Rehabilitation of Wells and Geothermal Usage

Thermal Springs of Bad Nauheim

Anomalous high temperatures, salt contents and carbon dioxide concentrations were detected in shallow groundwater in the famous Art Deco ensemble, Sprudelhof. A carbon dioxide lifted thermal brine is discharged by ancient wells down to 180 m deep. Since 1856, the well installation had been operated without any changes and a low level of maintenance. During the last centuries, however, numerous anthropogenic interventions in the Sprudelhof’s underground led to changes of the natural brine system, as well as mixing, dilution and expansion processes in the near-surface aquifers. Recently, the thermal brine has been escaping from the well bore by uncontrolled means, contaminating the shallow underground. Corrosion of the casings has allowed the natural mixing system to reactivate. A groundwater monitoring network containing Duo-wells, allows independent samplings of the liquid and gaseous phases. Coinciding brine-groundwater mixing ratios were calculated for the two uppermost aquifers, as well as a gradient for increasing electric conductivities with depth.

The aim of this project is the development and evaluation of different reconstruction options considering a geothermal utilization of the thermal brine in future.

Fountain in the Sprudelhof in Bad Nauheim (photo: R. Schäffer)
Fountain in the Sprudelhof in Bad Nauheim (photo: R. Schäffer)

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