La mine d'alunite de Wenzhou : mémoires et stratégies de valorisation

lNTRODUCTION; This part is the general introduction of this thesis. The research subject, alunite mine of Wenzhou, has a history of more than 600 years. Not only in the history, has it still played an important role in the people's daily life of Fanshan Town. According to the legend, it was Qin Fu, a refugee, found the way of produce the alum totally by accident. However, we try to find out the real history of its mining and production of alum. ln fact, we have found some ancient documents concerning its history. Especially in the book « The chronicles of Wenzhou Fu of Hongzhi », we found some original information, such as the ancient method of mining and producing alum, etc. ln some other ancient documents, we found some important information, too. With such a long history, the alunite mine has held a lot of heritage, no matter tangible or intangible. Unfortunately, due to some reasons, the condition of the mine becomes worse and worse. ln studying his history, technology and the present situation, we intend to find some ways to solve the problems, and restart its development in other fields. Certainly, we should make a brief introduction of the alunite as well as the alum. The second part of the introduction concentrates in the uses of alum, providing an easier comprehension of this object.

3D modelling of the transmissivity of granitic rocks surrounding the old Quinta do Bispo mine | Modelação 3D da transmissividade do maciço granítico envolvente à antiga mina da Quinta do Bispo

Apresenta-se uma metodologia para caracterizar a transmissividade dos Granitos Hercínicos e Metasedimentos do Complexo Xisto-Grauváquico do maciço envolvente e subjacente à antiga área mineira de urânio da Quinta do Bispo. Inicia-se com a modelação das litologias e grau de alteração a que se segue a simulação condicional da densidade de fracturação. No final, a densidade de fracturação é convertida num modelo 3D de transmissividade por relação com os resultados dos ensaios de bombagem. The purpose of this work is to present a methodology for characterizing the transmissivity of the Hercynian granites and complex schist–greywacke metasediment rocks surrounding and underlying the old Quinta do Bispo uranium mining site. The methodology encompasses modelling of lithologies and weathering levels, followed by a conditional simulation of fracture density. Fracture density is then converted into a 3D model of transmissivity via a relationship with pumping tests.

Large scale underground energy storage for renewables integration: general criteria for reservoir identification and viable technologies.

The increasing integration of renewable energies in the electricity grid contributes considerably to achieve the European Union goals on energy and Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emissions reduction. However, it also brings problems to grid management. Large scale energy storage can provide the means for a better integration of the renewable energy sources, for balancing supply and demand, to increase energy security, to enhance a better management of the grid and also to converge towards a low carbon economy. Geological formations have the potential to store large volumes of fluids with minimal impact to environment and society. One of the ways to ensure a large scale energy storage is to use the storage capacity in geological reservoir. In fact, there are several viable technologies for underground energy storage, as well as several types of underground reservoirs that can be considered. The geological energy storage technologies considered in this research were: Underground Gas Storage (UGS), Hydrogen Storage (HS), Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES), Underground Pumped Hydro Storage (UPHS) and Thermal Energy Storage (TES). For these different types of underground energy storage technologies there are several types of geological reservoirs that can be suitable, namely: depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs, aquifers, salt formations and caverns, engineered rock caverns and abandoned mines. Specific site screening criteria are applicable to each of these reservoir types and technologies, which determines the viability of the reservoir itself, and of the technology for any particular site. This paper presents a review of the criteria applied in the scope of the Portuguese contribution to the EU funded project ESTMAP – Energy Storage Mapping and Planning.