stress field,
- the possibility of extrapolating the results of surface exploration of granitoids into the depths common for construction of similar underground workings
- the ability of mathematical modeling and its applicability to study the effect of thermodynamic processes on hydraulic and geomechanical parameters of granitoids,
- the applicability and possible alternatives of functional geopolymers as contact energetic materials providing and ensuring energy efficient heat transfer.

At the same time, a proposal for the development of relevant methods and procedures is worked out on the basis of thematically oriented research:
- evaluation of petrology of granitoids exposed to heat load,
- assessment of structural and microstructural parameters of granitoids exposed to heat load,
- evaluation of the excavation-damaged zone (EDZ) of granitoids exposed to heat load,
- evaluation of hydraulic, geomechanical and geophysical parameters of granitoids exposed to heat load,
- modeling of hydraulic, geomechanical and geophysical parameters for granitic rocks exposed to heat load,
- preparation of functional geopolymers and criteria for their suitability for using in the contemplated thermal and mechanical conditions.
Equally important objective of the research project is also to verify the capacity and possibility of utilization of underground laboratories for studies in various fields of geosciences. In the Czech Republic it is an entirely unique opportunity to gain experience in multidisciplinary research in the underground laboratory. This experience will also be fully utilized in the future in an issue different from the present research, i.e. in the issue solving the repositories of spent nuclear fuel in deep geological structures.

3D model of schematic layout of the experiment behind the working face of selected short drift in the Josef adit at Mokrsko.

3D model of schematic layout of the experiment behind the working face of selected short drift in the Josef adit at Mokrsko.